Alan Bleasdale's 'Boys from the Blackstuff' comes to Theatre Royal Bath

Alan Bleasdale’s Boys From The Blackstuff is bound for Bath following seasons in London at the National Theatre and in the West End.

James Graham’s powerful adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s BAFTA Award-winning television drama has received rave reviews since it first premiered at Liverpool’s Royal Court in 2023. Directed by Kate Wasserberg, the acclaimed production is set to visit the Theatre Royal Bath from Tuesday 25 February to Saturday 1 March as part of a twenty-venue tour presented by Bill Kenwright Ltd.

’80s Liverpool. Chrissie, Loggo, George, Dixie and Yosser are used to hard work and providing for their families. But there is no work and there is no money. What are they supposed to do? Work harder, work longer, buy cheaper, spend less? They just need a chance. Life is tough but the lads can play the game. Find the jobs, avoid the ‘sniffers' and see if you can have a laugh along the way.

Image: Boys From The Blackstuff UK tour 2025, credit Seamus Ryan

Jurell Carter, best known as Nate Robinson in more than 500 episodes of Emmerdale, plays the role of Loggo. Mark Womack, who plays Dixie, has numerous screen credits to his name including The Responder, Emmerdale, Liverpool 1 and Ken Loach’s Route Irish. Jay Johnson, who plays the iconic role of Yosser, has appeared in the films Accused, The Keeper, Boiling Point and Nowhere Boy, with television credits including Little Boy Blue and Crimson Field. The role of George is played by Ged McKenna, whose many stage credits include productions at the National Theatre, Royal Court, Donmar Warehouse and theatres nationwide. George Caple, who plays Chrissie, has performed in a host of plays at Liverpool Everyman, with screen credits including Doctor Who and Tin Star. The cast also features Reiss Barber as Snowy, Amber Blease as Angie, Kyle Harrison-Pope as Kevin, Sean Kingsley as Malloy, Jamie Peacock as Moss, and Sian Polhill-Thomas as Ms Sutcliffe. They are joined by Graham Elwell, Elliot Kingsley and Victoria Oxley.

James Graham says: "Alan Bleasdale's masterpiece is a story proudly forged in the humour and voice of Liverpool, and it was a real honour and a thrill to open it to packed houses there, before bringing our show to London and the West End. But Boys From The Blackstuff remains a story of national significance, with a lasting impact on British culture. Taking it on the road, to communities around the country, feels like the most important thing we could be doing next with our story."

Alan Bleasdale says: “I never expected Boys From The Blackstuff to be quite the sell-out sensation it has become at Liverpool’s Royal Court, at the National Theatre and then in London’s West End. What I always hoped was that the rest of the country might have a chance to see this magnificent adaptation by James Graham. Now, that has been made possible by Bill Kenwright Ltd who have staged my theatre work since Are You Lonesome Tonight? over forty years ago!”

Playwright and screenwriter James Graham wrote Sherwood, which was broadcast on BBC One in 2022 and 2024 to rave reviews, and will return for a third series. He adapted his hit play Quiz for broadcast as a three-part drama on ITV in 2020, which was one of the most watched UK television dramas of the year. He also wrote Brexit: An Uncivil War, which garnered critical acclaim in 2019, broadcast on Channel 4 and HBO, and was nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Television Movie and a BAFTA for Single Drama. His play Dear England (National Theatre and West End), a portrait of England footballer and team manager Gareth Southgate, was nominated for nine Olivier Awards. The BBC has commissioned a four-part drama by Graham based on his play. His recent stage drama, Punch, premiered at Nottingham Playhouse in 2024 and his revised version will premiere at London’s Young Vic in March 2025. His other writing includes the BBC series The Way; Best of Enemies (Young Vic and Noel Coward Theatre); the musical, Tammy Faye, with music by Elton John and lyrics by Jake Shears (Almeida Theatre); Ink (Almeida, West End, Broadway) and This House (National Theatre). James received an OBE in 2020 for services to drama and young people.

Liverpool-based playwright, screenwriter and writer Alan Bleasdale’s work includes Are You Lonesome Tonight?, Down The Dock Road, Having A Ball, It’s A Madhouse and No More Sitting On The Old School Bench. His television series include Boys From The Blackstuff, Scully, The Monocled Mutineer, G.B.H., Jake’s Progress, Melissa, Oliver Twist and The Sinking Of The Laconia. His film credits include No Surrender. Alan Bleasdale has also authored two novels and numerous short stories.

Boys From The Blackstuff is directed by Kate Wasserberg (Artistic Director, Theatr Clwyd), with set and costume design by Amy Jane Cook, lighting design by Ian Scott, movement direction by Rachael Nanyonjo, original music and sound design by Dyfan Jones, video design by Jamie Jenkin and fight direction by Rachel Bown-Williams of Rc-Annie Ltd.  Associate Director is Tim Welton.

Boys From The Blackstuff tours to the Theatre Royal Bath from Tuesday 25 February to Saturday 1 March. To book tickets contact the Box Office on +44 (0)1225 448844 or book online at theatreroyal.org.uk.