Stage Left

Follow the fortunes of a left-wing theatre company, written by acclaimed dramatist Doug Lucie.It's 1985 and the Stage Left Theatre Collective is founded by a group of friends with a shared vision: Emma, the artistic manager and Robert the literary manager, director Saul, playwright Alan, and finance manager, Frank. This funny, moving and pin sharp drama follows the fate of the company and its members over the course of four decades. We catch up with the characters as they negotiate changing cultural and economic climates. There are clashing ideals, conflicting egos, personal grievances, differing tastes and petty quarrels. The company's dramatic tenth anniversary, the meteoric rise of one of its members and escalating tensions are brought into sharp relief when a tragedy brings the group together.However, at the heart of this drama is the story of a group of idealistic friends who see their vision refined, altered, dented, rebuilt, and corroded by the wider artistic and cultural landscape. Can their shared dream endure through it all?For nearly half a century, Doug Lucie has been a key figure in contemporary writing for the British stage with a string of influential successes. His plays have been produced at the National Theatre, the Royal Shakespeare Company's Other Place and the Royal Court. Stage Left also stars Olivier award winning actor Alex Jennings, best known for his roles in The Crown, The Lady in the Van, and performances on the London stage.Cast and creditsWritten by Doug LucieDirected by Mary Peate and Heather LarmourProduced by Heather LarmourAlan - Ewan BaileySaul - Gerard McDermotKelly - Tracy WilesEmma - Anna MadeleyRobert - Richard LumsdenFrank - Alex JenningsAnnabel - Rebecca HamiltonJim - Caolan McCarthyWaiter - Richard PeppleSue - Gillian BevanAlice - Jane SlavinKen - Doug LucieActor 1 - George WatkinsActor 2/Sir Clive - Brian ProtheroeDi - Evie KillipMarion - Debra BakerFirst Broadcast BBC Radio 4, 8 February 2016(c)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd (P)2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd