Preview: Waiting for Gandalf at Newcastle Bridge Hotel

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‘Waiting for Gandalf’ one-man show 

comes to Newcastle

Waiting for Gandalf

Newcastle Bridge Hotel

Saturday 24^th September 2016  

"It’s too complete a story to go backward. Yes, forwards is the only way to go. Looking back is such a waste isn’t it? It’s what’s going to be that we should be bothered with. Not all that was. I mean, the past is the past. History. Learn from it and move on."

A one-man show from North East playwright Adrian Marks is to be performed upstairs at Newcastle’s Bridge Hotel as part of Tolkien Weekend 2016, following on from its Brighton Fringe debut this May. Further details about the weekend can be found here: www.newcastlecastle.co.uk/tolkien-weekend-2016

Meet Kevin (played by Chris Neville-Smith): self-confessed fanatic of all things The Lord of the Rings. On the eve of Ian McKellen signing the new movie companion to The Two Towers, he camps overnight outside Fenwicks, waiting. As others join the queue, he talks about his life-long devotion, friends who don't understand him, family who never had time for him.

But what is Kevin's real reason for his obsession with Tolkien? Why does he need to take his mind away from the harsh realities of life? Underneath his cheery exterior, some disturbing revelations from Kevin’s unhappy past are about to be revealed.

“This is a nuanced, sympathetic performance of a lost soul that really tugs at the heart strings” ★★★★ Julia French, Broadway Baby.

Please note: This event is for ages 14+ due to its challenging content. The production has been described as “dark as hell” by FringeGuru and contains some adult and upsetting themes. The upstairs of the Bridge Hotel, like much of Newcastle Castle, where Tolkien Weekend takes place, is unfortunately inaccessible to wheelchair users.

Tickets:

Waiting for Gandalf comes to the Bridge Hotel in Newcastle on Saturday 24^th September 2016 at 4pm.

Tickets are free but must be pre-booked via www.newcastlecastle.co.uk, and there will be a collection for charity afterwards.

www.chrisnevillesmith.info/productions/gandalf.html

Preview: Cat Loud’s Wayward Girls at Edinburgh Surgeon’s Hall

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Cat unleashes her dark side by singing the blues in this humorous cabaret

The Blueswater Presents: 

Cat Loud’s Wayward Girls

Edinburgh theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall (Venue 53)

Friday 5^th- Saturday 27^th August 2016

Seemingly wholesome island lass Cat Loud is still on the prowl for her next big adventure. A chance stumble down a rabbit hole into a secret speakeasy introduces her to the whole gang of unlikely heroes; the queers, pioneers and independent souls who don’t take “girl” for an answer. Discovering this dark underworld, Cat’s life takes a turn for the wicked.

Following the trail blazed by the likes of Camille O’Sullivan, Bette Midler and Lady Rizo, Cat Loud’s blend of storytelling and song is comic and heartfelt, entertaining and poignant. She puts her soulful and humorous stamp on an unlikely collection of contemporary and classic songs, straddling the genres of blues, disco, jazz and pop from her favourite wayward girls and other artists who capture the spirit of sexual rebellion and hard-won self-awareness and freedom.

After the success of Cat Loud’s Big Night In, her five-star debut solo show, Wayward Girls premieres at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2016 and is an intimate cabaret with live musical accompaniment from award-winning blues collective The Blueswater.

On The Web:

Website: www.catloud.tumblr.com

Twitter @ThatCatLoud

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/hotapple84

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/catloud

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CatLoudSings

Reviews for Cat Loud’s Big Night In, Edinburgh Fringe 2015 and UK Tour 2016

★★★★★ “she is a spellbinder” Broadway Baby

★★★★★“spine-tingling” TVBomb
★★★★“something special” Female Arts

★★★★ “divine” FreshAir Radio

★★★★ “raunchy, decadent and hilarious”edfringereview.com

★★★★ “turns her voice to a variety of songs never once missing a beat” London Pub Theatres

Tickets:

Venue: Edinburgh theSpace @ Surgeon’s Hall (Venue 53)

Dates: Friday 5^th- Saturday 27^th August 2016

Time: 18:05 (50 minutes)

Tickets: £9.00/ £8.00 (2for1 Aug 8^th-9^th)

Box Office: 0131 226 0000

Online tickets:  https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/blueswater-presents-cat-loud-s-wayward-girls

Photo credit: Nick Patrick photography

Preview: Spoon-Feeders at Newcastle Alphabetti

NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY THEATRE SOCIETY 

Spoon-Feeders

Newcastle Alphabetti

Thursday 11^th August 2016

An Edinburgh Fringe preview at Alphabetti Theatre of a piece of new writing: Patrick Watson’s Spoon-Feeders.

