CULT film Withnail and I is being brought to the stage of Birmingham’s Rep.
Written and adapted for the stage by Bruce Robinson himself, the writer and director of the original film, the show will bring to life some of the most iconic comic characters ever created.
The film, based on Robinson’s own unpublished novel, was produced by Handmade Films and starred Richard E Grant, Paul McGann and Richard Griffiths.
Set in 1969, the film followed the misfortunes of two young unemployed actors – the flamboyant, boozy Withnail, and the shy, contemplative Marwood – live in utter squalor in a flat in Camden Town, praying for a job.
Their only visitor is their drug dealer, Danny; their only expeditions are to the local pubs; and their only friends each other.
Needing a break from the atrocious state of their acting careers, they hit upon the idea of a nice holiday – and Marwood proposes a trip to a cottage in the Lake District, owned by Withnail’s wealthy Uncle Monty.
Monty lives in Chelsea, and after a few drinks together, agrees to lend them the key to the cottage – for a price…
Regarded as one of the finest British film’s ever made, this world premiere stage version brings to life the classic dialogue, the insane situations, and above all the boozy, irresistibly hilarious relationship of one of the most famous slacker duo’s ever created…”
The stage version will be directed by the double Olivier Award-winning artistic director of Birmingham Rep, Sean Foley.
He said: “Hilarious, tragic, and wild, Withnail and I, is a comedy like no other, and I’m thrilled to be working with the legendary Bruce Robinson to bring it to life on stage… In fact, where better for the extraordinarily funny tale of two unemployed actors who go on holiday, ‘by mistake’? Rightly regarded as one of the finest British film’s ever made, our stage version brings to life the classic dialogue, the insane situations, and above all the boozy, irresistibly hilarious relationship of one of the most famous slacker duo’s ever created.”
The BAFTA and IFTA nominated Irish actor Robert Sheehan will star as Withnail, alongside Adonis Siddique as Marwood with Malcolm Sinclair as Uncle Monty.
The production runs from May 3 to 25.
Visit www.birmingham-rep.co.uk for further details.
