JOHN Hall, stalwart leading man of the York musical theatre scene, will head to the Edinburgh Fringe next month to star in Andy Platt and Max Reid's Yorkshire musical No Horizon.
"My role in the piece is John Saunderson, the father of the main character, Nicholas Saunderson," says John. "No Horizon is a true but forgotten story of sacrifice and an impossible dream, with stunning music and a gripping story of the blind boy who wanted to be seen.
"Humiliated by others, Nicholas Saunderson harbours a hidden genius and an unquenchable thirst for learning, but it's the late 1600s. There is no Braille; nobody to help; no hope. Yet Nicholas has aspirations. This tale of courage, love and adversity is set against the contrasting earthiness of Yorkshire and the dreaming spires of Cambridge. In a hostile world, what can the future hold?"
BBC Radio 2 breakfast show presenter Chris Evans has called No Horizon "Yorkshire's Les Mis". "The story of Saunderson, the forgotten genius who fought all the way to be recognised, is reminiscent of Stephen Hawking," says John. "Will prejudice prevent his courage to succeed in a time before Braille? Will love cement or crucify his justified destiny, in a colourful musical that combines love, Cambridge, passion, mathematics, courage and, above all, determination?"
Presented by South Yorkshire company PCA, No Horizon, The Forgotten Story Of An Extraordinary Yorkshireman, will be previewed at The Lamproom Theatre in Barnsley on July 20 at 7.30pm; box office, barnsleylamproom.com. The Edinburgh Fringe run will be from August 3 to 27 at 5pm, except August 16, at Med Quad; box office, underbellyedinburgh.co.uk/whats-on/no-horizon
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