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Geordie the Musical
South Shields Customs House
Until Saturday 5th
September 2015
The
Westoe Brass Band were playing delightful music on Mill Dam as the audience
arrived to see a production about the proud songs and history of the
region. Based upon a story by Andy Bogle
and written by Tom Kelly, the show is proud of its roots.
Bella
(Viktoria Kay) and her husband James (Shaun Prendergast) run The Wheatsheaf
pub. It is a popular hostelry which serves good beer and has the regulars
singing. Such regulars include a young Irish lad, Michael (Luke Maddison), who
fancies their daughter Maggie (Eleanor
Chaganis).
Woven
into the story are a number of hints about the harsh nature of life in 1890.
Michael had to leave Ireland and his family as he was
literally starving and puts up with killing bugs in his lodgings. James was a
victim of the Trimdon Grange mine gas explosion which has left him as a
cripple. In a world without a welfare state or much education for the working
class it is easy to be downhearted. This production, however, captures a spirit
of the times during which good causes were fought if they were worth fighting
for.
Other
regulars included Tommy, a role that gave the former front man of This Ground
Moves Micky
Cochrane plenty of opportunity to show his singing and acting
skills. His frequent singing partner in
crime was Robert, which gave Phil Corbitt plenty of chance to show his
versatility as both a singer and an actor. Completing the Wheatsheaf is the
experienced Donald McBride as the Geordie language expert Oliver. The pub
regulars frequently added amusing skits to go along with the music and brought
frequent laughs with their antics.
The
arrival of developer Joshua (James Hedley) and Oxford University’s John (Adam Donaldson)
add texture to a story that covers some of the issues of the day. As Newcastle was a true Northern
powerhouse producing more coal than Russia, the need for compliant
workers was necessary.
The
play covers serious issues such as the high rate of infant mortality but is not
morbid. Through the classic music of the time it captures a spirit and a love
of life for which the region is celebrated. For the duration of the performance
the stage has the very talented band comprising of musical director Mike
Turnbull, Adam Nyberg on Fiddle and Dan Rogers on the Double Bass. At the back
of the set, designed by Kate Unwin and lighting design by James Henshaw, which
represents a rustic pub, they provided the pulse that kept the show animated.
The
show has a wonderful mix of strong acting, great music and a moving story.
Director Jamie Brown and Assistant Director Viktoria Kay should be proud of a
show which acts as a fitting tribute to the late Jackie Fielding. Eleanor,
Shaun and Viktoria make a loving family that the audience take to their heart.
The audience were on their feet for the final song during a well deserved
standing ovation.
Geordie
The Musical is a superb, well produced, proud and heart-warming story.
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:
Geordie
the Musical runs at South Shields Customs House from Friday 21st
August to Saturday 5th
September 2015.
Tickets for Geordie the Musical, from £10, are available from The Customs House box office on 0191 454 1234 or visit www.customshouse.co.uk.
