Northern Broadsides’ new J.M. Barrie Adaptation is Quality

Northern Broadsides’ regency rom-com Quality Street offers the perfect theatrical treat this March at The Dukes in Lancaster.

J.M. Barrie’s delicious farce, written years before his now much-loved Peter Pan, was so well known in its day that it gave its name to the UK’s most popular chocolates, made in Halifax since 1936. 

In Laurie Sansom's directorial debut for Northern Broadsides, the show features commentary from the Quality Street™ factory workers, whose own stories of hapless romance and growing old disgracefully give the show a playful Yorkshire twist.

The production will open in February 2020 in Halifax, the home of Quality Street™, before heading out on tour.

Running at The Dukes from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 7 March, this rare revival provides a modern lens through which to view Barrie’s story.

The play tells the story of Phoebe Throssel who lives on Quality Street, the bustling hub of a quaint northern town where she runs a school for unruly children.

Ten years since a tearful goodbye, an old flame returns from fighting Napoleon. But the look of disappointment on Captain Valentine’s face when he greets a more mature, less glamorous Phoebe, spurs our determined heroine to action.

She becomes the wild and sparkling Miss Livvy, a younger alter-ego who soon entraps the clueless Captain. As their romance is rekindled, can she juggle both personas? Or will her deception scandalise the town and wreck any future with the man she loves?

Jessica Baglow will play the title role of Phoebe Throssel and Dario Coates as love interest, Valentine Brown. Further cast features Jim English as Fanny Willoughby/Arthur, John Gully as Recruiting Sergeant/Spicer/Georgy, Claire Hackett as Patty, Louisa May Parker as Susan Throssel, Alicia McKenzie as Mary Willoughby, Sophie Mercell as Charlotte Parratt and Gabriel Paul as Ensign Blades/Isabella.

Tickets range from £8 to £18 and can be purchased from The Dukes Box Office by calling 01524 598500 or visiting www.dukeslancaster.org