BROKEN BOYS
21st - 24th August 2024
53Two, Manchester
During a one hour free period at school a group of lads are given free run of a classroom as a new initiative from the school with the intention of giving the lads 'space to talk.' Affectionately named 'The Sad Sack Group' and boys being boys, they do everything but talk.
Broken Boys potentially, I feel, is my most honest work yet. A glimpse into the real world of how young working class lads talk to each other. It's not designed to shy away from the raw reality of what it means to be a 'young lad', how you deal with things going on in your life. I like to describe it as; It's every lad's group chat on stage.
- Jake Talbot, Writer
The writing in "Broken Boys" is incredibly layered, offering a rich text to delve into. It has been a joy to explore these layers, uncovering new meanings and perspectives. The actors have embraced this process with enthusiasm, willing to experiment and play, leading to performances that have truly blown me away.
- Miranda Parker, Director
THE TEAM
UMAR HAROON
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Umar Haroon is an actor and assistant director from Oldham. He is currently part of Royal Exchange Theatre's Young Company and is due to begin training at Arden School of Theatre in 2024. This is Umar's debut assistant directing on a play.
TOM HARDMAN
MUSICAL DIRECTOR
Tom is an Actor, Facilitator and Theatre-Maker. He teaches movement for Actors at the University of Central Lancashire and Identity School of Acting, specialising in Meyerhold's Biomechanics: he has trained internationally in this system with practitioners from around the world.
THE CAST
Joshua is a 24 year old actor from Stoke-On-Trent, now based in Manchester. He graduated from The Arden School of Theatre in 2023, and is over the moon to be making his professional debut in Broken Boys.
Alex graduated from The Arden School of Theatre last year and is delighted to make his professional debut with Dare to Know Theatre. He is based in Manchester but originally from Stoke-On-Trent.
Elliot is excited to have his first professional debut with Dare to Know Theatre. He is a recent graduate from Lipa Sixth Form College where he received a distinction in both years. Elliot is due to begin training at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Paisley graduated last year from The Arden School of Theatre and is thrilled to be working with Dare to Know for the second time - after previously playing Noah in 'Young Love' last year. Paisley is from Merseyside, but is mainly based in Manchester. He is represented by Janet Hampson Personal Management.
This is Sam's fifth time working with Dare to Know Theatre, on projects such as Young Love and various theatre in education projects. Being from Oldham, it's a joy to have support of such a theatre company.