Julie Hesmondhalgh returns to the Royal Exchange in Simon Stephens' new play

Coronation Street's Julie Hesmondhalgh returns to the Royal Exchange in the New Year in Simon Stephens' new play Blindsided.

The plot follows a girl growing up in a battered part of Stockport in a battered time at the end of the seventies, as she falls in love with the man who will break her heart into a thousand pieces. Blindsided is described as a play about
families, love and betrayal.

Simon Stephens won an Olivier Award for his acclaimed adaptation of Mark Haddon's novel The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, and his play Port, which premiered at the Royal Exchange in 2002, have both recently enjoyed hugely successful runs at the National Theatre. Blindsided is the fourth play he has written specifically for the Royal Exchange stage and follows the success of Punk Rock in 2009.

Sarah Frankcom directs the play and her recent credits for the Royal Exchange include Orpheus Descending, Miss Julie and A View from the Bridge. The cast also includes Katie West and Rebecca Callard.

Blindsided is at the Royal Exchange from 23 January – 15 February.