Coronation Street star announced amongst the cast for Look Back in Anger
Northern Stage has announced casting for its own Spring production of John Osborne’s 1956 masterpiece Look Back in Anger, directed by Erica Whyman and designed by Soutra Gilmour.
Taking the lead role as Jimmy Porter is ex-Coronation Street star Bill Ward, who played bullying builder Charlie Stubbs. Charlie was known for his abusive relationship with pub landlady Shelley Unwin, and for eventually being killed off by Tracy Barlow, which earned Bill a 2007 British Soap Award for ‘Best Exit’. Most recently Bill has been entertaining Monty Python fans as the flamboyant and “Homicidally Brave” Sir Lancelot in the West End production of Spamalot. Due to Bill’s appearance in Coronation Street many people think he is from Manchester; however, he’s actually a born and bred Geordie from Gosforth. Bill makes his debut at Northern Stage as the original disillusioned, working-class ‘angry young man’.
Bill is joined on stage by Nia Gwynne as Alison, Jimmy’s long-suffering wife whose middle-class upbringing is one of Jimmy’s biggest loathings. Nia recently appeared in the New Vic’s revival of Dangerous Corner and Sherman Cymru’s The Almond and the Seahorse.
Alison’s best friend, Helena, a well-to-do actress who becomes a target of Jimmy’s uncontrollable outbursts, is played by Laura Howard. Laura is known to Midsomer Murders fans as Cully Barnaby, daughter of Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby played by John Nettles. Laura has also worked extensively with English Touring Theatre, Donmar Warehouse and most recently appeared in the West End opposite Will Thorp in David Hare’s The Blue Room at The Haymarket, London.
Cliff is played by Welsh actor Rob Storr. Cliff is Jimmy’s only real friend who puts up with his rantings and tries to keep the peace in the house. Rob has previously worked with director Erica Whyman on Shadow of a Boy at the National Theatre and has also appeared at The Gate Theatre, London and with Welsh theatre company Slush Theatre.
Completing the cast of five as the Colonel, Alison’s father, is long-standing stage actor Robert East. Most recently seen in a national tour of Headlong’s cricket-themed comedy The English Game, Robert has previously worked at the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company and extensively for Sheffield Crucible.
Rehearsals for Look Back in Anger begin on 26 January with the production opening at Northern Stage on 6 March prior to a six-week national tour.
Taking the lead role as Jimmy Porter is ex-Coronation Street star Bill Ward, who played bullying builder Charlie Stubbs. Charlie was known for his abusive relationship with pub landlady Shelley Unwin, and for eventually being killed off by Tracy Barlow, which earned Bill a 2007 British Soap Award for ‘Best Exit’. Most recently Bill has been entertaining Monty Python fans as the flamboyant and “Homicidally Brave” Sir Lancelot in the West End production of Spamalot. Due to Bill’s appearance in Coronation Street many people think he is from Manchester; however, he’s actually a born and bred Geordie from Gosforth. Bill makes his debut at Northern Stage as the original disillusioned, working-class ‘angry young man’.
Bill is joined on stage by Nia Gwynne as Alison, Jimmy’s long-suffering wife whose middle-class upbringing is one of Jimmy’s biggest loathings. Nia recently appeared in the New Vic’s revival of Dangerous Corner and Sherman Cymru’s The Almond and the Seahorse.
Alison’s best friend, Helena, a well-to-do actress who becomes a target of Jimmy’s uncontrollable outbursts, is played by Laura Howard. Laura is known to Midsomer Murders fans as Cully Barnaby, daughter of Detective Chief Inspector Tom Barnaby played by John Nettles. Laura has also worked extensively with English Touring Theatre, Donmar Warehouse and most recently appeared in the West End opposite Will Thorp in David Hare’s The Blue Room at The Haymarket, London.
Cliff is played by Welsh actor Rob Storr. Cliff is Jimmy’s only real friend who puts up with his rantings and tries to keep the peace in the house. Rob has previously worked with director Erica Whyman on Shadow of a Boy at the National Theatre and has also appeared at The Gate Theatre, London and with Welsh theatre company Slush Theatre.
Completing the cast of five as the Colonel, Alison’s father, is long-standing stage actor Robert East. Most recently seen in a national tour of Headlong’s cricket-themed comedy The English Game, Robert has previously worked at the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company and extensively for Sheffield Crucible.Rehearsals for Look Back in Anger begin on 26 January with the production opening at Northern Stage on 6 March prior to a six-week national tour.
Labels: Look Back in Anger
posted by Northern Stage at
10:28
3 Comments:
I thought Bill Ward was exceptional as Jimmy Porter. The others were good too but I'm sorry to say Rob Storr seemed unsure of what he was doing and I'm amazed that he is actually Welsh because if he hadn't kept saying boyo I wouldn't have guessed at his origins. I do love this theatre however.
Absolutely loved the performance. Nia Gwynne was well fit in real life. Bill ward delivered a spectacular performance, even if the front row needed an umbrella to protect themselves from the spit. Overall a really good play!
Saw Bill Ward in Look Back in Anger last night and was totally amazed by his acting talent. His performance was one of the most powerfull, believable and moving I have ever seen.
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