Todd's Blowing Whistles Returns to London, June 20-July 15

Blowing Whistles, Matthew Todd's critically acclaimed international sell-out drama, will return to London for a limited season at the Sound Theatre (10 Wardour St., Leicester Square) from Tuesday, June 20th through Saturday, July 15th, featuring the original London cast of Neil Henry, Joe Fredericks and Peter McNicholl, directed by Phil Willmott. It will open Thursday, June 22nd.

"Questioning every aspect of contemporary commercialised gay culture, Blowing Whistles probes issues far beyond the usual superficial stereotypes," state press notes. "It's the eve of Europride. It's also Nigel and Jamie's tenth anniversary. So what better way to celebrate than with an attractive young teenager from gaydar.co.uk? After all, it's just sex, isn't it? Unless, that is, the focal point of the threesome has an agenda entirely of his own. Over a weekend in the lives of three young men, the deceit and dysfunction perpetuated by the ability to find sex at the click of a mouse is exposed by writer Matthew Todd, Associate Editor of gay lifestyle magazine Attitude, who asks if modern day commercial gay culture is as liberating as it seems or rather a deeply destructive force."

Having started life in a workshop at London's Jermyn Street Theatre, Blowing Whistles last year received its world première to rave reviews and an extended sold out run at the Warehouse Theatre in Croydon, following which it has enjoyed sell out performances abroad. It now returns to London for a season in the heart of the West End, on the edge of Soho, its spiritual home. It is Todd's first play. Todd's work as a journalist has appeared in the Evening Standard, the Daily Telegraph, Top of the Pops magazine, Premiere magazine and the Pink Paper. For Attitude he has interviewed, amongst others, Ricky Gervais, David Furnish, Ian McKellen, Joan Rivers and Madonna and he has also appeared as a talking gay head for various mainstream TV programmes.

Neil Henry (Jamie) started his career working with the Peter Hall Company at the Old Vic, following which he played lead roles in the UK tour of Lord of the Flies and the international production of William Sutcliffe's New Boy, which started life in Edinburgh and then toured the UK, culminating with successful runs in both London and New York. Joe Fredericks (Nigel) made his West End debut in long-running musical Buddy and recently played the role of Eddie in the UK tour of Blood Brothers, whilst Peter McNicholl (Mark) has worked extensively in TV and film, notably playing Little Chris in Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Ellie's Friend in About a Boy and Jason in Hope and Glory for the BBC as well as playing the role of Mark in the Australian tour of Blowing Whistles last year.

The original Warehouse Theatre production of Blowing Whistles is produced at the Sound Theatre by Marjie & Joan productions, Trilby and Tim Redfern. It is directed by Phil Willmott, with design by Martin Thomas and lighting by Hansjorg Schmidt. Blowing Whistles forms the theatrical centrepiece of Europride London 2006.

Visit www.blowingwhistles.co.uk for more information.

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