First look Joe Locke’s West End debut in Clarkston
Joe Locke in rehearsal for Clarkston (Marc Brenner)
Joe Locke in rehearsal for Clarkston (Marc Brenner)
First look images have been released showing Heartstopper‘s Joe Locke in preparation for his West End debut in the play, Clarkston.
Locke, who became a household name with the Netflix adaptation of Alice Oseman’s web-comic has also starred in Marvel’s Agatha All Along, as well as having a stint on Broadway in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. He also had a role in The Trials at the Donmar Warehouse in 2022.
Clarkston, however, marks his debut on London’s West End. He is starring alongside Sebastian‘s Ruaridh Mollica and The Way‘s Sophie Melville.
The images released today (Wednesday 3 September) shows the three actors behind-the-scenes as they rehearse.
A synopsis for the play reads, “On a journey West to rediscover himself, Jake (Locke) unexpectedly meets Chris (Mollica) – a kindred soul hiding in a night shift at a Costco in a rural American town. As their bond deepens, so does their sense of adventure. Maybe they could finally give life new meaning by chasing something more – like the intrepid explorers Lewis and Clark before them.”
The plays is described as “a modern frontier story that blazes a trail through friendship, acceptance, love and the hope of new discoveries.”
When Locke was announced in the cast in July, the 21-year-old actor said he was “thrilled” to join the production.
“Samuel D. Hunter’s writing is so deeply human and honest that I immediately connected with the play when I read it. I can’t wait to bring this beautiful story to life and share it with audiences in London,” he also said.
It has been written by Samuel D. Hunter, writer of Oscar-winning The Whale which was based on the LGBTQ+ show of the same name. The play is directed by the Drama Desk award winning, Jack Serio.
The creative team also includes set and costume designer Milla Clarke, lighting designer Stacey Derosier, sound designer George Dennis, casting director Stuart Burt and dramaturg John Baker. Clarkston will be executive produced and general managed by Wessex Grove.
Clarkston, which gets its UK premiere at the Trafalgar Theatre, will run from 17 September – 22 November 2025.
Tickets are available here.
