London Classic Theatre announces cast of Faith Healer tour

Casting has been announced for the new tour of Brian Friel’s masterpiece Faith Healer.

Following the success of Abigail’s Party, now running until 7 October, London Classic Theatre will present the new production on the road from 5 September 2023.

The show opens at New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme on 5 September before touring to a further nineteen venues across the UK and Ireland, concluding at Connaught Theatre, Worthing on 17 November.

Michael Cabot, founder, and Artistic Director of London Classic Theatre directs Paul Carroll (Frank), Gina Costigan (Grace) and Jonathan Ashley (Teddy).

A frayed banner hangs outside a desolate village hall. The sick, the suffering and the desperate arrive from out of the wind and the rain. They come in search of restoration, a cure.

Through the 1950s and 1960s, Hardy and his wife, Grace, travel to remote corners of Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Accompanied by manager Teddy, they move from village to village, bringing an unpredictable mix of theatricality and the spiritual.

Using four enthralling monologues to interweave the stories of these three intriguing characters, Friel takes us on an extraordinary journey of shifting perspectives and uncertain memories.

The production has design by Bek Palmer and lighting by Matthew Green.

Artistic Director of London Classic Theatre, Michael Cabot said: “I’ve wanted to direct Faith Healer for many years. It’s such a wonderful, complex piece of writing, with beautifully realised characters and Brian Friel’s remarkable use of language. It draws you in, surprises, intrigues and, ultimately, takes your breath away. I’m working on the show with my long-term collaborator, set and costume designer Bek Palmer, and I’m very excited about her vision for the play.

“We’re taking the play on tour for eleven weeks, to 20 venues around the UK and Ireland, opening in-the-round at the wonderful New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme. We have assembled a cast of three extraordinary actors, Paul Carroll, Gina Costigan and Jonathan Ashley, with whom I’m delighted to be working. Faith Healer is one of the great plays of the twentieth century, arguably Friel’s masterpiece and I can’t wait for us to bring it to life in 2023.”

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