Following three critically acclaimed runs in London and a highly successful transfer to New York, Donnacadh O’Briain’s Olivier award-winning production of Rotterdam will tour to Malvern Theatres next week.

Written by acclaimed playwright Jon Brittain, co-creator of Margaret Thatcher Queen of Soho, writer of A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Super Sad) and staff writer on The Crown, Rotterdam is a bittersweet comedy about gender, sexuality and being a long way from home.

It's New Year in Rotterdam, and Alice has finally plucked up the courage to email her parents and tell them she's gay. But before she can hit send, her girlfriend Fiona reveals that he has always identified as male and now wants to start living as a man named Adrian. Now, as Adrian confronts the reality of his transition, Alice faces a question she never thought she'd ask... does this mean she's straight?

Hartshorn – Hook Productions are committed to ensuring Rotterdam has equality and gender diversity among the cast and creatives. Trans non-binary actor Lucy Jane Parkinson will star as Fiona/Adrian, playing opposite Bethan Cullinane as Alice.

Trans actor Elijah W Harris will play Alice’s lovable brother Josh and Ellie Morris returns to the production to play Dutch partygoer Lelani.

Following critically acclaimed runs in the West End and New York, the producers felt the importance of working with trans and non-binary actors to bring this very important show about relationships and the process of transitioning to life.

Elijah comments, “Trans stories told by trans people are vital to the progression of theatre. I grew up in the Midlands and seeing something like Rotterdam when I was younger would have been life changing. I was drawn to the tour for that very reason - to be able to bring this story to people all over the country, challenge perspectives and, more importantly, reach trans and non-binary people who cannot see themselves represented in popular culture. I am thrilled to be playing the part of Josh and so excited to be able to be a visible trans person in the role of the cis-gendered brother!”

Director Donnacadh O’Briain comments: "We are delighted to be taking Rotterdam on its first UK tour. It’s a privilege to be able to share this funny, moving and beautiful story with audiences around the whole country."

Brittain was inspired to write Rotterdam after several of his friends transitioned in the late 2000 - he became aware of the absence of transgender stories in pop culture and wanted to address this on the stage. Through writing this show, he researched and consulted widely including talking to trans people and their partners, conducting a reading for members of trans communities and discussing the show with various organisations, including Trans Media Watch who then endorsed Rotterdam, and the charity Gendered Intelligence, who the company dedicated their Olivier award to.

This beautifully structured evening keeps blending the laugh-out-loud funny and the dab-your-eyes tender (The Times).

Rotterdam recently won the top award at the Los Angeles Drama Critics’ Circle Awards jointly with Hamilton.

Rotterdam will be on stage at Malvern Theatres from Thursday, May 23 to Saturday, May 25. To book, call the box office on 01684 892277 or visit malvern-theatres.co.uk