The Ladykillers, the 1955 classic Ealing comedy, is this autumn brought back to life on the stage in a production that will play at The Liverpool Playhouse from November 3rd - 19th, prior to opening at the Gielgud Theatre on November 26th.
The Ladykillers tells the story of the eccentric little old lady Mrs Wilberforce who lives alone with her parrots in a strange lopsided house in King's Cross. Her life is turned upside down by the arrival of Professor Marcus and his four friends, who between them make up the most unlikely group of criminals. Planning the heist of a security van, they decide to use Mrs Wilberforce as cover and involve her unwittingly in the plot. Things do not go well and the Professor's plan starts to unravel in spectacular and hilarious fashion.
This stage production of The Ladykillers has been adapted by
Graham Linehan who is best known for his work on the TV comedy series Father Ted and The IT Crowd. In partnership with Arthur Mathews, Linehan has also written for Harry Enfield, Smith and Jones, Alexei Sayle, The Fast Show and
Steve Coogan. Linehan's solo writing credits include work with Chris Morris on Brass Eye, Blue Jam and Jam and co-writing the first series of Black Books with Dylan Moran.
Director
Sean Foley is a multi award winning stage director whose work in the West End includes Do You Come Here Often, Play What I Wrote, Ducktastic, Pinter's People and
Joan Rivers: A Work In Progress. Foley has also adapted and will direct The Painkiller which will star
Kenneth Branagh and Rob Brydon at the Lyric Belfast later this year.
The cast for The Ladykillers includes the BAFTA winning
Peter Capaldi who is best known for his role as Malcolm Tucker in the television series The Thick Of It. He has appeared in over forty television series and films including most recently the ITV series The Suspicions of Mr Whicher.
Playing the role of Major Courtney will be
James Fleet who is most famous for his role as Tom in Four Weddings And A Funeral and Hugo Horton in The Vicar of Dibley. He has also appeared in numerous stage productions including most recently
Richard Bean's The Heretic at the Royal Court.
The part of Louis will be played by
Ben Miller, who is best known as one half of the comedy duo Armstrong and Miller, which has had more than ten television series since they formed in the late 1990s. Miller has also appeared in a variety of other TV series and films including Primeval (ITV), and The Parole Officer (with
Steve Coogan) and Johnny English (with
Rowan Atkinson).
Clive Rowe will play One Round. A hugely accomplished stage actor Rowe is also well known for his role as Duke in the BBC Children's drama The Story of Tracy Beaker. His stage roles include Nicely Nicely Johnson in Guys and Dolls, and Feste in Twelfth Night at the Open Air Theatre Regent's Park. Clive has also become renowned for his pantomime dames as part of Hackney Empire's celebrated Christmas pantos.
The part of Harry will be played by
Stephen Wight. Stephen won the Milton Shulman Award for Outstanding Newcomer in the Evening Standard Awards for his performances in Don Juan In Soho at the
Donmar Warehouse, he also appeared in Dealer's Choice both at the
Menier Chocolate Factory and in the West End and made his
National Theatre debut in 2004 in Sing Yer Heart Out For The Lads.
Finally the role of Mrs Wilberforce will be played by
Marcia Warren who has won two Olivier Awards for roles in Stepping Out and Humble Boy. She has multiple stage and screen credits including most recently the TV drama Hattie.
