Review: Day of the Flymo at Newcastle Live Theatre

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“We cannot give up because it’s hard”

Day of the Flymo

Newcastle Live Theatre 

Until Saturday 21^st November 2015

Award winning playwright Paddy Campbell’s second play returns to the Live Theatre after it’s sell out run in April 2015. His first play Wet House was stunning (Wet House: NETG Review LINK) so will his second play live up to the high expectations?

Kalem Patterson & Tezney Mulroy

Liam is a 13 year old boy who cannot see the point of school. He has been expelled because of his behaviour. Compounding the problems is the nature of his home life. He lives with his Mum, Karen, and Sister, Becca, whilst his Dad is away at her majesties pleasure at HMP Durham. Dad is violent, and one episode resulted in Liam ending up in care whilst Mum had to go into hospital. The family are known to social services and Ben is looking after the case.

The play is both powerful and emotional without ever going for the obvious sob story. Director Paul James uses Paddy Campbell’s text to explore a situation sympathetically without cliché nor unnecessary overacting. Hence it is remarkable that this is done using genuine school aged actors rather than recent graduates pretending to be 13.

The central star is 14 year old local lad Kalem Patterson, as the troubled Liam.  Kalem owns the role, warts and all.  He is able fill the stage with boundless enthusiasm and draw empathy from the Live Theatre audience.

Tezney Mulroy is magnificent as Liam’s sister Becca. She is the straight one who is battling to keep her family together and study for exams despite the home issues.  It is easy to feel compassion rather than pity as she tries to lead the family.

Completing the young line up is Sophie Pitches as the slightly older girl Clara, whom Liam has found is also avoiding school Clara befriends him after initially appearing aloof.

Tezney Mulroy,  Sophie Pitches and  Kalem Patterson

All three young actors do a wonderful job in roles that are central to the plot. Whilst their performances can be, at times raw, it is in keeping with the nature of the story and they show a degree of maturity in their portrayal.  They have the potential to be future stars in the making.

Supporting the young cast are Jill Dellow, as the mother who is struggling with life, and Akemnji Ndifornyen as the pragmatic social worker Ben.  Their on stage relationships with the children are believable and compassionate.  Jill draws real emotion as her character’s fragile existence hangs in the balance. The role of Ben also involves a degree of narration, as the case notes on Liam, and his family, are revealed. Akemnji holds the piece together nicely and without fuss.

Day of the Flymo examines the role of the state when it gets involved in family relationships. It does not preach or over dramatise the scenario. The result is a powerful, rich and compassionate show that is well worth seeking out.

Creatives:

Written by Paddy Campbell
Directed by Paul James
Assistant Director Rachel Glover

Set Design by Phil Green

Read the original North East Theatre Guide preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/preview-day-of-flymo-at-newcastle-live.html

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

Tickets

Day of the Flymo comes to Live Theatre from Thursday 12^th to Saturday 21^st November.

PERFORMANCES: Tuesday to Saturday, 7.30pm
MATINEE: Saturday 14 November, 2pm

For more information on Day of the Flymo and to buy tickets costing between £18 to £10, over 60s concessions from £16 to £12 and other concessions £10 to £6 call Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or see www.live.org.uk.

DURATION:  Approx 1hr 20mins
SUITABILITY: 13+, contains strong language and some scenes of violence

TICKETS: £18-£10, over 60s conc. £16-£12 other concs. £10-6

ASSISTED PERFORMANCES: 

BSL Tuesday 17 November, 7.30pm

Captioned Wednesday 18 November, 7.30pm

Touch Tour Thursday 19 November, 6pm

Audio Described Thursday 19 November, 7.30pm

Related Events: 

Tuesday 17 November, Approx 9pm (10 minutes after the end of the play) – Talkback

Join writer Paddy Campbell, director Paul James and the actors from the show as they talk about the process of bringing the show to the stage and discuss the issues raised in the play 

DATES: Tues 17 Nov, 9pm (10 minutes after the end of the play)
LOCATION: Main Theatre
DURATION:  Approx. 40mins
SUITABILITY: 13+
TICKETS: Free, booking essential

Preview: Day of the Flymo at Newcastle Live Theatre

Young cast announced for Day of the Flymo, a new play by Paddy Campbell, the award-winning writer of Wet House

 
Day of the Flymo

Newcastle Live Theatre
Wednesday 8 April to Saturday 11 April

Written by Paddy Campbell
Directed by Paul James
Assistant Director Rachel Glover

Set Design by Phil Green

Three young actors from Live’s Youth Theatre have been cast for Day of the Flymo, a brand new play written by award-winning playwright Paddy Campbell (Wet House). Day of the Flymo looks at the chaotic lives of three young people as their family life falls apart. The World Premiere of Day of the Flymo is at Live Theatre, Newcastle from Wednesday 8 to Saturday 11 April 2015 and is Paddy’s second full length play.

