The Newspaper Boy by Chris Hoyle, part of Queer Contact 2018 in Manchester, is at 53Two from February 13 to 24.
Christian Dibmore is a working class 15-year-old who’s got it all as the newest child star in the nation’s favourite soap. But he has a secret that’s soon to be on the front page of every tabloid...
After a production back in 2009, Chris Hoyle’s semi-autobiographical coming-of-age play is a reimagined production featuring Samantha Siddall (Shameless), Karen Henthorn (Coronation Street), Sam Retford (Hollyoaks, Ackley Bridge), Hollie-Jay Bowes (Hollyoaks) and introducing Daniel Maley in the lead role.
The show also boasts a unique ‘Play-and-a-Rave’ night hosted by '90s DJs Dave Kendrick and Guy Williams, spinning Flesh and Paradise club classics after the show in homage to the era in which the play is set.
Playwright Chris Hoyle based the storyline of The Newspaper Boy on his own experiences as a child actor playing the part of Mark Redman (Mike Baldwin’s son) in Coronation Street from 1992 to 1994—a contract that was cut short after the 15-year-old Hoyle was caught in possession of cannabis.