a day ago
Jim Cartwright's classic play to take to the stage in Bolton
Local playwright Jim Cartwright's best-known work comes to Bolton Little Theatre next week as The Rise And Fall Of Little Voice hits the main stage in an elaborate production by Geoff Millard and his team.
'I love the play, which is probably why this is my second time directing it – it's just got everything.' said Geoff, who actually knew Jim as a child in the 70s, 'My wife and I ran a youth drama group in Farnworth back then and Jim was one of our aspiring young actors.'
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Central to the story is the role of 'Little Voice' or 'LV' as she is known, played by new face Amber Maria.
'LV' spends her time shut in her room listening to the records her late father loved and trying to emulate them.
The complex vocal impressions include songs by Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, Edith Piaf and Shirley Bassey to name a few.
'It's not a role that comes along very often,' she explains, 'but loving singing as much as I do, it was a part I just couldn't turn down.'
Lisa Barlow plays 'LV's dysfunctional mother 'Mari'.
Lisa said: 'I've actually played the part before when Geoff last directed it.
'The audience feedback then was so positive I jumped at the chance of having another go at it – as a character she's so wonderfully awful.' '
Mari's friend 'Sadie' also sees a repeat performance from Shaz Holstead who played the same part on a different production in Chorley.
'I don't usually repeat roles,' says Shaz, 'but when something as brilliant as Little Voice comes along again you just have to grab it with both hands.'
'LV's life looks set to change when impresario 'Ray Say', played by Steve Harrison, spots a way to make a quick buck.
Steve said: "He plays Mari along pretending to be interested in a relationship, when all he really wants is to exploit her daughter and make as much money out of her talents as he can.'
Together with 'Mr Boo', played by Glenn Robinson, who runs the local variety club, they look set to squeeze 'LV' for all she's worth regardless of the personal cost to the young girl.
But all is not lost.
Her knight in shining armour comes in the form of Connor Beckwith's 'Billy' as one of the workmen who installs a new telephone into Mari's house - along with another returning face, Harvey Walton as his partner.
'Billy' recognises 'LV's vulnerability and wants to take her away from it all – but is he too late?
'I think lots of people will know the story from the 1998 film starring Brenda Blethyn, Michael Caine and Ewen McGregor,' said Geoff, 'but perhaps they didn't realise it actually started life as a stage play.'
Amber added: 'It's more than just a play about a young girl who can sing, the thing I love most of all the message of resilience that it conveys – something we can all learn from.'
'The Rise & Fall Of Little Voice' runs from Monday 23rd to Saturday 28th of June 2025 at 7:30 pm at Bolton Little Theatre, Hanover Street, Bolton BL1 4TG. For tickets visit or ring 01204 524469.
