Circa - casting announced

Saturday 9 February 2019

Casting has been announced for Tom Ratcliffe's Circa which gets an outing at Islington's Old Red Lion from 5 to 30 March 2019.

Photo credit: Eitan Bernat

After premiering at the Theatre de Meervaart, Amsterdam in 2016, work.Theatre return with Tom Ratcliffe's debut play, Circa, in a co-production with Harlow Playhouse.

Scheduled for a run between 5 and 30 March at the Old Red Lion Theatre in Islington, Circa explores the blurred identity of the gay relationship in the modern age.

Following the story of one man's romantic life, the play journeys through the different relationships and encounters he experiences over a period of thirty years.

Casting has now been announced.

Thomas Flynn (Twelfth Night, The Rose Playhouse, RSC Dell; Tuckshop, Paines Plough Roundabout and The Lowry; PLAY, Hackney Showroom) and Daniel Abelson (Once In a Lifetime, Young Vic; The Mighty Walzer, Royal Exchange; The Seagull, Chichester Festival Theatre) will lead the cast, and are joined by Antony Gabriel (This House, National Theatre; Posh, Royal Court; Amadeus, Old Vic), Joseph Rowe (Counting Stars, The Albany; Light Shining in Buckinghamshire, National Theatre; The Low Road, Royal Court) and Jenna Fincken (People, Places and Things, Oxford Playhouse; Gifted, The Pleasance; Circa, Vaults Festival and Theater de Meervaart in Amsterdam).

Director Andrew Twyman commented ...

"Circa is a rare find; a story that beautifully articulates a sweeping multigenerational search for love.

I'm overjoyed to be working with five actors whose talent and sensitivity will make these truthful, complex characters sing and their stories soar."

Speaking on the announcement of the run, writer Tom Ratcliffe said ...

"I can't wait to be bringing Circa back this year for a longer run in London and then to Harlow.

The play has become even more topical over the past two years and loneliness amongst the gay community is something that needs to be spoken about.

I think there's something for everyone to take away from this play as the striving for contentment in romantic relationships is universal.

The play has developed over the past two years and it's something I cannot wait to share with everyone."

Synopsis

The twenty-first century.

Being gay is supposedly more integrated than ever.

Marriage is legal, parenthood is possible and #LoveWins is trending on twitter.

The time has arrived to settle down with the man you love for a life of lasting companionship.

But in a world where sex is readily available, and with a history of sexual freedom; what does it mean to be in a gay relationship in the modern age?

And why are so many gay men still lonely?

Circa explores the blurred identity of the gay relationship in the modern age.

Following the story of one man's romantic life, we are taken through the different relationships and encounters he experiences over a period of thirty years.

Joining him through the joys and pitfalls of trying to find love and fulfilment as a gay man.