News: Porridge Writers Pen Play About Ireland, Music And Bono

Dick Clement & Ian La Frenais, best known for writing hit TV sitcoms Porridge and The Likely Lads, are behing a new stage play. Chasing Bono is adapted from Neil McCormick’s memoir I Was Bono’s Doppelganger, and is to be directed by Gordon Anderson when it runs in Soho Theatre’s non-Christmas Christmas show slot. Tickets are on sale now for the play which will run from 6 December to 19 January.

Ian La Frenais & Dick Clement say: "Chasing Bono has elements of some of our previous work. Like Porridge it is set in a captive situation. It’s Irish, like The Commitments. And it’s funny. (Unless nobody laughs, in which case it’s a tragedy.) Oh and it’s about music, aspiration and self-discovery. And there are lots of good restaurants within walking distance of Soho Theatre. All good reasons to come along.” 

The year is 1987 and Dublin gangster Danny Machin wants a fair and balanced profile written of his life, whilst now-writer Neil is thinking of ending his. Danny sees an opportunity and kidnaps Neil. Neil becomes Danny’s biographer. Danny becomes Neil’s shrink. Probing the reasons of bad decisions, including his break-up with his girlfriend, Gloria, Chasing Bono is about music, aspiration and self-discovery, and Neil’s life-long friendship and rivalry with mate and international superstar Bono.

Featuring elements of some of Clement and La Frenais’ previous work, Chasing Bono is a lovingly fictionalised account of music journalist, author and broadcaster Neil McCormick’s memoir which Sir Elton John described as ‘the best book I have ever read about trying to make it in the music business’. Dick Clement and Ian Frenais have written some of British Televisions most iconic comedies including Porridge, The Likely Lads, Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Lovejoy.

BAFTA nominated, award-winning British theatre and television director and Soho Theatre Artistic Associate Gordon Anderson (The Catherine Tate Show, The Inbetweeners and Fresh Meat) will direct Chasing Bono. It is produced by Sally Wood for Sally Humphreys Productions Ltd, and Douglas McJannet for Covent Garden Productions. Sally Wood was last at Soho Theatre in 2012 when she produced Sadie Frost in Touched.

Buy tickets here. 

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