Beautiful Thing cuts short UK tour & cancels London run

It has been announced that Beautiful Thing's UK tour will close early at the Leicester Curve Theatre on Saturday 30th May. The show's upcoming London run at the Arts Theatre has also been cancelled. 

Tom O'Connell (producer) said: "It is with great regret that we have made the difficult decision to close Beautiful Thing early, but we are all immensely proud to have produced the show, led by a fantastic company and cast. 

"After we staged an acclaimed West End season of the production in 2013, I hoped that this new tour would prove to be as successful but unfortunately the touring market can be an unpredictable place, as the closure of a number of high profile productions recently has shown.

Production images released for Beautiful Thing

Production images have been released for Jonathan Harvey's Beautiful Thing which is touring the UK ahead of a limited West End run at the Arts Theatre between 3rd June and 11th July 2015. Check out the pictures below (select image to enlarge)

The new cast of Nikolai Foster's production includes Gerard McCarthy (Hollyoaks), Vanessa Babirye (Our Girl), Charlie Brooks (EastEnders), Thomas Law (EastEnders) and Sam Jackson (Skins).

Harvey wrote Beautiful Thing when he was just 24. It premiered at the Bush Theatre in 1993 and sold out its five-week run before transferring to the Donmar Warehouse, and then the Duke of York's, eventually 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.

Rehearsal images released for Beautiful Thing starring Charlie Brooks & Gerard McCarthy

Rehearsal images have been released for Jonathan Harvey's Beautiful Thing which is about to launch a new UK Tour later this month ahead of a limited West End run at the Arts Theatre between 3rd June and 11th July 2015. Check out the pictures below (select image to enlarge)

The new cast of Nikolai Foster's production includes Gerard McCarthy (Hollyoaks), Vanessa Babirye (Our Girl), Charlie Brooks (EastEnders), Thomas Law (EastEnders) and Sam Jackson (Skins).

Harvey wrote Beautiful Thing when he was just 24. It premiered at the Bush Theatre in 1993 and sold out its five-week run before transferring to the Donmar Warehouse, and then the Duke of York's, eventually 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.

Interview: Vanessa Babirye, playing Leah in Beautiful Thing

Vanessa attends Beautiful Thing's launch

Vanessa Babirye is currently playing Leah in Nikolai Foster’s anniversary production of Jonathan Harvey’s Beautiful Thing.

Following a successful West End run and short tour in 2013, Foster’s production begins touring again next month before opening at the West End’s Arts Theatre on 3rd June. Beautiful Thing is a glorious urban love story between two young men set on an inner city housing estate.

Vanessa recently starred in Romeo and Juliet for the National Theatre. Her television credits include: Babylon (Channel 4) and Our Girl (BBC). 

I recently spoke to Vanessa about how she reacted when she found out she had been cast in Beautiful Thing, why she is so excited to be working with Nikolai Foster and what people can expect from the play…

How familiar were you already with Beautiful Thing?

I had seen the film, [laughs] it was hilarious obviously and I always thought Leah was a fantastic part. So when my agent called me and asked if I wanted to audition for Beautiful Thing I was like, “What?! Jonathan Harvey's Beautiful Thing?! I’m there, get me that audition!” I read the script like three times and I was dying with laughter, I think it’s so beautiful and I’m so happy and ready to be doing it. 

How did you react when you found out you got the part?

It’s so embarrassing… so embarrassing! 

Beautiful Thing returns to London's Arts Theatre in June

GayTimes have announced that Jonathan Harvey's Beautiful Thing will return to the Arts Theatre following its 2015 UK Tour. The production will run in London between 3rd June and 11th July 2015. The tour opens in Canterbury in March.

The new cast of Nikolai Foster's production includes Gerard McCarthy (Hollyoaks), Vanessa Babirye (Our Girl), Charlie Brooks (EastEnders), Thomas Law (EastEnders) and Sam Jackson (Skins).

