Forever Mine Theatre Tour - October 2023
(Produced by Living Breath Productions)
After the phenomenal success of its debut all-Ireland tour in March, the original stage play Forever Mine returns with a UK tour this October. 2023 marks the 250th anniversary of “Amazing Grace” – the world’s best-loved hymn and one of the most recorded songs of all time. Beginning in Northern Ireland, the UK tour will be performed in many of the iconic historic venues where the events of this true story took place, retracing the steps of John Newton’s life. These include St. Columb's Cathedral in Derry (where John Newton first took communion), Liverpool (where he worked as a Tides Surveyor), Moggerhanger Park (the home of the Thornton family), Olney (where Newton served as a curate and where Amazing Grace was first sung on 1 January 1773) and St Mary Woolnoth in London (where Newton was Rector during the time of the Abolition movement).
After the phenomenal success of its debut all-Ireland tour in March, the original stage play Forever Mine returns with a UK tour this October. 2023 marks the 250th anniversary of “Amazing Grace” – the world’s best-loved hymn and one of the most recorded songs of all time. Beginning in Northern Ireland, the UK tour will be performed in many of the iconic historic venues where the events of this true story took place, retracing the steps of John Newton’s life. These include St. Columb's Cathedral in Derry (where John Newton first took communion), Liverpool (where he worked as a Tides Surveyor), Moggerhanger Park (the home of the Thornton family), Olney (where Newton served as a curate and where Amazing Grace was first sung on 1 January 1773) and St Mary Woolnoth in London (where Newton was Rector during the time of the Abolition movement).
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We are delighted that the Forever Mine tour's charity partner is International Justice Mission - one of the largest anti-slavery organisations in the world. Forever Mine gives the opportunity to reflect on how historical issues can still be relevant today.
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The Tour
PERFORMANCES IN NORTHERN IRELAND: 12 - 14 October
Derry/ Londonderry: Thursday 12 October at 7.30pm - St. Columb''s Cathedral, London Street, Derry/ Londonderry. BOOK NOW
Belfast: Friday 13 October at 7.30pm -Willowfield Church, 149 My Ladys Road, Belfast BT6 8FE BOOK NOW
Coleraine: Saturday 14 October at 7.30pm - First Presbyterian Church, Abbey Street, Coleraine BT52 1EX BOOK NOW
PERFORMANCES IN ENGLAND: 17 October - 2 November
Liverpool: Tuesday 17 October at 7.30pm -St Mary's Church, 2 Church Road Upton Village CH49 6JZ BOOK NOW
Bradford: Wednesday 18 October at 7.30pm - Holy Trinity Church, 12 Town Lane, Idle, Bradford, BD10 8NS BOOK NOW
Moggerhanger Park: Friday 20 October at 3pm and 7.30pm - Moggerhanger Park, Park Road, Moggerhanger MK44 3RW BOOK NOW
Olney: Saturday 21 October at 7.30pm -St Peter & St Paul Church, Church Street, Olney MK46 4AD BOOK NOW
Southampton: Tuesday 24 October at 7.30pm - St Andrew's Church, Beaulieu Road, Dibden Purlieu, Southampton SO45 4PT BOOK NOW
Lyminster: Wednesday 25 October at 7.30pm -St Mary's Church, Church Lane, Lyminster BN17 7QJ BOOK NOW
Rochester: Thursday 26 October at 7.30pm - St. Margaret's Church, Saint Margaret's Street, Rochester ME1 1UF BOOK NOW
London: Friday 27 October at 7.30pm - St Mary Woolnoth, 1 King William Street London EC3V 9AN BOOK NOW
London: Saturday 28 October at 7.30pm - St Mary Woolnoth, 1 King William Street London EC3V 9AN BOOK NOW
Enfield: Sunday 29 October at 7.30pm - Enfield Baptist Church, Cecil Road Enfield EN2 6TG BOOK NOW
Hertford: Tuesday 31 October at 7.30pm - St Andrew Church, Saint Andrew Street, Hertford SG14 1HZ BOOK NOW
Southend-on-Sea: Thursday 2 November at 7.30pm - St. Mary's Parish Church Prittlewell, East Street Southend-on-Sea, SS2 6LQ BOOK NOW
Group Bookings: Why not consider taking a group to see “Forever Mine” at the venue nearest to you? Contact us to find out more:
Forever Mine
On 1 January 1773, in a small church in Olney, England the congregation sang a new hymn written by their minister to illustrate his New Year’s Day sermon. Two hundred and fifty years later, Amazing Grace is the world’s best loved hymn and one of the most-recorded songs of all time.
