Wales Milennium Centre and Traverse Theatre's I'M WITH THE BAND Launches UK Tour at St. James Theatre Tonight

The Traverse Theatre Company's and Wales Millennium Centre's co- production of I'm with the Band will open its UK tour at London's St. James Theatre following its world premiere at The Traverse Theatre, as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Mixing theatre with live indie-rock music on stage, I'm With the Band is written by Tim Price (The Radicalisation of Bradley Manning, National Theatre Wales), and will embark on a national tour of England, Wales and Northern Ireland this autumn following its Scottish performances,

I'm With the Band looks at the friendships, fall-outs and roller coaster world of one of the UK's biggest bands - The Union. A dysfunctional group of musicians - The Union has four members: an Englishman, a Northern Irishman, a Scotsman and a Welshman. But friendships and allegiances are tested 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?

The production is directed by Traverse Associate Director Hamish Pirie. Hamish directed the acclaimed Salt Root and Roe, in collaboration with Tim Price, as part of the Donmar's Trafalgar 2011 season. The show will also feature live music performed by the company, written by Gordon McIntyre (Ballboy).

Other creatives include Neil Warmington as Designer and Philip Gladwell as Lighting Designer.

Casting includes James Hillier as Damien the Englishman, Declan Rodgers as Aaron the Northern Irishman, Andy Clark as Barry the Scotsman and Matthew Bulgo as Gruff the Welshman.

Conrad Lynch, Artistic Director at Wales Millennium Centre said;

"We are delighted to be bringing our first collaboration with Traverse Theatre to the West End directly from its world premiere in Edinburgh. We are also thrilled to be transferring this production to the wonderful St James Theatre, which is the perfect home for Wales Millennium Centre's first London transfer."

Press Performances:

Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh: Sunday 4 August at 1.45pm

St. James Theatre, London: Thursday 29 August at 7.30pm

Traverse Theatre Company and Wales Millennium Centre present I'm With the Band by Tim Price, Director: Hamish Pirie, Songwriter and Composer: Gordon McIntyre, Designer: Neil Warmington, Lighting Designer: Philip Gladwell. Cast: James Hillier, Declan Rodgers, Andy Clark and Matthew Bulgo. Running Times: 90 minutes (no interval)

2 - 25 August 2013

Venue: Traverse 1, Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh

Times: vary

Prices: PREVIEWS - Friday 2 and Saturday 3 August £13/£6 concession

Sunday to Thursday £18/£13 concessions/£6 unemployed

Friday and Saturday £20/£15 concessions

Box Office: 0131 228 1404

Website: www.traverse.co.uk

28 August - 7 September 2013

Venue: St. James Theatre, London, SW1E 5JA

Times: 7.30pm (Monday to Saturday) 2.30pm (Thursday and Saturday)

Prices: Premium Seats £37.50, Other Areas £29.50 and £15

Groups (8+). Schools and Access Bookings: available from Box Office

Box Office: 0844 264 2140

Website: www.stjamestheatre.co.uk

I'M WITH THE BAND - UK TOUR DATES 2013

12 - 14 September Box Office: 0116 242 3595

Curve Theatre, Leicester Website: www.curveonline.co.uk

17 & 18 September Box Office: 01639 843163

The Welfare, Ystradgynlais Website: www.thewelfare.co.uk

20 & 21 September Box Office: 028 9034 0202

Theatre at the Mill, Belfast Website: www.theatreatthemill.com

23 & 24 September Box Office: 01646 695267

Torch Theatre, Milford Haven Website: www.torchtheatre.co.uk

25 & 26 September Box Office: 08000 147 111

The Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare Website: www.coliseum.rct-arts.org

28 & 29 September Box Office: 01248 382828

Pontio, Bangor Website: www.pontio.co.uk

2 & 3 October Box Office: 01874 611622

Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon Website: www.brycheiniog.co.uk

10 & 11 October Box Office: 0845 226 3510

The Ffwrnes, Llanelli Carmarthenshire Theatres Website: www.carmarthenshiretheatres.co.uk

11 & 12 October Box Office: 0300 3656677

Gwyn Hall, Neath Website: www.gwynhall.com

14 & 15 October Box Office: 01970 62 32 32

Aberystwyth Arts Centre Arts Centre, Aberystwyth Website: www.aberystwythartscentre.co.uk

16 - 19 October Box Office: 029 2063 6464

Weston Studio, Wales Millennium Centre Website: www.wmc.org.uk

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