The Liverpool Royal Court and National Theatre production of Alan Bleasdale's barrier-breaking Boys From The Blackstuff starts the northern dates of its new UK tour in March.
See it at Blackpool Grand (March 5-8), Liverpool Empire (March 25-29); the Lowry in Salford (April 22-26); Leeds Grand (May 13-17) and Theatr Clwyd in Mold (July 1-5).
It’s 1980s Liverpool; Chrissie, Loggo, George, Dixie and Yosser are used to hard work and providing for their families. But there's no work and no money, so what are they supposed to do?
The pioneering TV series scooped a BAFTA following its acclaimed BBC debut in 1982, famously starring Bernard Hill as 'Gizza Job' Yosser - one of the five unemployed men searching for casual road surfacing jobs to stay afloat during a brutal recession.
James Graham’s acclaimed stage adaptation is hitting the road following sold-out seasons at the Royal Court, National Theatre and West End (that's him below with the great Alan Bleasdale).
The tour stars George Caple as Chrissie; Jurell Carter as Loggo; Jay Johnson as Yosser; Ged McKenna as George and Mark Womack as Dixie.
James Graham (best known for Sherwood, Quiz, Punch and Dear England, and just voted by The Stage the the most influential person in British Theatre) said: "Alan Bleasdale's masterpiece is a story proudly forged in the humour and voice of Liverpool. It was a real honour and thrill to open it to packed houses there last year, before London and the West End.
"Boys From the Blackstuff remains a story of national significance, with a lasting impact on British culture. Taking it around the country feels like the most important thing we could be doing next with the story."
Alan Bleasdale said: “I never expected Boys from the Blackstuff to be quite the sell-out sensation it has become. What I always hoped was that the rest of the country might have a chance to see James's magnificent adaptation. Now that has been made possible, thanks to Bill Kenwright Ltd, which has staged my theatre work since Are You Lonesome Tonight over 40 years ago."
More info and tickets here