The cast has been announced for the world premiere run of the stage adaptation of Nigel Slater’s memoirs Toast at The Lowry in Salford from 22 May to Saturday 2 June 2018.
Samuel Newton (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, UK tour) will play Nigel Slater, with Lizzie Muncey (Twelfth Night, National Theatre) playing Mum, and Stephen Ventura (The 39 Steps, West End) playing Dad. Marie Lawrence (Murder in Successville, BBC3) plays Joan and Andy Brady (Nativity! UK tour) as Josh/Stuart completes the cast.
Nigel Slater says:
“With casting now complete it’s an extremely exciting time as the words on the page start to come to life. To have your life story portrayed through film was incredible but there was always that thing with film that no matter how beautifully something’s filmed, it isn’t quite real. And this production will be. That, for me, is very very exciting.”
Samuel Newton adds: “Toast is a lovely story about a boy who struggled to find himself growing up who then found his way. It’s a story that lots of people will be able to connect with and relate to in terms of their own childhood experiences.”
Vividly re-creating suburban England in the 1960s, Slater’s childhood is told through the tastes and smells he grew up with. To reflect this, audiences will be offered samples of the dishes and tastes central to Slater’s story during the show.
The author of a collection of bestselling books and presenter of nine BBC television series, Nigel Slater has been the food columnist for The Observer for 25 years.
His memoir Toast – the Story of a Boy’s Hunger won six major awards, has been translated into five languages and became a BBC film starring Helena Bonham Carter and Freddie Highmore.
A Week 53 commission, Toast is adapted by Henry Filloux-Bennett and directed by Jonnie Riordan.
