[T]heatre by the Lake will be presenting Bruntwood prize-winning play How My Light is Spent by Alan Harris in a co-production with the Royal Exchange in Manchester and the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff. The play had its world premiere at the Royal Exchange and received glowing reviews from critics and audiences alike over the course of its run. It transfers to the Sherman Theatre before arriving at Theatre by the Lake where it plays from 31 May to 24 June.
Set in Newport, this charmingly quirky two-hander is performed by Welsh actors Rhodri Meilir and Alexandria Riley, and directed by Liz Stevenson, Associate Director at Theatre by the Lake. Written by Alan Harris, it won the Judges’ Award in the 2015 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting, the award famous for uncovering some of the UK’s most original theatre voices.
Jimmy is 34, lives with his mum and works at Newport’s only drive-through doughnut restaurant. Kitty is a phone sex worker living in the granny flat of a topiary enthusiast. Things were looking up for Jimmy when he met Kitty for the first time, but then he loses his job and starts to feel a strange tingling in his fingers. Kitty’s not a psychologist yet, but she has some theories about why Jimmy has started to disappear. With Kitty giving some life-changing advice and Jimmy trying to reconcile himself to eventual invisibility, this unlikely duo succeed in turning each other’s world upside down.
Director Liz Stevenson said: “Alan has a unique voice that is playful, charming and wonderfully weird. How My Light Is Spent explores what it is to feel lost and isolated, to have given up, to feel desperate. But what’s wonderful about Alan’s writing is that these themes are explored through a play that is thoroughly entertaining and full of heart.
It’s an unconventional romantic comedy that’s won a lot of hearts in Manchester. We can’t wait to bring it over to Keswick.”
BAFTA nominated actor Rhodri Meilir takes on the role of Jimmy. He is well known for his role in the long-running BBC sitcom My Family, with film credits including Matthew Warchus’ Pride. Rhodri has worked regularly on stage for companies including HOME, Liverpool Everyman, National Theatre Wales, Theatr Bara Caws and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru.
Newport-born Alexandria Riley plays Kitty. She graduated from Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in 2016 and her professional credits include All That I Am (Sherman Theatre) and The Mountaintop. It has just been announced that Alexandria will be joining the cast of Torchwood when it returns with a new series later this year.
To book tickets for How My Light is Spent or to find out more visit www.theatrebythelake.com or call the box office on 017687 74411. At Theatre by the Lake from 31 May to 24 June.
