Former Coronation Street actors Vicky Entwistle and Chris Gascoyne will be joined by Nancy Sullivan in a new production of Jim Cartwright’s The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice at Birmingham REP.
James Brining, artistic director of West Yorkshire Playhouse, directs this co-production and said, “The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is that rare kind of play that combines real humour and comedy with a heart-breaking story as well as the power of music to transport an audience.
“It’s also got a political heart and we’re loving finding all the ways that the play can speak to an audience today, almost 25 years after the original production.”
Nancy Sullivan plays LV. Her theatre credits include The Wizard Of Oz (West Yorkshire Playhouse), Nikolai Foster’s production The Good Person Of Sichuan at the Mercury Theatre, Colchester and the role of Eponine in Trevor Nunn’s Les Miserables in the West End from 2008 to 2010.
Vicky Entwistle plays LV’s mother Mari. As well as playing Coronation Street’s infamous Janice Battersby, she has appeared on stage in Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues, Bill Kenwright’s Funny Peculiar and took the role of Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables.
Chris Gascoyne who was Peter Barlow in Coronation Street is talent agent Ray Say. He played Johnny in Mark Babych’s production of Terrence McNally’s Frankie And Johnny In The Claire De Lune at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton in 2004. Other credits include The Rib Cage at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Simon Stephens's first play Bluebird at the Royal Court and The Changing Room at the Royal Court and in the West End.
The cast also includes Joanna Brookes (Sadie), Brendan Charleson (Mr Boo) and Tendayi Jembere (Billy).
The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice is designed by Colin Richmond with lighting design by Philip Gladwell, musical direction by David Shrubsole and sound design by Dan Hoole.
It runs at Birmingham REP from Friday 15 until Saturday 30 May. Press night will be on Tuesday 19 May.