Comedian and actor Miles Jupp will tour the UK in 2019, with the world premiere of THE LIFE I LEAD by James Kettle, directed by Selina Cadell, opening at the Exeter Northcott on 6 February. 

 The Life I Lead sees Miles Jupp bringing actor David Tomlinson’s remarkable story to life. Best remembered for playing ‘Mr Banks’ in Disney’s classic film Mary Poppins and ‘Professor Emelius Browne’ in Bedknobs and Broomsticks, British actor David Tomlinson was renowned for playing the classic English gent: forthright, proper, and a loveable fool. His meeting with Walt Disney came to encapsulate his incredible life full of adventure and heartbreak.

As a World War Two fighter pilot, his early life contained action and adventure; but he suffered huge heartbreak with the tragic death of his first wife, and his fight to have his son Willie recognised as one of the first British cases of autism. The man who portrayed one of cinema’s most famous patriarchs was also defined by his relationship with his own father – a remote eccentric, who was hiding an extraordinary tragicomic secret.

THE LIFE I LEAD is a richly comic and moving tale of fathers and sons across the generations and fills in the blanks behind a very well-known face.

Miles Jupp said. “I was attracted to this first because of the character of Tomlinson himself- a man whose acting performances seemed effortless but concealed a great skill beneath the surface and not a little magic. And then by the story of his life, beautifully written by my frequent collaborator James Kettle, which is full of surprises.  It is a script that contains both comedy and moments of extraordinary sadness and pain and I hope that under the direction of Selina Cadell, one of my most favourite people in the world, I can do the play and Tomlinson justice.”

Described by the Telegraph as “a very British tour-de-force”, Miles Jupp has appeared as a performer across a wide range of genres – from stand-up comedy and theatre to major television series and Hollywood films. His extensive screen credits include the award-winning BBC2 sitcom Rev, The Thick Of It, Outnumbered and Gary: Tank Commander as well as the popular children’s TV show, Balamory, The Crown on Netflix, Howards End for the BBC, and The Durrells and Bad Move for ITV, as well as appearances on Have I got News For You, QI, Mock the Week, Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Live At the Apollo, James And Jupp. George Clooney’s The Monuments Men, Michael Winterbottom’s The Look Of Love, Nigel Cole’s Made In Dagenham and Jon Stewart’s Rosewater. In 2012, Miles made his National Theatre debut in Alan Bennett’s People and in 2015 went on to perform in the theatre’s critically acclaimed production of Rules for Living alongside Stephen Mangan. He has also appeared in The Way Of The World at Northampton Royal Theatre, A Death In The Death Of Joe Egg at the Glasgow Citizens and Neville’s Island in the West End.

James Kettle is both a narrative and entertainment comedy writer, and a long-time collaborator with Miles Jupp; lead writer of BBC Radio 4’s The News Quiz, and numerous episodes of In and Out the Kitchen. His other writing credits include four series of the Rose D’Or nominated Tom Wrigglesworth’s Hang ups, three series of Can’t Tell Nathan Caton Nothing and four series of Wordaholics.

The Life I Lead is produced by Jonathan Church Productions and Exeter Northcott, directed by Selina Cadell, designed by Lee Newby. 

Picture: Steve Ullathorne

THE LIFE I LEAD – UK TOUR DATES 2019

Wednesday 6 – Saturday 9 February Box Office: 01392 726363

Exeter, Northcott TheatreWebsite:  HYPERLINK "https://exeternorthcott.co.uk" https://exeternorthcott.co.uk

Monday 11 – Saturday 16 February Box Office: 01243 781312

Chichester, Minerva TheatreWebsite:  HYPERLINK "https://www.cft.org.uk/" https://www.cft.org.uk/

Monday 19 – Tuesday 20 February Box Office: 01723 370541

Scarborough, Stephen JosephWebsite:  HYPERLINK "https://www.sjt.uk.com" https://www.sjt.uk.com

Friday 22 – Sunday 24 February Box Office: 0843 208 6000

Manchester, LowryWebsite:  HYPERLINK "https://www.thelowry.com/" https://www.thelowry.com/

Tuesday 26 February Box Office: 0115 941 9419

Nottingham, PlayhouseWebsite:  HYPERLINK "https://www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/" https://www.nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/

Wednesday 27 – Thursday 28 February Box Office: 01302 303 959

Doncaster, CAST(on sale November)Website:  HYPERLINK "https://www.castindoncaster.com/" https://www.castindoncaster.com/

Friday 1 – Saturday 2 MarchBox Office: 01603 598598

Norwich, Playhouse(on sale 26th November)Website:  HYPERLINK "http://www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk/" http://www.norwichplayhouse.co.uk/

Tuesday 5 – Wednesday 6 MarchBox Office: 01865 305305

Oxford, Playhouse(on sale soon)Website:  HYPERLINK "https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/" https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/

Thursday 7 – Saturday 9 MarchBox Office: 01284 769505

Bury St. Edmunds, Theatre Royal(on sale soon)Website:  HYPERLINK "https://www.theatreroyal.org/" https://www.theatreroyal.org/

Monday 11 – Wednesday 13 MarchBox Office: 0121 236 4455

Birmingham Rep, Studio(on sale soon)Website:  HYPERLINK "https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/" https://www.birmingham-rep.co.uk/

Thursday 14 – Saturday 16 MarchBox Office: 01722 320 333

Salisbury, Playhouse(on sale soon)Website:  HYPERLINK "https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/" https://www.wiltshirecreative.co.uk/

Friday 18 – Saturday 30 March

London venue TBC

Tuesday 2 – Wednesday 3 AprilBox Office: 01483 44 0000

Guildford, Yvonne Arnaud(on sale soon)Website:  HYPERLINK "https://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/" https://www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/