Once Upon A Time In Wigan
Celebrating the heyday of Northern Soul
All good fairy tales begin with ‘Once Upon a Time’, and this celebration of the heyday of Northern Soul is no exception.
‘Once Upon A Time In Wigan’ is the final production in the MAODS 2018/2019 season, and the genuine Northern Soul dance and get-together after the Friday and Saturday night performances will make this a genuine highlight of the year.
The play is set against the backdrop of the weekly ‘all-nighter’ Northern Soul nights at Wigan Casino between 1973 and 1981. ‘Once Upon a Time in Wigan’ celebrates the rise and fall of one of the most unique of musical times, before raves and club culture, where weekends were filled with all-night dancing to 60s and 70s American soul music classics.
It’s at the club where Eugene, a butcher’s assistant from Bolton, and his mate Danny find a reason to live in an otherwise dismal existence. Eugene’s love of soul soon brings Maxine into his life, and together they ride a rollercoaster relationship that parallels the ups and downs of the infamous nightclub. Maxine’s friend Suzanne is also aching to fill a void in her own life, but will she find it with Northern Soul and Danny? Together the two couples come of age in the changing face of social, political and cultural 1970’s Britain.
Director Lee Brennon explains: “I saw this production a number of years ago at The Octagon Theatre, Bolton, which was my first exposure to Northern Soul and it has stuck with me ever since. This led to me attending Northern Soul Nights throughout Manchester, speaking to those who were there and who love Northern Soul. When I was approached to direct this production, to say I was excited was an understatement!
“One of the things I want to bring to the production, is a cast who embodied the soul, passion and energy of Northern Soul music and are authentic to everyone who ever stepped foot into Wigan Casino. I want to bring the rich history and culture of Northern Soul to life”.
This incredible play will be performed from Thursday 23rd to Saturday 25th May 2019 at George Lawton Hall, Mossley.
Tickets are already on sale and are only £10 for the Thursday 23rd performance. The Friday and Saturday nights are followed by a genuine Northern Soul Disco and entry to both the play and disco is only £12.
23rd-25th May 2019 at George Lawton Hall, Mossley.
Check the tickets page for tickets.
By Mick Martin
This amateur performance is presented by arrangement with Josef Weinberger Ltd.