James Hillier & Declan Rodgers to Lead World Premiere of Traverse Theatre's I'M WITH THE BAND; Full Cast Announced!

I'm With the Band, will receive its World Premiere during the Edinburgh Festival this August, a first-time collaboration between Traverse Theatre Company and Wales Millennium Centre, (2 - 25 Aug 2013).

A witty and timely response to our changing political landscape it is written by Tim Price, and directed by Traverse Associate Director Hamish Pirie, who were Olivier nominated for their last collaboration, Salt Root and Roe.

An Englishman, a Northern Irishman, a Scotsman and a Welshman walked into a recording studio and created The Union. Commercially successful and critically acclaimed, the pioneering Indie-rock band is now on the verge of breaking-up. When financial disaster strikes and Scottish guitarist Barry leaves the band, artistic differences go head to head with alliances that run deep, can The Union survive?

Traverse Theatre Company and Wales Millennium Centre are delighted to announce the cast for I'm With the Band. Forming the Indie-rock band on stage are: James Hillier (Damien - The Englishman), Declan Rodgers (Aaron - The Northern Irishman), Andy Clark (Barry - The Scotsman), and Matthew Bulgo (Gruff - The Welshman).

Director Hamish Pirie says, "I am thrilled to be working with a company so brimming full of talent on this truly ensemble piece. I'm With the Band will be a work of total theatre, combining the most innovative new writing with synths and song. In a play that investigates the relationships between our home nations, it feels important and right that we have an actual Englishman, Northern Irishman, Scotsman and Welshman in the cast, each bringing their own experiences to the table. I am really looking forward to the first day of rehearsals to hear the theatrical potential of that combination of voices start to sing."

Writer Tim Price comments, "I'm With the Band is my response to the Scottish Independence question. I love Scotland. Part of me is delighted with the idea that a country I love might become autonomous. But, as a Welshman I am heartbroken at the prospect of a diminished relationship.

"I wanted to find a way to explore the complicated relationships between the home countries. I'm With the Band explores the Independence question, through a rock band losing their guitarist. It asks, could the Union survive without Scotland? And could Scotland survive without the Union?

"Theatre is in a unique position to respond rapidly to national questions, and it is a privilege to contribute to this debate at the home of new writing in Scotland."

Conrad Lynch, Artistic Director of the Wales Millennium Centre said, "We are delighted to be working with this wonderful cast and creative and look forward to touring the show to venues across the UK following the run in Edinburgh".

I'm With the Band is presented in Edinburgh as part of the British Council's Showcase season, it then transfers directly to the St James Theatre in London before touring venues across Wales, Northern Ireland and England.

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