This spring Stephen Unwin will direct a major revival of Peter Nichols’s A Day in the Death of Joe Egg at Liverpool Playhouse and Rose Theatre Kingston, with a cast led by accomplished comedy actor Ralf Little. This co-production premieres at the Liverpool Playhouse from Friday 5 to Saturday 27 April before opening at the Rose Theatre from Tuesday 30 April to Saturday 18 May.

Ralf Little has been a leading figure in British comedy for more than a decade and is well known for his roles in The Royle Family, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps (B.B.C.) and most recently The Café (Sky 1), which he co-wrote. Ralf’s film credits include Michael Winterbottom’s 24 Hour Party People and Telstar. He made his stage debut in 2002 in Love on the Dole at the National Theatre and was nominated for an Olivier Award for his role in Notes on Falling Leaves at the Royal Court Theatre. His last stage appearance was in 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover at the Bush Theatre in 2008.

Peter Nichols’s fast-paced black comedy A Day in the Death of Joe Egg portrays the love and pain, the anger and strain of a young couple raising a disabled child. Highly theatrical, frequently heart wrenching and often very funny, it is one of the great plays of the modern British theatre. Nichols is amongst Britain’s most popular playwrights and in addition to A Day in the Death of Joe Egg his many successes include The National Health (1969), Privates on Parade (1977), Born in the Gardens (1970) and Passion Play (1981).

Award-winning director Stephen Unwin founded English Touring Theatre and has been Artistic Director at the Rose since 2008 where he has directed twelve productions, including The Importance of Being Earnest, This Happy Breed and The Vortex to great acclaim. He has also directed many operas and written several books. A Day in the Death of Joe Egg sees a return to Nichols’s work for Stephen, following his production of Born in the Gardens for Theatre Royal Bath in 2008. This play has a particular resonance for Stephen as he has a son with severe learning disabilities.

Ralf Little will play Bri, a school teacher who is struggling to cope with the demands of his life. His wife, Sheila, will be played by Rebecca Johnson. Rebecca is currently appearing in The Vortex and was also in This Happy Breed for Stephen Unwin. Other theatre credits include Coram Boy (National Theatre), A Masque for the New Theatre (RSC) and The Way of the World (Chichester Festival Theatre). Their daughter, Joe, will be played by Jessica Bastick-Vines. Jessica was in the original West End cast of Billy Elliot and also appeared in the critically acclaimed Parade at Southwark Playhouse.

The cast also features Marjorie Yates, best known for her role as Carol Fisher in Channel 4’s Shameless. Theatre credits include Orpheus Descending (Royal Exchange), This Happy Breed (Bath Theatre Royal) and Star Quality (Apollo Theatre). Sally Tatum has recently appeared in Episodes and Consuming Passions (B.B.C.). Theatre credits include The Second Mrs Tanqueray (Rose Theatre) and This Happy Breed (Sir Peter Hall Company), both directed by Stephen Unwin. Sally is one half of sketch duo General Advice Bureau, finalists in the Funny Women Awards 2012. Owen Oakeshott’s many theatre credits include the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, and he has recently appeared on television in Trial & Retribution and Spooks.

Tickets for A Day in the Death of Joe Egg are available from the Playhouse Box office, by telephone on 0151 7094776 or online at www.everymanplayhouse.com. Tickets for the play are priced between £12 and £23. There is a twilight performance starting at 5.30pm on Wednesday 17^th of April and matinees are available on Thursday 18^th, Thursday 25^th, Saturday 20^th and Saturday 27^th April.