Two Nottingham actresses, BAFTA Award winner Vicky McClure and Aisling Loftus who was in the BBC drama War and Peace, team up in the 40th anniversary revival of Stephen Lowe’s play Touched at Nottingham Playhouse.
McClure, who is known for appearing in television series including This Is England, Line of Duty and Broadchurch, will return to the stage for the first time in 12 years in the “powerful and poignant” World War II drama set during the 100 days between VE Day and VJ Day.
Loftus is known for her television appearances as Agnes Towler in Mr Selfridge and Sonya Rostova in War and Peace.
Playhouse artistic director Giles Croft said, “Touched is a beautifully moving story of longing and loss. Presenting the 40th anniversary of the best-known play by Nottingham’s most important playwright is a wonderful way to start the year; but to present it for the first time with authentic Nottingham voices is particularly exciting.
“Add to that the formidable talents of Vicky McLure and Aisling Loftus and this production will make an important statement about the cultural and creative life of the city.”
Matt Aston who directs Touched said, “Vicky McClure was always my first choice to play the part of Sandra. Despite the play premièring in 1977, it’s as if the play was written for her.
“It was my intention to cast the show with the authentic Nottingham voice at its core. We’ve managed to achieve that.”
The cast also includes Chloe Harris, Elizabeth Rider, Esther Coles, Luke Gell, Sarah Beck Mather, Ian Kirkby and George Boden.
Designer is Jamie Vartan, lighting designer Nick Richings, projection designer William Simpson, composer/sound designer Julian Butler, movement director Emma Annetts and voice coach Kat Hicks.
Touched runs from Friday 17 February until Saturday 4 March.