THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE To Open At The Barn Theatre

Concluding its inaugural season and following the huge critical success of its first two productions, The Barn Theatre is delighted to announce its production of the Olivier Award-winning play: The Rise and Fall of Little Voiceby Jim Cartwright. The production, which will be directed by Michael Strassen, runs from 7th July to 4th August. First produced in 1992, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice was voted third best play of the decade and has been named as one of the top 50 best plays in the history of theatre. The play was nominated for six Oliviers, winning three of them as well as the prestigious Evening Standard Award. Its film adaptation, Little Voice (1998) starring Jane Horrocks in the title role was also a huge hitreceiving an Oscar nomination alongside numerous other awards for its screenplay and cast.

Running from 7th July to 4th August at The Barn Theatre, the cast includes newcomerSarah Louise Hughesin the title role of Little Voice;Gillian McCarthy (Mari) and Stephen Omer (Mr Boo/Phone Man) with direction by Michael Strassen. Further casting will be announced shortly.

Little Voice tells the heart-warming story of a reclusive Northern girl-next-door whose remarkable ability to impersonate the great singers provides her with an opportunity to transcend her tragically unappealing domestic life. But pushed by a foul-mouthed, hard-drinking mother and coaxed into the limelight by her mother's latest talent agent boyfriend, timid 'Little Voice' will need to conquer more than just stage-fright if she is to find her own voice in the world.

"Little Voice is a modern British classic and it's the perfect play to end our inaugural Season. Michael Strassen is one of theatre's great directors and it's very exciting to welcome such excellent and prolific creatives to our theatre to bring his radical interpretation of Little Voice to The Barn." Iwan Lewis - Artistic Director - Barn Theatre

Jim Cartwright

Jim Cartwright is a multi award winning, international playwright, screenwriter and director. His work is in almost continuous production around the world and has been translated into over 35 languages. His plays have been performed at The National Theatre, The Royal Court Theatre, The West End and on Broadway and in many of the principle theatres of the world.

Michael Strassen- Director

After 25 years as an actor working in West End and top repertory theatre with such directors as Nicholas Hytner, Jonathan Kent, Gale Edwards and composers Stephen Sondheim, Claude-Michel Schönberg and Michel Legrand, Michael was initially drawn into staging and directing for Ruthie Henshall's first one woman show at The Royal Festival Hall. Phillip Ridley'sdark, controversial play The Pitchfork Disney cemented his passion for directing honest and potent theatre.Michael has directed in such venues as The Theatre Royal, Haymarket; St James' Theatre; Cadogan Hall; The Royal Festival Hall; The Lyric Theatre HKAPA, Hong Kong; De Montfort Hall, Leicester; The Greenwich Theatre; Union Theatre; Mill Studio, Yvonne Arnaud; Indigo O2; The Hippodrome, London; C Venues, Edinburgh; Customs House, Tyneside; St James' Theatre Studio and Royce Hall, Los Angeles.

FULL CASTING STILL TO BE ANNOUNCED

Tickets: £14 - £30

Box Office: barntheatre.org.uk/ 01285 648255

Previews: 7th, 9th & 10th July (7:30pm)

Run: 7th July - 4thAugust