Theatre company Stockroom have announced the world premiere of Dead Air, a dark comedy set in the confined world of local commercial radio, which runs at Riverside Studios from 7-16 April. 

The new play is written and produced by the writers’ room Stockroom, a creative hub dedicated to script creation and a radical new approach to playwriting. Dead Air takes place at Peaks FM, Buxton’s favourite radio station, which finds itself in trouble after years of funding cuts and the loss of everyone’s favourite DJ, George.  

Lucy, the determined Station Manager, must save the station from a hostile takeover by arranging a special performance of the cult ‘80s radio thriller, Detective Church. She has even managed to convince Hollywood royalty, Dominic Jones, to return for one final performance. As things start to go awry live on air, Lucy begins to suspect sabotage, not dissimilar to the sabotage the fictional Detective Church is uncovering… 

With the help of intern Bella and studio technician Paul, can Lucy keep the show on the road and save the station? Will Detective Church catch this killer? Find out in this exciting new production.

Directed by Stockroom’s interim artistic director Debbie Hannan, Dead Air features Macadie Amoroso (Broken English – Bread & Roses Theatre) as Bella, Darren Hart (Cinderella – Kenneth Moore Theatre)  as Paul, Pearce Quigley (Manor – National Theatre) as Dominic and Nichola Thorpe (Coronation Street – ITV) as Lucy. 

Stockroom is a writers room for theatre, and the Stockroom Artists produce new work for midscale stages around the country. It comprises a team of six diverse salaried theatre makers who pool their individual expertise to create new plays for audiences across the UK. The company partners theatres around the country to create shows that celebrate story and live experience.  The Stockroom writers are Maheni Arthur, Georgia Crowther, Tonderai Munyevu, Vikki Stone, Isaac Tomiczek and Chris York. 

To book tickets and find out more, please click here.