CAST ANNOUNCED FOR BIRTHDAY READING OF RICHARD BEAN’S SMACK FAMILY ROBINSON

Denise Welch and son Louis Healy to star in a celebratory reading of Richard Bean’s comedy, Smack Family Robinson at Live Theatre on Friday 19 June alongside Trevor Fox, Luke Maddison and Beth Crame.

The special reading marks the writer’s 70th year. The darkly disturbing Whitley Bay set comedy follows the Robinsons, a family less ordinary.

The Robinsons are drug dealers and everything’ changing -  there are new products, more competition and a bigger market. First produced on Live Theatre’s stage in 2003 the razor-sharp play draws a fine white line between love and hate.

Louis reads the role of son Sean, who is taking over the family business. He has recently finished starring as Henry Creel in the West End production of Stranger Things: The First Shadow. The role marked his West End debut in one of the most high-profile new productions in British theatre. His screen work includes regular roles in all three seasons of Hotel Portofino for ITV and PBS, as well as The Pact for Roku. He has also appeared in Vera, Emmerdale and Ackley Bridge, among others. 

Denise Welch, reading the part of matriarch Catherine, began her career at Live Theatre in Yesterday’s Children. Screen credits include starring roles in Coronation Street, Waterloo Road, Boy Meets Girl, Hollyoaks, Emmerdale, and Soldier Soldier, among others. Film credits include Love Sarah, The Jealous God, and Finding Fatimah. Her theatre credits include The Gap at Hope Mill Theatre, Diana: The Musical in Concert, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice, Steel Magnolias, Smack Family Robinson and Grease. 

Dad Gavin is read by Trevor Fox. A familiar face at Live Theatre, his screen work includes Ken Loach’s The Old Oak, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry, Victoria and Abdul, Bridget Jones, Billy Elliot, Byker Grove, Crocodile Shoes, Joe Maddison’s War and The Fortune.

Daughter Cora is read by Beth Crame whose screen credits include Coronation Street and The Brook with Hazy Pine Productions. Beth’s theatre work includes Mary and the Hyenas, A Song for Ella Grey, Lasagna and Sorcerer’s Apprentice. 

Actor and performance coach Luke Maddison reads the role of son Robert. Currently playing the role of Mathew Hardy in Can I Tell You A Secret (Netflix) recent theatre credits include Leaving, War Of The Worlds, Whale Of A Time, No Turning Back and Supernova.

After global success with One Man Two Guvnors, the great playwright comes back to the North East. 

For more information and to book tickets go to: https://www.live.org.uk/whats-on/smack-family-robinson-reading