On Tour: My Beautiful Laundrette
Written by Jamie Griffiths on February 24, 2024
On Tour: My Beautiful Laundrette
The spring 2024 tour of Hanif Kureishi’s My Beautiful Laundrette has begun, which runs at Leicester’s Curve theatre 17 to 24 February, before touring to Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch 28 February to 9 March, Theatre Royal Wakefield 11 to 14 March, The Lowry, Salford 19 to 23 March, Liverpool Playhouse 26 to 31 March and Blackpool Grand Theatre 2 to 6 April.
Gordon Warnecke, who played Omar in Stephen Frear’s Oscar-nominated 1985 film of the same name, returns to the drama as Omar’s wise but world-weary Papa. Lucca Chadwick-Patel (Millennials, The Other Palace) will play Omar, while Sam Mitchell (To Kill a Mockingbird, Gielgud Theatre) will play Omar’s fascist former school-friend, Johnny. Originally staged as a world premiere Made at Curve production in 2019, the 2024 tour will see the return of Kammy Darweish (Linck & Mulhahn, Hampstead Theatre) as Omar’s enterprising Thatcherite uncle Nasser, Paddy Daly (New Blood, BBC One) as right-wing thug Genghis and Hareet Deol (Ackley Bridge, Channel 4) will reprise his WhatsOnStage Award nominated performance as Salim, Nasser’s right-hand man.
Completing the company are Emma Bown (The Ocean at the End of the Lane, Duke of York’s Theatre), playing the roles of Nasser’s lover, Rachel, and skinhead, Moose, and Sharan Phull (Pink Sari Revolution, The Importance of Being Earnest, Scrooge the Musical, all at Curve) as Nasser’s daughter, Tania.
In rehearsals: Gordon Warnecke (Papa), Sam Mitchell (Johnny), Hareet Deol (Salim) – Photography by Ellie Kurttz
The tour is supported by the National Theatre, as part of the Theatre Nation Partnerships initiative – a collaborative network of arts organisations, united in their shared aim to grow and sustain new audiences for live theatre and strengthen relationships with local audiences, schools and communities.
Set in South London during the Thatcher years, My Beautiful Laundrette tells the story of Omar. After a confrontation with a racist gang, including his former school-friend Johnny, Omar uses their history to defuse the situation. Against a backdrop of nationalism, racial tensions, financial crisis and political turmoil, the pair come together to transform a run-down laundrette and realise their feelings for one another.
My Beautiful Laundrette is based on Kureishi’s ground-breaking 1985 Oscar-nominated film of the same name. Originally directed by Nikolai Foster, the upcoming tour is directed by Nicole Behan. The production features original music composed by the Pet Shop Boys’ Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe, set and costume design by Grace Smart, lighting by Curve Associate Ben Cracknell and sound design by Tom Marshall. Casting is by Harry Blumenau.
(L-R) Lucca Chadwick-Patel (Omar), Sam Mitchell (Johnny) – Photography by Ellie Kurttz
Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said: “We are thrilled this phenomenal company of actors will be heading out on tour with our production of My Beautiful Laundrette. Alongside original cast members Gordon, Kammy, Hareet and Paddy, we’re pleased to welcome Lucca, Sam, Emma and Curve regular Sharan for this new spin at Powders.
“From his hospital bed, Hanif remains a constant source of inspiration and it has been an honour to work on re-writes for this production together from his bedside. Undoubtedly one of the most important writers of our time, we are proud to be presenting this revival of Hanif’s beautiful, highly entertaining and provocative play and to share it with audiences here in Leicester and further afield.”
Theatre Nation Partnerships has been supported by a £1.25 million award by Arts Council England, made possible thanks to National Lottery players.
Get more information at the official site HERE.
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