The Rise and Fall of Little Voice
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is a 1992 play written by English dramatist Jim Cartwright.
| The Rise and Fall of Little Voice | |
|---|---|
 Original window card for the National Theatre production, 1992 | |
| Written by | Jim Cartwright |
| Date premiered | 16 June 1992 |
| Place premiered | Cottesloe Theatre National Theatre London |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Setting | A town in northern England |
Synopsis
The play tells the story of a shy, reclusive girl named Little Voice and her larger than life, out of control mother Mari.
Desperately missing her dead father, Little Voice spends her time locked in her bedroom listening to his old record collection and perfecting astonishing impersonations of famous divas including Shirley Bassey, Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland and Dusty Springfield.
When Mari starts dating small-time club agent Ray Say, she thinks he's her last chance for a better life. When Ray Say hears Little Voice sing, he thinks she's his ticket to the big time. Little Voice just wants a normal life and to be loved. Not everyone is going to get what they want.[1]
Production history
Sam Mendes directed the first production at the Royal National Theatre that transferred to the Aldwych Theatre in London's West End.
The 1993 Steppenwolf Theatre Company production transferred to Broadway in April produced by James and Charlene Nederlander, Dennis Grimaldi,and Leonard Saloway.
A West End revival of the play ran in London from 8 October 2009 to 30 January 2010. Following the success of the play, Vickers won the London Newcomer award at the Theatregoers' Choice Award and added "Sunlight" the closing ballad as a B-side for her debut single, "Once".
A London revival ran at The Union Theatre in Southwark from 2 to 26 June 2016. The production starred Charlotte Gorton as Mari, Carly Thomas as Little Voice and Ken Christianson as Ray Say. It was directed by Alastair Knights and was nominated for five Off West End Awards.
In February 2004 Sarah Frankcom directed a performance at the Royal Exchange, Manchester with Denise Black as Mari Hoff, Emma Lowndes as Little Voice, Roy Barraclough as Mr Boo and Andrew Sheridan as Billy. Denise Black won a MEN Award for her performance.
In June 2012 at the Octagon Theatre, Bolton Sue Devaney, Max Beesley snr, Sally Bankes, Katie Elin-Salt and Matt Healey performed the play to standing ovations each night. The production, directed by Elizabeth Newman and designed by Ciaran Bagnall, received five star reviews and a place in the theatre's record books as an extra week of the run had to be scheduled due to its popularity. Octagon Theatre Bolton, The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.
A UK touring production opened 3 September 2012 at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre in Guildford. Starring Beverley Callard as Mari, Joe McGann as Ray, Ray Quinn as Billy, Duggie Brown as Mr Boo and Jess Robinson as Little Voice and was directed by the play's writer Jim Cartwright. The production was due to end at the Lyceum Theatre, Sheffield in December 2012. After a short interval this production resumed at the end of January in Newcastle and ran until the end of June 2013, visiting Torquay, Portsmouth, Tunbridge Wells, Brighton, Buxton amongst numerous venues.
Joe McGann left the tour part way through and was replaced by Philip Andrew (who had been the understudy for the role).
The Barn Theatre in Cirencester (UK) revived the play in June 2018. Described as 'A brilliant and brash revival' by The Stage* it included Sarah Louise Hughes in '...a spectacular debut*' straight from her training at Italia Conti as LV. The production was directed by Michael Strassen
The play has been presented internationally, in Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Sri Lanka, in January 2008, by the British Theatre Playhouse.[2]
The most recent production of the play is currently in rehearsal at the Erith Playhouse in south-east London, directed by Wayne Morgan-Williams. It will run from the 9th to the 14th of March 2019. The production will star Amber Young as Little Voice, Jackie Mitchell as Mari, Liam Shipton as Billy, Clive Made as 'the Phone Man', Helen MacDonald as Sadie, Dan Marshall as Ray, and Nick Fromings as Mr Boo.
Historical casting
| Character | 1992 West End cast | 1994 Broadway cast | 1998 Film cast | 2009 West End revival cast |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Hoff / Little Voice | Jane Horrocks | Hynden Walch | Jane Horrocks | Diana Vickers |
| Mari Hoff | Alison Steadman | Rondi Reed | Brenda Blethyn | Lesley Sharp |
Film adaptation
The play was adapted for a 1998 film by Mark Herman, with Jane Horrocks reprising her original stage role. Brenda Blethyn assumed the role of Mari Hoff and was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
References
- "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 15 December 2009. Retrieved 2009-11-21.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
- "British Theatre Playhouse – Past Productions – At BTP, we pride ourselves on high standards equivalent to London's West End and offer UK casts comprising prominent stage, television and film actors. Every one of BTP shows has featured stars from London's West End. – SISTIC". www.britishtheatreplayhouse.com.
Further reading
- Cartwright, Jim (1992). The Rise and Fall of Little Voice (First ed.). London: Methuen Drama. ISBN 0-413-67130-5.