Dean is in love with Marti, who doesn’t know how to love. Shaun is in love with Ju-liet, who has upped and left the country. Meanwhile, George is in love her ex, and Clarine is just… well, nobody quite knows. Welcome to Canal Street Lonely Hearts Club!
It plays Hope Mill Theatre from Wednesday 3rd – Sunday 14th September 2025
Renowned British drag queen and West End actor Nick Collier (Drag Race UK Finalist as Ella Vaday, Book of Morman – Prince of Wales Theatre, Hairspray the Musical – London Coliseum and Wicked Apollo Victoria) will play the role of Dean.
He is joined by Cameron McKendrick as Marti (The Lieutenant of Inishmore – Liverpool Everyman, A Christmas Carol – Dukes Lancaster), James Spraque as Shaun (Qweer Shorts: Hope 200 – Hope Mill Theatre, On Sonder Hill – TV), Riah Amelle as George (Blithe Spirit – HER Productions, Enough – Moonstone Theatre) and Lucy Hilton-Jones as Clarine (As You Like It – Gilded Balloon, A Midsummer Night’s Dream – HER Productions).
Nick Collier said: “I’m thrilled to join the cast of Canal Street Lonely Hearts Club. This play has such a rich history with the original Rupert Street Lonely Hearts Club, and I’m excited to see it reimagined in Manchester – one of my favourite cities. Dean is such a vibrant, multi-dimensional character, and I can’t wait to bring him to life on stage. With its heart, humour, and raw emotion, I’m looking forward to being part of this amazing team and sharing this story with the audience!”
Jonathan Harvey said: “I’m excited to bring the play back to Manchester, where it all began, and to see what audiences make of this family of misfits all living in the same building. I can’t wait to see this talented young cast bring the newly named Canal Street Lonely Hearts Club to life!’
Director Stewart Campbell, said: “I am thrilled with this amazingly talented cast of actors, and cannot wait to get us all together in a rehearsal room to breathe new life into this wonderful play. It’s also unbelievably exciting to have Drag Race royalty, Nick Collier (aka Ella Vaday), entrusting Qweerdog with his return to theatre after his runaway runway success!”
Qweerdog have been producing work in Manchester and the North West since 2017. Specialising in new LGBTQ+ writing, with plays including Campbell’s own Absolute Certainty? (Hope Mill, 2020), Natter (Best Comedy Play, GM Fringe 2024) and Qweerdog’s flag-ship new writing project Qweer Shorts (Hope Mill, 2023 – present).
