FOLK to Play Birmingham Repertory Theatre in April

Folk, the highly anticipated new play by Tom Wells opens at Birmingham Repertory Theatre in April. Joyful and poignant, Folk is a hilarious and not-so-holy story of hope, coming together and finding your feet when your world is turned upside down.

Winnie's no ordinary nun. A swearing, smoking, Guinness fan, who loves a sing-song with Stephen. She lives life to the fullest. But a shock discovery changes everything.

Stephen's lost his job - and lost his way. Finding solace in music, he knows he must start again... but how?

Ballsy and outspoken, teenager Kayleigh is in charge of her life. No one tells her what to do. However, when unexpected circumstances lead her to Winnie and Stephen, they start a journey that will transform their lives forever.

An inspiring tale of unlikely friendship, Folk is the latest play from Tom Wells. Tom says of the play:

"I used to be in a folk band with my Dad, sister and a couple of other people. We practised on Friday nights in the social centre of the Catholic Church in Withernsea - a coastal town in East Riding and the setting for Folk.

"I love folk music, I love that anyone can have a go at it, and you don't have to get it perfect, you just have to sort of get stuck in, and it brings people together. I'm interested in characters who have slipped through the cracks of a community and the kind of grass roots community work that lots of people like Sister Winnie do, a bit thanklessly, and which is a bit uncelebrated, and undervalued by lots of people in political office but which is really important in smaller communities like Withernsea."

A Hull playwright and associate artist at Hull Truck Theatre, Tom Wells, was tipped as one of Britain's best young writers in 2013. His play The Kitchen Sink, won him the most promising playwright prize at the Critics' Circle Awards in 2011, the George Devine Award, plus a nomination for a Evening Standard Theatre Award. His critically acclaimed play, Jumpers For Goalposts - a heart-warming comedy about football, friendship and finding your way - premiered in 2013 and subsequently toured the UK.

The cast for Folk is: Patrick Bridgman (Stephen), Chloe Harris (Kayleigh) and Connie Walker (Winnie)

Folk is directed by The REP's Associate Director, Tessa Walker, who previously directed Tom Wells's award-winning The Kitchen Sink and more recently directed The REP's record-breaking Christmas production of The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe, as well as the world premiere, Back Down by Steven Camden.

Set and costume design for Folk is by Bob Bailey, lighting by Simon Bond, composition and musical direction by James Frewer and sound design by Clive Meldrum.

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