Cast and creatives announced for I, Daniel Blake stage adaptation

Cast and creatives have been announced for the stage premiere of I, Daniel Blake.

The first stage adaptation of Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or and BAFTA award-winning film will premiere at Northern Stage from 25 May – 10 June 2023 before touring.

Actor and comedian Dave Johns who won the Best Actor award at the British Independent Film Awards and Best Newcomer at the EMPIRE Awards for his role in the film, will adapt the movie for the stage.

David Nellist will play Daniel, Bryony Corrigan will play Katie, Kema Sikazwe (also known as Kema Kay) will play China, a role he played in the film after being spotted by Ken Loach on a visit to Newcastle.

The cast is completed by Janine Leigh, Micky Cochrane and Jodie Wild.

A vital new adaptation of one of the most important stories of a generation, I, Daniel Blake exposes the stark reality behind the cost-of-living crisis headlines.

Dan is a carpenter. A Geordie through and through. Just on the mend after a heart attack. Katie has just arrived from London. Finally got a council house for her and the kids. A fresh start.

A touching story of people coming together in the face of adversity and how sometimes creating a family to support you just isn’t enough when the system is stacked against you.

I, Daniel Blake will be designed by Rhys Jarman (Gecko), lighting design by Simisola Majekodunmi (Is God Is/Royal Court Theatre and winner of the 2022 Light Recognition Award at the Black British Theatre Awards), original music by Ross Millard (The Futureheads, Putting the Band Back Together/Unfolding Theatre), sound design by Roma Yagnik (The Mare of Easttown/HBO), movement direction by Martin Hylton (Gateway Studio and Phoenix Dance) and AV design by Matthew Brown for PixelLux (Bonnie & Clyde/West End) incorporating creative captioning for all performances.

Director Mark Calvert said: “It’s a big responsibility to honour the film but also to find ways to raise awareness of the hardship huge numbers of people in our country are facing right now. I’ve spent months volunteering at local food banks, and I can tell you that this is not fiction. It is reality. And the cost-of-living crisis affects even more people now than when the film was released in 2016.

“For me I, Daniel Blake frames the working-class experience in modern Britain – there’s hope, humour and humanity in the story, but audiences should feel angry and outraged; I know I am.

“When we first started to think about how to adapt the film for the stage we knew that we needed to offer a fresh perspective on the ramifications of 13 years of government cuts. Inspired by activists Led By Donkeys, Cold War Steve and Cassette Boy, the production will feature factual interviews, speeches and social media posts showing the impact of government decisions on people’s lives. We hope reflecting the harsh reality will galvanise audiences and inspire activism.”

For more information and tickets, visit northernstage.co.uk

After its run in Newcastle, the production will tour to Birmingham Rep (13 – 24 June), Manchester HOME (27 June – 1 July) and Exeter Northcott Theatre (5 – 8 July).

Further tour dates and venues in the autumn will be announced.