Clint Dyer, Ray Shell, Lloyd Everitt and Leo Wringer will star in the world premiere of Perseverance Drive when Robin Soans’ latest play opens at the Bush Theatre in July.
The quartet is joined in the production by Kolade Agboke, Frances Ashman, Derek Ezenagu and Akiya Henry. Madani Younis, Artistic Director of the Bush Theatre, directs.
Soans’ play is the story of the Gillard family, which meets in the heat of the Caribbean sun to prepare for the funeral of their mother. The return of Josh, after eight years away, raises tensions, and though the widowed Eli wants to sell the family home, his wife’s will reveals a different plan. Five years later the family comes together again, this time in London. But can they reconcile their faith in God and each other?
Wringer, who plays widower Eli, was most recently on the West End stage in the Michael Grandage Company production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, appearing opposite Sheridan Smith and David Walliams.
Shell is best known for his work in musical theatre, which includes originating the role of Rusty in Starlight Express, while well-known TV face Dyer boasts London stage credits including Sus at the Young Vic and Big White Fog at the Almeida Theatre.
Everitt, who appeared alongside James Earl Jones and Vanessa Redgrave in Much Ado About Nothing at the Old Vic, may be best known for playing Ed Roberts in Emmerdale.
Perseverance Drive begins its run at the Bush Theatre on 4 July following the west London venue’s current hit production of Incognito, which closes on 21 June.