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Preview of the Autumn
2015 season at Newcastle’s Northern Stage
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The Tempest: Tyrone
Huggins
|
After
presenting some of the best theatre the north has to offer at the Edinburgh
Fringe over the summer, autumn at Northern Stage starts with a storm and ends
with a whirlwind. The Tempest
(25
September – 10 October) is a Northern Stage co-production with Improbable and
Oxford Playhouse, directed by Phelim McDermott. Award-winning poet and
playwright Caroline Bird (Secret Theatre) is writing a brand new version of The Wonderful Wizard of
Oz (28 November – 2 January
2016) for kids over 7 and their families.
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Dead Dog in a Suitcase
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Visiting
company highlights include Kneehigh’s Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs) (20-24 October) – a
raucous, shocking new take on the Beggar’s Opera written by Carl Grose,
directed by Kneehigh Artistic Director Mike Shepherd, with a powerful live
score by Charles Hazlewood.
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Selina Thompson
Dark & Lovely
|
After
last year’s hugely successful Rapunzel, balletLORENT return with Snow White (16-17 October) – the
première of a new dance theatre show for families, written by Poet Laureate,
Carol Ann Duffy. Selina Thompson is
back following a residency earlier this year with Dark and Lovely (3-4 November), exploring black hair: its
politics, its connotations, its history and what it tells us about being Black,
British and Female in the UK today. And Daniel Bye presents a new show
about an ordinary ten year old boy whose best friend just happens to be a
robot, Error
404 (29-30 October).
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Daniel Bye
Error 404
|
Improbable is arguably one of Britain’s most inventive,
original and exciting theatre companies, and its Artistic Director, Phelim
McDermott, has an international reputation including productions such as Shockheaded
Peter with the Tiger Lillies
for Lyric Hammersmith, A Midsummer Night's Dream for Deutsches
Schauspielhaus, and Satyagraha and The Perfect American by Philip
Glass for English National Opera. Northern Stage’s Artistic Director, Lorne
Campbell says, “Bringing Phelim to Northern Stage to direct The Tempest is part of our ongoing
commitment to getting some of the finest directors in the world to direct for
the company and to present work here, following on from Rachel Chavkin (Catch-22) and the
presentation of the Krymov Ensemble (Opus No.7) in 2014.”
Phelim
McDermott says, “Of all Shakespeare's plays it is great to return to direct
the first play I was ever in as a teenager! We have a strong ensemble of actors
who will work in our unique Improbable style. We will be aiming to bring
the text alive making a show that will be different every night yet true to the
heart of this magical and unusual play.”
Tyrone
Huggins will play Prospero. Huggins wrote and starred in The Honey Man (Birmingham
Rep) - the critically acclaimed story of an ageing Caribbean recluse, who tries
in vain to save "Miranda" (his colony of bees), drawing parallels
with Shakespeare’s magical tale of revenge, love and, ultimately, forgiveness.
He was also one of a group of high profile writers announced for Eclipse
Theatre Company’s Revolution Mix – a three-year equality initiative to
bring Black British stories to regional theatres – which Northern Stage is a
partner in, along with the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Liverpool Everyman and
Bristol Old Vic among others.
He
is joined by Jade Ogugua as Miranda (The Guilty, ITV), Eileen Walsh as
Ariel (The Magdalene Sisters), Tony Bell as Stephano (Oh, The
Humanity, Northern Stage), Hannah McPake as Trinculo (The Gamblers,
Greyscale) and Chris Price as Ferdinand (Catch-22, Northern Stage). More
cast members are still to be confirmed.
Commemorating
the 10th anniversary of the death of award-winning writer Julia Darling, Northern Stage is
producing a revival of her witty and uplifting musical play, Manifesto (15-17 October). Inspired
by the city she loved and the events surrounding her, Julia worked with Jim
Kitson to set her series of poems to music, creating what was to be both her
first ever musical and her final work. Alongside the production, Northern Stage
is running a season of events to encourage people to make their own Manifestos
for change. Starting with an Open Stages project for children aged 5-12 and
working with local schools in Autumn to continue the project, Northern Stage
has also teamed up with New Writing North and Juice Festival to support a
series of writing workshops for young people, and is holding an open audition
for singers to join a mixed cast of professionals and amateurs.
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Curious Monkey
Beats North
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Stage
2 is home to more exciting artists’ residencies, giving companies the space to
develop new work and ideas, including balletLORENT
as they make the next of their fairy tale pieces written by Poet
Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy (Snow White, 16-17 October); and North East
based Curious Monkey (Mamela,
Beats North) who will begin work on their new show Leaving written
by Paddy Campbell (Wet House). This new verbatim play looks at the
pivotal moment of leaving care, focusing on two true stories to explore mental
health issues and the challenges of leaving the care system.
