Paul Chuckle Makes Stage Debut at National Theatre
Paul Chuckle, 79, is preparing for his first ever stage play at the National Theatre, appearing in 'The Rise and Fall of Little Voice'.
Paul Chuckle is preparing to make his stage debut at the National Theatre. The 79-year-old entertainer will appear in his first ever play, taking on the role of Mr Boo in Jim Cartwright's The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.
Production details
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice will run at the National Theatre in London from 2 December to 23 January, before touring England. The production is a National Theatre modern classic directed by Robert Hastie, former artistic director of Sheffield Theatres. After its London run, the show is scheduled to visit theatres across the country.
| Venue | Dates |
|---|---|
| National Theatre, London | 2 December - 23 January |
| Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre | 9 February - 13 February |
Ticket information is available via the Sheffield Theatres website or by phone.
Cast information
Chuckle will star alongside Francesca Mills and Jill Halfpenny in the production. Francesca Mills, known for Silent Witness, will play the title role. Jill Halfpenny, known for Waterloo Road and After the Flood, will play her mother, Mari Hoff. Chuckle recently received praise from film director Peter Hirst for his role as an assassin in the movie Fall to the Top.
Career context
Paul Chuckle, whose real name is Paul Elliott, has a career spanning 63 years. He was one half of the Chuckle Brothers in the long-running children's TV show ChuckleVision, which aired from 1987 to 2009. He has also worked extensively in working men's clubs across the North East, South Wales, the Midlands, and North Wales. He stated he is determined not to retire after the death of his brother Barry in 2018. His recent TV work includes The Madame Blanc Mysteries and Benidorm.
He said adapting to stage acting has been a challenge, requiring word perfect delivery unlike TV where mistakes can be cut and redone. Reflecting on his club work, he described those audiences as either fabulous or terrible, with no middle ground. He was appointed an MBE in June this year for his charity work. A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Theatres described the show as a joyful, tender and bittersweet celebration of music, ambition and the courage it takes to be heard.
The production will tour England including a run at Sheffield’s Lyceum Theatre from February 9 to February 13, 2027.
