BLIND DATE Begins Next Month at Jermyn Street Theatre

After a sell-out run at the Octagon Theatre Bolton, the world premiere production of Dave Simpson's new comedy Blind Date is coming to Jermyn Street Theatre.

Blind Date explores the possibilities and the pitfalls of internet dating through the story of two reluctant singletons, who exaggerate their own desirability in order to attract their perfect partner. The play began life at JB Shorts, Manchester's celebrated biannual festival of 15-minute-plays by top television writers. After an overwhelming response from audiences, a decision was made to extend the premise of Blind Date into a full-length production.

Writer Dave Simpson is no stranger to popular success, having spent five years writing for Emmerdale. Several of his hit plays - including Girls' Night Out and The Naked Truth - have toured nationally to sell-out audiences and he currently has a musical in development with producer Bill Kenwright.

This is Dave's 4th collaboration with director Alice Bartlett, who has also worked extensively with John Godber at Hull Truck. Alice describes Blind Date as "a story about looking for love, which is something everyone can relate to. It's very funny in places, moving in others, but also quite dark at times. The central characters - who are portrayed brilliantly by our actors - have really struck a chord with audiences in the North West."

Blind Date features Will Travis, Coronation Street's Neil Beckett and previously regular Dick Lampard in Where The Heart Is. Alongside some dramatic recent storylines on the cobbles, Will has just finished filming This Is England '90 in which he returns as Mr Squires.

Will is joined in Blind Date by his on- and off-stage partner, Susan Mcardle. Susan will also be familiar to Coronation Street fans as Gail Platt's former cell-mate, Lyn Fulwood. She spent 3 years as Linda in the West End and touring production of Blood Brothers and is soon to be seen in the BBC's much-anticipated adaption of Jacqueline Wilson's Hetty Feather.

Experienced actors Drew Cain (Emmerdale, Hollyoaks and My Parents Are Aliens) and Verity-May Henry (Drifters, Hebburn) complete the talented cast.

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