Eternal Love comes to Blackpool Grand, 11 March

English Touring Theatre, which is celebrating its 21st birthday throughout 2014, is bringing its upcoming revival of Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Howard Brenton’s Eternal Love, (formerly titled In Extremis) to Blackpool's Grand Theatre next month.

David Sturzaker and Jo Herbert will be playing the lead roles of legendary lovers Abelard and Heloise. The cast also includes Sam Crane (Bernard of Clairvaux), Edward Peel (Fulbert), Rhiannon Oliver (Denise), Tim Frances (William of Champeaux), Julius D’Silva (Louis VI), John Cummins (Alberic), William Mannering (Lotholf), and Sally Edwards (Helene).

The production, written by esteemed English playwright Howard Brenton (Spooks, Anne Boylen) will be directed by John Dove, designed by Michael Taylor and composed by William Lyons – all of whom are reuniting after their work on Anne Boleyn in 2012. Lighting will be designed by Paul Russell with sound design by Derrick Zieba.

Eternal Love tells the story of an ill-fated affair between philosophy teacher Abelard and his student Heloise, and the controversial and radical views which led them to question key figures and beliefs of the day.

First performed in 2006 and 2007 to great acclaim at the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre, the NTG’s Spring 2014 tour of Eternal Love will see the original creative team re-unite to bring this much lauded love story of Abelard and Heloise nationwide.

English Touring Theatre's Director Rachel Tackley said,”The aim of the National Touring Group is to bring productions of a size and ambition rarely seen on tour to audiences nationwide,whilst simultaneously giving much-deserved further life to fantastic, critically acclaimed shows. We are thrilled that audiences across the country will have the opportunity to see David Sturzaker and Jo Herbert reunite on stage, leading such a brilliant cast, in another fabulous Globe production.”

Eternal Love is at Blackpool's Grand Theatre from 11 – 15 March.