An outrageous dark comedy exploring the price of ambition, the value of laughter and the ghosts of British show-business.
Set in a decaying coastal town that mirrors the decline of his career, a fading comedian faces the crumbling remnants of his past. Years of comedy have unravelled around him, but he refuses to accept that his time in showbiz is over. His humour, frozen in time since his 1980s family-friendly double act with Clifford Biddle, remains unchanged, even when it came crashing down. Billy went solo and Cliff went to prison.
But now, on the final night of his tour, Billy arrives in the rundown seaside resort of Saltmouth, where he must confront his former partner, who stews in resentful obscurity. In the storm-battered confines of Cliff’s gloomy maisonette, long-buried truths from their shared history come to light, and the line between guilt, madness, and the supernatural begins to blur. What follows is a spiralling descent into a darkly farcical nightmare.
Playing ‘Cliff’ is Nigel Cooke, whose theatre credits include roles at Shakespeare’s Globe, Donmar Warehouse and Liverpool Everyman, along with TV credits including The Crown and Luther. ‘Billy’ will be played by Nigel Betts, whose theatre credits include the RSC, National Theatre and the Almeida; along with extensive TV credits including Emmerdale, Downton Abbey and Eastenders. ‘Gulliver’ will be played by Edward Hogg, who has held roles at Shakespeare’s Globe, the RSC, National Theatre and the Young Vic.
Don’t miss this gripping psychological drama, exploring the high cost of ambition, the true value of laughter, and the demons that refuse to be left behind. Tickets are available now!
Writer – Mark Jagasia; Director – Oscar Pearce and Designer – Sarah Beaton.
Listings
The Double Act: 23 January – 22 February 2025
Arcola Theatre, 24 Ashwin Street, Dalston, E8 3DL
Tickets from £15: The Double Act Tickets | London Theatre Direct