Classic Tale of Northern Life in the 1960s Comes to the Royal Exchange
News provided by Pressat Wire on Wednesday 21st May 2014
Billy Liar - a classic tale of northern life in the 1960s - comes to Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre from Friday 13 June to Saturday 12 July.
Adapted for the stage by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall from Waterhouse's original 1959 novel, the action of the play revolves around Billy Fisher – a 19-year-old nobody.
Living at home with his parents and grandmother, and working a dead end job in an undertakers, it is only through his fantastic imagination that he can escape the day-to-day drudgery.
Set over one eventful Saturday, Billy's lies spark a series of explosive, emotional confrontations. And though the northern lad harbours dreams of running away to London to become a scriptwriter, Billy's plans are threatened by his family's expectations, his romantic affairs and his own fears.
Harry McEntire plays Billy in this new production. His previous Royal Exchange credits include WINTERLONG (also at Soho Theatre) and PUNK ROCK (also at Lyric Hammersmith).
Other recent theatre work includes BLINK (Soho Theatre/ Traverse Theatre / Bangalore) and TITUS ANDRONICUS, A MAD WORLD MY MASTERS and CANDIDE (RSC). Television work includes MORECAMBE AND WISE, DOCTORS, CLAY PRISONERS WIVES, EPISODES and SOME GIRLS and film credits include JOHN CARTER, UNCONDITIONAL and CHILD.
The cast also includes Aaron Anthony, Emily Barber, Jack Deam, Rebekah Hinds, Katie Moore, Lisa Millett and Sue Wallace
The production is directed by guest director, Stockport-born Sam Yates. His other recent credits include CORNELIUS (Brits Off Broadway, New York and Finborough ), MIXED MARRIAGE (Finborough) and POETRY WEEK (Donmar Warehouse). He was named a rising star in The Observer in 2014, and featured in GQ Magazine's "Men Of The Next 25 Years" in theatre in 2013.
He said: “BILLY LIAR is a sometimes painfully truthful insight into northern family. The unmatchable intimacy of the Royal Exchange makes it the ideal home for this play. I'm thrilled to be working with one of Britain's most exciting young actors, Harry McEntire, who plays Billy Fisher.”
Design for the production is by David Woodhead and the creative team is completed by David Plater (lighting), Isobel Waller-Bridge (sound and composer), Sophie Parrott (casting director) and Alexander Summers (assistant director).
Ends
Notes to Editors
Link to online information and trailer http://www.royalexchange.co.uk/billyliar
BILLY LIAR
By Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall
Directed by Sam Yates
Designed by David Woodhead
The Royal Exchange Theatre
St Ann's Square, Manchester
Friday 13 June – Saturday 12 July, 2014
Press Night: Tuesday 17 June at 7.30pm
BILLY LIAR - Listings Information
The Royal Exchange Theatre presents
BILLY LIAR
By Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall
Directed by Sam Yates
Designed by David Woodhead
The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
Friday 13 June – Saturday 12 July 2014
Evening Performance Times:
Monday – Friday, 7.30pm & Saturday, 8pm
Matinee Performance Times:
Wednesdays, 2.30pm & Saturday 3.30pm
Extra matinees:
Tuesday 24 & Thursday 26 June, 2.30pm
Half Price Preview: Friday 13 June
Press Night: Tuesday 17 June, 7.30pm
Ticket Prices: From £10 (Concessions Available)
Audio-described Performance: Saturday 5 July, 3.30pm
BSL Interpreted Performance: Tuesday 8 July, 7.30pm
Captioned Performance: Thursday 3 July, 7.30pm
After-show Discussion Thursday 10 July after 7.30pm performance
Box Office: 0161 833 9833.
On-line: www.royalexchange.co.uk/bookonline www.royalexchange.co.uk
Press Contact:
PRESS NIGHT for BILLY LIAR is on Tuesday 17 June at 7.30pm.
For further information, images, or for interview / press review ticket requests, please contact JOHN GOODFELLOW (Press & Communications Manager) on 0161 615 6783 / john.goodfellow@royalexchange.co.uk.
