Final casting has been announced for the world premiere of Chasing Bono, a new play by Ian La Frenais and Dick Clement. The talented pair have enjoyed a unique creative partnership in television, movies and theatre. Their career began in British television where they created several iconic comedy series including The Likely Lads, Porridge, Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Lovejoy.
Chasing Bono is based on I Was Bono’s Doppelganger by Neil McCormick, a wise and witty memoir which recounted his friendship and rivalry with his school friend and Superstar Bono.
1970s Dublin. Friends Neil McCormick and Paul Hewson share the same ambition: to form bands and become global superstars. Paul changed his name to ‘Bono’ and his band became U2. Neil’s band never got off the ground.
1987. Dublin gangster Danny Machin wants a fair and balanced account written of his life whilst now-writer Neil is wondering where his went so wrong. Danny sees an opportunity and kidnaps him. Neil becomes Danny’s biographer. Danny becomes Neil’s shrink, probing the reasons for his succession of disastrous decisions.
Cast: Niamh Bracken (Gwen in Sunny Afternoon, West End), Denis Conway (last seen in the West End in The Lieutenant of Inishmore opposite Aidan Turner), Ciarán Dowd (Irish comedian, actor and writer and winner of the 2018 Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer), Farzana Dua Elahe (best known as Parveen Abbasi in EastEnders), Donal Finn (winner of the Sir Alec Guinness Award 2018, making his professional debut), Niall McNamee (First Light, Chichester Festival Theatre), Shane O’Regan (Private Peaceful – Irish Times theatre awards nomination Best Actor, 2017).
Directed by BAFTA nominated, award-winning British theatre and television director, and Soho Theatre Artistic Associate Director Gordon Anderson (The Catherine Tate Show, The Inbetweeners, Shameless, Fresh Meat, Lovesick). Designer Max Dorey, Lighting Designer Christopher Nairne, Casting Director Orla O’Connor. Produced by Sally Humphreys Productions and Covent Garden Productions.
Chasing Bono runs at Soho Theatre from Thursday 6 December 2018 – Saturday 19 January 2019. Running time: 90 mins. Tickets: 020 7478 0100 / visit https://sohotheatre.com/shows/chasing-bono/
