NEW ROLE FOR PHIL WALKER

Lytham-based comedian Phil Walker is set to join the cast of 'Naturally Insane, the life of Dan Leno' on Friday 9 July at Lytham Hall., the second play in the 11th outdoor season

Lancashire funny man Steve Royle will again play the title role in a drama which follows the tragic career of Dan Leno, the Victorian Music Hall superstar. Phil Walker will take the role of Dr. Savage whose task is to treat the unstable Leno.

Julian Wilde, organiser of the 2021 theatre programme, the largest ever outdoor season, believes that Phil Walker will draw in many local fans keen to see him working with Steve Royle who enjoyed national success on television in Britain’s Got Talent last autumn.

"Phil is exceptionally talented and experienced as a comedian so, it will be fascinating to see how he meets up to this new kind of challenge in a gripping play which has at its heart the mental health of Dan Leno. He's deservedly popular nationwide and has an enthusiastic following here on the Fylde coast"

Blackpool-based writer David Slattery-Christy premiered the Dan Leno play in Lytham's Wesley Hall in 2018 as part of the Lytham Festival and in 2019 celebrity comedian Peter Kay was at Lytham Hall for the play’s first open air staging.

Assistant manager at the Hall Paul Lomax feels that the play has a strong and talented cast and that the addition of Phil Walker will further boost the bookings for the two shows at 2.00 pm and 7.30 pm.

" It is a very quickfire drama and Phil Walker will bring the expert timing which is the hallmark of top comedians to the dialogue. Dan Leno has wild and unpredictable mood swings, superbly portrayed by Steve Royle, so the rest of the cast have to be spot on with their responses. I think Phil Walker is an excellent choice for the role."

Further details of all the plays in the open air season and on line bookings at www.lythamhall.org.uk