Acclaimed performers Clare Higgins and Greg Hicks will return to the London stage in the Arcola Theatre’s world premiere production of newspaper-set black comedy Clarion.
Written by former journalist Mark Jagasia, the tabloid tale runs at the east London venue from 15 April.
As a newspaper, the Daily Clarion is the model of incompetence and deceit. Its arrogant editor Morris Honeyspoon spends his spare time decked out as Caesar while in the offices he rules like a despot. But these are turbulent times and it looks like the Clarion’s crimes are about to be exposed. As Honeyspoon hunts for the traitor in his ranks, washed up reporter Verity Stokes plans a murderous day of reckoning.
Lauded Shakespearean performer Hicks returns to the Arcola for the first time since 2008’s An Enemy Of The People to play Honeyspoon, while triple Olivier Award winner Higgins takes on the role of Stokes.
Speaking about the production she said: “Mark’s play is blisteringly funny, brilliantly written but also a huge wake-up call, examining the underbelly of life in the newsrooms of our national press. Verity is a terrific role and as soon as I read it I didn’t want anyone else but me playing her!”
Jagasia added, “I’m remarkably privileged to have stars of the calibre of Greg Hicks and Clare Higgins bringing these characters to life. For a debut play, it’s dream come true stuff.”
Hicks and Higgins are joined in the Clarion cast by Peter Bourke, Jim Bywater, Jim Dunkley, Laura Smithers and Ryan Wichert. Mehmet Ergen, the Artistic Director of the Arcola, directs the production.