Arts
Venue Unveils its New Line-up
South Shields Customs House
Autumn 2014
 |
| Thirsty |
Lotto
winners, gruesome murders and happily ever afters will all be part of the
entertainment at The Customs House this season.
The
theatre in South
Shields
has, as ever, an eclectic mix of music, drama and comedy as well as the return
of the ‘little panto with the big heart’.
 |
| Lucky Numbers |
Customs
House executive director Ray Spencer, MBE, said: “This season we can guarantee
we have something for everyone. There are so many shows I’m looking forward to
seeing myself and in particular the return of Mike Yeaman’s Lucky Numbers as
our annual Customs House production. We’re particularly excited to have
Sunderland-born Michael Strassen to direct our flagship production, fresh from
picking up the 2014
Off-West End Awards best director gong. We’re delighted the award-winning play
will star Pat Dunn, who shot to fame as Nana in BBC’s
Hebburn.”
 |
| A Doll’s House |
For those who like the tried and tested classics the Mill Dam
venue in South Shields has a new version of A Doll’s House, Henrick Ibsen’s play about marriage,
money, and the freedom of women in the late 19th century and the ever popular
Rumpus Theatre return with Charles Dickens’ marvellously macabre Captain Murderer.
 |
| Money the Gameshow |
The Customs House has a long tradition of supporting new
writing and this season is no different with plays including Butterfly, Money
the Gameshow, Dead to Me, Collector of Tears, GSOH ‘Would Like to Meet’ and Thirsty sure to whet
the appetite of any theatre fan.
 |
| I Left My Heart in Roker Park |
This
autumn also sees old favourites, which originally premiered at the arts venue,
return. The hilarious Dirty Dusting sweeps back in and the updated version of I
Left My Heart in Roker Park is back.
 |
| Perfect Wedding |
Other
plays include farce Perfect Wedding, mobster comedy The Big Hit and Not About
Heroes, which takes a look at Britain’s greatest war poets.
 |
| Chris Ryan |
If
you’re looking for something other than drama, there’s plenty of shows with a
bit of a difference, including former SAS commander turned author Chris Ryan,
LDN Wrestling, stand-up comedian Micky Cochrane and murder squad
detective Trevor Marriott, who will be back to give his insight into Jack the
Ripper.
 |
| Joe Longthorne |
Music
fans are never disappointed with a mix of the real thing and the best tributes
around. Joe McElderry is back in his hometown theatre ahead of the festive
season – but be quick because tickets have almost sold out. Another much-loved
Joe is back in the form of Joe Longthorne and Pal of My Cradle Day singer Ann
Breen will also take to the stage this season.
Musical
lovers can see Over the Rainbow – The Eva Cassidy Story, starring Bad Girls’
Nicole Faraday, South Shields Gilbert and Sullivan Society’s Jesus Christ
Superstar, regulars Encore return, Tenors Unlimited will give an operatic take
on well-known songs and the youngsters of Performer Stage School will perform the
newly-released Ghost. Top tributes The Hollywood Bees, Nights on Broadway – The
Bee Gees Story, Patsy Cline The Concert, Unforgettable, Rolling Back the Years
and The Counterfeit Sixties will impress throughout autumn.
 |
| Santa’s Naughty Elf |
The
venue is always keen to introduce youngsters to the theatre and children’s
shows this season include the return of Santa’s Naughty Elf in the run up to
Christmas. This time Elfluent the Elf has broken the toy machine and needs the
help of the boys and girls to save Christmas. There’s also interactive show
Babar the Little Elephant, a special junior edition of Albert Einstein:
Relativitively Speaking (with an adult version in the evening) and Wendy the
Witch and the Haunted Mansion, which runs this
Halloween.
 |
| Little Red Riding Hood |
Finally,
Ray Spencer - who was Tommy the Trumpeter for 25 years - will be returning to
pantomime as Granny Hood in Little Red Riding Hood. Having performed in panto
for almost 40 years alongside Bob Stott as Dame Dotty, it will be Ray’s first
outing as dame. Bob hung up his wig and
frock two years ago after 37 years treading the panto boards, while Ray retired
as Tommy last summer. Ray added: “I have big boots to fill but I can’t wait to
get back up on the stage and see all the regulars in the audience – I have
really missed them. This is my first
time as dame but this year will also mark another first which I am really
looking forward to; Little Red Riding Hood will be the first time I have
professionally performed with my daughter Natasha who will be playing Red.”
Tickets:
For
more information about the new season or to book tickets for any show call the
box office on 0191 454 1234, visit www.customshouse.co.uk
or pick up the new What’s On brochure from The Customs House, your local
library or the Tourist Information Centre.
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