Adapted for the stage by Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall from Waterhouse's original 1959 novel, the action of the play revolves around Billy Fisher – a 19-year-old nobody.
Living at home with his parents and grandmother, and working a dead end job in an undertakers, it is only through his fantastic imagination that he can escape the day-to-day drudgery.
Set over one eventful Saturday, Billy's lies spark a series of explosive, emotional confrontations. And though the northern lad harbours dreams of running away to London to become a scriptwriter, Billy's plans are threatened by his family's expectations, his romantic affairs and his own fears.
Harry McEntire plays Billy in this new production. His previous Royal Exchange credits include WINTERLONG (also at Soho Theatre) and PUNK ROCK (also at Lyric Hammersmith).
Other recent theatre work includes BLINK (Soho Theatre/ Traverse Theatre / Bangalore) and TITUS ANDRONICUS, A MAD WORLD MY MASTERS and CANDIDE (RSC). Television work includes MORECAMBE AND WISE, DOCTORS, CLAY PRISONERS WIVES, EPISODES and SOME GIRLS and film credits include JOHN CARTER, UNCONDITIONAL and CHILD.
The cast also includes Aaron Anthony, Emily Barber, Jack Deam, Rebekah Hinds, Katie Moore, Lisa Millett and Sue Wallace
The production is directed by guest director, Stockport-born Sam Yates. His other recent credits include CORNELIUS (Brits Off Broadway, New York and Finborough ), MIXED MARRIAGE (Finborough) and POETRY WEEK (Donmar Warehouse). He was named a rising star in The Observer in 2014, and featured in GQ Magazine's "Men Of The Next 25 Years" in theatre in 2013.
He said: “BILLY LIAR is a sometimes painfully truthful insight into northern family. The unmatchable intimacy of the Royal Exchange makes it the ideal home for this play. I'm thrilled to be working with one of Britain's most exciting young actors, Harry McEntire, who plays Billy Fisher.”
Design for the production is by David Woodhead and the creative team is completed by David Plater (lighting), Isobel Waller-Bridge (sound and composer), Sophie Parrott (casting director) and Alexander Summers (assistant director).
Ends
Notes to Editors
Link to online information and trailer http://www.royalexchange.co.uk/billyliar
BILLY LIAR
By Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall
Directed by Sam Yates
Designed by David Woodhead
The Royal Exchange Theatre
St Ann's Square, Manchester
Friday 13 June – Saturday 12 July, 2014
Press Night: Tuesday 17 June at 7.30pm
BILLY LIAR - Listings Information
The Royal Exchange Theatre presents
BILLY LIAR
By Keith Waterhouse and Willis Hall
Directed by Sam Yates
Designed by David Woodhead
The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester
Friday 13 June – Saturday 12 July 2014
Evening Performance Times:
Monday – Friday, 7.30pm & Saturday, 8pm
Matinee Performance Times:
Wednesdays, 2.30pm & Saturday 3.30pm
Extra matinees:
Tuesday 24 & Thursday 26 June, 2.30pm
Half Price Preview: Friday 13 June
Press Night: Tuesday 17 June, 7.30pm
Ticket Prices: From £10 (Concessions Available)
Audio-described Performance: Saturday 5 July, 3.30pm
BSL Interpreted Performance: Tuesday 8 July, 7.30pm
Captioned Performance: Thursday 3 July, 7.30pm
After-show Discussion Thursday 10 July after 7.30pm performance
Box Office: 0161 833 9833.
On-line: www.royalexchange.co.uk/bookonline www.royalexchange.co.uk
Press Contact:
PRESS NIGHT for BILLY LIAR is on Tuesday 17 June at 7.30pm.
For further information, images, or for interview / press review ticket requests, please contact JOHN GOODFELLOW (Press & Communications Manager) on 0161 615 6783 / john.goodfellow@royalexchange.co.uk.
Press release distributed by Pressat on behalf of Pressat Wire, on Wednesday 21 May, 2014. For more information subscribe and follow https://pressat.co.uk/
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Classic Tale of Northern Life in the 1960s Comes to the Royal Exchange
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