The Regency comedy that gave its name to the UK’s most beloved chocolates, Quality Street tours to York Theatre Royal from 16-20 May, as Northern Broadsides returns to the city.
The original run of the production in 2020 was cut short by the pandemic. Now, the Broadsides and New Vic Theatre production is revived for a 2023 tour with a cast that includes Calderdale’s very own Paula Lane, familiar to TV audiences for playing Kylie Platt in Coronation Street for six years.
The show was created with a team of retired workers from the Halifax factory where Quality Street™ chocolates have been proudly made since 1936, wrapping the action in their witty and outrageous observations.
Two of the cast are from the original run return for the new tour – Alicia McKenzie and Louisa-May Parker. They are joined by Jelani D’Aguilar, Alice Imelda, Aron Julius, Alex Moran, Jamie Smelt, and Gilly Tompkins.
Laurie Sansom, director of Quality Street and Artistic Director / CEO of Northern Broadsides comments: “It was heartbreaking to have to abandon this production in 2020 when it was being enjoyed by so many. We are thrilled to be working with our wonderful partners at New Vic Theatre, to bring it back to stages up and down the country with a fantastically playful company. They capture the wit and wisdom of J.M. Barrie’s delightfully comic creation, as well as the Halifax women who helped us make the original show. We can’t wait to get it back on the road.”
Phoebe Throssel runs a school for unruly children on Quality Street. Ten years after a tearful goodbye, her old flame returns from fighting Napoleon. But the look of disappointment on Captain Valentine’s face when he greets an older, less glamorous Phoebe spurs the determined heroine to action, becoming the wild and sparkling Miss Livvy, a younger alter-ego who soon beguiles the clueless Captain.
As their romance is rekindled, and Miss Livvy melts the Captain’s heart, Phoebe must juggle both personas while trying to avoid scandalizing the town with her deception, or wrecking her future with the man she loves.
Previous praise for Quality Street:
★★★★ A sweet and slightly nutty confection, The Mail on Sunday
★★★★ A lot of giddy fun, The Telegraph
★★★★ J.M. Barrie’s frothy confection is mined for all its comic potential, The Stage
LISTINGS INFORMATION
Northern Broadsides and New Vic Theatre present
Quality Street
York Theatre Royal
16-20 May 2023
Evenings 7.30pm
