To celebrate its twentieth anniversary year, the award winning BEAUTIFUL THING returns to the West End's Arts Theatre in Spring 2013 for a limited 6-week season. This uplifting and heart-warming new production is directed by Nikolai Foster, designed by Colin Richmond and stars Suranne Jones.
BEAUTIFUL THING is a glorious urban love story between two young men coming to grips with their sexuality and the effect it has on the people in their lives. It tells the story of teenager Jamie’s relationship with classmate and neighbour Ste, who together find comedy, warmth and the music of Mama Cass through their loud-mouthed next door neighbour Leah. The play exquisitely captures what it is to be 16, coming of age, and falling for your first love.
Suranne Jones will star as Sandra, Jamie’s mother. Suranne is best known for her role as Karen McDonald in Coronation Street and DC Rachel Bailey in Scott & Bailey. Her other television roles include the human Tardis in Dr Who, A Touch of Cloth, and The Secret of Crickley Hall. Her stage credits include Top Girls, Blythe Spirit and A Few Good Men. She has won numerous awards for her television roles.
Jonathan Harvey wrote BEAUTIFUL THING aged just 24. When it premiered at the Bush Theatre in 1993, it sold out its five-week run before transferring to the Donmar Warehouse, and subsequently the Duke of York's Theatre on the West End, winning its author an Olivier Award nomination and the John Whiting Award. A screen adaptation of the play was released in 1996 by Channel 4 films, which went on to be a cult hit.
Jonathan is a regular writer on Coronation Street, and wrote hit TV series Gimme, Gimme, Gimme and Beautiful People. His stage work includes Canary, Corrie! and Closer to Heaven, as well as the bestselling 2012 novel All She Wants.
Suitable for ages 12+
Playwright Jonathan Harvey
Director Nikolai Foster
Designer Colin Richmond
Starring Suranne Jones
Produced by Tom O’Connell for QNQ Ltd
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