Theatre hit heads to Northampton before big-screen debut

An acclaimed theatre production that began life in the North East of England is heading to Northampton as part of a nationwide tour this October - before making the leap to the big screen next spring with a host of high-profile names already involved in the film. T*ts Up!, written by Leah Bell and Alison Stanley, will embark on its first-ever UK tour in October, taking the production from its North-East roots to audiences across the country in a 23-date run, including at the Old Savoy Theatre on Friday October 23.

But the theatre tour is only the next stage of the production’s journey, with the play also being developed as a feature film for release next spring.

The film has already attracted a high-profile cast including Brassed Off and The Split star Stephen Tompkinson, EastEnders actress Cheryl Fergison, comedy legend Tommy Cannon and Doctor Who and Emmerdale actor Frazer Hines.

The movie has attracted investment from Geordie Shore celebrity Charlotte Crosby, Steps singer and West End actress Faye Tozer, along with several entrepreneurs and business people, helping to take the independently developed Newcastle production onto the big screen.

The film will build on the story established by the stage production, which tackles the serious subject of breast cancer but is ultimately a story about friendship, resilience and hope, using humour to explore the relationships that can help people through life-changing circumstances.

The production follows four women from vastly different backgrounds who find themselves brought together by a shared set of circumstances – and discover that friendship can come from the most unexpected places.

Leah and Alison also star in the stage production alongside Katie Rose Potts and award-winning actress, stand-up comedian and author Crissy Rock.

Leah, 73, the Newcastle-born entertainer, actor, writer, comedian and theatre producer whose career spans almost six decades, said: “Although breast cancer is a huge part of the story, T*ts Up! isn’t a play that leaves an audience feeling heavy of heart. There is plenty of laughter, warmth, honesty and a lot of truth, which makes the story so relatable.

“The response we received in Newcastle was incredible, and seeing the production grow from that first stage to a 23-date UK tour – and now a feature film - is something I’m incredibly proud of.”

Actress and playwright Alison said: “At its heart, T*ts Up! is about friendship, resilience and the extraordinary ways people support each other when life doesn’t go according to plan.

“To see something that started on a stage in Newcastle grow into a national tour and now a film with such an incredible cast is beyond anything we could have imagined when we first created it."

Crissy, 67, who is herself a cancer survivor, added: “The play hits a very real nerve, perfectly reflecting how a cancer diagnosis impacts not just yourself but also the entire family.”

The play first premiered in Newcastle in March 2025, where its audience response helped it move into larger venues.

The production is also working with Macmillan Cancer Support, adding a wider purpose to the campaign and providing an opportunity to use its growing profile to encourage conversations around breast cancer.

Visit theoldsavoy.co.uk to book.