Leeds United: Director duo signed up for superfan play
A play about Leeds United superfan Gary Edwards has signed up its very own directing dream team.
Based on Gary's books on his adventures following United around the world, Paint It White opens in Leeds next month.
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And today it was announced that directing duties on the play will be jointly handled by Alun Lewis and Rayner Bourton.
Alun is a familiar face to millions of TV viewers thanks to long-running parts as Vic Windsor in Yorkshire soap Emmerdale and Darryl Stubbs in BBC1 sitcom Birds Of A Feather.
Rayner, meanwhile, has a special place in theatre history, having played the title role in the original London production of The Rocky Horror Show back in 1973.
With a nod to the cult musical's famously-dedicated army of devotees, he said: "I am extremely aware of how strong and obsessive fan culture and fanaticism can be.
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"Paint It White gives me an opportunity to explore that type of lifestyle against a backdrop of football, a game that I love."
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The play's producer and writer, Les Rowley, said he was "delighted" to have Alun and Rayner on board.
He told the Yorkshire Evening Post: "From my point of view, it's great – they are both so established and know exactly what works and what doesn't when they are looking at a script.
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"Both of them have been there and done that, so we can only benefit."
United diehard Gary, a decorator from Kippax, has only missed one of the club's games in more than 40 years.
He is being portrayed in the play by Leeds-born actor Gary Dunnington, whose CV includes appearances in Coronation Street and The Bill.
Paint It White opens at the new 150-capacity Clarence Dock Theatre on October 6.
For ticket details visit www.paintitwhite.co.uk or ring 0113 216 3681.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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