Preview: BEYOND THE END OF THE ROAD

BEYOND THE END OF THE ROAD –

A BRAND NEW MUSICAL FOR NORTHUMBERLAND

Friday 23^rd June 2017        Shilbottle Village Hall       

Sunday 25^th June 2017     Bardon Mill Village Hall  

Tuesday 27^th June 2017    Sage Gateshead, Sage Two

Friday 30^th June 2017        Whalton Village Hall        

Saturday 1^st July 2017       Crossman Village Hall, part of Holy Island Festival

When the city meets the Northumberland countryside, all is not what it seems… what is the news ‘Beyond the End of the Road’?

Seven Northumberland villages, a livestock auction mart, Sage Gateshead and Holy Island are all venues for Beyond the End of the Road, a new musical that explores the lives and stories that make up rural life in Northumberland, in collaboration with Highlights Rural Touring Scheme.

Beyond the End of the Road is written by Laura Lindow, with music and lyrics composed by Katie Doherty, who has taken her inspiration from folk and traditional Northumbrian music. The musical is directed by November Club’s Cinzia Hardy and the result is an exciting and inclusive musical, exploring rural life in an engaging and innovative way.

Beyond the End of the Road has been produced by Morpeth based, performing arts company November Club. The story and songs for Beyond the End of the Road have been woven together using ideas and contributions distinctive to each community with whom they have been working. The November Club creative team has travelled the county talking to villagers, collecting local tales and stories, and invited groups of singers to perform at each show.

Katie lives on a farm where her husband, Stephen, runs a flock of 1000 Swaledale sheep and a herd of 30 Aberdeen Angus cattle, which he sells at Hexham Auction Mart. She gives some background to the story:

“There is a very long road leading up to the farm, and each day when I returned home from work in the city, Stephen would ask me “what’s the news beyond the end of the road?” hence the title ‘Beyond the End of the Road,’ was born.”

At the end of the show, the audience is invited to take part in a ceilidh courtesy of renowned Northumbrian Concertina player Alistair Anderson, who will close the performance in style.

Artistic Director of November Club, Cinzia Hardy, added:  “‘Beyond the End of the Road’ is the most ambitious project we have ever undertaken.

“It is as much the villagers’ show as it is ours.  This is a great opportunity for talented locals to be part of a performance which is not only highly relevant to them, but also explores the real dynamics of life in rural Northumberland. It is a real discovery of the county ”

A professional cast of 10 actors and musicians will weave their midsummer tale about the residents of a village called PLACE, its people, and its stories. Each village will also have special appearances from local talent including a choir, the part of a 12-year-old girl and a couple of additional roles to help bring the musical to life.  

The Beyond the End of the Road Tour started Friday 2^nd June at Hexham Auction Mart and concludes on Saturday 1^st July at The Crossman Village Hall, Holy Island, with an additional  show now scheduled for Sage Gateshead on Tuesday 27th June. For ticket information visit www.novemberclub.org.uk/musical 

The production of ‘Beyond the End of the Road’ is possible by an £85,000 strategic touring grant from Arts Council England, with additional support from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, together with The Joicey Trust, Northumberland County Council, Northumberland National Park and the Community Foundation for Tyne and Wear. In collaboration with Highlights Rural Touring Scheme, supported by Queen’s Hall Arts and Hexham and Northern Marts.

Beyond the End of the Road – A brand new musical about Northumberland, its people and their stories.

Website: www.novemberclub.org.uk/musical

Produced by:          November Club, a Northumberland based performing arts company, in collaboration with Highlights Rural Touring Scheme.

Music and Lyrics by:          Katie Doherty, Music Associate, November Club

Written by:                Laura Lindow

Directed By:             Cinzia Hardy – Artistic Director, November Club.

Supporters:               Public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, The Joicey Trust, Northumberland County Council, Northumberland National Park and the Community Foundation for Tyne and Wear.

Supported by:                     Queen’s Hall Arts, Hexham and Hexham and Northern Marts  

In Collaboration with:       Highlights Rural Touring Scheme          

TOUR DATES:                        

Friday 23^rd June 7:00pm   Shilbottle Village Hall        (£4.00 - £7.50)

                                                Box Office: 01665 575196 www.highlightsnorth.co.uk

Sunday 25^th June 6:30pm            Bardon Mill Village Hall   (£6.00 - £24.00)       

                                                Box Office: 01434 344424 www.highlightsnorth.co.uk

Tuesday 27^th June 7.30pm          Sage Gateshead, Sage Two (£13.10 - £15.30)

                                                Box Office: 0191 443 4661 www.sagegateshead.com

Friday 30^th June 7:30pm   Whalton Village Hall         (£3.00 - £7.00)

                                                Box Office: 01670 775411

Saturday 1^st July 4.00pm  Crossman Village Hall, part of Holy Island Festival (£10.00)                      Box Office: www.holyislandfestival.org