Details

It's 1979. Ian Dury and the Blockheads' new single Reasons to be Cheerful (part 3) is climbing the charts. Labour has just lost the recent election to the Tories. Vinnie and his mates are big Ian Dury fans and they are desperate to see him at the Hammersmith Odeon but the gig is sold out. Vinnie will do anything to get tickets, but life is complicated. His dad is dying; the girl he loves is going out with his boss at the supermarket, and his own band never stops fighting. But the opportunity to get tickets for the gig arises and events take a surprising turn. Set during a time of political change and economic hardship, Dury's songs provide a powerful political and emotional backdrop to this coming-of-age tale. All performances include captioned dialogue, BSL-interpreted songs and audio description.

Cast/Performers

Stephen Lloyd (Vinnie), Stephen Collins (Colin), Nadia Albina (Janine), Karen Spicer (Pat), Garry Robson (Bill / Bobby), Daniel McGowan (Nick / Dave - saxophone / guitar), Robert Hyman (Uncle Harry - keyboards), John Kelly (John - vocals), Nixon Rosembert (Nixon - bass guitar), Paul Sirett (Paul - guitar), Paula Faircloth (Paula - drums), Jude Mahon (Debbie - signing / dancing), Wayne 'Pickles' Norman (Pickles - describing / dancing)

Creatives/Company

Book by: Paul Sirett
Music: Ian Dury and the Blockheads
Producer(s): Theatre Royal Stratford East, Graeae Theatre Company, New Wolsey Ipswich
Director: Jenny Sealey
Musical Director: Robert Hyman
Design(s): Gaelle Mellis, Mark Haig (video)
Lighting: Ian Scott
Choreographer: Mark Smith
Sound: Lewis Gibson