Extended tour for Benidorm Live
Acclaimed stage show of TV hit at Venue Cymru
DERREN Litten’s smash hit ITV comedy BENIDORM is set to bring sunshine and smiles to the UK and Ireland as the first ever stage version of the ITV comedy announces an extension into 2019 after scorching sales for 2018’s sun-baked dates.
Benidorm Live already has audiences across the country rushing to book their tickets for one of the year’s most anticipated theatre events, and confirms dates at Venue Cymru from the 8th – 13th April 2019. Another Welsh date is also on the tour, the show will also be in Cardiff’s New Theatre in early 2019. The show is produced for the stage by Michael Harrison and David Ian.
Litten has written an all new set of Alicante escapades for the muchloved cast members, including Jake Canuso (Mateo), Janine Duvitski (Jacqueline), Sherrie Hewson (Joyce Temple-Savage), Shelley Longworth (Sam), Tony Maudsley (Kenneth) and Neptune’s very own Asa Elliott as they swap sangria for the stage next year after a quick spruce at the Blow ‘n’ Go!
Benidorm Live will be the stage debut production of the hugely popular TV show, and on making its transfer, writer Derren Litten said: “I’ve loved ten years of writing my TV show Benidorm but despite a successful writing career I’m first
and foremost a performer so have always been secretly frustrated I couldn’t hear the audience’s laughter. This national tour of Benidorm Live will not only make a long lasting dream come true but will also mean I no longer have to stand in strangers’ gardens listening at their windows at 9 o’clock on cold winter evenings.”
ITV’s smash-hit comedy celebrates a decade of all-inclusive hilarity, having followed the ensemble cast of holiday makers and staff for ten series since it first broadcast in 2007, and is currently being broadcast in the UK.
Critically acclaimed, Benidorm has received two National Television Awards a TV Quick Award and nominations at the British Comedy Awards and BAFTAs.
After leaving school in Hull in the late 1980s Derren Litten spent a year working as a professional magician whilst auditioning for drama schools. He won a place on the three-year acting course at the prestigious Central School of Speech and Drama where he met fellow student Catherine Tate. After 10 years of working as an actor, Derren was asked by Catherine to write for her newly-commissioned TV sketch show, The Catherine Tate Show; in which he also appeared in many of the sketches. After co-writing and appearing in two series and a Christmas Special, Derren was given a script commission by legendary comedy producer Geoffrey Perkins, “just write anything you want as long as it’s funny” he said; that show turned out to be ITV’s BAFTA nominated hit comedy Benidorm. Derren’s hobbies include drinking and karaoke, usually in that order. He splits his time equally between homes in London and Spain.
■ Benidorm Live will be on stage at Venue Cymru until 13th April. Tickets are on sale now and available from www.venuecymru.co.uk and via the Box Office on 01492 872000.