Liverpool's popular Royal Court Theatre is to stage a new adaptation of the ground-breaking Boys From the Blackstuff, 40 years after it first hit TV screens.
Boys From the Blackstuff, a poignant and humorous series penned by Liverpool's own Alan Bleasdale, struck a chord when aired on BBC2 back in 1982. It tells the story of five tarmac layers, used to hard graft, who have lost their jobs and are now dealing with unemployment in the Thatcher era.
The critically acclaimed work was lauded for its depiction of the desperation and hopelessness felt while struggling to cope with high rates of unemployment and the lack of social support which followed. Now, Stockroom and Liverpool's Royal Court are delighted to present a powerful new adaptation by James Graham, writer of the hit BBC series Sherwood.
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Set in 80s Liverpool, Alan Bleasdale's Boys From the Blackstuff will follow Chrissie, Loggo, George, Dixie and Yosser, who are used to providing for their families. Only, there's no work and no money. Despite life's hardships, the quintet will play the game, offering audiences laughter and tears along the way.
Opening in September 2023, Alan Bleasdale's Boys From The Blackstuff will be directed by Stockroom artistic director, Kate Wasserberg, with further creatives to be announced. Tickets will be available from the Royal Court's website.
Alan Bleasdale, said: "Almost all of my stage plays are set in one location and using real time. The one attempt I made to use multiple characters and multiple sets and the passage of time was a disaster. So, when the idea of the stage version of the series was suggested with James Graham as the writer I just thought: I don't know how to do it. But James does.
"While I'm pleased that the work is still well regarded, the biggest sadness for me is that in the 40 years since I wrote The Boys from the Blackstuff we might have hoped that things would get better. But they haven't, have they?"
James Graham commented: "Alan Bleasdale is one of the reasons I became a writer. Watching his work as I was growing up, hearing those voices and seeing those worlds, meant a lot to someone from my background. I could never have dared dream that years later I would be working with him, and on his most famous, heart-breaking, hilarious masterpiece. But Alan is the most generous and supportive of collaborators and it's been one of the honours of my writing life thus far to work on this show."
Kate Wasserberg said: "They say never meet your heroes, but I have never had a happier and prouder professional moment than when I introduced two of mine - Alan Bleasdale and James Graham. They are kindred spirits, and this production, about courage and despair, oppression and hilarity, is the very best of them both.
"Sadly the struggles of the 1980s don't feel like history, we are all feeling the pain and the rage, the absurd cruelty and confusion of those times in the here and now. I hope the show will be a fantastic night out with big laughs, some anger and some tears, a celebration of Liverpool, of workers, and of the power of community when things get tough. I can't wait."
Kevin Fearon, executive producer at Liverpool's Royal Court added: "For a producing theatre in Liverpool it doesn't get any bigger or better than this. To be able to bring together two of the country's finest writers on such an important piece of drama is a hugely exciting opportunity for Liverpool's Royal Court. Everyone in the building is excited about this incredible show and our job now is to make it something we can all be proud of."
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