Theatre teams up with lauded playwright

Dramatist John Godber and Theatre Royal Wakefield have teamed up with acclaimed playwright Jim Cartwright to premiere his new play in the city.
Jim Cartwright outside Theatre Royal Wakefield.Jim Cartwright outside Theatre Royal Wakefield.
Jim Cartwright outside Theatre Royal Wakefield.

The new partnership will see Mr Cartwright and Mr Godber, who is the theatre’s creative director, co-produce the world premier of Stand Up Stand Up in May 2017, before taking it on tour to venues across the UK.

The move, which will help launch the newly formed Jim Cartwright Company, comes just weeks after Mr Cartwright’s latest play, the critically acclaimed Raz, visited the theatre as part of a national tour.

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The theatre and Mr Godber already work together to produce and tour new dramas, and Mr Godber said he was looking forward to seeing how Mr Cartwright’s work could further enhance the theatre’s reputation for quality new writing.

He said: “It’s great that Jim feels compelled to use Theatre Royal Wakefield to showcase his latest play. The theatre is fast becoming a hub for northern talent and has created a new writing platform.”

Stand Up Stand Up is a dark comedy, hilarious and heart breaking at turns, about a struggling comedian who meets a frustrated bailiff with secret show business dreams, and their unlikely alliance, which leads them on a life changing roller coaster of an adventure neither was quite prepared for.

Mr Cartwright said: “I am excited and thrilled by this collaboration with Theatre Royal Wakefield in the producing and launching of my new play and the Jim Cartwright Company, from what is fast becoming a real powerhouse for new drama, already spearheaded by nationally acclaimed productions of John Godber’s works.”

Tickets for Stand Up Stand Up will go on sale in November.

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