Hilary Bonner’s hard-hitting political thriller Dead Lies to play Blackpool Grand

Dead Lies is a contemporary, fast-moving political English thriller packed with scandal that will take the audience on a rollercoaster ride of unexpected twists and turns at Blackpool’s Grand Theatre from Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 May. And that’s the truth!

This hard-hitting political thriller from No.1 best-selling crime novelist Hilary Bonner is inspired by the infamous Jeremy Thorpe scandal of the 1970s and is set against the political backdrop of current day Westminster during a fiercely fought election campaign.

Popular politician Peter George promises a new kind of politics beyond sleaze and spin. He is welcomed as a Messiah by the British public and expected to restore trust in a broken political system. But a shocking secret lies in the past of our country’s hero. As buried truths rise from the ashes, personal and political influences begin to shake the faith of those closest to him, and a media cascade threatens to bring down Britain’s new saviour…

Just announced! Dead Lies will star Hollyoaks and Holby City favourite Jeremy Edwards as Party Leader Peter George, alongside stage and screen stars Alicia Charles, Portia Booroff and Claire Dyson with further casting to be revealed.

Jeremy Edwards said: “Joining the cast of Dead Lies is a phenomenal opportunity for me. It has that rare combination of the right script at the right time. I have been waiting for such a strong piece of drama to come along for quite some time. Not only because it is sexy, scandalous and mysterious it is incredibly on point, I’m delighted".

Joining Jeremy on stage will be Alicia Charles (Coronation Street, Holby City) as Kate Compton, Press Secretary to Peter George; Portia Booroff (Doctors, EastEnders) as Peter’s devoted wife Jo George, and Claire Dyson, fresh from appearing opposite Liam Neeson in Made In Italy, as ex-supermodel Stephanie Jones.

The parallels between the real-life scandal that saw Barnstaple MP Jeremy Thorpe disgraced and stripped of his leadership in the 70s and the fiction of Dead Lies are plain to see. It’s also no artistic coincidence that North Devon culture heavily influences the script - a natural choice for acclaimed writer Hilary Bonner who was born and raised there, prior to embarking on her illustrious career in Fleet Street where she reported on the Thorpe scandal.

Dead Lies is a rollercoaster ride of a play, packed with twists and turns until the very last scene. How far will Peter go to save his own career, and how far will those around him go to save their own skins?

Expect the unexpected. No one is safe.

Acclaimed Dead Lies director Joe Harmston (who has previously directed many Agatha Christie productions) said: “Hilary does that rare thing writing a thriller for the stage: like Agatha Christie, she puts psychology first, making Dead Lies the best sort of whydunnit”

Hilary Bonner’s Dead Lies is at Blackpool Grand Theatre from Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 May 2022 starring Jeremy Edwards (Holby City, Hollyoaks), Alicia Charles (Coronation Street, Holby City), Portia Booroff (Doctors, EastEnders),) and Claire Dyson (Made In Italy).

Matinee and evening performances.

Not recommended for children under 16 due to themes of sex, drugs and murder.

No strobe lighting, but there may be sudden noises and light flashes.

Please call the Box Office on 01253 290190 or visit www.BlackpoolGrand.co.uk for full listings, bookings and further information.

LISTINGS

Hilary Bonner’s Dead Lies

Tue 17 May to Sat 21 May 2022 at 7.30pm

Wednesday & Saturday matinee at 2.30pm

Grand Theatre, 33 Church Street, Blackpool FY1 1HT

Box Office 01253 290 190

blackpoolgrand.co.uk

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