Meet the Ryans! Join us and our brand new cast as we welcome back the return of our critically-acclaimed cast of FLASHBANG for a brand new three-week headline run at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre this Spring.
An exuberant, explosive and gut-punching rollercoaster ride through the ties that bind five best mates together and what happens to those friends when that world is blown apart, “Flashbang” was described by Everything Theatre as being “..full of the usual Proforca magic; wonderful writing alongside expertly delivered performances…an emotional examination of how young men deal with unexpected grief"
Proforca Theatre Company is the managing company in residence at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre, Kentish Town. Flashbang returns to the theatre, following the critically acclaimed "Feel" (2018-19 Lion & Unicorn Theatre & Tour), the award nominated "At Last" (2019) and "AAAAA [FiveA] (2020) - (Lion & Unicorn & Albany Theatre Coventry) the Offie-Nominated “Lately” (Sept 2022) and 2023’s “The Shatter Box” (nominated for “Best Director” for David Brady at this year’s London Pub Theatre Awards.
Playing the roles of Ryan, Jason, Andy & Deano will be Nick Hardie, Benjamin Booth Bennett, Matt Wake & Fred Wardale.
Nick Hardie (Ryan / Ryan) is an actor based in London, who trained at Mountview and who’s previous work includes Romeo in “Romeo & Juliet” (East London Shakespeare Festival), “Witness for the Prosecution” (County Hall) “The Shatter Box” & “The End of The Year Show” for Proforca Theatre Company.
Benjamin Booth-Bennett (Ryan/Jason) is an actor based in London currently training at The London Meisner Company. He began his training at Sylvia Young Theatre school and since then has worked on various film projects, including the multi-award winning ‘The Immunda Experiment’ and ‘The Last Day’ for Sky Arts. Flashbang is Benjamin’s London professional stage debut.
Matt Wake (Ryan / Andy) graduated from Guildford School of Acting in 2021 and his recent credits include Callum in “Lately” (Proforca Theatre), ‘The Players of Dieudone’ (Hideout Theatre), and ‘The Last Laugh’ (Take Note Theatre). Most recently, Matt played Romeo in the Young Shakespeare Company's tour of ‘Romeo & Juliet’ and appears in the forthcoming film “Melodrive.”
Fred Wardale (Ryan / Deano) is an actor and writer from the East Midlands. Since graduating from Royal Birmingham Conservatoire in 2021, Fred has worked on various short films and voiceover projects. For Proforca Theatre Company Fred’s previous roles include “Callum” in “Lately” (2021/2023) and originated the role of “Deano” in last year’s original cast of “Flashbang”.
In addition, returning to the role of “Mikey” in Flashbang is Dan Nash. Dan is an actor from Birmingham who originated the role of “Mikey” in the original production of “Flashbang” with previous credits including a South England tour of ‘All’s Well That Ends Well’, Proforça Theatre Company’s very own ‘48’ (2023) and ‘AAAAA’ (2021) and Jermyn Street Theatre’s ‘The Sonnet Project’. In addition, the production also features the voice of Proforca Theatre Company’s Lauren Ferdinand, who was last featured in “Lately”. (2021/23) , “More Feel”, Volcano (2022) “48” and “The End of The Year Show” (2023)
”Flashbang” is directed by David Brady, Artistic Director of the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town with movement direction by Lucy Glassbrook. Casting for this year’s production of Flashbang was supported by Grace Gjersten of Moon Loaf Productions and Olivia Thompson of Free The Peacock Theatre Company. Casting Announcement Photography is by Ross Kernahan.
“Flashbang” headlines Spring / Summer Season at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre in Kentish Town from Feb 20th - March 9th at 7.30pm. For more information and tickets visit www.thelionandunicorntheatre.com, and follow on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook @LandUTheatre.
Proforca Theatre Company is a theatre company based in London. Proforca is also the managing company at the Lion & Unicorn Theatre. For more information about the company and Lately visit our website: www.proforca.co.uk or on social media @proforcatheatre.