Northern Broadsides' RUTHERFORD & SON Transfers to St. James Theatre Tonight

Northern Broadsides and St. James Theatre have announced that the critically acclaimed production of Githa Sowerby's Rutherford & Son, directed by Jonathan Miller, is to transfer to the newly opened St. James Theatre, playing from today 4 June to Saturday June 29, with a press performance on Wednesday 5 June 2013.

Rutherford & Son will star the company's artistic director Barrie Rutter in the lead role of John Rutherford. He will be joined in the cast by Nicholas Shaw (A Provincial Life, National Theatre of Wales) as John Rutherford Jr, Andrew Grose (Rainman, English Theatre Frankfurt) as Richard Rutherford, Sara Poyzer (Mamma Mia, West End) as Janet, Kate Anthony (Pam Hobsworth in Coronation Street) as Ann, Catherine Kinsella (We are Three Sisters, Northern Broadsides)as Mary, Richard Standing (Swallows & Amazons, Bristol Old Vic) with further casting to be announced soon.

The production will be designed by Isabella Bywater, with lighting by Guy Hoare (Othello, Northern Broadsides and Faith Healer, Bristol Old Vic).

Set in 1912 and relocated to industrial Yorkshire, Rutherford & Son tells the story of iron-fisted John Rutherford as he battles the scheming rebellion of his eldest son and his daughter's scandalous love-affair, while fighting to prevent the legacy of the family glassworks from shattering. Tackling timeless issues of family dynamics both at home and in business, this remarkable drama is as relevant today as when it was first performed.

Since launching his early career with Beyond the Fringe, alongside Peter Cook, Dudley Moore and Alan Bennett, Jonathan Miller has become one of the world's leading opera and theatre directors, with a myriad of credits at English National Opera and Glyndebourne as well as internationally. His theatre productions include: The Merchant of Venice with Sir Laurence Olivier and Joan Plowright, The Taming of the Shrew (RSC), The Seagull (Chichester Festival Theatre) and King Lear (the Lincoln Center, New York, with Christopher Plummer).

Northern Broadsides artistic director Barrie Rutter said about the transfer "I am absolutely thrilled that we are joining forces with St. James Theatre to give London audiences a wonderful opportunity to see Githa Sowerby's powerful play. With a creative team led by Jonathan Miller and a dynamic cast, the production guarantees to be a treat for all. Let Rutherford bloom."

Jonathan Miller added "It's such great news that Rutherford & Son will transfer to the St. James Theatre. As soon as I read the play, I was attracted to its straight forward dramatic simplicity and the fact that it seemed unexpectedly relevant. It is an incredibly important piece of theatre."

David Gilmore, Artistic Director of the St. James Theatre said "We are truly delighted to be able to collaborate with Northern Broadsides, such an invigorating and inspiring theatre company, in bringing Rutherford and Son to central London."

Tickets for Rutherford & Son are priced at £15 -£37.50, with concessions available, and can be purchased at the box office on 0844 264 2140 or online at www.stjamestheatre.co.uk.

For more information visit www.northern-broadsides.co.uk.

St. James Theatre is located at 12 Palace Street, London SW1E 5JA. The show runs today, 4 - 29 June 2013. Box Office: 0844 264 2140. Performances: Monday - Saturday at 7.30pm (Wed 5 June at 7pm). Matinees: Thursdays and Saturdays at 2.30pm. Ticket prices: £15/£25/£37.50. No additional fees are charged when booking tickets at the St. James Theatre box office or online at www.stjamestheatre.com, only £1 postage per order.

When Rutherford & Son opened at the Royal Court in 1912 it was hailed as a sensation: a devastating attack on the unacceptable face of capitalism that gripped audiences in the West End, on Broadway and across the world. Sowerby was subsequently described by the early feminist Emma Goldman as history's first significant female playwright. In the last twenty years the play has enjoyed successful revivals at The National Theatre, Northern Stage and the Royal Exchange. Rutherford & Son features in The National Theatre's One Hundred Plays of the Century list.

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