There is nothing more than to love and be loved
In pre-war France, a young Englishman, Stephen Wraysford, embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their world upside down. As the war breaks out over the idyll of his former life, Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme and through the sprawling tunnels that lie deep underground. Faced with the unprecedented horror of the war Stephen clings to the memory of Isabelle as his world explodes around him.
Presented by Original Theatre & JAS Theatricals in association with Birdsong Productions & Wiltshire Creative, Birdsong will be at the Theatre Royal Nottingham from 15 to19 October.
Birdsong, a mesmerising story of love and courage, is produced by the award-winning Original Theatre, who presented the smash hit productions of The Mirror Crack’d by Agatha Christie, Murder in the Dark, The Habit of Art and The Interview and Joshua Andrews and Stuart Galbraith of JAS Theatricals, whose current projects include Hadestown in the West End and a major UK tour of Cluedo 2.
The producers of Birdsong are working in partnership with the Royal British Legion, with associated fundraising details to be announced.
Award-winning actor Max Bowden, best known for the roles of Ben Mitchell in EastEnders and Justin Fitzgerald in Waterloo Road, will star as Jack Firebrace in Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks’s epic story of love and loss, when it returns to the stage in a brand-new production for 2024, marking the 30th anniversary of the international best-selling novel.
The critically acclaimed show, adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and directed by Alastair Whatley, tells the story of one man’s journey through an all-consuming love affair and into the horror of the First World War.
Max Bowden said: “I’m so excited to be collaborating with Original Theatre again on a project close to my heart. Birdsong highlights the tragedy of war, yet the beauty of humanity simultaneously through strong relationships under extreme circumstances, and I can’t wait to bring Jack Firebrace to life under their guidance.”
Alastair Whatley, Director of Birdsong and Artistic Director of Original Theatre, said “Max joined us to play the character of Tipper, a young soldier, in the 2016 tour of Birdsong and now the best part of a decade later returns to play the wonderful role of Jack Firebrace. I cannot wait to get back in the rehearsal room with Max to explore one of Sebastian’s most unforgettable characters.”
Joining previously announced Max Bowden (EastEnders, Waterloo Road) as Jack Firebrace in the new production will be James Esler (Litvinenko) as Stephen Wraysford and Charlie Russell (The Goes Wrong Show) as Isabelle Azaire, alongside Joseph Benjamin Baker (as Evans/Levi), Raif Clarke (as Tipper), James Findlay (as Brennan), Dave Fishley (as Turner), Gracie Follows (as Lisette), Sulin Hasso (as Marguerite), Tama Phethean (as Shaw/LeBrun), Natalie Radmall-Quirke (as Jeanne), Roger Ringrose (as Bérard/Barclay) and Sargon Yelda (as René Azaire/Gray).
Sebastian Faulks said: “A new version of the play to mark the 30th anniversary of the book’s publication? Can it be even better than the last one? I can’t wait to see!”
Rachel Wagstaff said: “I am thrilled that Original Theatre will be bringing Birdsong to the stage again, in this brand new production. I fell in love with Sebastian Faulks’s novel, Birdsong, many years ago and, if anything, that love has only grown stronger over the years – the sign of a true masterpiece. It was such a pleasure going back to the novel and to the script, with everything I have gleaned from previous productions. This new production promises to burst with life, and this remarkable book’s message feels more relevant than ever, at a time when we all hope that love and peace will triumph over the horrors of war.”
Alastair Whatley, Director of Birdsong and Artistic Director of Original Theatre, said: “Birdsong has been part of our lives for over ten years since we first opened the show back in 2013. I am delighted to be returning to Birdsong once again with a brand new production which has been inspired by the response to our online version of the show which came out in the middle of lockdown. It’s an honour and a privilege to return to this story based on Sebastian’s much loved novel and I can’t wait to share it with audiences all over the country.”
CREATIVE TEAM
As previously announced, Sebastian Faulks’s Birdsong is adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and directed by Alastair Whatley. Design is by Richard Kent, Lighting by Jason Taylor, Sound by Dominic Bilkey and with Casting by Ellie Collyer-Bristow (CDG).
TOUR SCHEDULE
SALISBURY PLAYHOUSE 6 – 14 September
LEEDS PLAYHOUSE 17 – 21 September
CAMBRIDGE ARTS THEATRE 23 – 28 September
RICHMOND THEATRE 1 – 5 October
LIVERPOOL PLAYHOUSE 8 – 12 October
NOTTINGHAM THEATRE ROYAL 15 – 19 October
YVONNE ARNAUD, GUILDFORD 29 October – 2 November
CHELTENHAM EVERYMAN 21 – 26 October
CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE 5 – 9 November
NORWICH THEATRE ROYAL 12 – 16 November
MALVERN THEATRE 19 – 23 November
THEATRE ROYAL BATH 25 – 30 November
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