The Rise and Fall of Little Voice at The Lowry
Creative Tourist
The beautiful Northern comedy-play The Rise and Fall of Little Voice has won many awards and tugged at many heartstrings since it was first performed in 1992. Widely considered one of Britain’s greatest modern plays, Jim Cartwright’s Olivier Award-winning work is currently on tour, and luckily for us, will stop off at The Lowry this June.
Many fans of this charming Northern fairytale will remember the 1998 Golden Globe-winning smash-hit film of the show too, starring Jane Horrocks and Michael Caine. The Rise and Fall of Little Voice tells the story of Laura Hoff ( aka Little Voice) and her mother, Mari Hoff. Complete opposites in character, Little Voice leads a quiet and reserved life, searching out some of history’s most iconic singers, she finds joy and companionship reenacting her favourite performances in her bedroom. Meanwhile, her mother is a whirlwind of a woman – preferring the company of booze, seedy men and cheap thrills.
When Mari starts to date small-time club owner Ray Say, Little Voice’s impressive impersonations of Shirley Bassey, Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe and many others, begin to attract attention. Transformed and ready to shine, could Little Voice be Ray’s one and only shot at the big time? And more importantly, how could this affect the relationship between mother and daughter?
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice has won many awards and tugged at many heartstrings since it was first performed in 1992.
With a cracking cast, this revival of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice – directed by Bronagh Lagan – stars Shobna Gulati, who recently wowed audiences as Ray in both the stage musical and film version of Everybody’s Talking About Jamie; soap star Ian Kelsey as Ray Say, and the super-talented singer, actress, impersonator and two-time Drama Desk Award nominee Christina Bianco, as Little Voice. The impressive cast also features Akshay Gulati (East is East, Bolton Octagon) as Billy, William Ilkley (War Horse, UK/International Tour) as Mr Boo, and Fiona Mulvaney (The Ferryman, West End) as Sadie. James Robert Moore (The Road to Qatar, Edinburgh Fringe) plays Phone Man and is also the Resident Director, and finally Anna Hale is the understudy for Little Voice and Sadie.
This tender and heart-warming play won both the Olivier Award and the Evening Standard Award for best comedy when it premiered at the National Theatre in 1992. The production was directed by Sam Mendes and starred Jane Horrocks and Alison Steadman. Horrocks then went on to star as Little Voice in the 1998 film adaptation alongside Brenda Blethyn, Michael Caine, Ewan McGregor and Jim Broadbent.
Packed with humour, heart and all the best power ballads
Packed with humour, heart and all the best power ballads, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice examines themes of economic hardship and the highs and lows of small-town dreams alongside family rivalry and the importance of using your voice in a noisy world. Upbeat and inspirational, this production is set to delight Salford audiences with its big heart, sparkle and spirit.