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Jenny Eclair
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Plus,
there’s big name comedy from Jenny Eclair
(28
October) and Festival of the Spoken Nerd (30 October), an eclectic programme of theatre,
comedy, music and spoken word from some of the best performers from the North
East and across the UK in Stage 3, and family entertainment including Family Day (12 September) and
regular Saturday morning storytelling sessions with The Storyteller, Chris Bostock for children aged 4-8 and
their families, starting on 5 September.
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Festival of the Spoken
Nerd
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Finally,
the season ends with two Northern Stage productions for the festive period:
Caroline Bird (Chamber Piece, Secret Theatre) is writing a brand new
version of The
Wonderful Wizard of Oz (28 November – 2 January 2016) for kids over 7 and their
families. She says, “This is the Wizard of Oz with a heart transplant. As a
child, I absolutely loved the story. However, being a ten-year-old know-it-all
bookworm who could spot a moral sleight of hand at a hundred yards, I hated the
final bit when the horrible, lying Wizard gives them life-lessons. I thought,
‘Hey! He’s a humbug, living in Emerald luxury while Munchkins get enslaved, and
now we’re taking his advice? No thanks very much!’ So this is inspired by that
childlike anger: Oz is a troubled land, Dorothy the Brave is there for a reason
- she lands in a mysterious country of tiny people and wicked witches, where
the trees carry bazookas, the crows recite slam poetry, and a mouse can blow
your head off. In just one day, this little girl revolutionises an entire
nation. She brings freedom, and colour.”
And
for under 6s, Up and Out, Christmas Sprout (14 November – 2 January 2016) is written by
Laura Lindow (Heartbreak Soup, Live Theatre) and directed by Unfolding
Theatre’s Annie Rigby. Annie says, “I’ve admired Laura’s writing for many
years, so it’s a delight to collaborate with her this Christmas and we’ve got a
great team working to create a magical world for Northern Stage’s youngest
audiences. It’s such a privilege to make theatre for children - for many, it
might be the first time they’ve come to see a show and we want to make the
whole experience very special.”
Tickets:
The
Storyteller
First
Saturday of every month, 10.30am–11.30am
£4
Join
Chris Bostock, the Storyteller, on a journey of discovery and dreaming, with
lots of participation and plenty of fun. Listen, enjoy and pass on these
memorable stories.
NARC
Music Nights
Sat
18 July & Fri 18 Sep, 8pm
From
£5
Regional
bands, short film-screenings, music videos by local film-makers plus a few
surprises each night.
Family
Day
Sat
12 Sep, 11am–3pm
Free
We’ll
have all kinds of things to do and see as we throw open the doors and let you
explore our building.
Into
Thin Air
Tue
15 – Wed 16 Sep, 7.45pm
£10
/ £8 concs.
Into
Thin Air explores
the increasing pressure on everyone to succeed at everything. A slick,
intelligent exploration of how we cope in an increasingly pressurised world.
Night
Visit
Thu
17 Sep, 7.30pm
£9
/ £7 concs.
A
séance of stories, sounds, images summoning ghosts. Travel through the night,
encounter spirits, voyage beyond death, as Sally Pomme Clayton tells her
families’ ghost stories. Dazzling images are manipulated live. Biography and
myth merges with history and dream.
You,
Me and Everything in Between
Thu
24 – Fri 25 Sep, 7.45pm
£10
/ £8 concs.
A
science-fact love story. Two ordinary people do an extraordinary thing. Two
ordinary people look out into the universe and find the most human thing: love.
The
Tempest
Fri
25 Sep – Sat 10 Oct
Eves:
7.30pm (6pm Wed 7 Oct), Sat: 2pm & 7.30pm Sat
£24,
£19.50, £14.50. Student / Under 21, £12
An
exciting new production of Shakespeare’s tale of love, magic, revenge and
forgiveness.
Curious
Monkey: Beats North
Tue
29 Sep – Thu 1 Oct, 7.45pm
£10
/ £8 concs.
Two
young northern lads explore the soundtrack to their lives in this double bill
by Luke Barnes and Ishy Din featuring DJ Mariam Rezaei.
Cinema
Thu
15 Oct, 7.45pm
£10
/ £8 concs.
19 August, 1978. Cinema Rex fire, Iran. 422 Dead. Who will
remember them? Shahrzad – a feral cat – bargains with death for one more life.
Manifesto
for a New City
Thu
15 – Sat 17 Oct, 7.30pm
£10
/ £8 concs.
A
friendly revolution snatches power from the city’s leaders and delivers it to
its bread-kneaders, flower arrangers, and chocolate fanciers. A revival of
Julia Darling’s much loved musical play.
Snow
White
Fri
16 – Sat 17 Oct, Fri 7pm, Sat 2pm & 7pm
£24,
£19.50, £14.50. Student / Under 21, £12
A
young woman with beauty as pure as feathered snow and a mother’s wicked
jealously meet in this new family show from balletLORENT with magical mirrors,
poisonous apples, love and deception. Written by Poet Laureate, Carol Ann
Duffy.
