The Go-Between: Cast Announced for Touring Stage Adaptation of L.P. Hartley's Classic Novel

One of the most celebrated novels in English literature is heading to the stage this summer, as Eastern Angles unveils the cast for its new touring adaptation of The Go-Between. L.P. Hartley's beloved 1953 novel, which opens with the unforgettable line "The past is a foreign country: they do it differently there," will be brought to life across venues in the East of England from 13th August to 19th September 2026.

The production, written by Bruntwood Playwriting Competition winner Ben Musgrave, promises a compelling theatrical experience rooted in the Norfolk landscapes that inspired Hartley's original story. With live music and a non-linear narrative structure, this adaptation looks set to capture the haunting, memory-laden quality of the source material in a fresh and dynamic way.

A Formidable Ensemble Cast

Eastern Angles has assembled a cast that blends television pedigree with rich stage experience. Leading the company is Howard Saddler, known to audiences from his appearances in EastEnders and The Witcher, who takes on the role of Leo. In the novel, Leo is a 13-year-old boy spending a sweltering summer at a grand country house, where he becomes an unwitting go-between for two secret lovers. Saddler's casting suggests the production may explore the story through the lens of the adult Leo looking back on his childhood, a framing device that is central to Hartley's narrative.

The two forbidden lovers at the heart of the story will be played by Hilary Greatorex, whose credits include Coronation Street and Waterloo Road, and Jack Solloway, who has appeared in While the Sun Shines and See How They Run. Their characters, Marian Maudsley and Ted Burgess, are drawn from opposite ends of the Edwardian social hierarchy, and their secret affair sets in motion the emotional devastation that defines the novel.

Rounding out the ensemble are Emily Outred (Salt; Looking Good Dead; House Guest), Isaac Franklin (Teechers; Bleak Expectations; Alice on the Wondertrain), Sophie Crawford (Barn Dance; Lark Rise to Candleford), and Jake Ashton-Nelson, who appeared in the UK tour of Dear England as well as ITV's Vera.

Why The Go-Between Endures

Published in 1953, L.P. Hartley's novel has become one of the defining works of 20th-century English fiction. It tells the story of elderly Leo Colston, who discovers a diary from 1900 that triggers vivid memories of a summer spent at Brandham Hall in Norfolk. The young Leo, eager to impress the aristocratic family hosting him, agrees to carry secret messages between Marian, the daughter of the house, and Ted, a local tenant farmer. As the temperature climbs towards a record-breaking heatwave, so does the tension surrounding the illicit romance, building to a shattering climax that scars Leo for life.

The novel was famously adapted into a 1971 film directed by Joseph Losey, starring Julie Christie and Alan Bates, which won the Palme d'Or at Cannes. It has also been the subject of previous stage adaptations, including a West End musical. Each new version finds fresh resonances in Hartley's exploration of class, desire, innocence, and the inescapable weight of memory.

Eastern Angles and the Power of Regional Touring

Eastern Angles is one of England's most respected touring theatre companies, with a longstanding commitment to bringing high-quality productions to communities across the East of England. Based in Peterborough, the company has built its reputation on telling stories that resonate with the landscapes and history of the region.

Choosing The Go-Between is a particularly apt fit for the company. Hartley's novel is steeped in the atmosphere of the Norfolk countryside, and setting the production within the communities that share that geography gives the adaptation a powerful sense of place. Touring the show to local stages rather than confining it to London also aligns with the company's mission of making outstanding theatre accessible to audiences beyond the capital.

Ben Musgrave's adaptation is described as non-linear, suggesting it will mirror the novel's own structure of shifting between past and present. The inclusion of live music adds another dimension, hinting that the production will use sound and atmosphere to evoke the oppressive summer heat and emotional intensity of Hartley's world.

Tour Dates and Booking Information

The production of The Go-Between will tour from 13th August to 19th September 2026, visiting venues across the East of England. Specific tour dates and locations are expected to be confirmed in the coming months. Theatre-goers interested in this production should keep an eye on Eastern Angles' announcements for the full schedule.

With a strong cast, an acclaimed writer, and one of the greatest English novels as its source material, this touring production has all the ingredients for a memorable piece of summer theatre. For audiences in the East of England, it represents a rare opportunity to experience a major literary adaptation on their own doorstep.

Should You Book?

If you're a fan of classic English literature brought to life on stage, this is one to watch. The combination of Hartley's richly layered story, a talented ensemble cast with both stage and screen experience, and Eastern Angles' expertise in immersive regional touring makes this a compelling prospect. The non-linear structure and live music promise something more inventive than a straightforward page-to-stage transfer, and the Norfolk setting adds an extra layer of authenticity for audiences in the region.

Whether you know the novel intimately or are coming to the story for the first time, The Go-Between offers a powerful tale of innocence lost and the long shadow cast by the choices we make in youth. It's a story that feels as relevant now as it did when Hartley first published it over seventy years ago.

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