Cast announced for Cops

Written by American writer Tony Tortora and directed by Andy Jordan, Cops is a new play inspired by real-life events in the frequently brutal and corrupt world of 1950's Chicago policing and mob violence.

Playing at Southwark Playhouse from 15 January to 1 February, Cops is as much a comedy as a drama with razor-sharp, witty banter and authentic spiky dialogue set alongside explosive scenes of emotional power and soul-baring poignancy.

(From left) Roger Alborough, Jack Flammiger, Daniel Francis, James Sobol Kelly

The cast includes:

Roger Alborough who was Andy Capp in 'Andy Capp the Musical' at the Finborough Theatre and The Professor, 'The Lesson' at The Hope Theatre.

Jack Flammiger a recent BA (Hons) RADA graduate making his professional debut in 'COPS'.

Daniel Francis who had the lead role in 'The Brothers Size' and 'Blackta' at The Young Vic and 'Off The Endz' at the Royal Court.

James Sobol Kelly who was in 'The Drowned Man: A Hollywood Fable', 'Faust' and 'The Masque of the Red Death, all produced by Punchdrunk/National Theatre.

He also played Shylock in 'The Merchant of Venice' and Gloucester in 'King Lear' for Guildford Shakespeare Company.

About the playwright

Writer Tony Tortora is originally from Brooklyn but now lives in Harrogate, England.

The first few lines of 'COPS' sprang into his mind while reading an account of a real life 1950's Chicago criminal case.

While the cops are fictional the gangsters' names are all taken from their real life counterparts.

Despite its carefully researched 50's story, the play's depiction of the need for people from widely differing ethnic and social backgrounds to overcome prejudice and suspicion and work together seems just as relevant now.

About the director

Andy Jordan has a long track record for discovering, developing and successfully

directing new plays.

His work as a director and producer in theatre and radio has been wide-ranging, pioneering and award-winning.

He has directed over 100 new plays and is renowned for discovering and helping to develop literally hundreds of new writers, many of whom are now internationally recognised, including Jimmy McGovern (creator 'Cracker'), Glenn Chandler (creator 'Taggart'), Allan Cubitt (Emmy award-winning lead writer 'Prime Suspect'), Don Webb ('Byker Grove'), Paul Unwin ('Casualty'), Craig Warner (award-winning screenwriter of the TV films about Princess Margaret and Robert Maxwell), and

acclaimed National Theatre/Almeida Theatre/Royal Court Theatre writer, Richard Bean, author of the international hit, 'One Man, Two Guvnors'.

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