John Lennon play set to tour North West as part of double-bill

Imagine a prison cell. Imagine a killer is visited by the man he gunned down. Imagine that man is John Lennon.

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Date published: 21st Oct 2014

PRESS RELEASE ? For immediate release

Northern Outlet Theatre Company is pleased to announce their forthcoming double-bill which will be touring fringe venues in Carlisle, Liverpool and Manchester this November.

JOHN AND MARK is a new play by George Gunby about a musical legend and his killer. Set in the cell of a New York maximum security prison, the play sees prisoner Mark David Chapman visited by John Lennon; the man he shot dead years earlier outside the Dakota building. Within the confines of a prison cell the play offers an insight into the mind of the man who started off a fan and became a fanatic. Touching on issues of love, loss, faith and obsession, the play gives Lennon the opportunity to ask the question that has riddled millions of people across the world since December 8th 1980.

The production sees Lee Joseph taking on the role of John Lennon. ?For me, the play is about two complete strangers who are connected by one horrific moment - a very bloody brief encounter ? which still haunts them. With George Gunby?s script we find a Lennon that the world has never known - a Lennon who is here to confront his killer. It?s about how they face their own personal demons?. Completing the cast is Matthew Howard-Norman, who will be making his professional debut in the role of Mark David Chapman and Tracy Gabbitas who will be playing The Woman.

The second play in the double-bill is the UK premiere of NAKED OLD MAN by Tony and Academy Award nominated writer Murray Schisgal performed by Richard Sails, which follows the ageing playwright and co-writer of the film Tootsie, as he is joined for the evening by three of his closest friends, all of whom happen to be deceased. "I confess to being the eighty-two-year-old man?, says Murray in an accompanying note to the play, ?and the three guests that come to share the evening with me are, even today, among my closest friends. What inspired me to write the play? A deep, emotional need, the only reason to write anything."

The double-bill is directed by Paul Blinkhorn.

John and Mark / Naked Old Man previews at Stanwix Theatre in Carlisle on 1st November before running at The Lantern Theatre, Liverpool (6th-8th November) and then moving on to Taurus Bar, Manchester (12th-13th November).

*Listing information* *Company: * Northern Outlet Theatre Company *Title: * John and Mark / Naked Old Man

*Details:* In a new play by George Gunby set in the cell of a New York maximum security prison Mark David Chapman is visited by John Lennon, the man he shot dead years earlier. Supported by 'Naked Old Man', the UK premiere of a one-act play by Tony and Academy Award nominated writer Murray Schisgal. *Writer: * George Gunby / Murray Schisgal *Director: * Paul Blinkhorn *Designer:* Kaylie Joy Black

*Lighting Designer:* Aaron J Dootson

CARLISLE (PREVIEW)

*Dates: * Saturday 1st November at 7.30pm *Theatre: * Stanwix Theatre, University of Cumbria, Brampton Road, Carlisle, CA3 9AY

*Tickets: * £9 www.stanwixtheatre.co.uk / 01228 400356

LIVERPOOL

*Dates: * Thursday 6th November ? Saturday 8th November at 7.30pm. With a matinee on Saturday 8th November at 3.00pm *Theatre: * The Lantern Theatre, 57 Blundell Street, Liverpool, L1 0AJ

*Tickets: * £9 www.lanterntheatreliverpool.co.uk / 0151 703 0000

MANCHESTER

*Dates: * Wednesday 12th November ? Thursday 13th November at 7.30pm. With a matinee at 3.00pm on Thursday 13th November.

*Theatre: * Taurus Bar, 1 Canal Street, Manchester, M1 3HE

*Tickets: * £9 www.wegottickets.com/NorthernOutlet

PRESS NIGHT: press are welcome to attend and review any performance.

COMPANY WEBSITE: www.northernoutlet.co.uk

VIDEO TRAILER:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_rfZcIuIpw

DROPBOX LINK (for production photographs): https://www.dropbox.com/sh/5ic1gxqcf7710rl/AADcoAB5Lgnktk4IbHWEVbfma?dl=0

Photography credit: Shay Rowan

For more information - review tickets, interview requests and photographs please contact:

Imogen Collacott at northern.outlet@gmail.com or 07557384729.