Drama

Northern Stage presents
Our Friends In The North

by Peter Flannery
Directed by Erica Whyman
Designed by Soutra Gilmour

---

     

     

---

Northern Stage presents the first ever revival of Peter Flannery’s Our Friends in the North, the play that inspired the hit television series.

A magnificent chronicle of the 1960s and 70s in the North East of England, London and what was to become Zimbabwe, Our Friends in the North charts a devastating defeat of left wing aspirations. As the thirst for power fights it out with idealism, corruption takes root and a trail of victims is left in its wake.

Spanning two decades, the play sees this changing world through the hopes and temptations of Tosker, Mary, Geordie and Nicky, four young people from Newcastle whose lives take very different paths.

Starring 14 performers playing 43 characters across 17 years, Our Friends in the North is a spectacular epic. It is also hugely pertinent this year as another era of left-wing power sets out to earn our trust.

The revival celebrates the play’s 25th anniversary and is the first ever production since it was originally produced by the RSC in 1982.

“A superb ensemble make you feel as if you know these friends, and foes, intimately.”

The Guardian * * * *

“Some of the finest ensemble acting you are likely to see, Our Friends in the North is a timely revival of one of the great plays of the 20^th century.”

Metro * * * *

“What is most striking – apart from how multi-dimensional this live theatre production seems in comparison with the televised version – is how depressingly little seems to have changed over the years.”

The Independant  * * * *

 

---

Our Friends in the North on Tour

w/c 3 March 08: Durham Gala
w/c 10 March 08: Oxford Playhouse
w/c 17 March 08: The Lowry Salford
w/c 24 March 08: Yvonne Arnaud Guildford

---

Related Links:

Meet the cast
Read the detailed week by week rehearsal diary
Dave Whetstone of The Journal interviews Erica about Our Friends in the North.

---

Running time approx 3hrs 45