Interview opportunities for world première of Fireflies
Actors Naomi Radcliffe & Brian McCardie
& Director Noreen Kershaw are available for interviews on the
first day of rehearsals Mon 7th September, 1- 2pm
Please confirm attendance and/or interest in either of the above with
Michelle Bowey on 0161 876 2037.
World Première of Fireflies, A love story waiting to happen
Starring Naomi Radcliffe & Brian McCardie
The Lowry, Fri 16 - Sat 31 October 2009
Press Night: Tue 20 October, 8pm
Written by Kevin Fegan & directed by Noreen Kershaw
Rehearsals start on Monday for Fireflies, an enthralling new play written by one of the North West's leading playwrights, Kevin Fegan and produced by The Lowry. Noreen Kershaw directs Oldham actress Naomi Radcliffe (well-known for her roles in Coronation Street, Born and Bred and The Visit) and Brian McCardie (Rob Roy and The Damned United).
Fireflies tell the stories of Leigh and Nelson, two lonely hearts coming face to face with the reality of their lives. Told with a fierce frankness, this darkly comic and moving script brilliantly conveys their resilience in the face of hardship. This extraordinary production combines text with film and computer graphics to create visually stunning storytelling and a uniquely theatrical experience.
Naomi played Alison Wakefield on Coronation Street for two years between 1998 and 2000 before her character was written out in a scene that saw her commit suicide by jumping in front of a lorry. Watched by 17 million viewers, this departure won Radcliffe the British Soap Award for ‘Best Exit’. From 2002 to 2005 she played Jean Bradshaw in the BBC drama Born and Bred and she played Bev in the BBC Three situation comedy The Visit, in 2007.
It was Brian McCardie’s portrayal of Alisdair McGregor, starring alongside Liam Neeson as his brother in the film Rob Roy that brought him to wider public attention in Britain and the States. After this he made The Ghost And Darkness with Michael Douglas and Val Kilmer and appeared in Speed 2: Cruise Control with Sandra Bullock. His recent work of note includes Murphy’s Law and Lillies (BBC Northern Ireland) and the BAFTA nominated Low Winter Sun (Channel 4, Tiger Aspect).
Noreen Kershaw, who has performed and directed both on stage and television to great acclaim, first spotted Brian when she was channel hopping, stopping on a series of Murphy’s Law. She found Brian to be extremely charismatic and has been keen to work with him ever since, so is delighted that Fireflies is their first collaboration.
Fireflies forms part of The Lowry’s No Boundaries season this Autumn showcasing new, innovative and exhilarating theatre brought by some of the north’s leading talent.
Beyond the Front Line is a large-scale, outdoor theatre co-production between one of the most groundbreaking theatre companies in the UK, Slung Low and The Lowry. Slung Low also debut their spine-tingling horror installation, They Only Come at Night: Resurrection, in association with The Lowry.
Robert Robson, The Lowry’s Artistic Director, says “Following on from the success of King Cotton in 2007 and in the run-up to The Lowry’s 10th birthday year, Fireflies forms part of our No Boundaries season, illustrating our role in presenting imaginative theatre. All three productions will be truly memorable, providing the audience with an experience they can’t stop talking about.”
The Lowry Centre Trust is a not-for-profit charitable organisation and registered charity (no. 1053962). All income supports our world-class Theatres and Galleries programme, the care and display of the LS Lowry Collection and our life-changing Community and Education work.
Posted on Wednesday, 02 September 2009 under Press Theatre Press