• Review For Us
    • In London or across the UK
    • at Edinburgh Fringe
  • List Your Show
  • Advertising
  • Musicals
  • Plays
  • Ballet & Dance
  • Previews
  • First Look
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
  • Home
  • News
    • West End
    • Off-West End
    • Regional & Tours
  • Reviews
  • Interviews
  • Digital Theatre
  • Tickets
    • Discounts
    • Musicals
    • Plays
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Concerts
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer
No Result
View All Result
Theatre Weekly
No Result
View All Result
Home News

The Political History of Smack and Crack to Transfer to Soho Theatre

by Staff Writer
August 29, 2018
Reading Time: 2 mins read
The Political History of Smack and Crack c. The Other Richard

The Political History of Smack and Crack c. The Other Richard

Fresh from a highly-acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe, The Political History of Smack and Crack now transfers to Soho Theatre. This angry, funny love-song explores a lost generation annihilated by the heroin epidemic in Manchester, following a pair of star-crossed lovers from 1981 to the present day.

The arresting play, both entertaining and urgent, from writer Ed Edwards, crackles with authenticity inspired by Edwards’ own road to recovery. Directed by Cressida Brown, this twohander, starring Eve Steele and Neil Bell, begins in 1980s Moss Side at the epicentre of the working-class riots – an uprising which spread to London, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool and many more – and follows the pair through their eventual struggles on the streets of Manchester.

The energetic Northern humour of Edwards’ writing illuminates his own experiences of rehab, narcotics dependency, and three and a half years in jail in the early 1990s. Funny and relevant the play is also striking in terms of its form. The bold style of the third person narration takes on a more desperate overtone as the two protagonists begin to tell their own story.

       

The company comments, “We are immensely grateful that the Edinburgh audiences have so enjoyed our show and that it has given us the profile to reach an even wider audience in London. After Soho we hope to reach even more communities and regions that were directly struck by the heroin epidemic of the 80s. Both Most Wanted and Offstage are committed to unheard voices reaching the stage. Edinburgh has allowed us to continue doing this. Watch this space!

Through cycles of addiction and recovery, The Political History of Smack and Crack uses the playwright’s own experience of narcotics dependency to examine how the politics of the 80s trapped people in poverty and addiction. This is particularly poignant and relevant in this time of political uncertainty and deepening inequality; the production allows us to consider past acts of rebellion against the status quo.

You mightalso like

Age Is A Feeling image, Credit Thea Courtney

Soho Theatre Unveils 2025 Season with Age Is A Feeling Set for Walthamstow Revival

Claire Simpson (Image credit Nicola Young)

Claire Simpson Appointed Executive Director of Paines Plough

Following its run at Soho Theatre, The Political History of Smack and Crack will transfer to the city from which it was born, Manchester where it will play at the Mustard Tree – a local refuge providing care for people trapped by homelessness, dependency and poverty since 1994. Produced by Most Wanted and Offstage Theatre in association with W14 Productions and Alastair Michael and co-commissioned by Soho Theatre.

Staff Writer

Staff Writer

At Theatre Weekly we are dedicated to giving theatre a new audience. Our News, Reviews and Interviews are all written with the audience in mind, helping you decide what to see next. And when you have decided, our great ticket deals will help save you money too.

Related Articles

Age Is A Feeling image, Credit Thea Courtney
News

Soho Theatre Unveils 2025 Season with Age Is A Feeling Set for Walthamstow Revival

Claire Simpson (Image credit Nicola Young)
News

Claire Simpson Appointed Executive Director of Paines Plough

House of Life Production Image Credit Mark Senior
Reviews

Review: House of Life at Soho Theatre

My English Persian Kitchen Artwork supplied by publicist
News

My English Persian Kitchen Returns to Soho Theatre Ahead of UK and Ireland Tour

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Twitter Facebook Youtube Instagram

At Theatre Weekly we give theatre a new audience. You'll find our theatre news, theatre reviews and theatre interviews are written from an audience point of view. Our great value London theatre tickets will get you the best deal for your theatre tickets.
Theatre Weekly, 124 City Road, London EC1V 2NX
  • Join Our Community
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
  • Advertising

Recent News

A.L.Ex and the Improbots How To Train Your Robot brochure image supplied by publicist

Edinburgh Fringe Preview: A.L.Ex and the ImproBots: How To Train Your Robot at Gilded Balloon (The Nip)

Cantonese Opera Dic Dic Chang Chang Playground shot 4 (c) Henry Cheng

Edinburgh Fringe Preview: Dic Dic Chang Chang Playground at theSpaceUK @ Surgeons’ Hall (Theatre 3)

© 2022 Theatre Weekly

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Tickets
  • Digital Theatre
  • News
    • News
    • West End
    • Off West End
    • Regional & Tours
    • Digital
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
  • Edinburgh Fringe 2025
    • Edinburgh Fringe News
    • Edinburgh Fringe Previews
  • Contact Us
    • Join us as a Reviewer

© 2022 Theatre Weekly