Cast Announced for Debut Play ‘Too Many Books’

The cast has been announced for a heartful and thought-provoking debut play which explores  the complexities of international adoption. Opening at Upstairs at the Gatehouse in February, Too Many Books,by award-winning journalist Judi Bevan, is inspired by lived experiences of  adopting a child during the time of China’s one child policy. Spanning two years, the play follows  the couple as they navigate bureaucratic obstacles, cultural differences and pressures on their  relationship, whilst shedding light on issues of identity, cultural displacement and the emotional  journey of parents seeking to create a family. 

The cast stars Lucy Pickles (The Wasp, The Space; Acorn, Courtyard Theatre; The Feast at  Solhaug, Barons Court Theatre) as Julia and John Sackville (Go Bang Your Tambourine, Finborough Theatre; Richard III,Headlong and Bristol Old Vic; Absolute Hell, National Theatre) as  Daniel. Joining them is Sue Kelvin (Wicked, Apollo Theatre; Private Lives, Gielgud Theatre; Travelling Lightand A Streetcar Named Desire, National Theatre) in the role of Cynthia,  with Alexandra O’Neill (Sister Boniface Mysteries, Holby Cityand Doctors, BBC) as Zaydee with  Carol Walton (Second Hand Problems, Camden Fringe Festival; Babylon Beyond Borders, The  Bush Theatre; The Crown, BBC) as Chloe.

Actor, writer and director Christopher Hunter (RSC; Pablo Saura’s Love Lost, Toby Reisz’s  Nothing To Lose, Sherlock, BBC) will direct the production, supported by set and costume  designer Hannah Danson (Sabbath: A Tragedy of Witches, OSO Arts Centre; Treasure Island,  Poole Lighthouse; Don Giovanni, Theatre im Delphi) and Lighting Designer Jonathan Chan (Snowflakes, Old Red Lion; Move Fast and Break Things, Camden People’s Theatre; The Flea, The  Yard Theatre).

Set in the 1990s,Too Many Bookstells the story of Julia and Daniel as they face stringent  legislation whilst adopting a child from China. Inspired by real events, the audience follow the couple’s journey from the initial assessment, right through to the local council tribunal and  ending with their trip to China to take home their adoptive child. 

Writer Judi Bevan comments,I am thrilled to be bringing my first full-length play to Upstairs at  the Gatehouse. The issue it covers is intensely personal to me and will be for many other  adopters, would-be adopters and those people touched by adoption

Cast
Lucy Pickles: Julia
John Sackville: Daniel
Sue Kelvin: Cynthia
Alexandra O’Neill: Zaydee
Carol Walton: Chloe

Writer: Judi Bevan
Director: Christopher Hunter
Producer: John Jay
Associate Producers: Stephen Graham and Hilary Townley
Designer (Set and Costumes): Hannah Danson
Lighting Designer: Jonathan Chan
Stage Manager: Molly Tackaberry

Featured Image: Courtesy of Too Many Books