Michael Morpurgo Comes the Colchester Mercury Stage with FRIEND OR FOE, Now thru Sept 13

Following on from last year's smash hit The Butterfly Lion, the Mercury Theatre Colchester will be producing another Michael Morpurgo classic this August with their Made in Colchester production of Friend or Foe. Opening at the Mercury today, August 29 and running until Saturday, September 13, Friend or Foe is a thrilling tale of extraordinary friendship which will appeal to adults and children alike.

Evacuated from London at the height of the Second World War, David and Tucky can't help feeling as though the fighting is a long way from their new lives in the countryside. But then suddenly one night, the skyline is lit up with gun flashes and the distant sound of bombing shatters their new found peace. When a German plane crashes on their farm the boys are plunged into a breath-taking adventure and faced with a life-and-death moral dilemma.

Adapted by the Mercury Theatre's Artistic Director Daniel Buckroyd, and directed by Matthew Cullum, Friend or Foe will see Jake Davies playing the role of David. This will be Jake's second visit to the Mercury, having played Wang in the Made in Colchester production of The Good Person of Sichuan last autumn. Jake's other theatre credits include Beautiful Thing in the West End, and The Jungle Book at the Glasgow Citizens Theatre.

Alongside Jake in the role of Tucky will be Séan Aydon. Séan has most recently appeared in The Accrington Pals at the Royal Exchange Theatre and in The Merry Wives of Windsor at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre. Playing Mr and Mrs Reynolds will be Nicholas Tizzard and Janet Greaves. Nicholas' extensive theatre credits include Cabaret at the Savoy Theatre and on the national tour, Coram Boy, Once in a Lifetime and The UN Inspector for the National Theatre, and Ireland tour of Translations. Nicholas was also part of the initial West End cast of War Horse at the New London Theatre. Janet's recent credits include Margie Walsh in the European premiere of Good People with the English Theatre, Frankfurt, ITV's Birds of a Feather and Trying Again on Sky Living.

Mercury Theatre Artistic Director and adaptor of Friend or Foe, Daniel Buckroyd said: "Friend or Foe is Michael Morpurgo's exciting, funny and heart-breaking tale of two WW2 evacuees and the life or death choice they face when a German bomber crash lands near the farm they're staying on. It's every bit as powerful as you'd expect when the War Horse author takes on a subject that touched the lives of so many British families - no wonder it's a favourite with young readers across the country."

Daniel added: "We've assembled a fantastic cast to bring Michael's amazing story to life, including young actors Jake and Séan playing David and Tucky; the best friends at the heart of the story. Come with your children, come with your grandchildren; this promises to be another family-friendly Mercury hit."

DETAILS:

Friend or Foe
Friday, August 29 - Saturday, September 13
Performance times vary
Tickets from £10 to £25
www.mercurytheatre.co.uk or call the Ticket Sales Desk on 01206 573948.

Cast
David Jake Davies
Tucky Séan Aydon
Mr Reynolds / As Cast Nicholas Tizzard
Mrs Reynolds / As Cast Janet Greaves
As Cast Chris Porter

Creatives
Written by Michael Morpurgo
Adapted by Daniel Buckroyd
Director Matthew Cullum
Designer Keith Baker
Lighting Designer Mark Dymock
Sound Designer Tom Lishman

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