Donald
Robertson is not a Standup Comedian
Tue
20 – Wed 21 Oct, 7.45pm
£10
/ £8 concs.
Donald
Robertson has no mates and he isn’t funny. But with guidance from his new
mentor Gary, he hopes that this is all about to change.
Kneehigh:
Dead Dog in a Suitcase (and other love songs)
Tue
20 – Sat 24 Oct
Tue
& Fri 7.30pm, Wed 6pm, Thu & Sat 2pm & 7.30pm
£24,
£19.50, £14.50. Student / Under 21, £12
Mayor
Goodman has been assassinated. Contract killer Macheath has just married Pretty
Polly Peachum and Mr and Mrs Peachum aren't happy. Not one bit. Based on The
Beggar’s Opera, John Gay’s classic musical satire, Dead Dog in a
Suitcase (and other love songs) is busting with wit, wonder and weirdness.
First
in 3
Thu
22 Oct, 7.45pm
£5
Showcasing
the best in new writing, comedy, theatre, music and everything in between.
Jenny
Eclair
Wed
28 Oct, 8pm
£17.50
Professional
grumpy old woman, Splash survivor, amateur soup-maker and novice knitter, Jenny
Eclair is younger than Madonna but eats crisps and likes wine. She puts middle
age under the microscope and decides whether to laugh, cry or buy a Dachshund.
Young
Person’s First in 3
Wed
28 Oct, 7pm
£4
The
sell-out event is back! Come and join young artists as they showcase their
talent.
Daniel
Bye: Error 404
Thu
29 – Fri 30 Oct, 11am & 2pm
£10.50
/ £8.50 children
He
lost his best friend in a terrible accident and when his mum brings home an
unusual parcel, things start getting weirder and weirder. Join him on a roller
coaster of laughter, tears, music and games – you might even change the ending.
Open
Stages Performance
Sat
31 Oct, 3pm
£3
Celebrating
the creativity of 5–12 year olds with a brand new show! Our smallest performers
take to the big stage.
Festival
of the Spoken Nerd
Fri
30 Oct, 8pm
£15
/ £13 concs.
The
science comedy phenomenon returns, and this time they’re off the chart. Join
acclaimed stand-up mathematician Matt Parker, experiments maestro Steve
‘Danger’ Mould and geek songstress Helen Arney for graph-a-minute fun on
unprecedented linear scale.
Dark
and Lovely
Tue
3 – Wed 4 Nov, 7.45pm
£10
/ £8 concs.
Selina
Thompson is exploring black hair and what it tells us about being Black,
British and Female in the UK today.
Great
Northern Slam
Thu
5 Nov, 7.45pm
£7
Ten
of the best slam poets in the North have three minutes each to wow the audience
in a bid to impress the judges and become Great North Slam Champion.
Shakespeare
Schools Festival
Mon
9 – Sat 14 Nov, 7pm
£10
/ £8 concs.
The
Festival works with over a thousand schools all over the UK, staging productions in
their local professional theatre. Each night four schools perform a different
abridged Shakespeare play. Come along to celebrate their achievements.
Sacre
Blue
Tue
10 – Wed 11 Nov, 7.45pm
£10
/ £8 concs.
A
bubble bath. A protest. A slice of toast. Some science. A solo performance
piece confronting anxiety through poetry & storytelling. A riot organised
by your Nan.
Up
and Out Christmas Sprout
Sat
14 Nov – Sat 2 Jan, See website for performance schedule
Adult:
£14 / £12.50 / £7.50
Child:
£10 / £9.50 / £7.50
Under
12 months: £2
Follow
our brave(ish) hero William Russell Sprout Junior up and out into the winter
sky. Up, up and away to the Wild Beyond, negotiating snowy rooftops and stormy
seas on his quest to put things back the way they were.
600
People
Tue
17 – Wed 18 Nov, 7.45pm
£10
/ £8 concs.
Is
there anyone, y’know, out there? Alexander Kelly talked to an astrophysicist to
find out. This is what he learned: Stellar Wobble. The Distance Ladder. And
murderous dolphins.
The
Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Sat
28 Nov – Sat 2 Jan, See website for performance schedule
£24,
£19.50, £14.50. Student / Under 21, £12. Family tickets £60
A
cyclone sweeps Dorothy Gale far, far away from her grey, boring life. She’d
rather keep her trainers on than wear ruby slippers but here she is in the
Technicolor land of Oz, ready for an adventure. A new version of the classic
written by award-winning poet and playwright Caroline Bird, directed by Mark
Calvert.
The
Suggestibles Impro Pantso
Thu
17 Dec, 8pm
£17
The
legendary Suggestibles improvised comedy troupe are back to wreak hilarious
havoc on the The Wonderful Wizard of Oz set. Your suggestions inspire
the whole extravaganza. Strictly for extremely naughty big kids.
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