Paul Chuckle has said he is “delighted” to take part in the National Theatre tour of The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice which will visit Salford’s The Lowry Theatre from Tuesday 23rd to Saturday 27th February 2027, following a run at the National Theatre in London.
The 78-year-old, whose real name is Paul Elliott, will play Mr Boo on the tour of the Jim Cartwright play, alongside Silent Witness actress Francesca Mills, who will play the title role, and The Long Shadow star Jill Halfpenny, who will play Mari Hoff.
The play, directed by Robert Hastie, will run at the National Theatre in London from December 2 to January 23, before heading out on tour, visiting locations including Newcastle, Sheffield, as well as Salford.
Chuckle said: “I am delighted to be joining Francesca Mills and Jill Halfpenny in Jim Cartwright’s iconic play The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice.
“I can’t wait to get into rehearsals with Robert Hastie and this fantastic team. To perform at the National Theatre and then head out on tour across England is a dream come true.”
Mills, who worked with Hastie in Hamlet at the National Theatre, said: “I can’t wait to reunite with director Robert Hastie to take on the wonderful role of Little Voice and I am elated to work alongside Jill Halfpenny and Paul Chuckle.
“The first show I ever did at the National was in the Dorfman Theatre, so to be returning to that beautiful space over Christmas, followed by a tour around England – I’m truly over the moon.”
The production is said to be a “joyful, tender and bittersweet celebration of music, ambition and the courage it takes to be heard”, and will feature music from the likes of Judy Garland and Dame Shirley Bassey.
Halfpenny said: “I’m so excited to play the role of Mari Hoff in Jim Cartwright’s beloved Northern play The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice.
“I have long admired Jim’s work and to get the opportunity to play this role at the National Theatre and at theatres across England this winter is very special.”
Tickets for The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice will go on sale to Lowry Theatre members today and will go on general sale on Friday, 15 May.
A new Nationwide schools touring programme will also deliver original, curriculum-linked productions directly into a range of primary and secondary schools and local venues each year.
The first, in Autumn 2026, sees writer Nima Taleghani join with director Hannah Hauer-King to create an adapted version of a main stage production especially for schools, following Bacchae’s debut at the National Theatre as part of Indhu Rubasingham’s inaugural season.
This modern retelling of Euripides’ ancient Greek tragedy will be brought to life through rhythm, movement and music.
This production will visit secondary schools and colleges across the North West from 16 to 21 November 2026, including public performances at the Quays Theatre on 20-21 November 2026 as part of this nationwide tour.
Julia Fawcett CBE, The Lowry Theatre’s Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to continue our long-standing relationship with the National Theatre through this ambitious new Nationwide partnership.
“At a time when large-scale touring faces significant challenges, this investment in audiences and young people in our regions is both welcome and important.
“At Lowry, we know there is a real appetite for bold, high-quality drama and for creative opportunities that inspire communities and open pathways into the arts. This partnership creates exciting opportunities not only to bring exceptional productions to Greater Manchester, but also to deepen engagement with schools, young people and audiences across our region.
“We look forward to working with the National Theatre and partners across England to help ensure great theatre can be experienced by more people, wherever they live.”
Commenting on the new partnership, Kate Varah, Executive Director & Co-Chief Executive of the National Theatre, said: “Today’s announcement is rooted in the National Theatre’s overarching commitment to ensure people across the nation can experience and benefit from our work and impact.
“Fresh analysis, supported by McKinsey, highlights that the National Theatre puts £241m back into the UK economy each year, £87m of which already flows into regional economies.
“This new Nationwide partnership will deepen and grow that contribution, not only ensuring the long-term resilience of theatre but crucially, supporting local communities and businesses, schools, teachers and their students, the growth of future audiences, and engendering pride in place.”
Kate added: “What better way to launch this partnership with 12 outstanding partners than with a strong commitment to touring between all of our venues, including bringing main stage National Theatre productions with the original cast to audiences across England, alongside our schools’ productions of Bacchae and The Last Wild.”
More information about The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice is available on The Lowry Theatre’s website.
By Casey Cooper-Fiske, Press Association Senior Entertainment Reporter.
