BAGGAGE World Premiere Set for Arts Theatre, Sept 6-Oct 6

The world premiere of Baggage, written by John Muirhead and Mike Charlesworth and directed by Audrey Cooke will run at the Arts Theatre from 6 September to 6 October, with three press performances on 10, 11 and 12 September. Baggage has design by Adam Wiltshire and lighting by Matthew Newbury. Full casting will be announced shortly.

BAGGAGE is the story of close friends, reunited through tragedy hoping to repair their damaged relationship beforeit’s too late. Flashback to PrimRose Hill and Lima airport 2007 and enjoy their Internet dating rollercoaster.

Baggage is John Muirhead and Mike Charlesworth’s first play and their first collaboration together.

Audrey Cooke has previously directed on stage An Evening with Gary Lineker and Arthur Smith’s Live Bed Show. Her directing credits on screen include EastEnders, Holby City, Manchild, Shane, Fat Friends, The Heart Surgeon, Rough Treatment, This Life and Cardiac Arrest.

Baggage is collaboration by two old college friends about two old college friends who are re-united and struggle with the online dating world. Like most marathon entries, the original idea and commitment for Baggage as project was borne in a pub. That pub, The Lansdowne in PrimRose Hill remains a central part of the play as does PrimRose Hill and many other facets of Mike and John’s life ten years ago. The content draws to some extent on personal experience, but is largely the result of considerable research with people who have used the dating sites and offered up stories,many of which are unprintable and implausible! It has long been the idea ofJohn and Mike, that online dating is so much part of our lives today and sodramatic that a play, book, film are all well over due.

The work with East 15 to develop this play has been a fascinating part of the journey for John and Mike who has utmost respect for talented actors and actresses. Whilst this play is John and Mike’s first collaboration, they would both like to acknowledge the huge part in development various actors from East 15 and most notably Simone Vause (Creative teaching director retired) has played in building the framework and early content.

BAGGAGE plays Monday – Saturday at 8pm with matinees on Thursday and Saturday at 4pm. Ticket prices are £15.00 to £29.50. Arts Theatre is located at Great Newport Street, London, WC2H 7JB. Call the box office at 020 7836 8463 or visit www.baggagetheplay.co.uk and www.artstheatrewestend.co.uk.

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