BRADFORD Alhambra pantomime legend Billy Pearce, Tommy Cannon, from comedy double act Cannon and Ball, and Benidorm star Crissy Rock will appear in the comedy musical Seriously Dead at the Grand Opera House, York, on October 4.
This uplifting new show tells the tale of guardian angel Thelma Henderson, who is barred from gaining entry through the Pearly Gates as heaven's system has gone digital and her paperwork is incorrect after a badly timed accident. Cue a " brilliantly bonkers plot that proves life’s party never ends, it simply moves to another location".
One ordinary day in the quiet little town of Olwinskirk, a chain of extraordinary events begins to unfold, bringing the lives of Betty, Albert, Billy and undertaker Tristan de Winter to an uncomfortable crossroads.
Albert Blunderstone has been hiding abroad for ten years after he committed a bank robbery with small-time crook Nodger Wilson. On the day he flies home to attend a funeral, he runs into Betty, who used to be married to Nodger, and in an attempt to discover what happened to his share of the dosh, he befriends Betty and her current husband, Billy Blenkinsopp.
Seriously Dead co-writers Crissy Rock, left, and Leah Bell with composer Mike Redway. Picture: Paul Lynch
Billed as a "brand new comedy play that will have you dying with laughter", Seriously Dead was written by cast members Leah Bell and Crissy Rock with an original score by Mike Redway.
Pearce will play Billy Blenkinsopp, who is eager to please everyone, but easily dragged into situations beyond his control, and still secretly in love with old schoolfriend Thelma Henderson. Rock will be Betty Blenkinsopp, a tart with a heart, looking for love but not too bothered about who she tramples on to grab it.
Co-writer Bell will take the role of Thelma, a disgruntled guardian angel who watches over secret love Billy while awaiting entry to heaven. Paul Dunn will be Tristan de Winter, an overly-flamboyant undertaker who knows everybody’s secrets including a few of his own, but little does he realise the chaos he will cause when he buries Betty's first husband Nodger Wilson.
Crissy Rock as Betty Blenkinsopp and Billy Pearce as Billy Blenkinsopp in Seriously Dead. Picture: Paul Lynch
Tommy Cannon, from Kelfield, near Selby, is cast as Albert Blunderstone, a small-time crook and would-be ladies’ man, determined to find the cash he is owed by old bank-robber associate Nodger. Although Albert gives off the impression he is a successful businessman living in Spain, he is in fact homeless and penniless with a price on his head to boot.
Rock and Bell's writing partnership began during long car journeys while they were touring together in the play Dirty Dusting. Funny stories and anecdotes helped to pass the time travelling between theatres and soon they realised they could work together as writers and actors, so they began looking for a subject for a play.
Bell remembered her conversation with an old friend, singer-songwriter Mike Redway, who had mentioned a desire to be involved in the writing of a musical. A meeting was arranged and after listening to several songs composed by Redway, one caught their attention. The lyrics were witty and one line in particular struck a chord: “Am I seriously dead?”. Everyone felt this had to be the title of their first venture together and now the "dead funny" result is heading to York this autumn.
Tickets for October 4's 7.30pm performance cost £13 upwards on 0844 871 3024 or at atgtickets.com/york.
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