A play based on the realities of using dating apps in West Cumbria will raise money for charity once it debuts.
The play is set to premier at Rosehill Theatre on May 15 this year and will also be performed on May 16, 17 and 18.
Each performance will now also see money raised for four local charities – including Walk for Lloyd, Copeland Talking Newspaper, Breast Foot Forward and Team Evie.
David said: “We decided for the first time ever at Rosehill Theatre to take the play out into the community to show people sections of it before its debut and we’ve since sold over 450 tickets so far.
“So because we’ve covered our costs to run the play so early on in the process, we’ve now been able to team up with four local charities and raise money over the course of our four performances.
“So as well as giving people a fantastic laugh with the play itself we’re also going to be raising money for some really good causes.”
Based in West Cumbria, Swiped! follows main character Gemma, an empowered disabled woman who is looking for love on a dating app called Tingle.
In one night, she dates two men – Sheldon, a quirky perfect-match type and Nathaniel, a wealthy super handsome charmer – who may have ulterior motives that lead to a big twist at the end.
David added that rehearsals for the play have been going well – but that he has also stepped back to allow the cast and crew to work their magic
He said: “We’re all nervous and excited – it’s definitely a mix of the two! But I’ve kept out of the way of rehearsals for the most part as we’ve got a really wonderful director working on it, Roger Wilson, who is NODA nominated.
“But everything is going according to plan and we’ve also now got the DisChord Choir coming along to do a few songs throughout the play.
“At the end we will have a sing-a-long and I won’t spoil the plot, but it’s pertinent to the charities we are raising money for and will have a montage of the charities, their staff, and the people they’ve helped at the end on the big screen.
“It’s really lovely to see the thing you’ve had in your head resonate with everyone else and it feels great to be raising money for charity.
“In every instance it’s all better than I imagined it would be, the cast and crew have breathed so much life into it.”
Opening night will be David’s first full experience of the play – and will also see the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Whitehaven attend.
David said: “The play itself is an out and out comedy. If you were to compare it to anything, it’s in a similar style to Only Fools and Horses, with a lot of lighter shades and pathos in there.
“A lot of the dating app experiences referenced in the play are real and it is totally based around West Cumbria, so people might recognise a few things in it.
“It’s all about the honesties of West Cumbrian people and dating and how we all go around – and there’s a few rock numbers in it too.”
Tickets are on sale now for the play on Rosehill Theatre’s website.
Prices start at £10 for opening night on May 15 and £12 on May 16,17 and 18.
