HUSK is a dark twisting tale of violence, love, addiction and revenge at Hope Mill Theatre

A new production covering themes of violence, love, addiction and revenge, all tinged with a helping of black humour, comes to Hope Mill Theatre this September.

HUSK is the play-writing debut from Rupert Hill — perhaps best known for his role as Jamie Baldwin in Coronation Street. The play follows the story of Ray, who after being released from prison is homeless, penniless and plotting revenge on the man responsible for putting him behind bars.

The performance unfolds via 30 years’ worth of flashbacks, with each memory unravelling exactly what had happened to send Ray down this path.

In addition to his successful career as an actor, Rupert Hill has also written and directed several films. Husk, however, marks his stage writing debut and was partly inspired albeit unintentionally by his personal own experiences of alcohol abuse and addiction.

As he explains: “Three years ago I finally admitted to myself that I was a high-functioning alcoholic and I decided that my life would be infinitely improved if I were to give up drinking. So I did. And I was right. The overwhelming sensation I had from sobriety was a profound sense of freedom! So much so that I got my young daughter to write the words “Free” on a piece of paper which I then got tattooed on my right wrist (my old drinking hand so I would always see the word if I ever picked up a glass again).

“I never set out to write a play about drinking or alcoholism, HUSK was intended to be an edge-of-your-seat thriller because they’re so rare to see these days on stage. But in hindsight and somewhat subconsciously I think I did write a play about addiction. All the characters are in some sort of prison and they are seeking freedom and salvation. My sincere desire is that the play is a story about finding hope and love out of the bleakest of situations. We are never without hope. Even in these challenging times.”

Joining Rupert, HUSK is directed by Hope Mill Artistic Director Joseph Housten, while the cast, led by Hill, features Danielle Henry, Daniel Poyser, David Crellin and David McCreedy.

Husk and Hope Mill Artistic Director Joseph Houston comments: “When I first read Rupert’s new play HUSK, I was instantly hooked, It is a true page-turner of a story and testament to Rupert’s superb writing. I can’t wait to work with Rupert and the amazing cast and creative team we have assembled to bring this piece to life on stage.

“It’s a real privilege to be able to create a brand new piece of writing and I look forward to audiences experiencing what I hope will be a thrilling, heartfelt, funny, dark theatrical roller coaster of a play, both at Hope Mill Theatre and at The Dukes in Lancaster.”

HUSK comes to Hope Mill from Wed 25 Sep – Sun 25 Sep. Tickets are on sale now, grab yours using the button below.