Full cast for Beautiful Thing by Jonathan Harvey at Arts

Suranne Jones, Zaraah Abrahams , Oliver Farnworth
Jake Davies, Danny-Boy Hatchard

The full cast has been announced for Jonathan Harvey's Beautiful Thing, which opens at the Arts Theatre 17 April 2013, following previews from 13 April - running to 25 May 2013.

Joining previously mentioned Suranne Jones (Sandra), are Zaraah Abrahams (Leah), Oliver Farnworth (Tony), Jake Davies (Jamie), and Danny-Boy Hatchard, making his professional debut as ‘Ste’.

It is directed by Nikolai Foster, designed by Colin Richmond, produced by Tom O'Connell for QNQ Ltd.

An urban love story between two young men set on an inner city housing estate. It tells the story of teenager Jamie’s relationship with classmate and neighbour Ste. Together the two boys find comedy, warmth and the music of Mama Cass through their loud-mouthed next door neighbour Leah. The play depicts what it is to be sixteen, in the first flush of love, and full of optimism.

Suranne Jones is best known for her role as ‘Karen McDonald’ in Coronation Street, and ‘DC Rachel Bailey’ in Scott & Bailey. Her stage work includes Top Girls (Trafalgar Studios & CFT), A Few Good Men with Jon Barrowman and Rob Lowe (Theatre Royal Haymarket).

Zaraah Abrahams is best known for playing ‘Michaela White’ in BBC1’s Waterloo Road and for her role as ‘Joanne Jackson’ in Coronation Street. She was a finalist on Dancing on Ice and subsequently travelled the UK with Torvill and Dean on the Dancing on Ice UK tour.

Oliver Farnworth is best known as series regular ‘Will Hackett’ in Channel 4’s Hollyoaks. His theatre credits include ‘Holding the Man’ at the Trafalgar Studios.

Jake Davies recently appeared in the ITV drama ‘A Mother’s Son’ with Hermione Norris and Martin Clunes.

Danny-Boy Hatchard has just graduated from ArtsEducational, and will be making his professional debut in Beautiful Thing.

(After its Arts Theatre run the play will go on a short UK tour to Liverpool, Leeds & Brighton)

- by Darren Dalglish