Birmingham Repertory Theatre's latest new play, was inspired by the infamous Forward statue that was situated outside the theatre until it was destroyed by arson last Easter.

The Forward Statue was destroyed by fire

The characters in the play are the various characters in the statue.

Tony is the head of the family and has a dead end job in debt collection. His parents have just reached 40 years of marriage, and are refusing to turn up to the celebratory Ruby Wedding party.

He's got a gobby daughter who's always on her soapbox about something or other and a runaway son who's a wannabe rapper.

With shades of The Royle Family, The Simpsons and Rab C Nesbitt, FORWARD is a riotously original black comedy.

Robert Warrington, the writer, is a graduate of Birmingham University. This, his debut play, was developed through The REP's new writing attachment programme.

Robert says of the play: "FORWARD starts with the image of Raymond Mason's late and rather unlamented statue. The characters in the play are the various characters in the statue.

"What emerges throughout the play is a very funny and very truthful take on the way in which ordinary people deal with change, both in their personal lives and in the wider scheme of things."

Joanne Moseley will play Roxy

The cast includes Birmingham actress, Joanne Moseley, as good-time girl Roxy.

Joanne has recently been nominated for Newcomer of the Year in the 'What's On Stage Awards' for her role of Curley's wife in The REP's production of 'Of Mice and Men'.

Robin Pirongs, a familiar face to REP audiences will be playing Dave, and Ged McKenna plays Tony.

Joining them will be Birmingham young actress Catherine Skinner as Susan, Coventry-born Joseph Raishbrook as Kieran, Angela Bain as Nola and Robert Harrison as Mike.

Venue: The Door, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Centenary Square, Broad Street, Birmingham.

Dates: Thursday 5th to Saturday 28th February 2004.

Tickets: £9.75 with concessions available
Box Office: 0121 236 4455 or online at www.birmingham-rep.co.uk.

The play contains strong language and is recommend for age 16+