Directed by Lucy Sherratt; Spoon-Feeders is a satirical piece that follows the daily lives of four actors in a newsroom. Max, Tibby, Jons and Fizz all have their own dramatic aspirations but Fizz, quashed by the others, has to satisfy herself with office work. When Stephen, an aspiring actor and recent graduate accepts a job at the office, Tibby and Jons feel their positions are threatened. The prospect of a career-making scoop beckons and claws are sharpened. As each party vies for supremacy, a question emerges: What does it really mean to control something?

Patrick Watson is a 20 year old English Literature student from the Scottish Borders. He says the concept for the play first came about after watching the news where he was left “wondering about the distinction between the entertainment and information industries” and how the media have the capability to alter audience perceptions of real life events. The first preview of Spoon-Feeders at Newcastle University’s annual ‘Drama Festival’ has been described by The Courier as “hard-hitting,” “inventive” and “thoughtful.”

About Newcastle University Theatre Society (NUTS)
NUTS is one of the largest and most successful student theatre societies in the country and one of the oldest societies at Newcastle University. Students from all over the university come together each year to showcase their talents in the form of 10 plays, 2 musicals and 6 student written plays. Some previous original NUTS productions at Edinburgh Fringe include If Only Diana Were Queer (2015) and Big Brother Blitzkrieg (2014) which returns to the King’s Head Theatre in London on 26^th May after a sell-out run earlier this year. Learn more at https://nuts-theatre.com
                                                                  

Cast                                                          

Max                                         Patrick Watson                    

Stephen                                 Joseph Campbell-Sample 

Fizz                                           Alex Burns                             

Tibby                                       Aidan Clancy                      

Jons                                        James Howlett                    

Creatives

Director                                  Lucy Sherratt

Writer                                      Patrick Watson

Production Manager          Chloe Burton

Producers                              Tom Edney and Caroline Simonsen

Poster                                     Alex Burns

Tickets:

Newcastle: Spoon-Feeders comes to Newcastle Alphabetti on Thursday 11th August 2016 at 7.30pm
Tickets: £6.50 Book online here: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/138844
Where: Alphabetti Theatre, The Basement, 18 New Bridge Street West, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8AW

Edinburgh: Spoon-Feeders runs at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival Monday 15^th- Saturday 27^thAugust at theSpace @ Surgeons Hall(Venue 53) at 8:30pm Book online here: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/spoon-feeders

Preview: Bring It On at South Shields Customs House

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Regional Premiere of High-Flying Musical to Take Place at The Customs House

Bring It On: The Musical

South Shields Customs House

Friday 12^th to Sunday 14^th August 2016

Young stars in the making from across the region have come together 

for the local premiere of a Broadway musical.

Bring It On: The Musical comes to The Customs House in South Shields this week and will be performed by the venue annual Summer School from Friday 12^th to Sunday 14^th August.

Highflyers Tabitha Severs,

Jessica Emms & Ell Ray

It will be the first time the Tony Award nominated show will be performed in Tyne and Wear and youngsters have come from Ashington, Whitley Bay, Gateshead and Sunderland to perform in the cheerleading-based musical.

Director Gareth Hunter said: “I’m really excited for this show, its super energetic and the music has something for everyone. The kids have worked really hard on what is a very challenging show and the end product is going to look spectacular which is only fitting for the local premiere of this award winning musical.”

Fierce Rivals Cambell & Danielle

played by Katie Reed and Laura Roberts

The young cast, aged from eight to 18, have been working for three weeks to put on a first class performance.

Musical director Andrew Clarence added: “I’m really pleased to be back for my second year with The Customs House Summer School. Last year’s show, Joseph, was a huge success and the cast are in great voice this year. The music is already sounding fantastic and, with the addition of our superb live band, the show will be bursting with energy and excitement.”

Laura Roberts, Erin Atack, Steven Owens,

Robert Wilson Baker, Holly Chinneck,

Nieve Murphy & Erin Simpson.

Bring It On: The Musical is a high-flying thrill ride where the cutthroat world of competitive cheerleading meets the fierce rivalries of high school politics and romance. It’s about friendship, acceptance and amazing stunts.

The youngsters have been working with choreographer Hazel Pude and cheer coach Bethany Slavin to create the perfect moves and style for the show.

