"Battle
It Out Until I
Get
My Own Way"
DieHard Gateshead
Gateshead
Caedmon Hall
Thursday 16th
July 2015
Ruth
Raynor has written a dynamic play about the life, during the current austerity,
for some women in Gateshead. It works brilliantly because it keeps both a
clear sense of perspective and a wicked sense of humour which frequently had
the packed Gateshead crowd laughing.
Ruth
has based the story around some of the women that she has met. As the story
opens it is clear something is wrong as the leader of Gateshead Women’s Centre,
Lesley, is taking a phone call. She quickly reverts to her happier face, with
positive mental attitude, once the first 2 participants arrive. Sandra, who
hates yoga, and the mother of 6, Katie, are at the centre of many of both the
light hearted and difficult moments of the play. Julia comes across as positive
but she also has her reasons for attending the centre.
One
of the key reasons why this production works is that whilst each character is
identifiable, they are not just simple, lazy stereotypes. When Rosie appears on
the scene to lead 6 weeks of drama with some “games to get in the right zone”,
the characterisations of the centre’s regulars have already been accepted by
the audience. Each character is likeable, which helps, and there hasn’t been an
overload of unnecessary exposition.
The
story then unfolds as the ladies plan to put on a play about a fishmonger with
Bruce Willis attributes that saves the staff at Tescos from an extremist attack
with many funny consequences.
Each
character was wonderfully portrayed and the only complaint is that I wanted
more. Surely DieHard 2 is on the way?
The
production then leaves some interesting questions. Have the creative industries
got as much to offer people who don’t normally participate as those people have
to offer the creative industries? Are the arts something that can be cut in a
recession or should it have equal status to other services through the impact
that it has. Which services should be cut back in austere times? DieHard Gateshead leaves many questions
unanswered.
The
Gateshead performance was then
followed by musical performances by 3 sets of musicians. Another Penny performs
3 songs covering 3 centuries of austerity in a fine folky way. They were followed by Ribbon Road who retained the folk
sensibilities with the songs included tales about the miners’ strike. The final
performer was the superb multi-instrumentalist Joe Solo, who is based in Scarborough. He remains ever the
optimist and his engaging style eventually lead to the packed room standing on
their chairs, shaking instruments and singing along to one of his catchy songs
about the workers struggle. He is at the centre of a movement to have gigs on
the weekend of the 2nd October with the positive refrain “We shall
overcome”. The three sets of musicians fitted in well with the overall concept
of the evening.
A
wonderful night with a strong message.
Read
the original North East Theatre Guide preview: Preview Link
This
review was written by Stephen Oliver the North East Theatre Guide Preview from
Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com
). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like
Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo
Cast
DieHard Gateshead
featured a cast of five:
Zoe Lambert
Christina Berriman Dawson
Judi Earl
Arabella Arnott
Jessica Johnson
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