Joe Locke will make his West End debut starring opposite Ruaridh Mollica with Sophie Melville in the UK premiere of Clarkston by critically acclaimed writer Samuel D. Hunter.
Joe Locke said “I’m thrilled to be making my West End debut in ‘Clarkston’. Samuel D. Hunter’s writing is so deeply human and honest that I immediately connected with the play when I read it. I can’t wait to bring this beautiful story to life and share it with audiences in London.”
This emotionally intimate American play will be directed by Drama Desk and Obie award-winning director Jack Serio (who won great acclaim for his production of Uncle Vanya performed in a New York loft and recently directed the world premiere of Samuel D. Hunter’s Grangeville at Signature Theatre).
Clarkston will have a strictly limited run in the West End this Autumn. Further details to be announced soon.
What is the Play Clarkston about?
“You have this idea in your head of the person you could be”
On a journey West to rediscover himself, Jake unexpectedly meets Chris – a kindred soul hiding in a night shift at a Costco in a rural American town. As their bond deepens, so does their sense of adventure. Maybe they could finally give life new meaning by chasing something more – like the intrepid explorers Lewis and Clark before them.
Clarkston is a modern frontier story that blazes a trail through friendship, acceptance, love and the hope of new discoveries.
Who is Joe Locke?
Joe Locke shot to fame with his breakthrough performance in Netflix’s chart-topping and Emmy Award-nominated LGBTQ+ teen drama series Heartstopper for which he was nominated for Outstanding Lead Performance at the Children’s and Family Emmy Awards in 2022. He went on to star in all three seasons of the popular show and is currently in production for the new Heartstopper feature film where he will reprise his role and, alongside co-star Kit Connor, serve as an executive producer.
Last year, Joe had a leading role in Disney+/Marvel’s WandaVision spinoff series Agatha All Along alongside Kathryn Hahn, Aubrey Plaza and Patti LuPone. The series was released to critical acclaim, becoming one of Marvel Television’s most successful shows with Joe receiving a nomination for a Film Independent Spirit Award for his performance.
On stage, he won the Best Professional Debut Award at the WhatsOnStage Awards in 2023 for his performance in The Trials (Donmar Warehouse) and made his Broadway debut last year in the Tony Award-nominated Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street performing alongside Aaron Tveit and Sutton Foster.
Who are Ruaridh Mollica and Sophie Melville?
Ruaridh Mollica is a Screen International Rising Star Scotland 2024 and was shortlisted for the BIFA 2024 Breakthrough Performance. His film credits include indie feature Sebastian and BAFTA Scotland and BIFA award winning short film Too Rough.
Sophie Melville’s recent credits include James Graham series The Way (directed by Michael Sheen for BBC One) and the acclaimed play Cowbois (RSC/Royal Court). Her breakthrough stage performance was Iphigenia in Splott (Lyric Hammersmith) for which she won The Stage Award for Acting Excellence and was nominated for Evening Standard and Drama Desk Awards.
Additional information about the West End production of Clarkston
Running Length: 90 mins (approximately)
Guidance: Age guidance 12+
Website: www.ClarkstonPlay.co.uk
