The Red Lion: Live Theatre

A Live Theatre Production
Written by Patrick Marber
Directed by Max Roberts
Designed by Patrick Connellan
Starring Stephen Tompkinson, John Bowler and Dean Bone

If you thought that badge-kissing mercenaries, wide-boy agents and dodgy deals were confined to the Premier League, think again. Set in the ultra-competitive twilight world of semi-professional football, The Red Lion is a powerful, funny and touching drama that reaches beyond the beautiful game, exploring contrasting ideas about loyalty, ambition and what it takes to win, from three different generations.

This production stars Stephen Tompkinson, well known for his TV appearances as DCI Banks, and who previously appeared at Live Theatre as the lead in Faith & Cold Reading, is re-united with Harrigan co-star John Bowler. John started his TV career in the film Ha'way the Lads playing Sunderland footballer Jimmy Seed. He then went on to feature in Auf Wiedersehen Pet and has since starred in The Bill, EastEnders and Coronation Street. John, who grew up in Newcastle, will be making his first appearance at Live Theatre. They will be joined by Dean Bone who has had lead roles in Live Theatre’s recent productions The Savage and The Terminal Velocity of Snowflakes for which he has been nominated as Best Newcomer at the Journal Culture Awards 2017.

The Red Lion has been specially adapted by Oscar nominated writer Patrick Marber for Live Theatre and the North East following its critically acclaimed opening at the National Theatre in 2015. Patrick wrote Dealer's Choice and Closer, both of which premiered at the National Theatre.