News: Casting announced for The Offing at Newcastle Live Theatre

Casting announced for The Offing at the Newcastle Live Theatre

 

A co-production with Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough  

 

The Offing 

Newcastle Live Theatre

Wednesday 3^rd - Saturday 27^th November 2021 

 

Casting has been announced for a new adaptation of Benjamin Myers’s best-selling novel, The Offing, at Live Theatre, Newcastle and Scarborough’s Stephen Joseph Theatre this autumn.

This sensitive new adaptation by Janice Okoh, with additional material by Paul Robinson, will bring to the stage all the vibrant colour and warmth of the much-loved coming-of age story, which captured the hearts and minds of so many readers on its publication in 2019, when it was a BBC Radio 2 Book Club Pick.

James Gladdon - Photo: Ruth Crafer

It will feature James Gladdon (Skeletons in Cullercoats for 5 Plays of Christmas at Live Theatre) as Robert, Cate Hamer as Dulcie and Ingvild Lakou as Romy in the story of 16-year-old Robert Appleyard who, in a Britain still reeling from the Second World War, sets out on an adventure – to walk from his home in Durham to Scarborough, where he hopes to find work.

Cate Hamer

But he never gets there. Just up the coast at Robin Hood’s Bay, a chance encounter with the bohemian and eccentric Dulcie Piper leads to a lifelong friendship that will come to define them both.

Ingvild Lakou 

She introduces him to the joys of good food and wine, of art and literature. He helps her lay to rest a ghost from the past.  

Director Paul Robinson says: “I first came across The Offing when I heard Benjamin Myers talking to Jo Whiley on the BBC Radio 2 Book Club back in 2019. By the end of the interview, I’d contacted Benjamin’s agent: I knew it would be perfect for the stage – wise, lyrically beautiful, and as an added bonus, it’s set just up the road in Robin Hood’s Bay. I’m delighted to be able to bring this sensitive new adaption by Janice Okoh, writer of Egusi Soup, Three Birds and The Gift.”

The Offing is designed by Helen Goddard with lighting design by Sally Ferguson. The composer and sound designer is Ana Silvera, and movement is by Charlotte Broom. The recorded music is performed by renowned folk musicians Ana Silvera (vocals, keyboards), Rob Harbron (concertina) and Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle). Casting is by Sarah Hughes CDG.

The Offing can be seen in the Round at the SJT from Thursday 14 to Saturday 30 October and at Live Theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne from Wednesday 3 to Saturday 27 November.

Cast & Creative:

Adapted by Janice Okoh from the novel by Benjamin Myers, with additional material by Paul Robinson

Director: Paul Robinson

Cast: James Gladdon, Cate Hamer, Ingvild Lakou

Designer: Helen Goddard

Lighting Designer: Sally Ferguson

Composer and Sound Designer: Ana Silvera

Recordings performed by: Ana Silvera (vocals, keyboards), Rob Harbron (concertina), Aidan O’Rourke (fiddle)

Movement: Charlotte Broom

Casting Director: Sarah Hughes CDG

 

Tickets:

Tickets for the show at Live Theatre are available from the box office on 0191 232 1232 and online at www.live.org.uk