Preview: Mr Corvan's Music Hall at Whitley Bay Playhouse

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Mr Corvan's Music Hall

Whitley Bay Playhouse
Saturday 3^rd June 2017

  

Mr Corvan's Music Hall  is a fantastic new musical play, written by top North East playwright Ed Waugh (co-writer Dirty Dusting, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Durham, Amazing Grace) whose latest solo play Hadaway Harry transfers to Newcastle Theatre Royal in February 2017.

Ned's story is both exhilarating and tragic. The first professional Geordie singer/songwriter, Ned was born in 1827 (died 1865) - a contemporary of Geordie Ridley (Blaydon Races) and Joe Wilson (Keep Your Feet Still Geordie, Hinny).

His most famous song Cullercoats Fish Lass has been recorded numerous times by modern artists and he wrote and performed songs at benefit gigs in support of striking Shields seamen in 1851.

Married at Christ Church in North Shields, Ned lived for a time in Clive Street (beside what is now the Ferry Landing).

Ned toured the region performing songs that had resonance with working class people then and today: Rise in Small Coals (the energy companies putting up their prices to increase profits); Toon Improvement Bill (he didn't rate local representatives); Sword Dancers Lament (the depressed economy); Astrilly (workers emigrating to Australia, hoping for a better life).

He also championed women (Factory Lass), celebrated local rowing hero Bob Chambers (Chambers and White), chronicled local events (Fire on the Quay) and took the mickey (Gannin to be a Keelman, the Pitman and the Kippered Herring, Swaggering at the Races).

Ned died of tuberculosis of the larynx aged only 37, but he left a brilliant legacy of at least 120 songs and was celebrated from Scotland to Yorkshire for his comedy lyrics, characters and virtuoso violin playing.

Starring Chris Connel (Pitman Painters - West End and Broadway; A funny Thing Happened on the Way to Durham).

Directed by Russell Floyd (TV's EastEnders and The Bill, and director of Hadaway Harry).

Mr Corvan's Music Hall is a production in association with Gala Theatre, Durham, and sponsored by Sunday for Sammy and the Arts Council.

Tickets:
Mr Corvan's Music Hall comes to Whitley Bay Playhouse on Saturday 3rd June 2017 with shows at 2.30 pm & 7.30 pm. Tickets costing £15 are available now.

Tickets are available from the Box Office open Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm, Saturday 10.30am – 2.30pm plus until show start on event days. Tickets can also be purchased on the booking hotline 0844 248 1588* or online at www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk.

*Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.