THIS MAY HURT A BIT to Transfer to St. James Theatre, Begin. 14 May

Max Stafford-Clark's acclaimed touring production of Stella Feehily's new NHS play THIS MAY HURT A BIT will transfer to London's St. James Theatre from Wednesday 14 May. Exploring the UK's best-loved and most fiercely debated institutions THIS MAY HURT A BIT was written and researched by Stella Feehily after her husband, director Max Stafford-Clark, suffered a major stroke in 2006.

The production stars actress Stephanie Cole (OPEN ALL HOURS BBC, CORONATION STREET ITV, WAITING FOR GOD BBC and PYGMALION at the Chichester Festival Theatre) as Iris. Further casting also includes brother and sister, Jane Wymark as Mariel/The NHS and Tristram Wymark as Winston Churchill/Mr Weaver, both best known for their roles on the ITV drama MIDSOMER MURDERS. Joining them will be Brian Protheroe (LONG DAYS JOURNEY INTO NIGHT, Octagon Theatre Bolton), Frances Ashman (PEOPLE, NT), and Natalie Klamar (ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL, RSC).

"It would be a great reform in politics if wisdom could be made to spread as easily and rapidly as folly" - Winston Churchill

A month after stating "we will stop the top-down reorganisation of the NHS that has got in the way of patient care", the government launched the biggest top-down reorganisation the service had seen in its 65-year history. Stella Feehily's new play explores one family's journey through the digestive system of the NHS, and asks: what is the prognosis?

Stephanie Cole is a highly respected actress with a long career on stage, television, radio and film. She is best known her television work, including the recent Christmas special STILL OPEN ALL HOURS (BBC), as Sylvia Goodwin in CORONATION STREET (ITV), Diana Trent in the classic comedy series WAITING FOR GOD (BBC) and Dr. Beatrice Mason in TENKO (BBC). Her stage credits include PYGMALION and SEPARATE TABLES (Chichester Festival Theatre), BORN IN THE GARDEN (Theatre Royal, Bath), BLYTHE SPIRIT (West End) and NOISES OFF (West End).

Stella Feehily's previous plays for Out of Joint include DUCK, O GO MY MAN, DREAMS OF VIOLENCE, and her most recent, BANG BANG BANG, an adventure about two human rights defenders in Congo which packed out the Royal Court's Theatre Upstairs. THIS MAY HURT A BIT will be designed by Tim Shortall, who designed Out of Joint's recent productions of OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD and the West End-transferring TOP GIRLS.

Karl Sydow presents performances of THIS MAY HURT A BIT at the London St. James Theatre. Karl has recently presented Out of Joint's productions of OUR COUNTRY'S GOOD and A DISH OF TEA WITH DR JOHNSON into the West End.

This production is supported by Frank and Elizabeth Brenan.

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