Dash Arts has announced full casting for Our Public House, a new play by award-winning writer Barney Norris. The production will open at Leeds Playhouse from 15 to 23 May before touring to Prescot, Coventry, Cornwall, Sheffield and London’s Marylebone Theatre.
Created and directed by Josephine Burton, Our Public House is a funny and big-hearted story about community, connection and what might happen if everyone truly had their say. The cast will feature Chaya Gupta as Anika, Gabriella Leon as Mary, Lauren Moakes as Jo, Bharti Patel as Sanjana, Feargus O’Donnell as Scott and Kit Esuruoso as Tom.
Set in The Albion, a struggling pub in a town that has turned its back on politics, the play begins when the entire community refuses to vote. As a storm brews outside, landlady Sanjana gathers regulars, visitors and a family in mourning for an unexpected night of debate, confession and open-mic speeches.
Inspired by the words of more than 600 people from across the UK, the production explores frustration, hope and disconnection through spoken English, British Sign Language, Sign Supported English, creative captioning and live music. Each tour venue will also feature a local ensemble of community participants.
Our Public House features music and lyrics by Jonathan Walton, with set and costume design by Good Teeth Design, sound by Bella Kear, creative captions by Ben Glover and BSL consultancy by Charlotte Arrowsmith.
Josephine Burton’s directing credits include the Offie-nominated The Reckoning, Dido’s Bar, The Great Middlemarch Mystery and Songs for Babyn Yar. Barney Norris’s work has received awards from the Critics’ Circle, the Evening Standard, the Society of Authors and the International Theatre Institute.
The production will tour after its Leeds run, with dates including Shakespeare North Playhouse (26 to 30 May), Belgrade Theatre (4 to 6 June), Sterts Arts and Environmental Centre (12 to 13 June), Sheffield Theatres (17 to 20 June) and Marylebone Theatre (30 June to 4 July).
Listings and ticket information can be found here.
