Our House - Union Theatre
Preview by Lizzie Guilfoyle
WITH book by Tim Firth and music and lyrics by Madness, the Olivier Award-winning Our House runs at the Union Theatre from August 21 (previews from August 19) to September 12, 2015.
The story follows Camden lad, Joe Casey who, on the night of his 16th birthday, makes a decision that will change his life. Trying to impress Sarah, the girl of his dreams, Joe breaks into a building development overlooking his home on Casey Street.
But things take a turn for the worse as the police turn up. Joe’s life splits into two; the Good Joe who stays and gives himself up and Bad Joe who flees and leaves Sarah to run from the police.
Our House follows the two paths that Joe’s life could take after that fateful night; one path means a criminal record and social exclusion, while the other will lose him the girl that he loves.
Over a period of seven years and two alternative lives, Joe deals with the consequences of that night. Whilst one Joe fights to keep Sarah, the other is marrying her in a glitzy Vegas wedding and, ultimately, while Good Joe fights to save his house on Casey Street, Bad Joe is determined to demolish it with tragic consequences.
All this is watched over by Joe’s deceased father, who pulls the two stories together.
The cast includes Steven France (EastEnders) as Joe Casey; Ailsa Davidson as Sarah; Dominic Brewer (Twelfth Night, Richard III, West End and Broadway) as Joe’s Dad; Sally Samad as Kath Casey; Joseph Giacone (Fame, UK Tour) as Emmo; Joe Ashman as Lewis; Claire Learie as Billie; Chanice Alexander-Burnett as Angie; Rhys Owen as Mr. Pressman; and Jay Osborne as Reecey.
Ensemble members are Joanna Bird, Alice Baker, Rachel Capp, Lauren Dinse, Reece Kerridge, Paul Flannigan and Zachary Worrall.
Our House is directed by Michael Burgen, who returns to the Union Theatre following the sell-out success of Loserville earlier this year. As an actor, he is no stranger to the Union having performed in a number of shows over the years. He is also part of the award-winning All-Male Pirates of Penzance. His other theatre credits include Patsy in Spamalot directed by Chris Luscombe (West End and UK Tour), The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe directed by Theresa Heskins (New Vic Theatre) and Zaide directed by Melly Still (UK Tour).
Produced by Sasha Regan, Our House has choreography by William Whelton (All-Male Pirates of Penzance, UK Tour, Rent, Tabard Theatre, Patience, Union Theatre, Children of Eden, Prince of Wales Theatre) and has musical direction by Richard Baker (Finian’s Rainbow, Charing Cross Theatre, West Side Story, Watford Palace, City Of Angels, Lyric Hammersmith).
Our House is presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd.
Tickets: £20, £17 concessions – available from the box office on 020 7261 9876 or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/uniontheatre (fees apply).
Times: Tuesday to Saturday at 7.30pm; Saturday and Sunday at 2.30pm.
The Spitfire Grill by James Valcq and Fred Alley, based on the film by Lee David Zlotoff, runs at the Union Theatre from July 23 to August 15, 2015.