Betts
on for a dramatic
political
encounter
What Falls Apart
Newcastle Live Theatre
Wednesday 22 April to
Saturday 16 May
The cast of an explosive political drama have began rehearsals at Newcastle’s Live Theatre. Nigel Hastings, Zannah Hodson and Kevin
Wathen will be getting into character for their roles in the world premiere of What Falls Apart by Torben Betts.
On Thursday 7 May 2015 voters will take to
polling booths across the country to decide who will govern our country. With less than a month to go the unofficial
General Election campaign trail has begun with UK political parties
ready to battle it out to win seats across Britain. A report by think tank British Future suggests that, more than
at any time in the last 40 years, it’s a fairly open contest.
In the run up and aftermath of the Election voters are being invited to
Live Theatre for the world premiere of What
Falls Apart written by Torben Betts (Invincible)
and directed by Max Roberts which is on from Wednesday 22 April to Saturday 16
May.
Nigel Hastings will be taking on the role of Tom Savage, an ex-Labour
minister who has been parachuted into a safe North East constituency where he
is trying to win hearts and minds as well as an election. Tom finds himself in
a Tyneside hotel bar at midnight with a newly-teetotal barman and
a ‘criminally attractive’ woman.
Theatregoers are being invited to watch as he wrestles with a heady
cocktail of mid-life crisis, growing dependency on alcohol and the consequences
of his Government’s policies in Iraq. What could possibly go wrong?
He will be joined by Zannah Hodson who will be playing Venetia Fitzpatrick
a “criminally attractive” woman with a hidden agenda. The final member of the cast is local lad
Kevin Wathen who will play Gary England a newly teetotal barman and aspiring
Buddhist.
Director Max Roberts said: “With
the Election coming up we felt it would be interesting to stage a drama that
allowed audiences to come and consider some of the issues that are going to be
pertinent to the General Election. In the recent past we’ve presented a number
of plays with a political content – A Walk on Part for example was based on the
diaries of former MP Chris Mullin and charted the rise and fall of New Labour. The
play was presented in Newcastle and London to much critical acclaim and our
audiences enjoyed the humour and insight into the world of Westminster Chris’s memoires provided which
were skilfully adapted by Michael Chaplin. Torben is also a writer capable of capturing
the mood of the times and his abrasive and humorous social commentaries have
been much admired. So I'm delighted that his first play for us here at Live
Theatre is a topical, engaging and an ultimately explosive drama set on
Tyneside during the lead up to the General Election."
Torben, whose recent successes include the 2014 West End hit comedy Invincible and Muswell Hill, which was revived at Park Theatre in London in
February to rave reviews, was commissioned by Live Theatre to create a play to
be presented at a time when voters across the country will be taking to polling
booths to decide who will govern our country on Thursday 7 May 2015. As Torben
explains: “I am really excited about
making my Live Theatre debut. I relocated
from London to Berwick upon-Tweed a few years ago with my family and so am
delighted to be presenting my first play in the North East. What Falls Apart
looks at what has happened to political opposition in this country and centres
on a man, who voted for the war in Iraq, having to come face to face with the
consequences of his actions. With rehearsals due
to start at the end of March I am really looking forward to seeing this my play
brought to life during a time of great political uncertainty.”
Tickets:
Wednesday 22 April to Saturday
16 May
What Falls Apart A World Premiere - A Live Theatre Production
Written by Torben Betts - Directed by Max Roberts - Design by Isla Shaw
What Falls Apart A World Premiere - A Live Theatre Production
Written by Torben Betts - Directed by Max Roberts - Design by Isla Shaw
PERFORMANCES: Tues to Sat, 7.30pm
MATINEES: Sat 2 & 16 May 2pm, Thurs 7 May, 2pm & Sun 10 May, 4pm
MATINEES: Sat 2 & 16 May 2pm, Thurs 7 May, 2pm & Sun 10 May, 4pm
Tickets for What Falls Apart cost £22 to £10, over
60s concessions £22 to £10 and other concessions £15 to £5. Tickets can be
purchased by contacting Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or online
by visiting www.live.org.uk
SUITABILITY: 14+, contains strong language
ASSISTED PERFORMANCES:
Tuesday 12 May, 7.30pm - British Sign Language Interpreted
Wednesday 13 May, 7.30pm – Captioned
Thursday 14 May, 6.15pm – Touch Tour
Thursday 14 May, 7.30pm – Audio Described
ASSISTED PERFORMANCES:
Tuesday 12 May, 7.30pm - British Sign Language Interpreted
Wednesday 13 May, 7.30pm – Captioned
Thursday 14 May, 6.15pm – Touch Tour
Thursday 14 May, 7.30pm – Audio Described
Associated Events
Thursday
30 April, after the show
Meet the Team
Join writer Torben Betts, director Max Roberts and the cast as they talk about the process of bringing the show from page to stage.
Meet the Team
Join writer Torben Betts, director Max Roberts and the cast as they talk about the process of bringing the show from page to stage.
LOCATION: Main Theatre
DURATION: Approx. 30mins
SUITABILITY: 14+
TICKETS: Free, booking essential
Friday 1 May, 8pm
Exclusive Screening of Downhill
Torben Betts wrote the screenplay for the British independent feature
film Downhill a story about four old school friends who reunite to
attempt the epic coast to coast walk, across the United Kingdom.
As their journey unfolds, this comically incompatible foursome walk full
tilt into their mid-life crises.
Join us for an exclusive screening of this film, which was released in
cinemas in May 2014, then listen to Torben talk with Max Roberts about the
differences between writing for the stage and the screen. This is followed by a
Q&A.
LOCATION: Studio Theatre
DURATION: Approx. 2hrs 15mins, including an interval
SUITABILITY: 15+
TICKETS: £8, £6 concs
Sunday 3 May, 4pm
#GetOnYourSoapbox &
Young People’s Question Time
To mark the beginning of Election Week this is a chance to enjoy a piece
of theatre devised by young people as they get their voices heard in #GetOnYourSoapbox.
Then join Young People’s Question Time – a chance for local young
people to challenge the decision makers who shape the issues that
impact on our everyday lives.
LOCATION: Studio Theatre
DURATION: Approx. 2hrs, including an interval
SUITABILITY: 14+
TICKETS: Free, booking essential
Sunday 3 May, 7.30pm
In Defence of Politics
At a time of unprecedented cynicism about politics and politicians,
former Labour minister and best-selling diarist Chris Mullin makes a welcome
return to Live Theatre, this time to argue that, for all its imperfections,
British politics is an honourable profession. Join Chris as he sets out what he
believes is the great political challenge facing future generations.
A 40 minute talk followed by 50 minutes of Q&A.
LOCATION: Main Theatre
DURATION: Approx. 1hr 30mins
SUITABILITY: 14+
TICKETS: £12, £10 concs
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