A stage-play about a dedicated fan of Leeds United is set for away fixtures of its own with the announcement of a 15-date theatre tour later in the year including two nights at the prestigious West Yorkshire Playhouse in Leeds.
Paint It White is the hilarious life-story of Gary Edwards, a painter and decorator, who has followed the Elland Road club through thick and thin, missing just one game since 1968. The stage production will travel up and down the country from 13th October to November 9th with the West Yorkshire Playhouse nights on 25th and 26th October.
Paint It White, adapted from the book by Edwards, ran successfully for three weeks in Leeds in 2010 and is based on the experiences of the Kippax-born superfan who has managed to juggle his passion for the club alongside the fundamentals of life. From marriage lasting weeks, to driving to matches in a hearse, the comedy play charts the ups and downs of life as well of that of the team.
Gary Edwards said: "I am delighted Paint It White is returning for a tour of the country and bringing my adventures to a nationwide audience. I have got to know many fans from around the country and know it will go down well in Leeds especially at a venue like the West Yorkshire Playhouse. It’ll be like going to Wembley.”
The play is also a sock-tab on the shin of Leeds-born producer and writer. For the ex-BBC journalist, it is his first play. Les Rowley said: “ In its first run on the fringes of the main theatre circuit, audiences laughed and cried in all the right places and with Leeds United there was more crying than laughing.
“The play however is about the unbelievable life of a normal bloke, and it is heartwarming to see such a character loved and admired by almost everyone he comes into contact with. You don’t even need to like football to enjoy this play.”
“It’s been a long road but the production has passed the theatrical litmus test and taking it to the Playhouse in Leeds is another step up the ladder for something that started with my first Leeds United game in the ‘70s.”
Four actors including Leeds-born actors Gary Dunnington, Johnny Dixon (Coronation Street) and Cathy Breeze (Les Miserables) all take on roles to tell the story of Edwards. The play is directed by Rayner Bourton (Rocky Horror Show) and Alun Lewis (Emmerdale).
Tour dates: 13th October Phoenix Theatre Castleford; 14th October Eden Theatre, Bishop Auckland; 16th October, Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York; 17th October, Blackfriars Arts Centre, Boston; 19th October, Catrin Finch Theatre, Wrexham; 20th October, Nottingham Arts Centre; 21st October, Ilkley Playhouse, 22nd October, Muni Theatre, Colne; October 23rd, Braintree Arts Theatre; 25th & 26th October, West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds; 27th October, The Spa Theatre, Scarborough; 28th October, Balne Lane WMC, Wakefield; 30th October, Caxton Theatre, Cleethorpes; 1st November, The Milton Rooms, Malton; 9th November, Square Chapel Theatre, Halifax.
