Niamh Perry Leads Cast Of THE BEAUTIFUL GAME, Union Theatre, April-May 2014

Over 12 years after it was seen in the West End, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Ben Elton's The Beautiful Game will receive its first London revival at the Union Theatre from Wednesday 3 April (press night Tuesday 8 April, 7.30pm) to Saturday 3 May 2014, it was announced today. On sale now.

John and Del are just two regular teenagers who dream of nothing more than girls and football. And under the watchful eye of their local soccer team coach Father O'Donnell, they both show enough promise to pursue careers as professional footballers. But as political tensions begin to engulf their community, they have more than the fortunes of their team to worry about. Set against the backdrop of the political troubles in Northern Ireland in the early 1970's, The Beautiful Game is the story of an ordinary group of teenagers in an extraordinary situation. With a stirring and evocative score from Andrew Lloyd Webber, this powerful and passionate musical is a joyous celebration of the freedom that love can bring.

The Beautiful Game originally opened at the Cambridge Theatre in September 2000 and ran until September 2001. During its run the show was awarded the prestigious Best Musical Award in the Critics' Circle Theatre Awards.

The Beautiful Game has a score by Andrew Lloyd Webber with book and lyrics by Ben Elton.

Niamh Perry will star as Mary. Niamh most recently played Johanna in Sweeney Todd at West Yorkshire Playhouse and Manchester Royal Exchange. Other recent credits include A Song Cycle for Soho at Soho Theatre,the title role in The Little Prince at the Lyric Theatre Belfast, Kim in the Boy George musical Taboo at Brixton Clubhouse, Sophie in Mamma Mia! at the Prince of Wales Theatre and originating the role of Fleck in Love Never Dies at the Adelphi Theatre. Niamh was also a finalist in BBC's primetime talent show I'd Do Anything.

The cast also features Ben Kerr as John, Stephen Barry as Del, Daniella Bowen as Christine, Freddie Rogers as Thomas, Will Jeffs as Daniel, Alan McHale as Ginger, Natalie Douglas as Bernadette and Carl McCrystal as Father O'Donnell.

Ben Kerr's recent theatre credits include Teenage Kicks at Millennium Forum, Sleeping Beauty in Berwick-Upon-Tweed and The Songs of Steven Luke Walker at New Players Theatre. Stephen Barry recently graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Credits whilst training include A Little Night Music and Next To Normal. Theatre credits since graduating include Cinderella at the Lime Tree, Limerick. Daniella Bowen recently starred in the UK Tour of Our House. Other theatre credits include Taboo at Brixton Clubhouse, Million Dollar Quartet at the Noel Coward Theatre, Dreamboats and Petticoats at the Playhouse Theatre and the UK Tour of Cabaret.Freddie Rogers' theatre credits include The History Boys at Theatre by the Lake and The Lido at Southwark Playhouse. Television includes Casualty and The Bleak Old Shop of Stuff, both for BBC. Will Jeffs recently appeared in the Jesus Christ Superstar Arena Tour. Other recent credits include Prairie Du Chien at Arcola Theatre and Confusions at Theatre Royal Haymarket. Alan McHale recently graduated from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Credits since graduating include The Boys From Syracuse at the Union Theatre.Natalie Douglas' recent credits include The UK Tour of The Secret Garden and Steel Pier at the Union Theatre.Carl McCrystal's many recent television credits include BBC's recent adaptation of The Musketeers, Mr Selfridgeand Coronation Street for ITV and Doctor Who for BBC.

The cast also includes Tom Brandon-Farrell, Leigh Lothian, Shane McDaid, Joanna O'Hare and Charlie Royce.

The Beautiful Game will be directed by Lotte Wakeham, currently Associate Director of Matilda in the West End and on Broadway. Recent credits as Director include Lizzie Siddal at the Arcola Theatre, The Other School for NYMT at St James Theatre, The Kissing-Dance at Jermyn Street Theatre (for which she was nominated for Best Director at the Off West-End Awards) and comedy show Before They Were Famous for BBC Radio 4. It will be choreographed by Tim Jackson, whose recent work includes Merrily We Roll Along at the Menier Chocolate Factory and Harold Pinter Theatre, and The Other School for NYMT at St James Theatre.

Musical direction will be by Ben Holder and design by David Shields. The musical supervisor will be Tom Kelly with casting by Will Burton. It is produced by Kylie Vilcins for PTM Ltd.

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