Cast and creative team announced for first stage adaptation of I, DANIEL BLAKE

The cast and creative team have been announced for the world premiere stage adaptation of I, Daniel Blake that exposes the stark reality behind the cost-of-living crisis headlines, opening at Northern Stage from 25 May - 10 June before touring.

The first stage adaptation of Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or and BAFTA award-winning film will be written by actor and comedian Dave Johns who won the Best Actor award at the British Independent Film Awards and Best Newcomer at the EMPIRE Awards for his role in the film. Ken Loach said: “This story is more relevant now than ever. And who better to put it on stage than Dave Johns, the original Daniel Blake?”

David Nellist (Sherlock, BBC) will play Daniel, with Bryony Corrigan (The Goes Wrong Show, BBC) as Katie, Kema Sikazwe (Shine, Live Theatre) as China, plus Janine Leigh (In Our Name, Channel 4) , Micky Cochrane (Billy Elliot the Musical, Curve), and former Northern Stage Young Company member Jodie Wild making her professional stage debut.

Dave Johns said: “I was thrilled to be asked to adapt Paul Laverty’s screenplay. But I didn’t just want to put the film on stage, I wanted to update the story for 2023, making it contemporary and exploring more of single mum Katie’s journey and the family unit she forms with Daniel. To show the kindness, compassion, humour, and hope that can help us through the toughest of times. Sadly, during my research it was disheartening to find not much had changed since the film's release. The story is still as relevant as it was in 2016; maybe even more so now with the cost-of-living crisis making it even harder for those who are already struggling. Daniel and Katie’s story could be anyone’s.”

I, Daniel Blake will be designed by Rhys Jarman, with lighting by Simisola Majekodunmi, original music by Ross Millard, sound by Roma Yagnik, movement direction by Martin Hylton, and AV design by Matthew Brown for PixelLux incorporating creative captioning for all performances.

After its Newcastle premiere at Northern Stage, the production will tour to Birmingham, Manchester and Exeter. Confirmed cities for the autumn include Liverpool, Leeds and Coventry. A full autumn 2023 tour will be announced soon.

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