Premiere of The Heretic opens the Library Theatre Company’s autumn/winter season in Manchester
The Heretic, a comedy by Richard Bean and 2011 joint winner of the Evening Standard Award for Best New Play, arrives in Manchester later this month.
The play, directed by Chris Honer, is the first production of the Library Theatre Company’s autumn/winter 2012 to 2013 season.
The Heretic centres on Dr Diane Cassell, a climate change scientist who realises that her research into rising sea levels seems to contradict current predictions.
When she goes public with her reservations over the accepted science of global warming in an unapproved national television appearance, boss and ex-lover Professor Kevin Maloney is forced to suspend her.
Director Chris Honer said: “I’m delighted that we’re giving Manchester and the North West the chance to see this brilliant and provocative comedy.
“Global warming is one of the issues of our time. The Heretic asks key questions about the world we live in compellingly and in a very entertaining and funny style.”
Playing Dr Cassell is Cate Hamer, who last performed with the Library Theatre in Chris Honer’s acclaimed adaptation of Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia in 2010.
Stuart Fox, who previously worked with the Library Theatre Company in Neil Simon’s I Ought To Be in Pictures in 2010 takes the role of Professor Maloney.
Diane’s vulnerable and anorexic daughter Phoebe is played by Sophie Robinson who recently appeared in Juno and the Paycock, the first joint production between London’s Royal National Theatre and Dublin’s Abbey Theatre.
Liverpool actor Ciaran Kellgren plays undergraduate student and Pheobe’s love interest Ben. He took the lead in 2009’s high profile production of Peter Pan which opened at Kensington Gardens Theatre and transferred to the O2 Arena.
Andrew Westfield plays ex-Royal Marine and plane speaking university security chief Geoff, with the role of straight-laced human resources officer taken by Polly Lister.
The Heretic is showing at The Lowry, Salford from Thursday September 27 to Saturday October 13. For tickets contact the box office on 0843 208 6010 or go to www.librarytheatre.com
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