British multi-award winning show heads for Sydney

British award winning show – All I See Is You – starring The Bill and Shameless star Ciarán Griffiths makes its international debut at The Sydney Fringe in September. This rollercoaster love story inspired by real accounts of queer life fifty years ago was written by UK TV writer Kathrine Smith.

Bobby works on Woolies’ record counter. Ralph dreams of being a teacher. One kiss and they’re hooked. But it’s England 1967 and their love is illegal. While Ralph buries his head in his books and tries courting his sister’s pal, Bobby can’t deny who he is and throws himself into the underground queer scene risking blackmail and arrest...

The play which won the UK’s National Octagon Prize, is currently on tour picking up more awards for outstanding performances and best new writing. It also won an International touring bursary at the Brighton Fringe Festival and as a result was invited to attend this year’s Sydney Fringe.

All I See Is You is a two-hander telling the tale of two ordinary lads caught between lust, self-doubt and arrest. The title of the play is in homage to iconic singer Dusty Springfield who sang love songs while having to hide her relationships with women.

Her music and other 1960s pop classics are interspersed throughout the play. Ciarán Griffiths and Christian Edwards play Bobby & Ralph. Ciarán is best known for his roles in The Bill and Shameless. Christian’s most notable work includes the title role in Cyrano (Northern Broadsides), The Winter’s Tale (Octagon Theatre) and Les Misérables (Queens Theatre).

Both actors were jointly awarded The Micheál Mac Liammóir Award for Outstanding Performances at the International Gay Theatre Festival in Dublin.

Writer Kathrine Smith writes mainly for TV. Her credits include EastEnders, Casualty,Suspects and The Bill. Her first play Unprovoked was performed at Roundhouse, London. As well as the National Octagon Prize, Kathrine won The Oscar Wilde Prize for Best New Writing at Dublin’s International Gay Theatre Festival in May.

Around the world there are 73 countries with laws criminalising homosexuality and many more where it’s still legal to discriminate. All I See Is You serves as a timely reminder of how hard equal rights were won and offers a message of hope and a universal love story. The show plays at the Innocent Bystander Touring Hub, Old 505 Theatre, Newtown from 17th to 21st September. Please note the production is only suitable for ages 15+. Booking link: https://sydneyfringe.com/buy-tickets