Leeds Playhouse, Theatre Royal Stratford East and HOME Manchester have released rehearsal images of the cast and creatives in action for a new production to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Jonathan Harvey’s coming-out and coming-of-age story Beautiful Thing, directed by Anthony Simpson-Pike.
Teenage boys Ste and Jamie are neighbours on a South London estate. Jamie is more knowledgeable about The Sound of Music than football, while classmate Ste never misses a sports day. Both are being bullied, Jamie at school and Ste at home by his violent father and brother.
One night, when things get too much, Ste seeks refuge in Jamie’s flat and, sharing a bed, the boys strike up a new relationship. Together they come to terms with their sexuality and explore their feelings alongside their Mama Cass loving, rebellious friend Leah and with the much-needed emotional support of Jamie’s lioness mother, Sandra.
This 30th-anniversary revival of Jonathan Harvey’s iconic, coming-out and coming-of-age story set in the nineties, is about community, friendship, rites of passage and what it is to be 16 and in love. Beautiful Thing is a touching, warm and humorous urban love story.
Raphael Akuwudike (Ste) and Joshua Asaré (Jamie) will lead the cast and are joined by Trieve Blackwood-Cambridge (Tony), Shvorne Marks (Sandra) and Scarlett Rayner (Leah).
Writer Jonathan Harvey
Director Anthony Simpson-Pike
Set & Costume Designer Rosie Elnile
Lighting Designer Elliot Griggs
Sound Designer Xana
Movement & Intimacy Director Annie-Lunnette Deakin-Foster
Casting Director Isabella Odoffin CDG
Associate Director Robert Awosusi
Fight Director Bret Yount
Costume Supervisor Jackie Orton
Voice & Dialect Coach Joel Trill
Production Dramatherapist Wabriya King
Casting Assistant Joanna Sturrock
At Leeds Playhouse on 18 to 28 October. Tickets are now on sale. For more information visit leedsplayhouse.org.uk.
Feature photograph: Raphael Akuwudike (Ste) and Joshua Asare (Jamie). All photography by The Other Richard.