In this anniversary year, we invite you to share this remarkable story. Forever Mine is an original stage play and costume drama explorig the two great loves of John Newton’s life – his love for God and his love for “Polly” (his nickname for his wife Mary). Based on their love letters and on letters, diaries and historical writings, Forever Mine is a true story of separation and reunion, death and new life, loss and redemption. Although set in the 18th century, this moving narrative will resonate with modern audiences.
While focusing on Polly and Newton’s love story, Forever Mine also looks honestly at John Newton’s role in the slave trade even for six years after his conversion. It traces his slow journey to repentance and his later work supporting the campaign for abolition as mentor to William Wilberforce. Forever Mine elevates the lesser known voices of the abolition movement such as black writer Olaudah Equiano and the poet William Cowper.
In this anniversary year, we invite you to share this remarkable story. Forever Mine is an original stage play and costume drama explorig the two great loves of John Newton’s life – his love for God and his love for “Polly” (his nickname for his wife Mary). Based on their love letters and on letters, diaries and historical writings, Forever Mine is a true story of separation and reunion, death and new life, loss and redemption. Although set in the 18th century, this moving narrative will resonate with modern audiences.
While focusing on Polly and Newton’s love story, Forever Mine also looks honestly at John Newton’s role in the slave trade even for six years after his conversion. It traces his slow journey to repentance and his later work supporting the campaign for abolition as mentor to William Wilberforce. Forever Mine elevates the lesser known voices of the abolition movement such as black writer Olaudah Equiano and the poet William Cowper.
Meet the Cast
Forever Mine is brought to life by a stellar cast of professional actors starring Ellis J Wells as John Newton. Ellis J Wells’ theatre credits include Col. Pickering in "Pygmalion" (Tour of Italy), Christopher Wren in "the Mousetrap" (New York, USA), Dr. Watson in "the Accidental Adventures of Sherlock Holmes", the title role in "Richard III" and "the Scarlet Pimpernel", Cardinal Richelieu in "the Three Musketeers" and Caliban in "the Tempest".
Forever Mine also stars Susie Garvey-Williams as Polly Newton. Susie’s most recent theatre credits include Ann Elliot in Persuasion (July - Sept 2023), the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, Viola/Sebastian in “12th Night Lite” – which received a 4-star review at Edinburgh Fringe 2022, as well as Jane Goodall in “STEM Theatre in a Box”, Jasmine in “Aladdin” and Kitty in “A Weaver’s Thread” and a cameo appearance as Grainne O’Malley in “The Pirate Queen” supporting Greasepaint Productions’ show “Musicality”.
Gideon Asuming plays the abolitionist Olaudah Equiano as well as the lesser-known James Gronniosaw. Performing since 2010, Gideon has played multiple lead and supporting roles on stage and screen. His credits include And There Was War, After the Storm and My Place as well as Jesus Christ in multiple Living Breath film productions.
Christian Gerring is portraying the key abolitionist, William Wilberforce as well as the poet William Cowper and minor roles of the captain and George, Polly’s brother. Christian’s theatre credits include: Nick Carraway in “The Great Gatsby”, Prince Boggerlas in “Ubu Rex”, Martin in “The Goat/who is Sylvia?”As well as theatre Christian has been involved in multiple short films: “diffruil”(different), “only friends” and “Never Alone”.
