Louise Jameson is to star with recent graduate Thomas Mahy making his London stage debut in Philip Ridley’s Vincent River.
Davey has seen something he can never forget. Anita has been forced to flee her home. Tonight, they meet for the first time… and their lives will change forever.
Philip Ridley’s modern classic was a huge success when it premiered at the Hampstead Theatre in 2001, and a West End smash in 2007. Thrilling, heartbreaking and darkly humorous by turns, it is now seen as one of the most powerful explorations of hate crime – and society’s need to crush ‘difference’ – ever written.
Directed by Robert Chevara, it will run at London’s Park Theatre from Tuesday 20 March – Saturday 14 April.
Louise Jameson played the iconic role of assistant Leela in Dr Who in the Seventies opposite Tom Baker. She later starred in Tenko, Bergerac and EastEnders. In a 40-year career, her first love, the theatre, has seen her on stage at the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company. Earlier this year, she was nominated Best Actress in the 2018 Offies (Off West End) awards for her portrayal of Racquell in the critically acclaimed production of My Gay Best Friend that she co-wrote with her co-star, Nigel Fairs. She recently toured the UK playing Miss Marple in Agatha Christie’s A Murder is Announced, she played Beth in Timberlake Wertenbaker’s new play Winter Hill at Bolton Octagon, and starred in the 60th anniversary production of The Mousetrap UK tour.
Thomas Mahy is a recent graduate of Drama Centre, London. He is currently playing Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights at Euro Theater Bonn, Germany.
Director Robert Chevara said: Philip Ridley is one of Britain’s greatest living writers and I have always wanted to direct his work and collaborate with him. Vincent River is both a modern classic and a dazzling, visionary piece of theatre. The play is even more prophetic now than when it was first produced. The murder of Jo Cox MP shocked the nation and hate crimes have risen by 29% this last year alone. But hate crimes against LGBT people in the UK have surged by nearly 80% in recent years.
_____________________________________________________________
