It has been a while since my last play, boyfriend stroke husband, which enjoyed just one night's performance before the entire world closed down for a couple of years due to the pandemic.
At the time, it was pretty devastating to put all that work into a profit-share project and get the opportunity to perform it to just a handful of people, but it went down well, and the script got me to the interview stage of BBC DramaRoom in 2020.
But I'm glad to say I'm ready to release my next piece to the world: Les & Ali's Big Balearic Adventure! Opening on 12th July 2023 at the Kings Arms Theatre as part of the Greater Manchester Fringe Festival.
STOP PRESS: More tickets released!
Demand has been high, and some people have reported having problems booking tickets for the Wednesday and Thursday shows through the King's Arms Theatre website.
We've now released more tickets for these shows, so if you've previously tried to buy tickets and didn't manage to get hold of them, please try again: we've released more tickets for these dates!
What is Les & Ali's Big Balearic Adventure about?
Les and Ali have bankrupted themselves with a wedding that neither of them particularly enjoyed. But now they're on their honeymoon in Ibiza; they can finally relax.
But relaxation doesn't come easily to Les, who harbours a secret that threatens their livelihood.
And maybe staying in Ibiza is more appealing than going home and facing the music. After all, Britain doesn't really seem that great anymore.”
For anyone who has ever wanted to stay on holiday forever.
What inspired me to write the play?
Inspired by Britain’s fragile political landscape, Les & Ali’s Big Balearic Adventure explores how saying “yes” to the improbable can break us free. And that’s precisely what Les — a dissatisfied quantity surveyor living in Croydon — does when he tries to convince his new wife, Ali, that a new life in the sun could be the game-changer they need to reset their stifled existence.
But as Les becomes more attached to Ibiza's positive energy, the battle commences to convince Ali to stay.
However, secrets are never far from the surface.
Is Les really running away?
Les & Ali’s Big Balearic Adventure is a state-of-the-nation comedy and a love letter to Ibiza.
The actors
Nicole Evans — Ali Nicole is a super-versatile actor and presenter. Her recent theatre work includes Drag Baby, Kings Head London; Good For A Girl, Birmingham Rep; and playing Gwen Lally in In Plain Sight. On-screen, Nicole played Shan in The Bay, ditzy Rochelle in Hollyoaks and gritty Clare in the feature film Suicide Kelly. She thrives in comedy, with a principal role in the TV movie Going the Distance (2021) alongside Matthew Kelly, Sarah Hadland, Penny Ryder, and Shobna Gulati. This is the fourth time she’ll be working with Mike Heath.
Darren John Langford — Les Darren is best known for his role as Spencer Gray in Hollyoaks but has been working extensively as an actor and writer in theatre with Men in Dressing Gowns Theatre Co and as Associate Artist at Page-2-Stage Productions. Darren’s other film credits include Portal, Rule of One, and most recently, Emily alongside Emma Mackey. This is the third time Darren has worked with Mike Heath.
Some rehearsal excerpts
Buy tickets!
The play is running at The Kings Arms Theatre as part of the GMFringe, from 12-14th July.
Tickets are available here. I hope you can make it! (More tickets have been released for Wed & Thurs!).
Thanks for reading.