Executive producer Tom O’Connell said: "Further to our award-winning West End season in 2013, the demand to bring Nikolai Foster’s sell-out production back to London has been overwhelming. I’m thrilled that it can return to the Arts Theatre, a perfect intimate space for our beautiful, intimate play.”

Interview: Thomas Law & Sam Jackson, starring in Beautiful Thing

Later this year Thomas Law and Sam Jackson will star as Ste and Jamie in Nikolai Foster’s production of Jonathan Harvey’s Beautiful Thing. 

Following a successful West End run and short tour in 2013, Beautiful Thing will tour the UK again from March this year. Beautiful Thing is a glorious urban love story between two young men set on an inner city housing estate. 

Thomas is best known for playing Peter Beale in EastEnders between 2006 and 2010. His other screen credits include Casualty, The World's End and Sadie J, whilst on stage Thomas starred as the title role in Peter Pan at the Lowry in 2010.

Sam is best known for playing Alex Henley in Skins and Jack in Drifters. He has also made appearances on screen in Holby City and The Syndicate. On stage Sam played Billy Casper in Kes at the Derby Theatre in 2013. 

I recently spoke to Thomas and Sam about discovering Beautiful Thing for the first time, what it’s like to be part of something that means so much to so many people and why they can’t wait to get into rehearsals…

How much did you know about Beautiful Thing before being cast in this production?

Sam Jackson: I actually first auditioned for the London production. I didn’t know anything about the play so for research I watched the film and got an idea of the setting and what it’s all about. I then read the play and have watched the film a few more times. 

Thomas Law: I also didn’t know much about it before. I read the script because I potentially had an audition for the London run but unfortunately I was busy so wasn’t able to do it. After reading the script I could just tell that it was absolutely magnificent. It’s a powerful script about people who are young and gay or bisexual or unsure. It opens a lot of doors for people, but of course caused an uproar! It’s a dream to be part of it.

Interview: Charlie Brooks

Next year Charlie Brooks will star as Sandra in Nikolai Foster’s anniversary production of Jonathan Harvey’s Beautiful Thing. 

Following a successful West End run and short tour last year, the play will tour the UK again from March 2015. Beautiful Thing is a glorious urban love story between two young men set on an inner city housing estate. 

Best known for starring as Janine Butcher in EastEnders, Charlie won the 2012 series of ITV’s I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here as well as the 2011 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special. 

On stage Charlie has played Dabby Bryant in Our Country's Good (Liverpool Playhouse), Betty in Dangerous Corner (Windsor Theatre Royal) and Rose in The Play What I Wrote (UK Tour). Charlie’s extensive screen work has seen her make appearances in: Wired, Robin Hood, Love Soup, Heartbeat, Casualty, Angel Of Death, London's Burning and The Bill, amongst others. 

Last week, after the first Beautiful Thing read through and cast meet and greet, I spoke to Charlie about why Beautiful Thing means so much to her, why she can’t wait to get going with rehearsals and why she’s been itching to do more theatre…

How much did you already know about Beautiful Thing?

Everything! I knew everything!

When did it first have an impact on you?

It was a really important film for me when I was younger at school. I went to an all-singing, all-dancing school and had a lot of friends who were coming out. I watched the film hundreds of times and was slightly obsessed by it [laughs]! I was definitely one of the cult followers! 

Full casting announced for 2015 UK Tour of Jonathan Harvey's Beautiful Thing

Full casting has been announced for the 2015 UK Tour of Jonathan Harvey's Beautiful Thing. Nikolai Foster's production, which ran in the West End last year, will open in Canterbury next March.

Gerard McCarthy (Hollyoaks) and Vanessa Babirye (Our Girl) will star as Tony and Leah respectively. They join the previously announced Charlie Brooks (EastEnders, pictured right), Thomas Law (EastEnders) and Sam Jackson (Skins) as Sandra, Ste and Jamie. The cast is completed by Rob Ellis and Natalie Law

Jonathan Harvey wrote Beautiful Thing when he was just 24. It premiered at the Bush Theatre in 1993 and sold out its five-week run before transferring to the Donmar Warehouse, and then the Duke of York's, eventually 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.

