James Graham’s powerful production of Alan Bleasdale’s iconic Boys From The Blackstuff is going on the road and will make a welcome stop at Blackpool Grand Theatre this March

Beat a path to The Grand and shout ‘Gizza ticket for that!’

A gritty live production of Alan Bleasdale’s darkly comic drama BOYS FROM THE BLACKSTUFF from renowned screenwriter and playwright James Graham (Sherwood, Quiz, Punch, Dear England) rolls into Blackpool Grand Theatre from Wednesday 5 March to Saturday 8 March.

This exciting adaptation is presented by Bill Kenwright Ltd and is hitting the road following sold out seasons at Liverpool’s Royal Court, the National Theatre and the West End and will star George Caple (Tin Star, Doctor Who) as Chrissie; Jurell Carter (Emmerdale’s Nate Robinson) as Loggo; Jay Johnson (Boiling Point, Little Boy Blue) as Yosser; Ged McKenna (The Tower) as George and Mark Womack (The Responder) as Dixie.

It’s 1980s 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 jobs, avoid the benefit office ‘sniffers’ and see if you can have a laugh along the way.

Alan Bleasdale’s pioneering TV series Boys From The Blackstuff scooped a BAFTA award following its acclaimed BBC debut in 1982, famously starring Bernard Hill as one of five unemployed men who are searching for casual road tarmacking jobs to try and stay afloat during a brutal recession. This searing tale of working-class struggle in Northern England is now back with a bang to hit the stage harder than ever and has never felt more relevant.

‘Gizza job. Go on, gizzit. I can do that’ – Yosser Hughes – Boys From The Blackstuff

Renowned playwright and screenwriter James Graham (BBC’s Sherwood, Quiz, Punch, Dear England) has now adapted Alan Bleasdale’s award-winning television drama for the stage to great acclaim and has picked up rave reviews since it premiered at Liverpool’s Royal Court in September 2023.

James Graham said: “Alan Bleasdale’s masterpiece is a story proudly forged in the humour and voice of Liverpool, and it was a real honour and a thrill to open it to packed houses there last year, before bringing our show to London and the West End. But Boys From the Blackstuff remains a story of national significance, with a lasting impact on British culture. Taking it on the road to communities around the country feels like the most important thing we could be doing next with our story. I’m delighted by the support and belief from Bill Kenwright Ltd, and Liverpool’s Royal Court that birthed it.”

Alan Bleasdale added: “I never expected Boys from the Blackstuff to be quite the sell-out sensation it has become at Liverpool’s Royal Court, at the National Theatre and then in London’s West End.

“What I always hoped was that the rest of the country might have a chance to see this magnificent adaptation by James Graham. Now that has been made possible by Bill Kenwright Ltd who have staged my theatre work since Are You Lonesome Tonight over forty years ago!”

Boys from the Blackstuff is directed by Kate Wasserberg (Artistic Director, Theatr Clwyd), with set and costume design by Amy Jane Cook, lighting design by Ian Scott, movement direction by Rachael Nanyonjo, original music and sound design by Dyfan Jones, video design by Jamie Jenkin and fight direction by Rachel Bown-Williams of Rc-Annie Ltd.  Associate Director is Tim Welton.

Expect a no-holds-barred portrayal of a community’s fight for survival in this groundbreaking production that’ll leave audiences shouting ‘Gizza job!’

Alan Bleasdale’s Boys From The Blackstuff adapted by James Graham (BBC’s Sherwood, Quiz, Punch, Dear England) and starring George Caple (Tin Star, Doctor Who) as Chrissie; Jurell Carter (Emmerdale’s Nate Robinson) as Loggo; Jay Johnson (Boiling Point, Little Boy Blue) as Yosser; Ged McKenna (The Tower) as George and Mark Womack (The Responder) as Dixie is at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Wednesday 5 March to Saturday 8 March with matinee and evening performances.

Audio Described/BSL performance on Saturday 8 March at 2.30pm.

Tickets from £15 with concessions for 1894 Club members and Friends of The Grand. School rates also available.

Please note – Recommended age 10+