The
Jowheretogo Theatre Year
So
what were the productions that made the Jowheretogo team smile, laugh and/or
cry the most this year? Stephen Oliver looks back at an exciting 2014.
Funny
play of the year: The Play That Goes Wrong which we saw at the Darlington Civic
Theatre. This play had us laughing from start to finish – memories of watching
Airplane! the movie at the cinema when we were very young. The show is still on
in the London West End and a sequel Peter Pan Goes Wrong reaches
Darlington Civic and Newcastle Theatre Royal in 2015. http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/review-play-that-goes-wrong-at.html
Musical
of the year: Urinetown which we saw at the St James Theatre in London and became the play we
love to quote thereafter. Great memorable songs, coupled with a cracking
storyline – a feature that was missing on a number of musicals this year. We
would love to see it tour to the North East. http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/review-urinetown-musical-at-st-james.html
Moving
Play of the Year: the revival of Wet House at Live Theatre was superb. Joe
Caffrey was in great form as one of the trouble souls in Paddy Campbell’s debut
play. http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/review-wet-house-at-newcastle-live.html
Small
scale show of the year: Thirsty from The Paper Birds which we saw at The Arts
Centre Washington was a rollercoaster of
emotions as Jemma McDonnell and Kylie Walsh consumed large amounts of liquid whilst
exploring friendship and the demon alcohol.
Whodunnit
of the year was Jason Durr’s portrayal of Agatha Christie’s Poirot in Black
Coffee which had us guessing to the end at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal. We saw
a number of murders of stage this year but this show was a cut above the rest. http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/review-black-coffee-at-newcastle.html
Amateurs
showing the professionals how it is done play of the year has to be the moving Duet
For One at the People’s Theatre in Newcastle. A fabulous look into
some really difficult questions. http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/review-duet-for-one-newcastle-peoples.html
Kids
show of the year is one we hand over to the wee-man of the team. Robert loved Get Santa! at Newcastle’s Northern Stage. A
funny show that wasn’t afraid to connect with the young audience. It was funny
and heart warming without any unnecessary innuendo. http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/review-get-santa-at-newcastle-northern.html
Dance
show of the year was the incredible The Five & The Prophecy of Prana from
Boy Blue Entertainment. The mix of manga style characters and strong storyline had
the Northern Stage audience captivated. http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/review-five-prophecy-of-prana-at.html
Wedding
of the year? Well we see a lot of coupling on stage and the great farce that
was Perfect Wedding at South Shields Customs House was very
funny and showed that the North East produces entertaining theatre. http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/review-perfect-wedding-at-south-shields.html
A
massive thank you goes to the actors, producers, directors and theatres that
have invited us along to the shows this year. Theatre remains a great night out
and is not just about the Panto at Christmas. We have never seen a broadcast of
a West End Show at a cinema because we now there is plenty of live
entertainment out there in our wonderful theatres.
Looking
ahead – 2015 is going to be another cracking year too!
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