Michael Begley and June Watson will star in Mrs Lowry And Son, a funny and poetic two-hander about the life of English artist L S Lowry, which opens at the Trafalgar Studio 2 next month.
Playing at the intimate venue from 30 October (press night 1 November) to 23 November, Mrs Lowry And Son is set in 1934 and tells the story of Laurie, a 47-year-old rent collector living at home with his elderly, bedridden mother.
Exploring love, mortality and childhood, the play, which is written by BAFTA nominated writer Martyn Hesford, follows the now renowned artist as he strives to pursue his passion for painting, while his mother remains intent on ridiculing his works, believing them to revel in the vulgarity of Pendlebury.
Last seen on the London stage in Marianne Elliott’s production of Sweet Bird Of Youth at the Old Vic theatre, Begley’s theatre credits include If There Is I Haven’t Found It Yet at the Bush theatre, and Rhinoceros and The Arsonists at the Royal Court, while on screen the TMA Award nominated actor is best known for his appearances in Martin Clunes-led romantic comedy drama William And Mary and police series City Central.
His co-star Watson, whose most recent stage outing saw her star alongside Daniel Radcliffe in The Cripple Of Inishmaan, has performed extensively on the London stage, appearing in numerous productions at the National Theatre as well as West End productions of Uncle Vanya, Mary Stuart and Smaller.
Directed by Abbey Wright, whose credits include Bitch Boxer at the Soho theatre and Dublin Carol, which she directed as part of 2011’s Donmar Trafalgar season, the tale of a turbulent mother and son relationship will open at the bijoux venue following James Phillips’ dramatic love story Hidden In The Sand, which features Sally Dexter in the lead role and begins previews this evening.