Cast announced for The Play What I Wrote at Birmingham Rep

Birmingham Rep is delighted to announce the first ever major new production of the multi-award winning comedy The Play What I Wrote for this Christmas from Saturday 27 November 2021 – Saturday 1 January 2022.

Celebrating 20 years since its premiere and record-breaking run in the West End, The Play What I Wrote won every major theatre award, every single review was a rave, and every show a sell-out.  The Sunday Times called it “a triumph” and The Observer said “audiences weep with laughter”.

Starring Dennis Herdman, Mitesh Soni, and Thom Tuck, this new production is directed by The Rep’s Artistic Director, double Olivier Award winner Sean Foley, and follows Sir Kenneth Branagh’s original production in celebrating the iconic duo of Eric and Ernie.

The Play What I Wrote is an homage to Britain’s finest and funniest ever double-act, Morecambe and Wise – whose BBC Christmas specials were the highlight of the festive season for millions of viewers – and the show will bring sunshine and laughter to Birmingham this Christmas.

Like the original Morecambe and Wise shows, there is a play within a play, and every show features a special mystery guest star.  Previous mystery guest stars have included Ralph Fiennes, Dawn French, Ewan McGregor, Glenn Close, Daniel Radcliffe, Kylie Minogue, and Sting.

Thom and Dennis’ double act is on the brink of splitting up… Thom believes himself to be an undiscovered genius playwright, ‘and could be the next Tom Stopcock!’ He has written a new play, an epic set in the French Revolution called ‘A Tight Squeeze for the Scarlet Pimple’ and is desperate to get it on. Dennis, on the other hand, believes that if they perform a tribute to Morecambe and Wise, Thom’s confidence in their own double act will be restored. But first Dennis needs to persuade a guest star to appear in the play what Thom wrote…

This is Sean Foley’s first ever production as Artistic Director at The Rep.  Sean, who co-wrote and starred in both the sell-out West End and Broadway productions, said, ‘I’m thrilled to finally be able to bring this hugely successful comedy to Birmingham audiences, and can’t wait for this wonderfully talented new cast, as well as a whole new set of amazing guest stars, to make people laugh this Christmas.’

The Play What I Wrote runs from Saturday 27 November 2021 – Saturday 1 January 2022.  Tickets are from £17.50 and are on sale now www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/whatson

In line with current Government regulations, The Rep is now open to full capacity, but we continue to take a number of carefully managed steps and precautions to help audiences feel safe and enjoy their chosen performance. The wearing of masks is encouraged throughout the building, additional cleaning will continue and some performances will still have socially distanced seating.

Credits

Cast

Dennis Herdman

Mitesh Soni

Thom Thuck

Creatives

Director: Sean Foley

Designer: Alice Power

Lighting Designer: Tim Mitchell

Sound Designer: Clive Meldrum

Music: Steve Parry

Choreographer: Ian West

Casting Directors: Sarah Bird and Marc Frankum