Latest news with #Clarkston


Time Out
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Exclusive: Heartstopper's Joe Locke makes his West End debut in ‘Clarkston' – full dates and venue
Somehow still just 21 years old despite having been a serious rising star for what feels like at least a decade, Joe Locke long ago proved there was more to him than Heartstopper, the TV show that made his name. From his playfully enigmatic turn in Marvel's Agatha All Along to an excellent stage debut as an embittered teen in a dystopian future in the Donmar Warehouse's The Trials to a stint on the recent Broadway revival of Sweeney Todd, he's very much at that phase in his career where everything looks charmed. And as he continues his ascent to the big time, here comes his West End debut, which we can exclusively reveal the venue and dates for. The play is Clarkston by US playwright Samuel D Hunter, best known over here for writing the screenplay to Darren Aronofsky's Oscar-nominated The Whale. It's had fringe success in the States but it now gets its biggest outing to date as it plays a nine-week stint at the Trafalgar Theatre this autumn, in a production helmed by American director Jack Serio. Described as a 'modern frontier story', Clarkston will star Locke as Jack, a young man who heads out to the American West in an effort to rediscover himself, in a journey that obliquely reflects Lewis and Clark's great expedition. He'll co-star with fellow rising star Ruaridh Mollica, plus the wondrous Sophie Melville. It's a very promising looking show from an actor whose early stage roles have so far been as good as his screen ones. Clarkston is at Trafalgar Theatre, Sep 17-Nov 22. Priority book opens at 10am today (Sep 21) and public booking opens 10am tomorrow (Sep 22).


Express Tribune
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Joe Locke to make West End debut in ‘Clarkston' after wrapping ‘Heartstopper' film
Joe Locke will make his West End debut later this year in Clarkston, following the completion of filming on Netflix's Heartstopper movie. The play, written by Samuel D. Hunter, explores the lives of two young men who meet while working at a Costco in small-town Washington. Locke expressed his enthusiasm for the role, describing Hunter's writing as 'deeply human and honest' and sharing his excitement to bring the story to London audiences. The UK premiere of Clarkston will be directed by Jack Serio, with Locke starring alongside Ruaridh Mollica and Sophie Melville. Dates and venue details are expected to be announced soon. The play, first staged in Dallas in 2015, follows Jake (Locke), a young gay man from Connecticut who relocates after being diagnosed with Huntington's disease. He forms a connection with Chris (Mollica), who has a strained relationship with his mother (Melville). The production will mark Hunter's first West End staging of the play, which he describes as a story about 'love and friendship in the midst of an unknown future.' Locke, who appeared in Disney+'s Agatha All Along and starred on Broadway in Sweeney Todd in early 2024, shared that the West End opportunity is particularly meaningful, having grown up visiting London theatre with his mother. Filming for the Heartstopper movie, which serves as a closing chapter to the series, is nearing completion, with Locke stating that the team is enjoying the process and looking forward to sharing the final chapter with audiences.

Leader Live
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Heartstopper's Joe Locke ‘thrilled' to make West End debut in Clarkston
The 21-year-old will appear in the play, written by Samuel D Hunter, alongside The Franchise actor Ruaridh Mollica and Welsh actress Sophie Melville when it launches this Autumn. Locke said: 'I'm thrilled to be making my West End debut in Clarkston. Samuel D Hunter's writing is so deeply human and honest that I immediately connected with the play when I read it.' A post shared by Clarkston (@clarkstonplay) Clarkston, directed by Jack Serio, tells the story of Jake, who is on a journey to discover himself when he unexpectedly meets Chris, a kindred soul working a night shift at a Costco in a rural American town. As the pair's bond deepens, so does their sense of adventure. Writer Hunter said of the play: 'I couldn't be more excited to bring Clarkston to London audiences, especially with this phenomenal cast and creative team. 'I've always adored the UK's theatre scene, so being able to share this play with audiences in the West End is truly a dream come true. 'This play draws from themes of the vast and isolated American West and the colonial past of the United States, but it's fundamentally a story about love and friendship in the midst of an unknown future, which is a prettyuniversal story these days.' Locke starred in all three seasons of Netflix's teen drama Heartstopper as Charlie Spring, a gay teen boy who falls in love with his classmate Nick Nelson (Kit Connor). The Manx star was nominated for outstanding lead performance at the Children's And Family Emmy Awards in 2022 for his role in the show. The actor has also appeared in Marvel's Agatha All Along miniseries and made his Broadway debut last year in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street. Further details, including ticket sale dates, are yet to be announced.


