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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Emily Sleight

'Thrilling' Joy Division stage show returns to Liverpool Epstein Theatre

A popular stage show documenting the story of 1970s band Joy Division will be visiting Liverpool as part of an Autumn tour next month.

'New Dawn Fades: A Play About Joy Division And Manchester' will return to Liverpool’s Epstein Theatre on Wednesday September 14, 2022. The show tells the story of how Joy Division came together to form one of the biggest bands of all time.

To celebrate a decade of the stage show and more than 40 years since the release of Joy Division's famous album ‘Unknown Pleasures’ the show will embark on a tour, visiting The Epstein Theatre in the heart of the city centre.

READ MORE: North West's biggest Oktoberfest is coming to Liverpool's Sefton Park

The show previously visited The Epstein back in 2015, and in 2022 will visit venues such as Sheffield, Chorley, Bury and Huddersfield, before finishing off at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester. This will be the show’s biggest venue to date.

Described as a 'thrilling rollercoaster ride' throughout a 'turbulent and hugely creative post-punk era', the show takes audiences on a tour of Mancunian history, uncovering influences on Joy Division’s music. New Dawn fades will focus on love, passion, progress, grief and music, drawing inspiration from lyrics of Ian Curtis with a soundtrack featuring live performances of his tracks.

Cast members include Joe Walsh as Ian Curtis, Leah Gray-Scaife as Deborah Curtis, Alan Donohoe as Tony Wilson, Bill Bradshaw as Peter Hook and Matthew Melbourne as Stephen Morris. Acrot Sean Mason will play Martin Hannett, Paul Morley, and Frederich Engels, and Giles D Bastow will play the role as Joy Division’s iconic manager Rob Gretton.

'New Dawn Fades: A Play About Joy Division And Manchester' is brought to the stage by Manchester production company All Roads Meet, with executive producer Nina Whiteman. It is directed by Sean Mason and Giles D Bastow who are also part of the cast.

Written by Brian Gorman, the play is based on his novel which has the same title. It was an instant hit when it debuted at Manchester’s The Lass O’Gowrie pub in 2013.

Co-director Sean Mason said: "We can’t wait to bring this iconic story back to the stage. It’s about more than just the music and the memories, it’s about capturing a moment in time and a movement that gave voice to ordinary people, demanding to be heard."

Get your tickets here.

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