Tom McCall and William Young take on the roles of friends George and Lennie battling to survive in tough times in a new stage adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel Of Mice and Men at Leeds Playhouse.
This version of the classic tale of doomed friendship is directed by Iqbal Khan, who was in charge of the impressive multi-genre Opening Ceremony for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, and the show is a co-production between the Playhouse, Birmingham Rep and Fiery Angel.
“I’m ecstatic to be playing Lennie again,” says William Young. “I played him in Chapter, Cardiff in 2017 with August 012 Theatre Company. He reminds me of Roald Dahl’s BFG.
“I was born with a rare brain condition called Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum, which means I find it easy to get into Lennie’s mindset. I’m doing this for all the other people with learning disabilities who love to act but haven’t had the opportunity to land any professional roles yet.”
The cast is completed by James Clyde as The Boss, Simon Darwen plays Slim, Maddy Hillas Curley’s Wife, Edward Judge as Carlson, Reece Pantry as Crooks, Stuart Quigleyas Whit, Lee Ravitz as Candy and Riad Ritchie as Curley.
“I’m so excited to be working with a great and diverse company on this timeless parable from Steinbeck,” notes Iqbal Khan. “I look forward to creating a beautiful and generous production that embraces all who experience exclusion in challenging times.”
A short tour opens at Birmingham Rep on 18th March to 8th April then tours to Cambridge Arts Theatre, Malvern Theatres, Bath Theatre Royal before heading to Leeds Playhouse.
Of Mice and Men is in the Quarry theatre from 11th – 27th May. To book 0113 213 7700 or www.leedsplayhouse.org.uk