The Rise and Fall of Little Voice

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice
Original window card for the National Theatre production, 1992
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

The Rise and Fall of Little Voice is a 1992 play written by English dramatist Jim Cartwright.

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.

Sam Mendes directed the first production at the Royal National Theatre that transferred to the Aldwych Theatre in London's West End.

The 1993 Steppenwolf Theatre Company production transferred to Broadway in April produced by James and Charlene Nederlander, Dennis Grimaldi,and Leonard Saloway.

A West End revival of the play ran in London from 8 October 2009 – 30 January 2010. 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.

A London revival ran at The Union Theatre in Southwark from 2–26 June 2016. The production starred Charlotte Gorton as Mari, Carly Thomas as Little Voice and Ken Christianson as Ray Say. It was directed by Alastair Knights and was nominated for five Off West End Awards.

In February 2004 Sarah Frankcom directed a performance at the Royal Exchange, Manchester with Denise Black as Mari Hoff, Emma Lowndes as Little Voice, Roy Barraclough as Mr Boo and Andrew Sheridan as Billy. Denise Black won a MEN Award for her performance.