Leicester’s Curve has announced full casting for the spring 2024 tour of Hanif Kureishi’s My Beautiful Laundrette.
Gordon Warnecke, who played Omar in Stephen Frear’s Oscar-nominated 1985 film of the same name, returns to the drama as Omar’s wise but world-weary Papa.
Lucca Chadwick-Patel will play Omar, while Sam Mitchell will take the role of Omar’s fascist former schoolfriend Johnny.
Originally staged as a world première at Curve in 2019, My Beautiful Laundrette will mark the return of Kammy Darweish as Omar’s enterprising Thatcherite uncle Nasser, Paddy Daly as right-wing thug Genghis and Hareet Deol will reprise his role as Salim, Nasser’s right-hand man.
Completing the company are Emma Bown, playing Nasser’s lover Rachel and skinhead Moose, and Sharan Phull as Nasser’s daughter Tania.
Set in south London during the Thatcher years, My Beautiful Laundrette tells the story of Omar, who has a confrontation with a racist gang which includes his former schoolfriend Johnny. Against a backdrop of nationalism, racial tensions, financial crisis and political turmoil, the pair come together to transform a run-down laundrette and realise their feelings for one another.
My Beautiful Laundrette is based on Kureishi’s 1985 film. The tour will be directed by Nicole Behan. The production features original music composed by the Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, set and costume design by Grace Smart, lighting by Curve associate Ben Cracknell and sound design by Tom Marshall. Casting is by Harry Blumenau.
Curve’s chief executive Chris Stafford and artistic director Nikolai Foster said, “from his hospital bed, Hanif remains a constant source of inspiration and it’s been an honour to work on rewrites for this production from his bedside. He’s undoubtedly one of the most important writers of our time, and we’re proud to be presenting this revival of Hanif’s beautiful, highly entertaining and provocative play.”
My Beautiful Laundrette will open at Curve from 17 until 24 February before touring to Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, Theatre Royal Wakefield, The Lowry, Salford, Liverpool Playhouse and Blackpool Grand Theatre.