DAVID ESSEX ROLLS UP HIS SLEEVES: Theatre Royal

When young Emmett was a high flyer in the City he was a customer in an upmarket restaurant but now, thanks to a recent reversal in his fortunes, hes starting a new career there as a dishwasher. Alongside his new colleagues, dominant self-appointed leader, Dressler, whos been happily scraping and scrubbing for over 30 years, and the decrepit Moss whos about ready for retirement, Emmett attacks the endless supply of crockery that descends from about. In this world of soapsuds and despair, playwright Morris Panych brings wit and humour to their quest for existential meaning. David Essex takes on the title role of Dressler, alongside Rik Makarem and Andrew Jarvis. David Essex enjoys a remarkable career that has combined theatre, films, television and music. David returns to the stage in The Dishwashers following his hugely successful portrayal of Eddie Moon in BBC TV's EastEnders. He has recently completed two films; Traveller - the story of a boy and his search for his identity in the gypsy community, and Meet The Guvnors  - a film about gangland wars between two generations. He has starred on stage in Peter Hall's production of She Stoops to Conquer in the West End.  David has also starred in numerous musicals including Evita, Godspell, All The Fun of The Fair, Mutiny! and Aspects of Love. Playing the part of young high flyer Emmett is Rik Makarem best known for his characters Nikhil Sharma in Emmerdale and Dr Rupesh Patanjali in Torchwood: Children of Earth.  Riks most recent stage credits include Martin Shermans Passing By (Tristan Bates Theatre, London). Andrew Jarvis plays the part of Moss. Andrews recent theatre credits include Macbeth (Sheffield Crucible), The Lord of the Rings (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), The Woman in Black (West End) and many seasons at the world renowned RSC. Morris Panychs plays have been produced across the UK, Canada and the United States and he is best known for the hugely successful West End production of Auntie and Me starring Alan Davies and Marcia Warren. Directors of The Dishwashers, Nikolai Foster, has recently directed acclaimed productions of Brecht's The Good Person of Sichuan (Mercury Colchester Mercury); Sherlock Holmes - The Best Kept Secret (West Yorkshire Playhouse) and Jonathan Harvey's Beautiful Thing (20th Anniversary production, Arts Theatre, London).