Katie Reed, Georgina Whale Spencer,

Kai Newton, Holly Stidolph & Amy Shute.

“This year’s dance numbers are something really different with styles ranging from hip hop, to musical theatre to full on cheerleading numbers,” said Hazel. “The kids have really risen to the challenge, especially the cheerleading lifts and throws which most had no experience of prior to starting the rehearsals. They’ve done an amazing job with Bethany’s help.”

Tickets:

Tickets for Bring It On are from £8 and are available from the box office on 0191 454 1234 or by visiting www.customshouse.co.uk.

Review: Capability Brown at Kirkharle Courtyard

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Capability Brown – The Eye Catcher

Kirkharle Courtyard, Northumberland

Saturday 6^th - Saturday 20^th August 2016

2016 represents the 300^th anniversary of the birth of Kirkharle’s famous son, Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. The Courtyard at Kirkharle, with its arts shops and food places, is surrounded with the style of landscaping that made Capability famous. Hexham based Theatre Sans Frontieres’ John Cobb has researched, devised, written and now performs in a remarkable one man show.  Adding fact, humour and charm to a fascinating tale of social mobility in the 18^th century.

During his childhood, Lance shared a bed with his 2 brothers. They would play ogres together as they chased the animals around their parent’s home. They would walk 2 miles to the school in Cambo through the fields in which Lance would eventually rearrange the trees and add lakes. At the age of 23 he would head south clutching the recommendation of the Northumberland landowners. His increasing reputation enabled him to take on bigger projects for notable clients. Capability Brown was setting the trends for fashionable gardening.

The venue for the show is a classy marquee inside a barn – complete with chandeliers.  This means that the show cannot be spoilt by August’s unreliable weather patterns.

The charismatic hour long performance has John Cobb performing a number of roles. He adds jokes, music and a great ability of storytelling. The end result is a really pleasant and informative hour that celebrates a man that literally made the earth move. The Courtyard is well worth a visit itself and there is the chance to explores Capabilities’ handywork.

The show’s advertising suggests it is suitable for ages 12+ but we saw nothing that would be unsuitable for any younger keen theatre goers.

Details  about the show: http://www.tsf.org.uk/productions/capability-brown-eye-catcher

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo. 

Cast & Creatives:

Actor/Writer/Deviser: John Cobb

Director/Dramaturg: Aron De Casmaker

Set design/ Costume: Alison Ashton

Set Maker: Tony Nielson

Lighting Design: Kevin James

Music: Ken Patterson

Stage Management: Willy Houwen

Photography: Mike Edwick

Read the North East Theatre Guide preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/preview-capability-brown-eye-catcher-at.html

Tickets:

Performances at Kirkharle Courtyard take place at 11am and 2pm on:  Saturday 6, Wednesday 10, Saturday 13, Wednesday 17 and Saturday 20 August 2016.

Tickets cost £5 and advance booking is not required. For more information, please contact Kirkharle Courtyard on 01830 540362, email info@kirkharlecourtyard.co.uk or check out the website at www.kirkharlecourtyard.co.uk.

Preview: Wychwood at Edinburgh The Space

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Violet Shock presents:

Wychwood

Edinburgh The Space at Niddry Street (Venue 9)

Monday 15^th – Saturday 20^th August 2016

Violet Shock return to The Fringe with “Wychwood” - their most ambitious show to date. Set in the late Victorian/early Edwardian era in The Wychwood House Asylum, we meet “Professor” Snaith - a tall, gaunt figure who takes delight in exhibiting his patients as some kind of sideshow.

“Wychwood” is a good old theatrical portmanteau piece that sees four classic Victorian/Edwardian ghost stories by F. Marion Crawford, M. E. Braddon and M. R. James performed by the asylum inmates as they tell the story of how they came to be a resident of the institution. Told through Melodrama, song, illusion and gripping storytelling, “Wychwood” is 60 minutes of nerve shredding theatre that grabs hold of you from the minute you take your seat and never lets go…not for the faint of heart.

Creatives:

Script: Karl Boyd & Yvonne Rushmere

Music: Karl Boyd

Lyrics: Yvonne Rushmere

Director: Karl Boyd

Tickets:

Wychwood from Violet Shock come to Edinburgh The Space at Niddry Street (V9). 15th - 20th August at 1pm. The show is 60 minutes. Prices: £8 (£6 conc) Tickets available from https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/wychwood

Warnings: Contains sudden loud noises and some frightening scenes that may be unsuitable for younger children and those of a nervous disposition. Suitability: 12+