Pics | Take a first look at the stage adaptation of ‘My Beautiful Laundrette’
The new play will feature music from Pet Shop Boys
By Steve Brown
Earlier this year, it was announced the Pet Shop Boys will be creating the music for the stage adaptation of the gay romance My Beautiful Laundrette and now images from the show have been released.
Set in London during the Thatcher years, My Beautiful Laundrette tells the story of young British Pakistani, Omar, who transforms his Uncle’s run-down launderette into a thriving business.
After being confronted by a fascist gang, Omar recognises school-friend Johnny and uses their history to diffuse the situation.
As they renovate the laundrette together, love blossoms between them. This culture clash comedy is also a subversive work of social realism, sprinkled with magic and joy running through the rich veins of Kureishi’s writing.
Check out the behind-the-scenes images below:
While speaking about their involvement in the stage show, Neil Tennant and Chris Lowe previously said: “It’s wonderful to be part of the team bringing My Beautiful Laundrette from the screen to the stage and we’ve enjoyed writing mainly instrumental music to be presented within a British Asian context.”
Playing the role of Omar in this new play is Omar Malik (East is East, Nottingham Playhouse); Jonny Fines (An Officer and a Gentleman at Curve) will play rebellious punk Johnny. Gordon Warnecke, who originally played Omar in Stephen Frears’ 1985 film, joins this new cast as Papa, Omar’s Father.
The cast is completed by Paddy Daly, Kammy Darweish, Hareet Deol, Nicole Jebeli, Balvinder Sopal and Cathy Tyson.
The new production of the ground-breaking Oscar-nominated screenplay opens at Leicester Curve theatre on September 20 until October 5. The show will then tour to Everyman Theatre Cheltenham (8 – 12 Oct), Leeds Playhouse (15 – 26 Oct), Belgrade Theatre Coventry (29 Oct – 2 Nov) and Birmingham Repertory Theatre (5 – 9 Nov).