Doctor Foster star Suranne Jones has been moved by the case of Luke Durbin while rehearsing a powerful new play which is due to open in the West End next month.
The former Coronation Street actor is appearing in “Frozen” by Bryony Lavery – a new play about the struggles of a mother whose child goes missing.
She will be appearing alongside W1A stars Jason Watkins and Nina Sosanya in the psychological thriller during a three-month run at the Theatre Royal Haymarket.
As part of the preparation and rehearsals of the play, the cast have been working with the Missing People charity which aims to bring families back together.
Ms Jones used her Instagram account to tell fans that she had learned about two real-life cases – one of them Suffolk teenager Luke Durbin who disappeared at the age of 19 in 2006 and has not been heard of since. She reprinted his picture.
She said: “MISSING! Whilst rehearsing #frozentheplay we have been working alongside @missingpeople.uk and have heard the heartbreaking stories of two mothers with missing sons.
“This is Luke Durbin who has been missing since 2006. Please share/repost. #findluke his family are still waiting for news. Thank you.”
Luke disappeared on his way home from Zest nightclub in Princes Street, Ipswich, after going out on the evening of May 11, 2006.
The last positive sighting of the teenager was captured on CCTV as he crossed Dog’s Head Street at around 4am on May 12, heading towards the bus station.
He was reported missing to Suffolk police by his mother, Nicki, on Saturday May 13.
There have been no sightings of him since – despite the offer of a £20,000 reward for information leading to the discovery of what happened to him.
Last year Luke’s story was highlighted when the Missing People’s Choir made it to the final of Britain’s Got Talent in a bid to highlight the anguish faced by families when a loved one disappears.
Frozen is expected to be one of the major theatrical events during the early months of 2018 – and the production is expected to bring the issue of people who go missing to a large audience of West End theatregoers.
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