Coronation Street stalwarts Christine Mackie (Dr Susan Gaddas) and Sue Jenkins (Gloria Todd) reunite to take their acclaimed stage production of KIN back out on the road for 2024.
Following its debut run at The Dukes in Lancaster in 2022, Kin, written by Mackie and directed once again by Jenkins will kickstart its mini autumn North West Tour back at The Dukes on 10 September, followed by performances at Queens Hall Hexham, Hull Truck Theatre, Theatr Clwyd, Alnwick Playhouse, culminating in five nights at HOME in Manchester.
Mackie wrote Kin three years ago. In her 60s, inspired by and acutely aware that little was out there for older actresses Mackie explains: “I wanted to show characters that are complex and contradictory, funny and flawed, passionate and playful – all qualities sadly lacking in most representations of older women on stage and TV, when they’re either a grandma or someone interested in buying a pre-paid funeral!” Mackie concludes, “I wanted these women to BE the action of the play, not supporting it but taking centre stage and for Kin to be a really great night out in the theatre. KIN was so well received at The Dukes and I am very excited to take the show back there and then on to such fabulous new venues.”
Kin tells the story of sisters in law Kay and Steph who meet for the first time in years at the funeral of Robert McGregor, the most important man in both their lives. Having never been close, expectations are low. But nothing could prepare them for the revelations that lie ahead. Kin is not two older women chatting over the vol-au-vents. It is more Game of Thrones in the Cotswalds and the gloves are off!
The all-female creative team is led by Producer Hannah Ellis-Ryan (Her Productions), Best Girl Productions, Director Sue Jenkins and Roberta Kerr and Kerry Willison-Parry who are both reprising their roles as Kay and Steph from the production’s premiere in 2022.
Writer Christine Mackie is perhaps best known for playing Coronation Street’s genial GP Dr Gaddas – a role she has played for over 10 years. Downton Abbey viewers will also recognise her from series 2 & 3 as Mrs Bryant, whom she played over five episodes. Christine has performed both on screen and on stage in many other roles including The Grand, Banana, My Phone Genie, French and Saunders, The Chelsea Detective, Wire in the Blood and Fat Friends. Last year Christine played Lear in Her Production’s all female and non binary take on the Shakespearean tragedy King Lear at Hope Mill, Manchester. In 2019, she received critical acclaim for her very first play BEST GIRL which she took to the Greater Manchester Fringe, Edinburgh Fringe and on tour and in which her daughter, actress Lois Mackie starred and formed Best Girl Productions.
Director Sue Jenkins is perhaps best known for her work in Coronation Street and as the iconic Jackie Corkhill in Brookside (1999-2001). Extensive theatre includes plays in over 100 theatres in UK. Last year Sue starred in the premiere of Michael Wynne’s play ‘Cuckoo’ at The Royal Court Theatre, London.TV work includes leading roles in: Dalziel & Pascoe, Midsomer Murders, In Deep, Heartbeat,The Royal, Casualty, Girls from Chernobyl, Dr Who, Holby, Home, Dr Who, Coasting, (series) Being Eileen, (series)The Beiderbecke Affair (series) It’s A Sin,The Responder, TGSM (Season 2) Radio: Over 200 plays, stories & classics. Directing for over 20 yrs, Sue also produced & directed her daughter Rosie’s multi award winning one woman play, Narcissist In The Mirror.
Kin will be performed at Hull Truck Theatre on Wednesday 25 September.