James Graham Archives - North West End UK

29Sep

By Michelle KnightNo Comments

London

Punch – Apollo Theatre

“Inspired by the true story Punch” this production at the Apollo Theatre features a small but impressive cast of six and production team credited for bringing this life story to the West End stage. The staging is set to resemble a dark place for a conclave, on the steps, the bridge and on stage which enabled an astonishing style of creative movement, as the actors moved freely and smoothly from character to character, to scene change in synchronised motion. Credit to Leanne Pinder the movement was so emotionally moving aligning with the tragedy and empathy, which I’m sure was felt very strongly by the audience, just WOW. Scenes with strobe and flashing lights, the play has references to violence, death, alcohol and substance misuse. What strikes you in the opening scenes of th...

2Aug

By Tom ScottNo Comments

Scotland

Make It Happen – Festival Theatre

It was a privilege to be in the packed audience at the Festival Theatre for this stunning production of James Graham’s exquisite new play. The 2025 Edinburgh International Festival could not have got off to a better start. This is a co-production by the EIF, the National Theatre of Scotland and Dundee Rep Theatre, brilliantly directed by Andrew Panton. ‘Make It Happen’ was the mantra of the infamous CEO of the Royal Bank of Scotland, Fred Goodwin, who expanded the 300 year old Edinburgh institution at a colossal pace to make it the world’s biggest bank. But in 2008, as global markets tumbled, the RBS faced collapse. Coincidentally both the Prime Minister and the Chancellor in 2008 were Scottish. And the play also reminds us that it was a Scotsman who in effect sparked the growth o...

3Jun

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Dear England – The Lowry

When James Graham originally staged ‘Dear England’ back in June 2023 at the National Theatre, England football fans were daring to dream that their wait over half a century for a tournament victory was finally at an end. English hearts were once again broken at Euro ‘24 by an 86th-minute Spanish goal in the final, the wait for a trophy from our men’s national football team will now enter its seventh decade at the World Cup in the USA next year. Set against this backdrop of perceived failure, Graham has fashioned a superb piece of theatre that examines the effect that ‘fifty-nine years of hurt’ have had on our national psyche, through the lens of our national game and the redemption journey of one man, Gareth Southgate. Our jumping-off point in the narrative is Wembley Stadium in the Sum...

21Mar

By Maani WayNo Comments

London

Dear England – National Theatre

Dear England, written by James Graham, tells the story of the ‘New’ England football team and centres on the origin story of Gareth Southgate as Manager of the England team between 2016 and 2024. Gareth is determined to bring life and heart back to the squad and we are immersed in his journey, striving for solidarity and a better England. The lighting, sound and projection work of this production is exceptional, as is the set by Es Devlin. As the audience enters, they see a circular stage with a semi-circle above it lit up, representing a football stadium. There is a low hum of the crowd that can be heard which builds anticipation. The semi-circle becomes a space for powerful projection which aids the progression of the show. The revolving stage is used throughout the performance, never...

7Mar

By Sadie PearsonNo Comments

London

Punch – Young Vic

A heartbreaking true story of male violence, working class anger and redemption. And a critical exploration of the systems which breed this. Punch at the Young Vic is essential viewing. James Graham’s Punch is a true story, harrowingly so. In 2011 Nottingham city centre, nineteen-year-old Jacob Dunne, threw one punch at a complete stranger, 28-year-old James Hodgkinson. Nine days later, Hodgkinson was dead and the punch, an act of murder. Based on the book Right from Wrong by Jacob Dunne, Graham’s script pays tender tribute to all those involved and leaves you unquestioning that – through the brutal lack of opportunity which fostered Jacob’s behaviour – everyone in this story is a victim. Directed by Adam Penford, the script is brought to stage with a sensitivity and nuance that is v...

Boys From The Blackstuff – Richmond Theatre

13Feb

By Olivia CoxNo Comments

London

Boys From The Blackstuff – Richmond Theatre

James Graham is one of the most celebrated playwrights working in the UK today, and Boys From The Blackstuff is one of the newest jewels in his crown. Starting off at Liverpool’s Royal Court in 2023 before transferring to the National Theatre and the Garrick Theatre last year, Boys From The Blackstuff is now embarking on a UK tour to treat more audiences across the country to its masterful blend of brilliant writing, heartbreaking characters, and deeply evocative depiction of 1980’s Liverpool. Based on Alan Bleasdale’s era-defining BBC drama of the same name, Boys From The Blackstuff weaves together the stories of five men: Dixie (Mark Womack), Chrissie (George Caple), Loggo (Jurell Carter), Yosser (Jay Johnson), and George (Ged Mckenna). As we watch them navigate life in a city plunged...

Cast Announced for Homecoming of Masterpiece

18Dec

By NewsdeskNo Comments

NEWS

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...

Best of Enemies – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

24May

By Paul WilcoxNo Comments

North West

Best of Enemies – Altrincham Garrick Playhouse

The latest National Theatre Live production arrives at the Altrincham Garrick Playhouse on Sunday 28th May and it’s a real political powerhouse, with stunning central performances from two superb actors at the top of their game. ‘Best of Enemies’ comes from the pen of James Graham, the prolific talent behind This House, Ink and Labour of Love, productions which manage to dramatise recent political British history in an entertaining and illuminating manner. Mining a similar seam to Peter Morgan in the Netflix smash ‘The Crown’, Graham takes real political events (Lib/Lab pact, Rupert Murdoch’s purchase of The Sun newspaper) and turns tinder dry history into unmissable drama. For his most recent success, filmed at the Noel Coward Theatre early in 2023, Graham has crossed the Atlantic and ...

17Dec

By Alice RoseNo Comments

London

Best of Enemies – Young Vic

Travelling back to 1968, we are thrown of where to look. Television screens dotted in all directors, visual designs bringing the floor to life and a sudden influx of the famous figures who used to run America’s screens. This incredibly insightful, heated performance of America’s leading news channels battling out to pull in the most viewers, follows the ABC network trying out a new form of entertainment: putting opposite political views together and discussing. Where this may be a very popular and everyday occurrence for this day and age, we see how this now, almost obsessive form of television was brought to life. In particular we follow William F Buckley, a conservative popular figure battle it out with the Liberal, ‘Gore Vidal’ as they discuss the upcoming election. Through these cun...

Investing in our theatres is not a handout

23May

By Paul DownhamNo Comments

Blogs

Investing in our theatres is not a handout

Our Yorkshire Editor Paul Clarke welcomes the theatre world asking for short term government support, not handouts. The news that Leicester Haymarket is the latest venue forced into liquidation, and a stark warning from legendary producer Sonia Friedman writing in the Telegraph that British theatre is on the ‘brink of total collapse’ has forced the industry to unite in calling for short term government support. Thankfully the narrative from the theatres is they’re not asking for a bailout, and instead calling for significant investment in a key part of our nation’s cultural offer that normally generates billions in tax revenues. Friedman points out that more than 1000 of our theatres of varying sizes may permanently close their doors as it may be this time next year before they ca...