PW Productions announces UK Tour of award-winning play Wonder Boy
PW Productions is pleased to announce the UK Tour of Wonder Boy (Writers' Guild Award for Best Play 2023) written by the “fresh and fearless” (Evening Standard) Ross Willis (Wolfie) and directed by the Olivier Award-winning Sally Cookson (A Monster Calls) following its triumphant 2022 premiere at Bristol Old Vic.
Wonder Boy will tour for 12 weeks in 2024 opening at Bristol Old Vic on 6 September followed by Liverpool Playhouse, Shrewsbury Theatre Severn, Wolverhampton Grand, Blackpool Grand, Stratford East, Derby Playhouse, York Theatre Royal, Southampton MAST, The Lowry Salford and Northampton Royal & Derngate.
Wonder Boy is a heart-warming and inspiring story about the power of communication told through 12-year-old Sonny who lives with a stammer and has to find his way in a world ruled by vicious vowels, confusing consonants and the biggest beast of them all – small talk. Sonny’s only friend is Captain Chatter, a comic book hero of his own creation, but in the real world language is power and Sonny must find a way to be heard.
When cast in the school production of Hamlet by the Headteacher, he finds the real heroes are closer than he thinks. Packed with playful humour, dazzling visuals (set and costumes by Katie Sykes) and thrilling original music by Benji Bower, this innovative production includes live creative captioning on stage throughout, designed by award-winning Limbic Cinema.
Catherine Woolley, Children and Families Programme Lead from STAMMA said:
"While the play tackles some complex and at times emotionally challenging concepts, it does so with a masterful blend of light and shade. Wonder Boy will make you laugh. It might make you cry. It will definitely make you think. Most importantly, it highlights that communicating confidently, not being fluent, is the real success."
★★★★★ ‘Audience roaring with laughter and love from the first minute’ Whatsonstage
★★★★★ ‘An audaciously inventive, sparky yet sensitive, giddily enjoyable new play that deserves to be packed to the rafters’ Guardian
Wonder Boy: 6 - 21 Sep 2024 - Bristol Old Vic (THEATRE)