Lisa Maxwell has joined the cast of Trafalgar Studio 2’s forthcoming drama Chicken, joining previously announced cast members Craig Kelly and George Georgiou in the New York-set drama.
American playwright Mike Batistick’s gritty play, which plays from 25 June to 21 July at the intimate venue, tells the story of two childhood friends, Wendall and Floyd, an unhappy wife and a sickly rooster they are grooming for an illegal cockfight.
Best known for her long-running role in ITV series The Bill, Maxwell will play Wendall’s pregnant wife Lina. The couple’s apartment has become a mess of desperate people, with Floyd sleeping on the sofa, and his father, ex-wife and a local hustler all dropping in. But will the sickly rooster they are grooming for a cockfight be their meal ticket?
An acute observation of modern life in the city, Maxwell commented that the play paints a similar picture of New York to her own home city, saying: “The play is relevant today and being a London girl I grew up with the same sense of humour as these city characters. There is nothing polite about them, and at times Chicken is hilarious.” The Loose Women presenter added: “This is my first serious role in theatre so [there are] a lot of new challenges for me – and nowhere to hide in such an intimate space!”
Maxwell, Kelly and Georgiou are joined in the Sam Neophtou directed drama by Andy Lucas, Amy Tez and Daniel Yabut who complete the cast.