Pioneering disabled-led theatre company Graeae has announced the full cast for the upcoming tour of their acclaimed musical Reasons to be Cheerful, which will hit the road one final time this autumn. The extraordinary wit and wisdom of Ian Dury and the Blockheads’ music and lyrics will be brought to life by an inclusive cast of 14 actors and musicians. Graeae’s Artistic Director, Jenny Sealey will direct a mix of performers who originated the show in 2010, those who joined the cast subsequently and newcomers to Reasons to be Cheerful.
Beth Hinton-Lever will play Janine in her Graeae debut, while Gerard McDermott, Joey Hickman and Max Runham will also join the company.
The parallels with the show’s 1979 setting are clear. Today, as nationwide cuts continue to impact on the lives of d/Deaf and disabled people, Graeae puts them centre stage. As a prominent disabled activist, Ian Dury was a patron and staunch supporter of Graeae. Protest songs are being written all across the country as part of an extensive community engagement programme inviting original songs for a new generation to be included in the tour.
Reprising their roles from the hugely successful 2010 and 2012 tours, Stephen Lloyd will play Vinnie alongside Stephen Collins as Colin, Dan McGowan as Nick/Dave, Karen Spicer as Pat, Wayne ‘Pickles’ Norman as Pickles and Jude Mahon in the role of Debbie. With John Kelly on lead vocals, the on-stage band is completed by Paul Sirett (Guitar, also writer), Nixon Rosembert (Bass) and Paula Stanbridge-Faircloth (Drums).
The production will visit seven regions around the country, kicking off at the Belgrade, Coventry, on Friday 8 September before touring to Derby, Southampton, Ipswich, Leeds, Liverpool and ending with a two week run at Theatre Royal, Stratford East in London from 24 October – 4 November. Press night is 13 September at Derby Theatre.
First seen in 2010, Reasons to be Cheerful has gone on to play at theatres and festivals across the UK, in stadiums around the world, and even in front of HRH The Queen. “Spasticus Autisticus”, the Ian Dury-penned disability rights anthem which features in the show, was performed by the cast at the London 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony and, despite being banned by the BBC in 1981, broadcast worldwide in front of an audience of over 1 billion.