Forever Mine also stars Susie Garvey-Williams as Polly Newton. Susie’s most recent theatre credits include Ann Elliot in Persuasion (July - Sept 2023), the Queen of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland, Viola/Sebastian in “12th Night Lite” – which received a 4-star review at Edinburgh Fringe 2022, as well as Jane Goodall in “STEM Theatre in a Box”, Jasmine in “Aladdin” and Kitty in “A Weaver’s Thread” and a cameo appearance as Grainne O’Malley in “The Pirate Queen” supporting Greasepaint Productions’ show “Musicality”.
Gideon Asuming plays the abolitionist Olaudah Equiano as well as the lesser-known James Gronniosaw. Performing since 2010, Gideon has played multiple lead and supporting roles on stage and screen. His credits include And There Was War, After the Storm and My Place as well as Jesus Christ in multiple Living Breath film productions.
Christian Gerring is portraying the key abolitionist, William Wilberforce as well as the poet William Cowper and minor roles of the captain and George, Polly’s brother. Christian’s theatre credits include: Nick Carraway in “The Great Gatsby”, Prince Boggerlas in “Ubu Rex”, Martin in “The Goat/who is Sylvia?”As well as theatre Christian has been involved in multiple short films: “diffruil”(different), “only friends” and “Never Alone”.
About the production team
Producers: Living Breath Productions is a video and theatre production company founded by Susie Garvey-Williams and Ben Driver in 2020 – see www.livingbreathproductions.com.
Writers: Forever Mine was written by mother-and-daughter team Ruth and Susie Garvey-Williams after years of research into the story of John Newton and Amazing Grace. The play incorporates original letters, diaries, autobiographies and parliamentary speeches, bringing to life the actual words written or spoken by the historical characters portrayed.
Director: With 30 years of experience writing, directing and choreographing multiple community and professional theatre productions, Ruth Garvey-Williams loves to bring history to life, re-telling true stories through the medium of theatre and film. She is delighted to be the director of Forever Mine - working with such a talented cast to bring this moving story to Irish audiences.
Technical Director: Joe Warren is a Suffolk-based entertainment Technician who graduated from the University of Huddersfield. His recent credits include working at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Brighton Spiegeltent as well as working at the Palladium and on the White Christmas UK Tour. He is looking forward to bringing Forever Mine into these wonderful historic venues on its 250th anniversary of Amazing Grace.
Musical Director: The original score of Forever Mine has been composed by musician Hilary Kemp.
Set Design: Artist Andrew Garvey-Williams was delighted to create the purpose-designed set for Forever Mine including a painstakingly hand-crafted ship's wheel.
Costume Design: The authentic period costumes for Forever Mine were created by Ruth Garvey-Williams and Emma Porter.
Producers: Living Breath Productions is a video and theatre production company founded by Susie Garvey-Williams and Ben Driver in 2020 – see www.livingbreathproductions.com.
Writers: Forever Mine was written by mother-and-daughter team Ruth and Susie Garvey-Williams after years of research into the story of John Newton and Amazing Grace. The play incorporates original letters, diaries, autobiographies and parliamentary speeches, bringing to life the actual words written or spoken by the historical characters portrayed.
Director: With 30 years of experience writing, directing and choreographing multiple community and professional theatre productions, Ruth Garvey-Williams loves to bring history to life, re-telling true stories through the medium of theatre and film. She is delighted to be the director of Forever Mine - working with such a talented cast to bring this moving story to Irish audiences.
Technical Director: Joe Warren is a Suffolk-based entertainment Technician who graduated from the University of Huddersfield. His recent credits include working at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the Brighton Spiegeltent as well as working at the Palladium and on the White Christmas UK Tour. He is looking forward to bringing Forever Mine into these wonderful historic venues on its 250th anniversary of Amazing Grace.
Musical Director: The original score of Forever Mine has been composed by musician Hilary Kemp.
Set Design: Artist Andrew Garvey-Williams was delighted to create the purpose-designed set for Forever Mine including a painstakingly hand-crafted ship's wheel.
Costume Design: The authentic period costumes for Forever Mine were created by Ruth Garvey-Williams and Emma Porter.