Featuring several TV faces among a cast of 10, the European premiere of American playwright Lauren Gunderson's award-winning comedy The Book Of Will plays at Bolton Octagon (May 17-June 3) and Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot (October 19-November 11). The show opens at the Queen’s Theatre in Hornchurch (April 27- May 13) before moving north.
The cast includes Hollyoaks stars Jessica Ellis and Helen Pearson, alongside Zach Lee (Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Bouncers) and Tomi Ogbaro (Seagulls, Octagon, Jane Eyre, Stephen Joseph Theatre and New Vic).
They are joined by Radio 4's Carrie Quinlan; Russell Richardson (Coronation Street; Last Tango in Halifax); Callum Sim (Emmerdale, Coronation Street); Tarek Slater (The Jungle Book, Oldham Coliseum, Beauty and the Beast, The Dukes); Bill Ward (Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Eastenders) and Andrew Whitehead (The Book Thief, Octagon, A Christmas Carol, Hull Truck).
Set in 1620s London, the play tells the story of The King’s Men company of actors as they band together for a near-impossible plan – to collect together all of Shakespeare’s plays and compile the First Folio, the first attempted complete collection of the Bard's scripts.
Director Lotte Wakeham said: “Lauren Gunderson is one of the most frequently produced playwrights in the world and I’m delighted to share her talent with UK audiences, where I’m sure she’ll quickly become a favourite.
“This year marks 400 years since the First Folio was published, so I am really excited that this European premiere production will honour the special anniversary, which celebrates the legacy of our greatest playwright in a thoroughly joyful and accessible way."
More info and tickets here