Sheffield Theatres have announced casting for the world premiere of Living, which is written by Leo Butler and directed by Abigail Graham.
Sheffield, 1969. Kathy and Brian move into that big old house on Burngreave Road. Just turned twenty, a couple of babies on the way, they’ve got their whole lives ahead of them.
But living is a funny business. Kids, money, work. Thatcherism, Blairism and Trump. As the world turns around them, will Kathy and Brian keep their home together through sixty years of change?
The cast includes Harki Bhambra as Rajesh and others, Michelle Bonnard as Jules and others, Samuel Creasey as Mike, Kenny Doughty as Brian, Andrew Macklin as Sean and others, Melina Sindinou as Maya and others, Abby Vicky-Russell as Rebecca and Liz White as Kathy. The cast of eight will perform over 30 roles, embodying numerous characters that span the 55 year narrative of the play.
“Set in a family living room in Pitsmoor, Sheffield, where I grew up, LIVING spans five decades from the 1970s to now. It’s shaped by politics, humour and resilience, and it’s the most ambitious and personal play I’ve written. I’m delighted to be working with such a brilliant cast, director Abigail Graham, and the whole creative team at Sheffield Theatres to bring it home for Sheffield audiences.” – Leo Butler, Writer
The creative team, alongside Butler and Graham, are Set and Costume Designer Sarah Beaton, Lighting Designer Matt Haskins, Sound Designer Annie May Fletcher, Video Designer Dan Light, Movement and Intimacy Director Angela Gasparetto, Casting Director Sophie Parrot, Fight Director Bret Yount, Associate Director Gitiki Buttoo, Wigs, Hair and Make-Up Designer Darren Ware, and Assistant Director Georgie Botham.
“It’s a privilege to be directing the world premiere of LIVING. Leo has written an often hilarious and occasionally heartbreaking love letter to community and female resilience. It’s the best new play I’ve read in years – it’s epic and intimate, it’s full of hope, and it offers audiences the sort of night out you can only have in a theatre.” – Abigail Graham, Director
Living opens at the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse in Sheffield on Saturday 14th March and runs until Saturday 4th April.
