Boys From The Blackstuff Tickets

Forty four years on from Alan Bleasdale’s critically acclaimed TV series, Boys from the Blackstuff is transferring to the West End. This is James Graham’s WhatsOnStage Award-nominated adaptation of the beloved series, directed by Kate Wasserberg.

Following runs at Liverpool’s Royal Court and the National’s Olivier Theatre, the play transfers to the Garrick Theatre in a production packed with TV stars you’ll love seeing live. Blending gallows humour with the darkest of times, it whisks us back the Thatcher era when Britain’s economy was broken and millions of us were unable to find work. As you can imagine, the plot resonates just as powerfully today.

Why you should book Boys from the Blackstuff tickets

• Known for being one of Britain's top drama television series since it aired in 1982, Boys from the Blackstuff adapts seamlessly to the stage.
• Adapted by the Olivier Award-winning playwright and screenwriter, James Graham.
• This touching black comedy is a timeless exploration of human resilience amidst economic adversity that will resonate deeply with audiences.

What happens when hard-working people can’t find a job

“Gizza job. Go on, gizzit, go ‘head, giz it if you’ve got it, giz it, I can do it. Giz it then. Go ‘head, gizza job”. So says the Liverpudlian Yosser in a story the British Film Institute called a warm, humorous and ultimately tragic look at the way economics affects ordinary people. The plot reflects the final moments of the end of male British working class culture, and it’s as funny as it is tragic.

James Graham, who cites Alan Bleasdale as influencing his decision to become a writer, has created an un-missable adaptation. He’s the writer of the hit BBC series Sherwood, a writer whose work has been staged in the UK and internationally at venues including the Bush, Soho Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, and the National.

His first major play, This House, was critically and commercially acclaimed, nominated for the Olivier for Best New Play then revived in 2016 before running for two years. He wrote the book for the Broadway musical Finding Neverland and has a long list of theatre and screenwriting credits under his belt. When a writer this good meets a story this irresistible and characters this unforgettable, magic happens.

The Blackstuff cast and creative team

The cast includes Aron Julius (Death on the Nile, Death in Paradise, DCI Banks) as Loggo, Nathan McMullen (Doctor Who Christmas Special, Misfits, Wagatha Christie: Rooney v Vardy) as Chrissie, Barry Sloane (The Bay, Litvinenko, Revenge, Hollyoaks, Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem) as Yosser and Mark Womack (The Responder, Emmerdale, Hillsborough, Sorted, Murphy’s Law, Liverpool 1) as Dixie. George Caple (Doctor Who, member of the Liverpool Everyman Rep company) plays Snowy, Kevin and Scotty, and Dominic Carter (Coronation Street, Game of Thrones, The Responder, Around the World in 80 Days, Crossfire) plays Molloy, Marley, Landlord, Catholic Priest and Policeman.

Helen Carter (The Flint Street Nativity, Top Girls) takes roles as Miss Sutcliffe, Freda and Margaret. Lauren O’Neil (Witness for the Prosecution at London County Hall, This House, King Lear, Women Beware Women) plays Angie, Jean, Lawton, Student and Lollipop Lady. Jamie Peacock (Masquerade) plays Moss and the Anglican Reverend. The ensemble is Liam Tobin (Then and Now, member of the Liverpool Everyman Rep company).

The original music comes from Dyfan Jones, who also designed the sound, and associate sound design is by Kate Harvey. Bill Kenwright Limited is the producer, with set and costume design by Amy Jane Cook, lighting design by Ian Scott, and movement direction by Rachael Nanyonjo. Audio visual design comes from Jamie Jenkin and the fight direction from Rachel Bown-Williams.

Heading to West End's Garrick Theatre this summer, Boys from the Blackstuff will offer audiences a raw portrayal of working class struggles that will stay with them long after the curtain falls.