Bouncers to feature at Wolverhampton Grand Theatre
A story about four girls out to have fun, four boys out to pull girls and four men who have seen it all before will feature at Wolverhampton's Grand Theatre from Tuesday to October 6.
Bouncers stars Les, Judd, Ralph and Lucky Eric as they prepare for another night, another crowd.
The quartet deal with lads on the pull, girls on the razzle and beer and alco-pops that are flowing freely.
It tells the story of a typical night out, with slow dancing and snogging, chips and late-night kebabs.
The programme features Eastenders' Dr Evil, Ace Bhatti, who will lead the an all-star cast.
Grand spokeswoman Vicky Price said: "Across his career, Ace has enjoyed roles in major TV series' such as Spooks, New Tricks, Cold Blood and most recently Eastenders where he played evil husband of the long-suffering Zainab Masood; Yusef Khan."
Ace – a nickname since his schooldays – is looking forward to the show and does not mind that he is best known for his role as psychopathic GP Dr Khan in EastEnders.
He said: "I was in it for a year and my role was built up into a huge Christmas ending which was great. I went out for a drink on New Year's Eve and I was mobbed – I didn't realise the amount of interest there was!
"Throughout my career I have been very lucky in playing so many different characters – pimps, lawyers and psychos. I'm now back in theatre in a UK tour of John Godber's Bouncers so I can show my comedic side too. I like variety and the challenge of a new character."
Ace has also featured in Midsome Murders and had an unusual audition – doing a handstand.
"When I went to my audition I had been out in LA for three months where I signed up for a yoga class. I thought it was a basic one and there were people there older than me who could do the most amazing moves, so I thought if they can do it, I certainly can.
"The next day I could hardly move and I kept falling over in the class but by the end I had mastered a handstand. It was only much later that I realised I had gone to the advanced class by mistake.
"I knew Harry in the story was a yoga teacher so the first thing I did at my audition was a handstand. I got a laugh and a round of applause – and I got the job."
Starring alongside Ace are Don Gilet (55 Degrees North, Eastenders), William Ilkley (Hollyoaks, Emmerdale and The Royal) and Ian Reddington, one of few actors to portray a major role in two of the UK's biggest soaps – Richard Cole, a.k.a Tricky Dicky in Eastenders and Vernon Tomlin – Liz McDonald's hapless drummer boyfriend in Coronation Street.
Bouncers opens on Tuesday and runs until Saturday, October 6. Tickets are priced from £11.50. Performances are 7.30pm Tuesday to Thursday, 6pm and 9pmon Friday and 5pm and 8pm on Saturday. For tickets see www.grandtheatre.info
Read about Bouncers' star Ian Reddington's perfect weekend here.
