Lonely Hearts Club moves to Manchester
- Alan Hulme
- May 2
- 2 min read
Manchester-based Qweerdog theatre company premieres a new version of Jonathan Harvey's landmark 1990s London-set play Rupert Street Lonely Hearts Club at Hope Mill Theatre from September 3-14.
Relocated to Manchester and retitled Canal Street Lonely Hearts Club, it explores the lives of two, formerly estranged brothers - one gay and one straight - as they struggle to reconnect.
Harvey said: "We premiered Rupert Street Lonely Hearts Club at Contact Theatre in Manchester 30 years ago, and it went on to play at the Donmar Warehouse in London before transferring to the West End. It won the "best new play" award at the Manchester Evening News Awards.
"I was quite taken aback when Qweerdog asked if I’d be interested in updating it and resetting it in Manchester – but I guess human beings haven’t changed that much in 30 years, even if technology has. I’m excited to bring the play back to Manchester, where it all began, and to see what audiences make of this family of misfits, all living in the same building, in the reimagined Canal Street Lonely Hearts Club."
Dean is in love with Marti, who is in love with Shaun, who is in love with Juliet, who has left the country. Meanwhile, George is in love with Malcolm, her ex, and Clarine is just... nobody quite knows.
Director Stewart Campbell said: "Jonathan’s writing has always spoken to me. and as I cut my teeth as a writer and director here in Manchester, I’ve always wanted to tackle one of his plays. I was over the moon when he not only agreed to let me do it but was also open to us updating the play and relocating it to the most famous queer street in Britain, Canal Street.
"Having read the play again last summer, I just felt its core themes and story were as relevant now as they were in 1995.
"Coming out to your family is hard, and if they - the ones meant to love you unconditionally - reject you, or as in Marti’s case, beat you up, how do you get over it? More importantly, how do you get over it enough to go on and find real love?"
More info and tickets here
