Play about life on Thorpe Edge at Bradford Playhouse

Dead London, by Bradford actor and writer David Ayres, is set against the live music scene of the mid-1990s. It's the story of a struggling rock band, Dead London, and their mission to re-form and give fame one last shot after a disastrous fall from grace in the late 80s.

“I’ve had the foundations, and the story it would become, written down for over a decade,” says David, who also directs and appears in the play.

“Since the age of 15 I've been playing in bands and spent a lot of my youth living on Thorpe Edge. When I recalled the mad things we used to get up to, people would say 'you should create a book about it all'.

"The book never happened, but the play eventually did. It’s an unfiltered, gritty, darkly humorous story that tackles the subject of society's expectations, fatherhood, the quest for fame and suicide. It’s not for those easily offended, but it does have real heart.”

David is no stranger to the stage or screen. Having appeared in Les Miserables in London’s West End, he has gone on to appear in numerous musicals and shows, as well as having roles in films and programmes produced by Warner Brothers, BBC, ITV, Sky and Amazon.

He has directed shows at Bradford Playhouse, including American Idiot, The Full Monty and Avenue Q, and is the lead singer in metal group Black Falcon.

“It’s been an amazing experience working with the abundance of talented casts and crews who have performed in the shows I’ve directed," says David. “These opportunities have enabled me to connect with a fantastic pool of talented actors and creatives, who have played a massive part in bringing Dead London to life. I am extremely lucky to be working alongside Megan Wilson and the Bradford Playhouse team, as well as an outstanding cast and crew.”

Dead London has been produced by Big Dork Theatre Company, an initiative set up by local creatives who aim to produce original written plays, and give writers, actors, and directors a platform to showcase their work, and have it developed into a full show.

“It's difficult for creatives to get their work seen and developed. There are a lot of closed doors and unanswered emails," says David. "But if Big Dork can help even in a small way to have new work looked at and possibly developed further, then that is what we aim to do.

"Dead London won't be everyone’s cup of tea, but it's a must for anyone who loved the Nineties metal and grunge era, those who have been in the band scene, or anyone who wants to see a great story.”

Dead London is at Bradford Playhouse from October 11-14. Visit bradfordplayhouse.org.uk or call (01274) 800415.