Conti Returns to West End in Chrimbo Comedy

Tom Conti makes his West End return this Christmas, starring as 'Joseph' in John Dowie's new comedy Jesus, My Boy which opens at the Apollo Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, on Thursday 10 December (previews from 7 December) for a limited 12-week season.

Dowie, a well known stand up comedian, has been a regular performer at the Edinburgh Fringe. Jesus, My Boy is a comic re-interpretation of the story of the messiah, as told by his bewildered Jewish father. In the words of the Dowie-fied Joseph, 'It was the greatest love story ever told and I was in it. I wooed her, I courted her, I married her. We lived together in a state of bliss. And then what happened? A child was born. And everything changed. And if you think a father has a say in any matter, forget it. In the hierarchy of families, the father is placed thus: Mother, Son, Donkey, Dad.'

Tom Conti, perhaps best known for his starring role in Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell, has appeared most recently in the West End in the 1996 production of Neil Simon's Chapter Two at the Gielgud. Other stage credits include Noel Coward's Present Laughter and The Ride Down Mount Morgan.

Dowie's previous theatre work includes directing Arthur Smith's Live Bed Show at the Lyric Studio in 1991 and co-writing and starring in Dogman, another alternative Christmas show which was staged at the Riverside Studios in 1994.

Jesus, My Boy is directed and co-produced by Tom Kinninmont, with design by Christopher Woods and lighting by Nick Richings. It is produced by Laurence Myers and Independent Image Ltd for Joseph Theatrical Productions.

Prior to its arrival in the West End, Jesus, My Boy will play at the Chichester Festival Theatre (week commencing 9 November) and the Richmond Theatre (week commencing 16 November).

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