David Fleeshman to star as Thomas Gradgrind in Library Theatre Company production of Hard Times.
David Fleeshman, one of the city’s best-known and respected actors, is to take centre stage as hard-line educationalist Thomas Gradgrind in the Library Theatre Company’s much-anticipated world-premiere adaptation of Hard Times.
“I’ve been associated with the Library Theatre Company for over 25 years both as an actor and director and have appeared in as many productions,” says David, “so I’m delighted to have been invited to create the role of Thomas Grandgrind. Not only will it be the first time working in a space not normally associated with the theatre, but it will be the first time for 10 years that I’ll be playing a character who has not got an American accent!”
Playing alongside David as overbearing businessman Josiah Bounderby is another of the city’s leading thespians, Richard Heap, who is currently starring in Demolition Man, the story of Fred Dibnah, at Bolton Octagon Theatre.
“Chris Honer gave me my first repertory theatre job back in 1998 and I’m delighted to be back for The LTC’s first foray into site-specific theatre,” he says. “Owing to my present commitments at the Octagon I’ve not been able to get to Murrays’ Mills yet, but it sounds like a spectacular venue. Josiah Bounderby is one of those roles that doesn’t come around very often and I’m really looking forward to getting stuck into him.”
Hard Times, which also has a community chorus of over 20 people, is the first in a series of three site-specific Library Theatre Company productions over the next three years. Find out more about casting for the full company here.