A star-studded cast for The Rise and Fall of Little Voice
OCTAGON Theatre Bolton continue their season of off-site shows in 2019 with a new production of Jim Cartwright’s Olivier award-winning comedy, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.
Originally written for the National Theatre in 1992, associate director Ben Occhipinti will direct the Octagon Theatre’s latest production of Jim Cartwright’s timeless comic tragedy in Bolton’s iconic Albert Halls.
Little Voice escapes her dreary life through singing stunning impersonations of her favourite hits.
In fear that her mother might blow a fuse, LV escapes in her attic room through her father’s old vinyl collection – she loves the great divas: Bassey, Garland, Piaf, Springfield, Holliday: hits including Big Spender, Over the Rainbow and Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien performed live on stage.
The electrifying drama will be performed by a company of talented actors.
Katie Elin-Salt, who performed as Little Voice in the Octagon Theatre’s acclaimed 2012 production, returns to the role after six years, most recently seen in Out of Love (Roundabout) and working with Shakespeare’s Globe and the National Theatre.
LV’s domineering mother, Mari, will be played by Sally George, recently seen in the National Theatre’s People, Places and Things.
Stage and screen actor Mark Moraghan (Emmerdale, Coronation Street), will play Mari’s opportunistic boyfriend, Ray, who sees LV’s talent as his ticket to fame and fortune.
Night club owner, Mr Boo, will be played by Ted Robbins (Phoenix Nights, Benidorm, Coronation Street) and Sue Vincent (Bad Move, Mount Pleasant) will play Mari’s best friend Sadie.
Akshay Gulati returns to the Octagon after East is East and The Family Way, in the role of kind-hearted Billy.
Director Ben Occhipinti said: “I can’t think of anywhere better to create this production than at the Albert Halls in Bolton.
“The history of the building as a music hall means the venue has exactly the right feel to become the place where Little Voice performs her music. It is a beautiful, sad, funny and heartwarming story with some fantastic comic characters that I can’t wait to bring back home to Bolton.
“We’re lucky to be able to work closely with Jim Cartwright on this production and I’m delighted to be working with such talented stage and screen actors to put on what will be a powerful performance of music and drama.”
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice will be showing from Thursday, January 24, to Saturday,