© Gavin Trafford
Next month, Liverpool theatregoers will be be able to see Neil Simon‘s Vaudeville comedy, The Sunshine Boys.
Liverpool theatre veterans Andrew “Drew” Schofield and Alan Stocks are already announced to play the lead roles of Al Lewis; the laid-back, smiling assassin (Drew Schofield in his Neptune/Epstein debut), and the cantankerous old clown Willie Clark (Alan Stocks).
Joining them will be Liam Tobin as TV Director Eddie and
Michael Fletcher as TV Director and Eddie’s Assistant.
This is Michael’s first time on stage alongside his brother Stephen Fletcher who in addition to directing the The Sunshine Boys plays Willie’s (Alan Stocks) nephew and agent. Helen Carter also returns to the stage following her performance in The Last 5 Years, to play the character of ‘Nurse’
Stephen Fletcher said: “We’re delighted to be introducing some new faces to our team, as well as bringing back some ‘old-timers’ from previous productions.”
The Sunshine Boys centres on fading stars Al Lewis and Willie Clark, known by their stage name “Lewis and Clark”, a one-time vaudevillian double-act, who, throughout their 40 year career, grew to hate and despise each other and hasn’t spoken since their partnership disbanded. It’s now 1972, in New York City, and CBS invite the comedy duo to be re-united for a nostalgic History of Comedy TV-special. Forced together once again, their old rivalry resurfaces and as they prepare to take centre stage for one final time.
The show’s Liverpool run has the support of Sonia Friedman, London Producer, following her recent production of this play starring Danny DeVito and the late Richard Griffiths.
The Sunshine Boys runs at the Epstein Theatre from 15 August to 7 September.
