Of Mice and Men at Octagon Theatre Bolton
Kristy Stott, Theatre Editor
A must-see new production of Steinbeck’s iconic novella comes to Octagon Theatre Bolton. A gripping tale of hope and friendship, Of Mice and Men is as powerful and hard-hitting today as when it was first published in 1937. This gut-punching tale – with its themes of loyalty, migration and prejudice – make it just as relevant for a contemporary audience as it was almost a century ago.
Of Mice and Men tells the story of Lennie and George, an unexpected duo bound together by a shared faith and the ambition to live the Great American Dream. After securing work on a California ranch during the Great Depression, George and Lennie’s hopes of saving enough money to buy their own land become closer – but will their dream ever become a reality?
Directed by Sarah Brigham, the cast includes Liam King (Romeo & Juliet, Shakespeare’s Globe) as George, and Wiliam Young (Of Mice and Men, Leeds Playhouse/ Birmingham Rep) and Luke Richard (Steven Berkoff’s East for 5064 Productions) as Lennie. The stellar line-up is completed by Jeff Alexander (Cymbeline and The Duchess of Malfi, the RSC) as Crooks; Ben Wilson (Macbeth and Oliver Twist for Leeds Playhouse) as Candy; Emma Charlton (Beauty and the Beast for Harlequin Theatre Big Top) as Curley’s Wife; Tom Fletcher (Oliver Twist, Tobacco Factory) as Carlson; Rob Maloney (A Clockwork Orange, Soho Theatre) as The Boss; Stefan Race as Culey, Afton Moran as Whit and Laurence Pears as Slim.
Compelling and evocative, Of Mice and Men is a production for anyone who has ever tried to chase a long-held ambition. Recommended for ages 13+, this unmissable show plays at Octagon Theatre Bolton (26 March – 12 April) before heading to Keswick’s Theatre by the Lake (16 April – 3 May).
