Hit me!
Published 14 Oct 2010 12:00
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Rob Sleigh takes a look at the show documenting Ian Dury's life...
THE MUSIC and life of one of the forefathers of punk is to be brought to a Bracknell stage in Jeff Merrifield’s ‘Hit Me! The Life And Rhymes Of Ian Dury’.
The play, which has already proved to be a big hit at the Edinburgh Fringe when it premiered in 2008, is now set for its debut tour with a date at the Wilde Theatre in South Hill Park on Wednesday. Hit Me! is billed as a warts-and-all portrait of the singer that blends music and humour with brutal reality, exploring the highs and lows of Dury’s extraordinary but troubled life and career.
The show, which features a number of Dury’s classic songs including ‘Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick’ and ‘Reasons To Be Cheerful’, is written and directed by Jeff Merrifield in close collaboration with Dury’s friend and tour manager, Fred ‘Spider’ Rowe. Mr Merrifield, who has 43 years of experience in community arts, was fortunate enough to meet Dury before the singer’s death in 2000, when he lost his battle with cancer.
Dury’s widow, Sophie, actually provided Mr Merrifield with her late husband’s address book, allowing him to get in contact with some of Dury’s friends who gave him the information he needed to write the show.
Mr Merrifield said of the play: “It’s a two-hander with Ian and Spider. We explore their relationship, which was a pretty volatile one at times.”
As well as taking a look at Dury’s life and relationships, the show also sees how the singer was inspired to make the influential music that turned him into the legend he has since become.
Mr Merrifield said: “I wouldn’t describe it as a musical, it’s first and foremost a play, but the music helps to put it into a context of Ian Dury’s life.
“It’s a really good night out. A lot of people who don’t normally go to theatre go to this show and love it.”
Leading the cast is Mark White, playing Dury, whose stage credits include ‘A Chorus Line’ and ‘Les Miserables’ and has appeared in TV programmes such as ‘Residents’ and ‘Second Thoughts’.
White is joined by Josh Darcy, who plays the role of Spider. Darcy’s work for TV includes ‘The Quest’ and ‘Wild West’.
Tickets, costing £14 for adults, £13 concessions and £12 for members, can be purchased from the box office on 01344 484123 or at www.southhillpark.org.uk
The show is recommended for those aged 16 years and over.
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 14 Oct 10
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