Gangster classic coming to stage at Cast

But a new adaptation of the original Ted Lewis novel is coming to the stage at Doncaster’s Cast Theatre next month.

The hard and uncompromising world of 1960s Newcastle - rife with crime, sex and violence - is brought to life in this dark and stylish new production.

The original novel by Ted Lewis, Jack’s Return Home, actually starts in Doncaster where Jack Carter is returning home on the train for a funeral.

Writer Torben Betts’ adaptation for the new stage production relocates the action of the story to Newcastle, as in the 1971 movie.

Newcastle-born Kevin Wathen will play Jack Carter and Victoria Elliott plays Margaret and Glenda, alongside Michael Hodgson, Donald McBride, Amy Cameron and Benjamin Cawley. 

Singer-songwriter Nadine Shah recorded original music as well as new arrangements of songs by iconic 1960s Newcastle band The Animals for the show.

Percussionist Martin Douglas – known for being in Baghdaddies and The Unthanks – will perform live on drums in the role of Frank, Jack’s dead brother, who was an amateur jazz drummer throughout his life.

Tickets for Get Carter – which runs from Tuesday, April 5 to Saturday, April 9 – cost £18 or £15 for concessions.

To book call the theatre's box office on 01302 303959 or visit www.castindoncaster.com.

Evening performances start at 7.30pm with a 2.30pm matinee on the Saturday.

Writer Torben Betts said: “My adaptation is very much a reaction to the novel the film was based on.

“The story is in itself quite simple. A gangster goes back to his hometown to bury his older brother and he suspects foul play. He trawls around the town’s underworld until he discovers his suspicions are well-founded.

“What was more interesting was to look at how we could reimagine this very well-known narrative. To look at Jack’s environment growing up as he did in a brutalised post-war world. I wanted to look at the kind of man Jack Carter is, why he became the way he did.” 

Director Lorne Campbell said: “I’m very excited to be bringing this iconic North East story to the stage. Ted Lewis is one of Britain’s great crime and thriller writers and this is his masterpiece, in turns brutal and emotional.

“It’s a tragic noir study of a corrupted man struggling to find a way out of a corrupted world.

“We’ve brought together a fabulous team of North East actors and hope to do justice to the telling of this epic tale.”