The world premiere stage adaptation of I, Daniel Blake which exposes the stark reality behind the cost-of-living crisis headlines will open at Northern Stage in May and June before touring.

The first stage adaptation of Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or and BAFTA award-winning film will be writtenby actor and comedian Dave Johns who won the Best Actor award at the British Independent Film Awards and Best Newcomer at the EMPIRE Awards for his role in the film.

Ken Loach said, “This story is more relevant now than ever. And who better to put it on stage than Dave Johns, the original Daniel Blake?”

David Nellist will play Daniel. Originally from Wallsend in Newcastle, he appeared as Mike Stamford in Sherlock on BBC ONE with Benedict Cumberbatch and was recently in Stonehouse opposite Matthew Macfadyen on ITV.

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Dave Johns is a multi-award-winning film actor, stage actor and stand-up comic who has written for theatre and radio, including the stage adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption.

He says, “I was thrilled to be asked to adapt Paul Laverty’s screenplay.

“But I didn’t just want to put the film onstage, I wanted to update the story for 2023, making it contemporary and exploring more of single mum Katie’s journey and the family unit she forms with Daniel.

“To show the kindness, compassion, humour, and hope that can help us through the toughest of times.

“Sadly, during my research it was disheartening to find not much had changed since the film's release.

“The story is still as relevant as it was in 2016; maybe even more so now with the cost-of-living crisis making it even harder for those who are already struggling.

“Daniel and Katie’s story could be anyones'.”

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With 14.5m people in the UK now living in poverty, and more people than ever are relying on foodbanks.

Director Mark Calvert says, “It’s a big responsibility to honour the film but also to find ways to raise awareness of the hardship huge numbers of people in our country are facing right now.

“I’ve spent months volunteering at local food banks, and I can tell you that this is not fiction.

“It is reality.

“And the cost-of-living crisis affects even more people now than when the film was

released in 2016.

“For me I, Daniel Blake frames the working-class experience in modern Britain - there’s hope, humour and humanity in the story, but audiences should feel angry and outraged; I know I am.

“When we first started to think about how to adapt the film for the stage we knew that we needed to offer a fresh perspective on the ramifications of 13 years of government cuts.”

“Inspired by activists Led By Donkeys, Cold War Steve and Cassette Boy, the production will feature factual interviews, speeches and social media posts showing the impact of government decisions on people’s lives.

“We hope reflecting the harsh reality will galvanise audiences and inspire activism.”

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I, Daniel Blake is a Northern Stage, Birmingham Rep, Oldham Coliseum, English Touring Theatre, and tiny dragon Productions co-production, in association with Cardboard Citizens which makes theatre for social change with, and for, homeless people who are working with Northern Stage on a programme of wraparound events.

After its Newcastle premiere at Northern Stage (25 May - 10 June), the production will tour to Birmingham Rep (13 - 25 June), HOME Manchester (27 June - 1 July) and Exeter Northcott Theatre (5-8 July).