Two’s Up for Gritty and Witty Northern Dramas

A double bill of drama and comedy hits the stage in Leigh and Wigan this May as part of Wigan Pier Theatre Company’s programme of community drama events.

This double helping of live theatre will run for three nights and features 16 local amateur actors, under the direction of Martin Green, Development Officer for Wigan Pier Theatre Company.

The event includes a production of Jim Cartwright’s gritty northern drama, ‘Two’, which originally starred Sue Johnston and John McArdle of Brookside fame. This is followed by ‘Up On the Roof’ a comedy-drama devised and performed by the Wigan Pier Community Theatre’s Higher Folds group.

Directed by Michael Rees, Up On The Roof, is a short black-comedy loosely based on Nick Hornby’s novel, ‘A Long Way Down’. The play looks at a group of misfits who are all contemplating jumping off a building for their own individual reasons.

Martin Green, said,

“Two is a very popular play with both GCSE students and people who have a taste for contemporary theatre. It is set in a local pub in an industrial northern town and follows the story of the landlord and landlady and a host of unusual characters who come through the pub’s doors one evening. It was originally a vehicle for two actors to play a wide variety of roles but is an ideal opportunity to showcase our adult group’s talents.

“This will mark the adult groups fourth full-length play since 2003. It is a great piece of theatre that is guaranteed to make the audience laugh as well as cry. The group are very excited at the prospect of performing their own work.”

The double-bill of plays can be seen in two venues local to where the groups rehearse each week. On Wednesday 2^nd and Thursday 3^rd May, the performances will be held in the drama studio of Hawkley Hall High School on Carr Lane, Wigan. The final event will be held on Friday 4^th May at Bedford High School’s lower school drama studio in Leigh.

All performances will start at 7.30pm and tickets priced £5 or £3, are available from the Tourist Information Centre on 01942 825677.

Wigan Pier Community Theatre’s Higher Folds group is supported by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. The adult drama group based at Wigan Pier is funded by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust.

For further information about these performances or about becoming involved with Wigan Pier Theatre Company’s community theatre contact Martin Green on 01942 709305.