Tom Ellis Joins Chocolate Factory's THE LYONS, From Sept 2013

Tom Ellis, Katy Secombe, Charlotte Randall and Ben Aldridge are amongst the cast which will be appearing in the European premiere of Nicky Silver's The Lyons this autumn at the Menier Chocolate Factory from 19th September - 16th November. Tickets are now on sale to the general public.

The Lyons have gathered around the hospital bed of their dying father Ben. But surface compassion soon gives way to bickering, sniping and betraying each other's secrets. This exploration of a fractured family is at once savagely funny and heart-breaking.

Tom Ellis plays Ben's son, Curtis Lyons. Best known for his TV roles as Gary in Miranda and in The Secret of Crickley Hall,Tom's theatre credits include One Minute (Crucible Sheffield and Bush) and Shang-A-Lang (Chichester).

Charlotte Randle plays Ben's daughter Lisa Lyons. Theatre credits include The King's Speech (Wyndham's), All About My Mother (Old Vic), Rabbit (Red Lion, Trafalgar Studios & 59E59 Theatre, New York), Don Carlos (Crucible and Gielgud) and Lobby Hero (Donmar & Ambassadors).

Katy Secombe plays the Nurse. Theatre credits include Darling of the Day (Union), Les Miserables (Queen's), Hay Fever (Rose, Kingston) and Mamma Mia! (Prince of Wales).

Ben Aldridge plays Brian. His theatre credits include Romeo and Juliet (Globe); Shelf Life (Old Red Lion) and Fish and Company (Soho Theatre). He also played Daniel Parish in TV's Lark Rise to Candleford.

The Lyons first ran off-Broadway in 2011 and then transferred to Broadway in 2012. The play was nominated for the Drama League Award for Distinguished Production of a Play and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Broadway Play.

Mark Brokaw directed The Lyons both off- and on Broadway. His other New York credits include Cinderella (currently on Broadway), This Is Our Youth, As Bees in Honey Drown and How I Learned to Drive. He directed Lobby Hero both in New Yorkand at the Donmar (which transferred to Ambassadors Theatre).

Nicky Silver's plays range between social satires and absurdist comedies. His plays include Pterodactyls (Oppenheimer Award, Kesselring Award, Drama Desk & Outer Critics Circle nomination), The Eros Trilogy, The Food Chain (Outer Critics Circle nomination), Fat Men in Skirts, Fit to Be Tied, The Maiden's Prayer, Free Will and Wanton Lust (Helen Hayes Award), My Marriage to Ernest Borgnine, The Altruists and Raised in Captivity (Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nomination).

Further casting will be announced shortly.

The production will be designed by Jonathan Fensom, with lighting design by Jason Taylor and sound design by Gregory Clarke.

LISTINGS INFORMATION:

Venue: Menier Chocolate Factory

Dates: 19th September - 16th November 2013

Press Night: Thursday 26th September, 8pm

Times: Tuesday - Saturday 8pm / Saturday & Sunday matinees 3.30pm

Tickets: £25 - £37.50