Tobacco Factory Theatres reveals casting for upcoming production ‘REVEALED’

Tobacco Factory Theatres (TFT) will be opening their upcoming Autumn season with the world premiere of REVEALED, an in-house production co-commissioned by the theatre in conjunction with The Red Earth Collective, and developed with the help of the National Theatre’s Generate initiative.

REVEALED is a compelling drama set against the context of major civil unrest following an incident in police custody that has sent shockwaves through society.

Following three generations of the same family – grandfather Sidney, father Malcolm, and teenage son, Luther – the narrative explores themes of racism, masculinity, sexuality and mental health.

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TFT artistic director Mike Tweddle describes REVEALED as “a hugely important new production” that “hurtles from devastating and shocking to hilarious and charming in 90 unforgettable minutes”.

The play was written by RSC actor and emerging playwright Daniel J Carver (Henry VI Parts 2 and 3), who also takes the role of Malcolm.

In his stage debut, Dylan Brady (Coronation Street) will be playing Luther, and Everal Walsh (Rockets and Blue Lights; Dr Who) is Sidney, having workshopped the role during R&D at the National Theatre earlier in the year.

REVEALED rehearsals – photo: Mark Dawson

Director, Jay Zorenti-Nakhid, who is associate director of TFT, first became involved in the project in 2018, when he began working on it with Carver.

“I could not be more excited that Dan will also play the role of Malcolm in his own brilliant, moving and hilarious play,” he says.

For Carver, there is a deep personal connection to the role. “I grew up around men like Malcolm and I have been a Malcolm at various points in my life,” he reflects.

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“I feel that I am at a stage in my life that I have experienced enough to bring the whole of me to this character.”

At a time of considerable financial uncertainty for many, TFT is running a scheme to offer free tickets for young people who could not otherwise attend the production.

Daniel Carver in rehearsals – photo: Mark Dawson

Its Share The Story campaign is calling for donations to help raise the £24k needed to help 2,000 young people of diverse backgrounds to attend the play, or a subsequent workshop, for free.

Organisers hope that with the help of patrons who can support the scheme, they can radically diversify their audience for REVEALED in very valuable and impactful way.

Share the Story – photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres

“It’s hard enough being a young person in the world today, let alone a young person of colour, a young person dealing with mental illness or domestic violence, or a young LGBTQ+ person,” says Zorenti-Nakhid, for whom the personal impact of the play was seismic.

“When I was growing up I didn’t know my father,” he recounts. “In the search for alternative role models I went down some very destructive paths as a teenager. In 2018 when I started to work on this play, it changed my life.”

Jay Zorenti-Nakhid directing rehearsals – photo: Mark Dawson

Zorenti-Nakhid is today reconciled with his father, and his passion for removing financial barriers to theatre for teenagers is profound.

“To watch this play, and to feel represented, seen and heard, has the potential to make a massive difference in someone’s life.”

REVEALED (age recommendation 14+) is at Tobacco Factory Theatres from September 22-October 8 at 7.30pm, with some additional matinee shows on Thursday and Saturday, and two guaranteed socially distanced shows. For more information and tickets, visit www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com.

To make a donation, visit Share The Story on the TFT website.

Main photo: Tobacco Factory Theatres (l-r: Daniel J Carver, Everal A Walsh, Dylan Brady)

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