RAISING MARTHA Casting Announced at Park Theatre

Raising Martha, a brand new dark comedy by award-winning writer David Spicer, and directed by Michael Fentiman, will have its world premiere at Park Theatre from 12 January 2017, playing until 11 February, with a press night on Tuesday 17 February.

Gerry and Roger's mum has gone missing. Well, most of her has...

The unwitting victims of animal rights activists campaigning for the freedom of the family frog farm's slimy inhabitants, the brothers must bring in the hapless Inspector Clout to establish the whereabouts of their long-dead mother.

An absurdly funny, dark comedy starring the finest comedy ensemble live on stage, Raising Martha tackles terrorism, animal rights and six-foot frogs!

As previously announced, Tom Bennett (Netflix's Mascots, E4's Phone Shop) will play 'Marc'; Jasper Britton (Richard II, RSC, The Libertine, Theatre Royal Haymarket), will play 'Gerry'; Joel Fry (ITV's Plebs, HBO's Game of Thrones, Sky's You, Me and the Apocalypse) will play 'Jago'; Morgana Robinson (BBC's The Agency, Channel 4's The Windsors) will play 'Caro'. Jeff Rawle, (Channel 4's Drop the Dead Donkey, Handbagged, Tricycle / West End, Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire) will join the cast to play 'Inspector Clout'. Casting for 'Roger' will be announced.

David Spicer said. "I believe that as the world gets more unpleasant, divided and embattled, our only defence is ridicule. But mainly it was because I was earning my living writing intros, links and gags for a seemingly never-ending stream of TV gameshows. The first draft of Raising Martha was written at my table behind the various flashing sets of shiny-floor shows such as Goldenballs, No Win No Fee, (and many, many others).

As TV appears to become unceasingly safe, mainstream and unchallenging, live theatre appears to me to be the last remaining place where one can really say what one feels is important about the state of the world. And this is what I've tried to do with Martha. My comedy about Fear, Loathing, Drug Abuse and Grave Robbery became my escape from a Light Entertainment hell."

Raising Martha is produced by Michael James Cox and Tom O'Connell, directed by Michael Fentiman, with set and costume design by Rebecca Brower, sound design by Max Pappenheim, lighting design by Eliot Griggs, costume supervision by Ryan Walklett, and casting by Anne Vosser.

Michael James Cox said, "I'm very excited and proud to be producing this hilarious new comedy along with Tom O'Connell Productions. This project has been very close to my heart for a long time and I'm thrilled to be working with such a wonderful theatre."

Tom O'Connell said, "After our sell-out success with The Boys in the Band, we are thrilled to be working with Michael James-Cox on a brand new piece of theatre which has made us all laugh during the creative process and now we have assembled a stellar comedy cast who I know will be electric to watch in the intimate Park Theatre."

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