Charlie Brooks, Thomas Law & Sam Jackson star in UK Tour of Jonathan Harvey's Beautiful Thing

First casting has been announced for a UK Tour of Nikolai Foster's production of Jonathan Harvey's Beautiful Thing. Former EastEnders actors Charlie Brooks and Thomas Law will star as Sandra and Ste. Sam Jackson (Skins) plays Jamie.

The show will open in Canterbury next March before visiting Birmingham, Manchester, Nottingham, Leicester, Cardiff and Brighton. Further venues to be announced.

Director Nikolai Foster said: "Beautiful Thing empowers everybody who sees it. I'm honoured to be revisiting Jonathan's exceptional play once again, this time bringing it to towns and cities across the UK, where I know it will make a positive difference to many lives."

West End stars Declan Bennett & Danny-Boy Hatchard join Eastenders

Over the past few days it has been revealed that two West End stars are joining the cast of Eastenders.

Photo Credit: Frank Ockenfels

Star of West End musical Once, Declan Bennett (pictured right), is joining the BBC Soap in the role of Dot Branning's grandson Charlie Cotton. Charlie - Nick's eldest son - will leave Dot shell-shocked by turning up on her doorstep unexpectedly later this year. He will begin filming at EastEnders later this month and appear on screen from March.

Newcomer Charlie is named after his grandfather, but Dot (June Brown) is currently unaware of his existence. Once Charlie is in Walford, viewers will be left to wonder why he has decided to track Dot down after so many years - and whether he has taken after the good or bad members of his family.

Declan said: "I'm delighted to be joining the cast of EastEnders, especially at what seems to be an extremely exciting time for the show. June Brown is not only an incredible actress but has also created one of TV's most iconic characters, so to be working alongside her is a dream come true."

Digital Theatre to release twentieth anniversary production of Beautiful Thing

It has been announced that Digital Theatre's next release will be Jonathan Harvey’s landmark play, Beautiful Thing, captured live during its acclaimed West End run at the Arts Theatre in May 2013. Celebrating its twentieth anniversary year, Beautiful Thing ran in the West End for a limited season before touring the UK. Directed by Nikolai Foster and with designs by Colin Richmond, the production starred Suranne Jones, Zaraah Abrahams and Oliver Farnworth, with Jake Davies and Danny-Boy Hatchard as Jamie and Ste.

Producer, Tom O’Connell said “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who supported our sell-out season at the Arts Theatre and on tour. I am honoured that Jonathan Harvey has allowed us to share his beautiful love story with the world, and capture the play for audiences to enjoy at home for the first time. Working closely with Digital Theatre we can bring this acclaimed production to new - and particularly younger - audiences who I hope it will inspire and fill with confidence in what and who they are.”

Interview: Jonathan Harvey, writer of Beautiful Thing

Following a triumphant West End run, Jonathan Harvey's play Beautiful Thing is now on a short UK Tour visiting Liverpool (until 1st June), Leeds (3rd - 8th June) and Brighton (10th - 15th June).

Jonathan Harvey wrote Beautiful Thing when he was just 24. It premiered at the Bush Theatre in 1993 and sold out its five-week run before transferring to the Donmar Warehouse, and then the Duke of York’s, eventually 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 for Coronation Street and wrote the TV hit series Gimme, Gimme, Gimme as well as the best-selling 2012 novel All She Wants. His plays include Canary and Corrie! Jonathan chats to West End Frame about writing the play, what he thinks of the new 20th Anniversary production and talks about his incredible career...

Are you pleased with the 20th Anniversary production of Beautiful Thing?

Yes, very much so. As soon as I saw the first read through I was very satisfied and could tell that it was going to be good! The cast are just great.