2011 Edinburgh Fringe

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Sibling rivalry isn't just for kids. For Barry and Ian, it has festered for decades. Now the time has come for these teenage punks turned middle aged adversaries to put it to bed. But are the grievances too big to settle? Who really wronged who? And who will pay the price? Silver tongued ex-junkie Barry is the last person his high-flying barrister brother wants to see on the eve of an important dinner party. His colourful language and lurid accounts of a drug fuelled past don't sit well with the opera loving Ian and partner Carla, as they prepare to launch Ian's political career. But as memories surface and old hostilities revive, it becomes clear that Barry is not the only one with an addictive personality. Brotherly Love is a black comedy that centres on the broken relationship between two very different brothers. The play is punctuated by the raucous sounds of punk music. This play will strike a chord with anyone who has ever been a member of a family!

BARRY (David Schaal): Ian's younger brother. Late 40's. A recovering alcoholic and drug addict with an eye for the ladies and a poetic turn of phrase. Trying to escape the demons of his past by making amends with those he has wronged. Particularly wants to build bridges with his estranged brother with whom he was once close. He is proudly working class and still believes in the ethos of the punk movement which shaped his views while growing up. He is attracted to Carka.

Ian (Richard Rycroft): Barry's older brother. Early 50's. A successful and ambitious barrister with political aspirations. At the time of the action, he is preparing to run as a Liberal Democrat local councillor. Slightly pompous but kindly - until it comes to dealing with Barru, who he believes has betrayed his trust too often to be capable of redemption. He views himself as upper middle class, and is somewhat ashamed of his working class heritage.

Carla (Jan Hirst): Ian's partner. Mid-late 40's. A successful and committed lawyer from a thoroughly middle class background. She has an eye for the "bad boy". Has been with Ian since he helped her through a period of difficulty and she is fond of him but not truly in love; stability can be suffocating...

Cast Profiles

David Schaal is a seasoned actor, well known for playing Jay's dad (Terry Cartwright) in the BAFTA award winning comedy The Inbetweeners. He appeared in all 3 series and stars in the movie which is due for release on 19th August. David also played Glyn (Taffy), the warehouse manager, in the BAFTA and Golden Globe award winning comedy series, The Office. He can also be seen in Lead Balloon with Jack Dee and appears in the forthcoming feature films Hysteria with Maggie Gyllenhaal and Ashley Jensen and The Great Ghost Rescue with Anthony Head and Kevin Mckidd. He recently played Eric, the family hitman in the cult feature film Down Terrace, winner of 2010 Raindance Best UK film award. David is also a writer and had a reading of his play, Shame, at the York Theatre Royal this year.

Richard Rycroft is a comedian and actor who was the Laughing Horse New Act Finalist 2010. Film credits include Bottle, The Fence, Birdhouse and Going For Broke. TV credits include FHM Stand Up Hero, Holby City, Casualty & EastEnders for the BBC and Planespotting for ITV. Theatre credits include Romeo & Juliet (Cockpit), The Alchemist (Riverside Studios) and Hedda Gabler (Greenwich Playhouse).

Jan Hirst. Theatre credits include Mrs Adams in Be My Baby (Union Theatre); Valentina in Stars In The Morning Sky (Riverside Studios); The Minister in One Nineteen (The Arcola); Susan in Abigail's Party, Angela in Skyscraping (Soho Theatre) and Miss Tesman in Hedda Gabler (Greenwich Playhouse). TV and Film work include WPC Jenny Liddell, The Sun Police Federation Awards; Marion in The Cost of Love (due to be released this spring), Dorothy in Total Reaction (Indie Award of Excellence 2010); Eileen in Accidental Heroes (BBC1); Sarah in My Darling Wife (Straight Curve Production) BAFTA Nominated 2008; Janet in Three Minute Moments (All Enquiries Productions); Lady Cromwell in Secrets of the Dead (Channel 4).

Robert Wolestenholme. From his 1997 assistant directing debut of Bad Finger at the Donmar Warehouse with Michael Sheen he has a plethora of directing credits now under his belt. More recent theatre credits include The Night Before Christmas (Anthony Neilson) Signal Theatre Company; Hen & Chickens & Bike Shed, Exeter. One Minute (Simon Stephens); Courtyard Theatre, Hoxton. Guerilla/Whore (John Cargill Thompson/Carol Vine), Two Bob Theatre; The Tabard, 2008. Here (Michael Frayn) Signal TC; Tristan Bates Theatre. If No One Loves You, Change (Julie Mayhew & Jo Teale) King's Head.