Miles Jupp to star in UK stage tour of David Tomlinson biog, The Life I Lead
Stand-up comedian and actor, Miles Jupp, is to play the quintessentially English gentleman actor, David Tomlinson, in a UK tour of James Kettle’s biographical stage comedy, The Life I Lead, it has been announced today.
Best remembered for playing Mr Banks, in Disney’s classic film Mary Poppins, and Professor Emelius Browne, in Bedknobs and Broomsticks, Tomlinson was renowned for playing the classic English gent: forthright, proper, and a lovable fool.
His meeting with Walt Disney came to encapsulate an incredible life full of adventure and heartbreak. The Life I Lead sees Miles Jupp bringing David Tomlinson’s remarkable story to life.
As a World War Two fighter pilot, his early life contained action and adventure.
But he suffered huge heartbreak with the sudden death of his first wife and his fight to have his son, Willie, recognised as one of the first British cases of autism.
The man who portrayed one of cinema’s most famous patriarchs was also defined by his relationship with his own father – a remote eccentric, who was hiding an extraordinary tragicomic secret.
The Life I Lead is a richly comic and moving tale of fathers and sons across the generations and fills in the blanks behind a very well-known face.
Miles Jupp said: “I was attracted to this firstly because of the character of Tomlinson himself- a man whose acting performances seemed effortless but concealed a great skill beneath the surface.
“And then by the story of his life, beautifully written by my frequent collaborator James Kettle, which is full of surprises.
“It is a script that contains both comedy and moments of extraordinary sadness and pain and I hope that, under the direction of Selina Cadell, one of my most favourite people in the world, I can do the play, and Tomlinson, justice.”
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2019 UK Tour Dates
February 6 – 9, Exeter, Northcott Theatre
February 11 – 16, Chichester, Minerva Theatre
February 19 – 20, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough
February 22 – 24, The Lowry, Manchester
February 26, Nottingham, Playhouse
February 27 – 28, Doncaster, CAST
March 1 – 2, Norwich, Playhouse
March 5 – 6, Oxford, Playhouse
March 7 – 9, Theatre Royal, Bury St. Edmunds
March 11 – 13, Studio, Birmingham Rep
March 14 – 16, Salisbury, Playhouse
March 18 – 30 Park Theatre, London
April 2 – 3, Yvonne Arnaud, Guildford.
Hello again David,
I spent last week end in good old Mursley. I met the latest baby,Bethany,she is the great grandchild of the late Betty Strange who worked for your father and Audrey.We sat chatting about David’s time in the village and Caroline Pettit remembered Willie.They asked me to open the fete but unfortunately I can’t.Church Lane is looking good and I went to Music in Quiet Places in StvMary’s.
I totally agree.I knew DT personally and Miles has captured his spirit.
Jane Sandland.
Absolutely brilliant! I wasn’t sure what to expect and I was completely blown away by this evening’s performance @ The Salisbury Playhouse. Thank you so much for the tears & the laughter.
Lovely to hear from you David mark 2! Your father was always very kind to me and supportive of the village school during my tenure.Eleanor Kinchin-Smith organised a group to sing “A spoonful of sugar ” outside Brook Cottage on David seniors birthday.The only time he growled at them was after the death of your uncle.Understandable to us adults but less so to those who only knew him as Mr Banks or Mr Brown.
How is Audrey ? I still keep in touch with Mursely and am waiting to hear about the birth of the next generation of pupils ! Do you remember Betty Strange at 21Main St ? She passed away but her granddaughter Charlotte is waiting for her baby.I think Betty used to help out at Brook Cottage and even loaned a Chrustening gown,she told me once.Please keep in touch and if you would like to meet up in London Irish good old Mursley that would be lovely.I live in Norwich but I am sure we could sort something.John and Caroline Kincin-Smith retired to Gorleston.Thier children are scattered,Elaenor being in Rome and I think Joe us in USA.
Best wishes to all The Tomlinsons,Lena Wikowski was very fond if Willie.
With my best wishes,
Jane.
Those letters were fascinating Jane, particularly the one dated 11 May 1993 which was less than a week after the sudden death of Dad’s eldest brother Michael and which it took him rather a long time to get over. Lovely photo of you together in the classroom with the children. You are by no means not the only ex-Murselyite to see this new production. Our next door neighbours from the 70s – Liz and daughter Rachel – watched Miles in Scarborough and spoke to him after the show!
Very best, David the 2nd
Wonderful show,very moving and it reminded me of David Tomlinson,the man,as I knew him.
Hello Miles,it was lovely to meet you after the show on Saturday.I am thrilled that you now have the letters David wrote to me whilst I was headteacher in Mursley.I hope the remaking tour is a success.
Best regards,
Jane Sandland.