Newcastle’s Live Theatre has announced the casting for its revival of its sell-out show of last autumn, Clear White Light, from 19 September to 12 October.
Original cast members Charlie Hardwick, Joe Caffrey, Ray Laidlaw, Billy Mitchell, Phil Adèle, Alice Blundell and Dale Jewitt all reprise their roles but the role of Alison will be taken by Elizabeth Carter who last appeared at Live in ten years ago in The Moonlight Gem and Garden of Dreams, a production for young people. She most recently appeared in the North East in Bill Kenwright's touring production of Rain Man at Northern Stage.
“Growing up in the North East, Live Theatre was where I would watch, study and be hugely inspired by new plays,” she said. “I’ve always been passionate about the development of new writing in the North East and it is an honour to be invited back here, to perform in Clear White Light. It’s been 10 years since I last performed at Live Theatre and I am so excited to be returning home to this beautiful venue, to work with such a brilliant team and be part of such a fantastic show. It really is an honour and I can’t wait!”
She replaces Bryony Corrigan, who originally played the part and who is currently in rehearsals for Magic Goes Wrong, a new play from Mischief Theatre (of which she is a founder member) at the West End’s Vaudeville Theatre.
Clear White Light is a modern interpretation of Edgar Allan Poe’s short story The Fall of the House of Usher, set in St. Nicholas’ Hospital in Gosforth and featuring the songs of Alan Hull of Lindisfarne—some of which he wrote at St. Nick’s when he was working as a nurse there. The music is played and sung live by the actors, including former members of Lindisfarne, Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell, and includes many of the band’s hits including "Winter Song", "Lady Eleanor" and "Clear White Light".