Legendary stage and screen actress Imogen Stubbs comes home to the North East for Live Theatre’s Three Acts of Love
Live Theatre is thrilled to announce Imogen Stubbs will join the cast of Three Acts of Love, the final production of their bumper 50th anniversary year. Written by three female playwrights, Vici Wreford-Sinnott, Laura Lindow and Naomi Obeng, Three Acts of Love brings together three stories each exploring what love means in the world today. From a closing social club to internet fandom via an animated lecture by a heart broken heart surgeon, the play takes the audience on an incredible journey through this most complex and crucial emotion. Performed by three extraordinary actors and acclaimed North East musician Me Lost Me, Three Acts of Love which runs from Thursday 30 November to Saturday 16 December, will be a feast for the senses that brings this milestone year that has included Sting, Julie Hesmondhalgh and Toby Jones to a close.
Born in the North East, Imogen Stubb’s career has taken her across the world making her a household name, but she could not be happier returning to where it all began.
She said: “I was born in Rothbury Cottage hospital - delivered by my great uncle Rex - some time in the last century. Although I lived in London – I always felt as though I was coming home when our crummy old VW camper van crossed the Tyne, and arrived (inevitably towed by the AA ) over the last hill to my granny’s house between Cambo and Rothbury - in a magical place called Rothley. There was such a sense of community and warmth and humour that was very different from the South. I am thrilled to be back again performing in Three Acts of Love at Live Theatre. The theatre is celebrating – and this is an astonishing feat - 50 years of championing and nurturing new writing. This is so rare that it makes Live Theatre part of an endangered species. But I get the sense that it is protected by the incredible passion of those who work there and the wonderful supportive audiences. A passion that has defied government after government increasingly desperate to persuade us that the Arts don’t matter. They have never mattered more. It is a real honour to be invited to participate in that world.”
Live Theatre Artistic Director Jack McNamara said: “There could not be a more special play to end this year and we knew we needed an extra special cast to do so. Having worked with Imogen Stubbs years ago in London it was simple too exciting a prospect to not ask her to return to her native North East and take to our stage for the first time. We can’t wait for audiences to encounter her world class brilliance, along with the other amazing cast who will be confirmed very soon. These new plays are electrifying, pointing the way of the future of dramatic writing. The world needs love right now and this evening will offer it in abundance.”
Three Acts of Love is co-directed by Jack McNamara (One Off, The Cold Buffet) and Bex Bowsher (Love it If We Beat Them). Running from Thursday 30 November to Saturday 16 December 2023, tickets are on sale now from www.live.org.uk or from Box Office on (0191) 232 1232.
