Forever Mine
On Tour 12 October to 3 November 2023
After the phenomenal success of the debut tour of Ireland in April, Living Breath Productions is delighted to announce the up-coming UK tour of the original stage play Forever Mine – the love story behind the world’s best-loved hymn. 2023 marks the 250th anniversary of “Amazing Grace” – one of the most recorded songs of all time. At its heart, the song Amazing Grace tells the dramatic story of its author John Newton. During the UK tour many performances of Forever Mine will take place in the iconic historic venues where the events of this true story took place.
Retracing the steps of John Newton’s life from his dramatic shipwreck off the shores of Lough Swilly in Ireland, Forever Mine will visit St. Columb’s cathedral in Londonderry where John Newton first took communion before travelling to Liverpool (where John Newton served for nine years as a Tides’ Surveyor), to Olney where Amazing Grace was first sung in 1773 to illustrate John Newton’s New Year’s Day sermon, and then on to London where John Newton was Rector of St. Mary Woolnoth during the campaign for the abolition of the slave trade.
This original costume drama is based on letters, diaries and historical writings, and encompasses both John Newton's dramatic transformation from slave trader to clergyman and eventual abolitionist as well as the passionate love story between Newton and his wife Mary (nicknamed Polly). Although set in the 18th century, it is a moving narrative that will resonate with modern audiences sharing the actual words of historic figures in the very places were events happened!
Forever Mine looks honestly at John Newton’s role in the slave trade including his continued involvement for six years after his conversion in 1748. It traces his slow journey to repentance and his later work supporting the campaign for abolition as mentor to William Wilberforce. One powerful distinctive of the costume drama is that it elevates the lesser known voices of the abolition movement including black writer Olaudah Equiano and tells the virtually unknown story of Ukawsaw Gronniosaw (also known as James Albert) who is considered the first published African in Britain.
Forever Mine is brought to life by a stellar cast of professional actors starring Ellis Wells as John Newton, Susie Garvey-Williams as Polly Newton, Gideon Asuming as Olaudah Equiano and Christian Gerring as William Wilberforce.
What audiences had to say about Forever Mine during its debut all-Ireland tour in April:
“Excellent performance by exceptional actors. Very well done to all involved in bringing this to Kilmore cathedral.”
“Better than some shows I’ve seen in the Lyric [theatre in Belfast]”.
“Wonderful professional actors. Such clever staging – amazing really. Brilliant great night”
“A wonderful and inspiring production – brilliant acting”
“Outstanding performance!!!”
“I just want to say the show was absolutely remarkable. It was so beautifully written and performed and the stage set up was perfect too.”
Tickets available through EVENTBRITE