WHAT I LEARNED FROM JOHNNY BEVAN by Luke Wright Returns to the Fringe this Week
Luke Wright's first theatre show What I Learned from Johnny Bevan took the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe by storm. The show received a Fringe First for the quality of the writing and Wright received a Stage Award for Acting Excellence for his hurricane performance. Now after touring extensively, being optioned for a film, invited to appear at the Houses of Parliament and selling out a three week London run, this critically acclaimed solo stage show returns to The Fringe for one week only (21-27 August) at Underbelly's Cowgate venue.
What I Learned From Johnny Bevan is a compelling, politically charged story encompassing shattered friendships, class and social ceilings, and The Labour Party's battle for its soul.
At university the whip-smart, mercurial Johnny Bevan saves Nick, smashing his comfortable middle class bubble and firing him up about politics, music and literature. Twenty years later, as their youthful dreams disintegrate alongside the social justice they hoped for, can Nick, now a jaded music journalist, save Johnny from himself?
Luke Wright delivers an impassioned, spellbinding performance of his razor sharp script that is infused with humour, humanity and wit. What I Learned From Johnny Bevan strikes at the heart of British politics, questioning the middle class value system that encouraged the rise of New Labour and David Cameron's brand of Conservatism, and saw both parties abandon the working class. This gripping story is a modern fable that reflects today's political polarisation and resonates with the disillusionment felt by many.
Written and performed by Luke in deft, visceral, punchy verse, with a score by Ian Catskilkin from the band Art Brut and tautly directed by Old Vic Baylis Director Joe Murphy, What I Learned From Johnny Bevan is a theatrically brilliant, breath-taking poetic monologue.
See a short new video here!
Luke is also performing his new play Frankie Vah at Underbelly until 27 August at 9.20 each day.
Luke Wright is now one of the UK's best known poets. He tours the world each year with his unique brand of poetry and can often be seen opening for John Cooper Clarke. His verse documentaries on Channel 4 have been enjoyed by millions and his poems can often be heard on BBC Radios 3 & 4, sometimes further afield. He curates the spoken word line-ups at Port Eliot Festival, Festival Number 6 and The Edinburgh International Book Festival. lukewright.co.uk
Joe Murphy is the Baylis Director on attachment to The Old Vic where recent work includes Woyzeck and No's Knife. He also won a Fringe First with nabokov for Bunny and universal acclaim for Blink, both of which transferred Off-Broadway.
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