Tezney Mulroy  Sophie Pitches &  Kalem Patterson

The cast of Day of the Flymo by Paddy Campbell

at Live  Theatre 8-11 April 2015

The three young actors are confirmed as Kalem Patterson (age 13, from Ryton) as Liam, Tezney Mulroy (age 17, from Newcastle) as Becca, and Sophie Pitches (age 16, from North Shields) as Clara. They will be supported by a professional cast.

Day of the Flymo explores the mechanisms that swing into action when social services step in, and follows a brother and sister as they struggle to cover up the cracks. Day of the Flymo asks what do you do when the state decides it’s going to take over from your Mam?

Writer Paddy Campbell, said:  “I've worked in a children's home for the past eight years and it's an interesting subject. It's not as black and white as people might think. I was delighted to be asked to write a piece for young people and am looking forward to seeing how the play is received by audiences.”

Paul James, Associate Director of Education & Participation said:  “When Paddy approached me with a proposal for doing a play regarding children in care for Live's Youth Theatre I was naturally delighted especially following the success of Wet House. Paddy has had a long association with the Youth Theatre but this will be his first full length commission specifically geared towards young people which I am extremely excited to be directing.  Last year we presented an initial script-in-hand performance of Day of The Flymo which was positively received by audiences and assured us that we had something special on our hands. The piece reflects Paddy's experience of working in care homes and poses some big questions. Don't miss it.”

The separation of young people in care was the subject of a recent report by the Family Rights Agency which reported that 44% of siblings in care were separated in the North East compared to an average of 50.5% in the UK, which the charity suggested could have ‘lifelong consequences’ on the lives of the young people.

Jowheretogo loved Paddy Campbell’s first full length play, Wet House. Read the review here: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/review-wet-house-at-newcastle-live.html. Wet House was the winner of three Journal Culture Awards, and voted one of The Guardian’s Top 10 Plays of 2013 and who said about Paddy ‘All hail a fine new voice’ . After a sell-out run at Live Theatre in 2013, as part of Live Theatre’s 40^th anniversary year, Wet House returned to Live Theatre and toured to Hull Truck Theatre and Soho Theatre in 2014.

The logo on the front doors at Live Theatre Photo: S Oliver

Day of the Flymo premieres at Live Theatre, Newcastle from Wednesday 8 to Saturday 11 April 2015. A free Meet the Writer event takes place at 6pm before the performance on Thursday 9 April, in which writer Paddy Campbell and director Paul James will talk about the making of the play. There is also a free Talkback discussion, ten minutes after the end of the play at approximately 9.00pm on Friday 10 April, in which the writer, director, actors from the show and experts talk about the process of bringing the show to the stage and discuss the issues raised in the play.

Tickets & event details:
For more information on Day of The Flymo and to buy tickets costing between £14 to £10, over 60s concessions from £12 to £10 and other concessions £5 call Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or see www.live.org.uk

Day of The Flymo - What do you do when the state decides it’s going to take over from your Mam? A new play by Award-winning writer, Paddy Campbell (Wet House).

DATES: Wed 8 to Sat 11 Apr, 7.30pm & Sat 11 Apr, 2pm

DURATION:  Approx 1hr 20mins
SUITABILITY: 13+, contains strong language and some scenes of violence

TICKETS: £14-£10, over 60s conc £12-£10, other concs £5
ASSISTED PERFORMANCE:  BSL Sat 11 Apr, 2pm

Thursday 9 April, 6pm
Meet the Writer
Join writer Paddy Campbell and director Paul James as they talk about the show. Discover more about Paddy’s approach to writing a play and some of the challenges he faced.

DATES: Thurs 9 Apr, 6pm
DURATION:  Approx. 40mins
SUITABILITY: 13+

TICKETS: Free, booking essential

Friday 10 April, Approx 9.00pm (10 minutes after the end of the play)
Talkback
Join writer Paddy Campbell, director Paul James, actors from the show and experts as they talk about the process of bringing the show to the stage and discuss the issues raised in the play.
DATES: Fri 10 Apr, 9.00pm (10 minutes after the end of the play)
DURATION:  Approx. 40mins
SUITABILITY: 13+
TICKETS: Free, booking essential