South Wales Guardian
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South Wales Guardian
Heartstopper's Joe Locke ‘thrilled' to make West End debut in Clarkston
The 21-year-old will appear in the play, written by Samuel D Hunter, alongside The Franchise actor Ruaridh Mollica and Welsh actress Sophie Melville when it launches this Autumn. Locke said: 'I'm thrilled to be making my West End debut in Clarkston. Samuel D Hunter's writing is so deeply human and honest that I immediately connected with the play when I read it.' A post shared by Clarkston (@clarkstonplay) Clarkston, directed by Jack Serio, tells the story of Jake, who is on a journey to discover himself when he unexpectedly meets Chris, a kindred soul working a night shift at a Costco in a rural American town. As the pair's bond deepens, so does their sense of adventure. Writer Hunter said of the play: 'I couldn't be more excited to bring Clarkston to London audiences, especially with this phenomenal cast and creative team. 'I've always adored the UK's theatre scene, so being able to share this play with audiences in the West End is truly a dream come true. 'This play draws from themes of the vast and isolated American West and the colonial past of the United States, but it's fundamentally a story about love and friendship in the midst of an unknown future, which is a prettyuniversal story these days.' Locke starred in all three seasons of Netflix's teen drama Heartstopper as Charlie Spring, a gay teen boy who falls in love with his classmate Nick Nelson (Kit Connor). The Manx star was nominated for outstanding lead performance at the Children's And Family Emmy Awards in 2022 for his role in the show. The actor has also appeared in Marvel's Agatha All Along miniseries and made his Broadway debut last year in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street. Further details, including ticket sale dates, are yet to be announced.

Rhyl Journal
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Heartstopper's Joe Locke ‘thrilled' to make West End debut in Clarkston
The 21-year-old will appear in the play, written by Samuel D Hunter, alongside The Franchise actor Ruaridh Mollica and Welsh actress Sophie Melville when it launches this Autumn. Locke said: 'I'm thrilled to be making my West End debut in Clarkston. Samuel D Hunter's writing is so deeply human and honest that I immediately connected with the play when I read it.' A post shared by Clarkston (@clarkstonplay) Clarkston, directed by Jack Serio, tells the story of Jake, who is on a journey to discover himself when he unexpectedly meets Chris, a kindred soul working a night shift at a Costco in a rural American town. As the pair's bond deepens, so does their sense of adventure. Writer Hunter said of the play: 'I couldn't be more excited to bring Clarkston to London audiences, especially with this phenomenal cast and creative team. 'I've always adored the UK's theatre scene, so being able to share this play with audiences in the West End is truly a dream come true. 'This play draws from themes of the vast and isolated American West and the colonial past of the United States, but it's fundamentally a story about love and friendship in the midst of an unknown future, which is a prettyuniversal story these days.' Locke starred in all three seasons of Netflix's teen drama Heartstopper as Charlie Spring, a gay teen boy who falls in love with his classmate Nick Nelson (Kit Connor). The Manx star was nominated for outstanding lead performance at the Children's And Family Emmy Awards in 2022 for his role in the show. The actor has also appeared in Marvel's Agatha All Along miniseries and made his Broadway debut last year in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street. Further details, including ticket sale dates, are yet to be announced.