Following its critically acclaimed sell-out at Liverpool Theatre Festival and Northern tour, Swan Song, a revised comedy by acclaimed playwright Jonathan Harvey, is heading to London this month for one week only.
Starring Andrew Lancel, this one-man play is directed by BAFTA award-winning director Noreen Kershaw and produced by Bill Elms.
Andrew Lancel is best known for his television roles as DI Neil Manson in The Bill and super-villain Frank Foster in Coronation Street. He was nominated three times for a national TV award and won a British Soap Award in 2012 for Coronation Street. His theatre credits include Epstein – The Man Who Made The Beatles and the national tour of Cilla The Musical.
A bittersweet comedy set in Liverpool, it is 1997, the world is changing and in the staff room, gay forty-something, English teacher Dave Titswell finds that not all change is welcome. He has a crush, but life, love, and work are never straight forward for Dave. Will a school trip to The Lakes change things for the better, or make things decidedly worse? Swan Song will make audiences laugh, but equally pull at the heartstrings.
“I’m thrilled to be finally taking this wonderful play to London. We are a small team but this play just keeps growing and it’s a constant buzz to do. It’s funny, moving and strangely (and sadly) topical. I can’t wait to see London’s reaction to Dave Titswell.” said Andrew Lancel
Jonathan added: “Swan Song is a comedy about a teacher who’s trying to hold onto his dignity while the education system crumbles around him – and I’m thrilled Andrew is playing Dave. I’m delighted to also be working with Noreen again, she directed many of my Corrie scripts and Call The Midwife. As the original Shirley Valentine, Noreen definitely knows a thing or two about one person shows.”
Producer and the artistic director of Liverpool Theatre Festival, Bill Elms said: “Swan Song is a funny, clever and inspiring production which opened the inaugural Liverpool Theatre Festival. Andrew Lancel, Jonathan Harvey, and Noreen Kershaw are an incredible blend of creative talent, and the play went down a storm in Liverpool and on its Northern tour. People are excited for the return of live theatre – and I am excited to see the show in front of London audiences.”
First staged at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1997, before transferring to Hampstead Theatre with award-winning comedy actress Rebecca Front in the lead role. Jonathan Harvey adapted the 70-minute play specially for Andrew Lancel at Liverpool Theatre Festival to play the solo role of Dave Titswell.
Swan Song will run for seven performances at the Turbine Theatre in London from 29 November 2022 until 4 December 2022
