Staffordshire’s New Vic Theatre have released a first look at the production images for the world stage premiere of Marvellous – the remarkable story of Stoke City FC kit man, clown and all-round hero, Neil ‘Nello’ Baldwin
The production images feature cast members Suzanne Ahmet (Pride and Prejudice, Grosvenor Open Air Theatre Chester); Charlie Bence (Martha, Josie and the Chinese Elvis, Park Theatre London); Gareth Cassidy (The 39 Steps, The Prince and the Pauper, New Vic); Alex Frost (The Full Monty, UK Tour); Michael Hugo (Coppelia – A Mystery, The 39 Steps, New Vic); Jerone Marsh-Reid (The Strange Tale Of Charlie Chaplin And Stan Laurel, UK Tour) and Daniel Murphy, who will all play versions of themselves playing Neil Baldwin and a whole host of other characters.
A brand-new play commissioned especially for the New Vic Theatre and with words almost entirely Nello’s own, Marvellous combines a playful script with physical comedy and New Vic Artistic Director Theresa Heskins’ inimitable directorial style, which brings to life this incredible story about how you can realise your dreams – even when society tries to limit you with a label.
Previously adapted into a BAFTA winning film and a book, Neil’s life-affirming story now inspires this brand-new stage play. The production also forms part of the celebrations at the New Vic to mark the 60th anniversary of its theatre making in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Stoke-on-Trent, and Staffordshire.
Originally the Victoria Theatre Company, the first professional theatre company in Britain to perform permanently in-the-round and founded 60 years ago in October 1962 by Peter Cheeseman, Marvellous continues the New Vic tradition for producing documentary-style plays that tell stories of real-lives.
Marvellous runs at the New Vic until Saturday 9 April 2022. Tickets are priced from £18.50 – £27.50. For more details and to book, call the Box Office on 01782 717 962 or visit newvictheatre.org.uk.
