Amber Blease Archives - North West End UK

Boys from the Blackstuff – Regent Theatre, Stoke

12Jun

By Angela KellyNo Comments

North West

Boys from the Blackstuff – Regent Theatre, Stoke

This week the Regent Theatre is host to an Alan Bleasdale classic. Directed by Kate Wasserberg and with a new adaption by James Graham, the BAFTA winning "Boys from the Blackstuff" is currently touring directly from the West End. A show that maybe familiar with some of the audience from its success as a TV series almost 40 years ago, it was curious to see how the story would translate on stage. The story is set in 80s Liverpool and depicts the lives of a group of workers who are desperately trying to provide for themselves and their loved ones. In many ways it could almost be a commentary on recession during the reign of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher because with little money around, the story highlights how life at this time for many in Liverpool was one long, arduous strug...

Boys from the Black Stuff – The Lowry

I was born in the 60’s, so remember clearly and with fondness, the series by the infamous Liverpudlian writer Alan Bleasdale – “The Boys from the Black Stuff”- the Black Stuff being the tar that a high number of men spent tarmacking the expanding roads of Britain in their days of employment. The first showing of the iconic programme was aired on BB2 – then a channel that had low ratings/viewers- on 10/10/82 but through its immediate popularity with viewers, moved to the main channel of the day – BBC1. The series depicted the stark reality of how working-class families were devastated by the lack of employment opportunities (more than 3 million people through this decade were unemployed – the highest figure for over 50 years) in this difficult decade. Alan Bleasdale told the story ...

Cast Announced for Homecoming of Masterpiece

The cast for James Graham’s adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff, coming to the Liverpool Empire Theatre in March 2025, is announced today. Following sold out seasons at Liverpool’s Royal Court and the National Theatre, and in London’s West End at the Garrick Theatre, the production hits the road in 2025, returning to Liverpool at the iconic Empire Theatre in the venue's 100th birthday year. It's 80s Liverpool. Chrissie, Loggo, George, Dixie and Yosser are used to hard work and providing for their families. But there is no work and there is no money. What are they supposed to do Work harder, work longer, buy cheaper, spend less? They just need a chance. Life is tough but the lads can play the game. Find the jobs, avoid the ‘sniffers' and see if you can have a laugh...