| The Rise and Fall of Little Voice | |
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Original window card for the National Theatre production, 1992 |
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| Written by | Jim Cartwright |
| Date premiered | 16 June 1992 |
| Place premiered | Cottesloe Theatre National Theatre London |
| Original language | English |
| Genre | Comedy |
| Setting | A town in northern England |
| IBDB profile | |
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is a 1992 play written by English dramatist Jim Cartwright. Sam Mendes directed stars Jane Horrocks and Alison Steadman at the Royal National Theatre before transferring to the Aldwych Theatre in London's West End.
The 1993 Steppenwolf Theatre Company production starring Hynden Walch transferred to Broadway in April 1994.
A West End revival of the play ran in London from 8 October 2009 – 30 January 2010 and starring Diana Vickers as Little Voice. Following the success of the play, Vickers won the London Newcomer award at the Theatregoers' Choice Award and added "Sunlight" the closing ballad as a b-side for her debut single, Once.
The play tells the story of a shy, reclusive girl named Little Voice and her larger than life out of control mother Mari.
Desperately missing her dead father, Little Voice spends her time locked in her bedroom listening to his old record collection and perfecting astonishing impersonations of famous divas including Shirley Bassey, Marilyn Monroe, Judy Garland and Dusty Springfield.
When Mari starts dating small time club agent Ray Say, she thinks he's her last chance for a better life. When Ray Say hears Little Voice sing, he thinks she's his ticket to the big time. Little Voice just wants a normal life and to be loved. Not everyone is going to get what they want.[1]
The play was adapted for a 1998 film by Mark Herman starring Jane Horrocks, Brenda Blethyn, Michael Caine, and Ewan McGregor.
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