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.

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! 

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.