Preview: The Rise & Fall of a Northern Star at Sunderland's Independent

First theatre production for Sunderland's Independent

The Rise & Fall of a Northern Star
Sunderland's Independent  

Friday 15th May 2015

On Saturday 18th April, musician, actor, writer, Stella Grundy kicked-off the Spring tour for her multimedia music production, The Rise & Fall of a Northern Star. This unique and incendiary show, which was directed by Ian Bloomfield, blends comedy and tragedy in rhythmic, pacey dialogue, interspersed with Stella's original music.  The story is a cautionary tale of rock n roll wannabe, Tracy Star trying to make her mark in the male-dominated Manchester music scene of the eighties and early nineties.

This tour incorporates specific theatres and music venues which suit The Rise & Fall of a Northern Star's cross-over production style ~ the next date lined up is The Independent in Sunderland on Friday 15th May. It's the first time a theatre production has taken place at this venue.

The original script from The Rise and Fall of a Northern Star was developed around nine songs that Stella composed specifically for the piece. These tracks will be released as part of a concept album, to complement the touring show. Recorded recently at Gadget's Lab Studios, Manchester, it was produced by Stella herself along with Jonathan Hurst and features legendary bassist, Jah Wobble. (The album is available on request). 

As part of the multi-media touring production of The Rise and Fall of a Northern Star, Stella has created a 'mockumentary', Then and Now, which is shown on the screen as an integral part of the play. Then and Now features various 'talking heads', including Clint Boon and Mike Joyce, who form part of Tracy Star's narrative by providing humorous anecdotes about Tracy's 'historical moments' from her musical past.  This works brilliantly as part of the audience's experience and enables them to form an emotional connection with Tracy as a fully-rounded and believable character from the Madchester era.

Tickets:

Tickets can be obtained from the following website: http://www.artscentrewashington.co.uk/production-details.aspx?id=650 or call 0191 219 3455

The Tour
The Rise and Fall of a Northern Star Tour Dates:
(supported by The Arts Council)

Saturday 18th April ~ The Tabernacle, Wales
Saturday 2nd May ~ The Dancehouse, Manchester (Mad Manc Cabaret)
Friday 15th May ~ The Independent, Sunderland
Friday 22nd May ~ Salford Arts Centre
Monday 25th May ~ The Bierkeller, Bristol
Friday 29th May ~ Upstairs at The Western, Leicester
Thursday 4th June ~ Cast, Doncaster
Friday 5th June ~ Hull Truck
Thursday 11th June ~ Seven Arts, Leeds
Monday 15th June ~ The Bike Shed, Exeter
Thursday 18th June ~ Theatre in the Mill, Bradford
Monday 29th June ~ Hebden Bridge Arts Festival
Tuesday 7th July ~ Oxford Playhouse

(Also Sunday 8th Nov ~ Shine Festival at Butlins, Minehead)

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See the new PDM video on this link here  

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