It has been confirmed that the romantic comedy will be presented by Northern Broadsides in a brand new UK tour, opening at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme on the 3rd March.
Northern Broadsides have confirmed that they will be reviving JM Barrie’s Quality Street, which their production’s original run was cut short in 2020 by the pandemic. It was the first productionn to be directed by Laurie Sansom as Artistic Director as Northern Broadsides’ Artistic Director.
Phoebe Throssel runs a school for unruly children on Quality Street. Ten years on after a tearful goodbye, her old flame returns from fighting Napoleon. But the look of disappointment on Captain Valentine’s face when he greets an older, less glamorous Phoebe, spurs our determined heroine to action, becoming the wild and sparkling Miss Livvy, a
younger alter-ego who soon beguiles the clueless Captain. As their romance is rekindled, and Miss Livvy melts the Captain’s heart, Phoebe must juggle both personas while trying to avoid scandalizing the town with her deception, or wrecking her future with the man she loves.
Quality Street will open in March at the New Vic Theatre and then visit Devonshire Park Theatre, Royal & Derngate, Richmond Theatre, Octagon Theatre Bolton, Leeds Playhouse,
York Playhouse, Crucible Theatre, Hull Truck Theatre, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Theatre by the Lake, Blackpool Grand Theatre and The Victoria Theatre,
Halifax.
Talking about the news, Laurie Sansom, director of Quality Street and Artistic Director of Northern Broadsides said: ” I can’t wait to share this charming re-discovered play with audiences up and down the country who we didn’t get to in 2020. It has the customary wit and boldness of Broadsides’ best work, and has been given an irreverent spin by the wonderful women of Halifax who shared their stories with us and gave us their take on Barrie’s sparkling period comedy. It also has one of the greatest comic parts ever written for a woman in the shape of the spirited Phoebe Throssel, finding her own unconventional way in a Regency world of fans, balls and uniforms. We hope we can bring some brightly coloured joy to audiences looking for some warmhearted entertainment in difficult times.”
The production’s creative team so far includes designer Jessica Worrall, lighting designer Joe Price and sound designer Nick Sagar. Full cast and creative team will be announced soon.
For more information visit: https://www.northern-broadsides.co.uk/shows/quality-street/