Joe Locke To Make His West End Debut In 'Clarkston'

Heartstopper star Joe Locke is to make his West End debut in the UK premiere of Samuel D. Hunter's 'Clarkston'.

Having starred in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street on Broadway last year, it is now the West End's turn to see him on stage. He will star opposite Ruaridh Mollica and Sophie Melville.

On a journey West to rediscover himself, Jake unexpectedly meets Chris – a kindred soul hiding in a night shift at a Costco in a rural American town. As their bond deepens, so does their sense of adventure. Maybe they could finally give life new meaning by chasing something more – like the intrepid explorers Lewis and Clark before them. Clarkston is a modern frontier story that blazes a trail through friendship, acceptance, love and the hope of new discoveries.

Joe Locke said

“I’m thrilled to be making my West End debut in ‘Clarkston’. Samuel D. Hunter’s writing is so deeply human and honest that I immediately connected with the play when I read it. I can’t wait to bring this beautiful story to life and share it with audiences in London.”

Produced by Oliver Roth and LD Entertainment, this emotionally intimate American play will be directed by Drama Desk and Obie award-winning director Jack Serio (who won great acclaim for his production of Uncle Vanya performed in a New York loft and recently directed the world premiere of Samuel D. Hunter’s Grangeville at Signature Theatre). Samuel is perhaps best known for Oscar-winning and BAFTA nominated film The Whale.

Samuel D. Hunter said

“I couldn't be more excited to bring ‘Clarkston’ to London audiences, especially with this phenomenal cast and creative team. I've always adored the UK’s theatre scene, so being able to share this play with audiences in the West End is truly a dream come true. This play draws from themes of the vast and isolated American West and the colonial past of the United States, but it's fundamentally a story about love and friendship in the midst of an unknown future, which is a pretty universal story these days.”

The play will run for a strictly limited season this Autumn with exact dates and a theatre to be announced soon. Sign up to www.clarkstonplay.co.uk to be the first to hear when tickets go on sale.