Innit the Musical
INNIT THE MUSICAL
Words & Music by Micky Dacks Directed by David O’Shea
The Lowry, Wed 3 – Sat 13 October 2007
Press Night: Wed 3 October, 7.45pm
The Lowry’s autumn season of plays inspired by the surroundings, culture and history of Salford starts with Innit the Musical this October (Wed 3 – Sat 13).
The vibrant, real and tongue-in-cheek tale of working class life on the streets of Salford is written and performed by local up-and-coming talent plus Greg Kelly (Freddy Watson in Hollyoaks). It tells the story of Ashley, who is abandoned by his father and deceived by his mother. Ashley goes off the rails and on a crime spree, but is a life of crime what he really wants?
The musical started life in 1999 as a poem entitled “G for giro” written by Micky Dacks while he was in a prison cell. Micky’s teenage experiences included street gangs, drugs and being excluded from education. At 16 he left for London but returned to Salford homeless and hooked on drugs, which led to criminal activity. His way out was the theatre, inspired by a school visit to see Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.
Micky Dacks commented: “I began writing the play in February 2005, purely for therapeutic purposes it wasn’t until a friend encouraged me to perform some of it in a pub that a realised I might be on to something. I pursued Andy Farrell (Head of Community and Education) at The Lowry for some time until he agreed to read my script. He gave me belief in myself which I had never experienced before and provided me with advice on how to get the play produced. Last year, The Lowry showcased the beginnings of the musical and this October it will finally be performed in its completed form. It’s been an amazing journey and I don’t want it to end here.”
The cast stars a wealth of local talent. Ashley is played by seventeen-year-old Paul Kelly from Prestwich. Salford-born teaching assistant Les Kinsey plays the role of Johnny, the victim of a shop robbery, while the role of prison guard is played by Allan Birkin, a joiner from Salford. Sam Seddon, 16, of Salford, plays the part of Aidan, a prisoner. Sam explained: “I auditioned for Innit the Musical as it’s a representation of where we are from”.
Posted on Monday, 15 October 2007 under Press Community & Education Press