Local theatre production company mtproductions is thrilled to be bringing a sparkling revival of one of the great classics of British Theatre, Harold Brighouse’s Lancashire comedy ‘Hobson’s Choice’, to the region.
First produced in England in 1916 and seen recently in London’s West End, 2018 marks the sixtieth anniversary of the playwright’s death. In this fresh new production, the action of the play moves forward in time from late nineteenth century Salford to the year 1958. Rock and roll may have arrived and the youth revolution may be just around the corner but in Hobson’s shoe shop, ‘Queen Victoria’ might as well still be on the throne.
Their wireless and a secret treasured dansette record player keeps the three girls tuned to the hit parade, but when eldest daughter Maggie has had enough and breaks free, taking Willie Mossop the bootmaker, her younger sisters Vicky and Alice feel free to make their own escape from home and from ‘trade’ .
Casting to date includes John D Collins, best known for his starring role in TV’s smash hit comedy ‘Allo! Allo!’, who plays Henry Hobson. Michael Brown, who started his career with three seasons in Mark Rylance’s Globe Theatre Company, plays Will Mossop.
New songs for the production are being written and produced by upcoming musicians Ben Goble with the JS and the Lockerbillies (Glastonbury Avalon 2017).
The tour opens at the Key Theatre, Peterborough in July, before moving on to the Corn Hall in Diss, Frinton Technology College and then on to The Theatre Royal in Windsor.
Get your tickets for Peterborough here: https://vivacity.org/whatson/theatre-and-arts/hobsons-choice/
Tickets for Diss are available from here: https://www.thecornhall.co.uk/shows/hobsons-choice/