Max Bowden, formerly of Eastenders, Waterloo Road and other TV series is heading for Salisbury to play the role of Jack Firebrace in the production of Birdsong.
Bowden is possibly most famous for playing Ben Mitchell in the BBC soap between 2019 and earlier this year.
Birdsong, an epic First World War story of love and loss, returns to the stage this Autumn in a brand-new production marking the 30th anniversary of Sebastian Faulks’s internationally best-selling novel.
Max Bowden (EastEnders) will play Jack Firebrace, and James Esler (Litvinenko) will play Stephen Wraysford alongside Charlie Russell (The Goes Wrong Show, And Then There Were None (BBC)) as Isabelle Azaire.
They are joined by Joseph Benjamin Baker as Evans/Levi, Raif Clarke as Tipper, James Findlay as Brennan, Dave Fishley as Turner, Gracie Follows as Lisette, Sulin Hasso as Marguerite, Tama Phethean as Shaw/LeBrun, Natalie Radmall-Quirke as Jeanne, Roger Ringrose as Bérard/Barclay and Sargon Yelda as René Azaire/Gray.
Birdsong, which tells the story of one man’s journey through an all-consuming love affair and into the horror of the First World War, is adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and directed by Original Theatre’s Artistic Director, Alastair Whatley. Design is by Richard Kent, Lighting by Jason Taylor, Music Composition by Sophie Cotton, Sound by Dominic Bilkey with Casting by Ellie Collyer-Bristow (CDG).
In pre-war France, a young Englishman, Stephen Wraysford, embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their world upside down. As the war breaks out over the idyll of his former life, Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme and through the sprawling tunnels that lie deep underground. Faced with the unprecedented horror of the war, Stephen clings to the memory of Isabelle as his world explodes around him.
Birdsong will arrive at Salisbury Playhouse on Friday, the 6th of September and run until Saturday 14th.
The producers of Birdsong are working in partnership with the Royal British Legion during the tour.
For more information about the Birdsong tour, visit https://www.birdsongplay.com.
Image of Max Bowden - Michael Wharley