East Midlands touring company New Perspectives is to present the first stage adaptation of Him With His Foot in His Mouth by American writer Saul Bellow.
Him With His Foot In His Mouth tells the story of Harry Shawmut, a man who often says things he shouldn't. He once made an unkind comment to a lady in passing and now, years later, has decided to apologise. But saying sorry isn't always that straightforward.
Harry uses the theatre audience to help rehearse the most elaborate apology in history, taking us through the contours of his life story.
Winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Saul Bellow is considered one of the forefathers of modern Jewish humour. He died in 2005.
Him With His Foot In His Mouth is adapted and directed by New Perspectives artistic director Jack McNamara.
“Saul Bellow is one of the last century’s major writers and it’s a real coup to find a story of his that lends itself so well to being put on stage,” he said.
“One of the key things that New Perspectives does is find these cultural gems and tours them to places off the beaten track, to rural villages and places with limited access to culture.
“It excites me to think that thousands of people in villages across the country will be able to experience the mind-expanding world of Bellow so vividly in their village.”
Stephen Chance will play Harry Shawmut in this one-man show which opens at Greenwich Theatre, London from 5 until 8 February before setting off on a national rural tour from 10 February until 5 April. It will play at arts centres and village halls across the country.
Tour dates can be found at the New Perspectives web site.