Nothing In A Butterfly , the debut play from writer and actor Ric Renton, based on his turbulent life story, his battles with drugs and violence, and his time in prison, will run at Omnibus Theatre this spring.
Nothing in a Butterfly, directed by Chris White and developed by Synergy Theatre Project, also stars Renton, alongside Marième Diouf, Michael Jinks and Olivia Onyehara. The production runs from 29 March – 2 April at Omnibus Theatre following a performance at HMP Thameside.
Renton said, “I was a little waster with a warped loyalty to my past, perpetually in trouble. I cause less now, but I relive it through writing and performing. I’ll never forget the years I spent behind the doors, being DV7786, and it is exhilarating having the opportunity to demonstrate that change is possible. Strange as it may seem, my life is based on a true story.”
Who is Junk? Is he a salesman? Addict? High-flyer? ‘786’? ‘Little divie’? At this moment he faces the alluring promise of a 48-storey plummet from the balcony of a glittering hotel. So where does he go from here?
Nothing in a Butterfly is a blistering new play about finding rock bottom on top of the world. From flying fists in Tyneside to hard sales in Dubai, this visceral odyssey is based on the true story of Geordie actor and playwright Ric Renton (currently on attachment at Paines Plough). A blazing debut which asks what can save people from themselves; and what does it take to break a cycle of violence?
Cast: Marième Diouf (The Hoes, Hampstead Theatre), Michael Jinks (Flesh and Bone, Soho Theatre), Olivia Onyehara (Braids, Live Theatre/BBC Radio 4) and Ric Renton.
