Preview: Taking Sides at Peoples Theatre

TENSE DRAMA EXPLORES THE UNEASY RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ART AND POLITICS

Taking Sides

by Ronald Harwood

Newcastle People’s Theatre

Tuesday 10 to Saturday 14 February 2015

The first People’s Theatre studio production of 2015 focuses on the true story of German conductor William Furtwängler, as he faces interrogation and de-nazification in post-war Berlin.

The maestro finds himself faced with an American army officer determined to uncover evidence that he was not a saviour of Jews, but a willing collaborator with the Nazi regime.

Few other musicians are more intertwined in debates around collaboration, passive resistance, and the relationship between art and politics as Furtwängler.

Brought up to believe in the supremacy of Teutonic culture and creativity, his leadership of the Berlin Philharmonic throughout the 1930s led the Nazis to adopt him as an ambassador for their values; his recording of Bruckner's Seventh Symphony even accompanied the announcement of Hitler's death on German radio in 1945.

Yet throughout the war he’d refused to allow Nazi salutes during performances and made covert efforts to protect Jewish musicians from persecution.

Harwood’s tense, gripping drama explores one of the defining, hideous dilemmas of the twentieth century: in totalitarian states, must artists collaborate and survive, or rebel and risk oblivion? How can music thrive in the midst of one of the most repulsive regimes imaginable?

What might you have done? That's the question both implicit and explicit in this uneasy and arresting drama about the role of the artist trying to create beauty in the midst tyranny.

This modern classic will be getting a rare outing in Newcastle upon Tyne in the intimate space of their Studio Theatre.

Tickets:

Taking Sides by Ronald Harwood

Tuesday 10 to Saturday 14 February 2015 - 7.30pm

The Studio Upstairs, The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5QF

Tickets: £13.50 (Concessions £11)
Box Office: 0191 265 5020
Website: www.peoplestheatre.co.uk  

Also This Month: The Young People’s Theatre present Scary Play by Judith Johnson.

Thursday 26 – Saturday 28 February @ 7.30pm. Tickets £10/6.

Kal’s having a sleepover. He tells a story about an old haunted house that just happens to be a few streets away. Perhaps we should all take a look … that is if you’re not chicken? Comedy, suspense and the supernatural combine in this exploration of the hold our imagination has over us. A short play for audiences age 7+.

Review: Gregory’s Girl at Newcastle Peoples Theatre

She’s got style

Gregory’s Girl

Newcastle Peoples Theatre

Until Saturday 20^th September 2014.

Bill Forsyth’s classic story of growing up still resonates today as adolescents are still suffering from the same issues: school, teachers, boys, girls and the art of kissing.  The tale has been updated from the 80s film to include mobile phones and the fourth form has become year 10.

The action centres around Gregory who is your average fifteen year old. He is in the football team but his heart is no longer in it. He is fancied by Susan but he doesn’t notice her. He fancies the new member of the football team, Dorothy, but she has her mind on other things. Each member of the cast has their own dreams and aspirations but perhaps the most grounded individual is Gregory’s younger sister who seems to understand the connections between relationships.

A large youthful cast helps to bring the story to life. Simon Stuart plays Gregory with a sense of fun. Katie Maloney is a natural performer as his younger sister. The lads and Alex Carmichael did a cracking job with the football scenes. The play has retained the sense of fun of the original film, in particular the great cookery class scenes with Michael Critchlow, as Stephen, showing everyone has to make their pastry, and the bemused cheerleaders at the football matches.

A charming story performed by promising young actors.

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 https://www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo 

Tickets:

Gregory’s Girl by Bill Forsyth

Presented by The Young People’s Theatre. Director, Chris Heckels.

Dates:                         Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 September 2014

Time:                           7.30pm

Venue:                       The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon  Tyne, NE6 5QF

Tickets:                       £13.50 (Concessions £11)
Telephone:                0191 265 5020
Website:                    www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

 

Review: The Accrington Pals at Newcastle Peoples Theatre

When Heroes Were Led By Boneheads

The Accrington Pals

By Peter Whelan

Newcastle Peoples Theatre

Until Saturday 19^th July 2014.

The Peoples Theatre in Newcastle have had a cracking season and they have chosen to bring it to a close with a tribute to the many who made the ultimate sacrifice in the first world war. Without getting sentimental, the theatre has produced a play which reflects the both the issues on the home front as much as on the actual battle field. This was a chance for some of the younger members of the company to shine.

The story starts with the initial upturn in fortunes that the extra pay for the soldiers and extra work for the factories and mills brought with it.  Much of the action surrounds 4 central characters who were exquisitely portrayed in this production. Sara Jo Harrison was elegant as the market stall holder, May, who dreams of owning her own shop. She has taken in Tom, played by the charming Jonny Lavelle, but he has decided to join the Pals regiment in this corner of North West England. Joining him will be Ralph, in a brave and engaging role for Craig Fairbairn. Ralph suggests that May takes on former farm girl Eva to replace Tom. Emma Jane Richards is superb as Eva, a character that goes through many emotions.

 The male half of the cast is complemented by the paternal Company Sargent Major Rivers (Ricky Shah), God fearing Dad Arthur (Keith Henderson) and Boys Brigade member Reggie (Arthur Thorpe). Back in Accrington Annie (Moira Valentine), Sarah (Sarah Grace Davison) and Bertha (Rhiannon Wilson) await news from the Western Front. Each admirable performance enhanced the play.

The set may have resembled that of a Shakespeare Play but that is no bad thing as the audiences focus turns to the strong performances of the cast.

This is an emotional production with a strong message but remains entertaining and shows the contrast of the lighter, more innocent times with changing fortunes and ambitions. Peter Whelan, who wrote the play, died at the start of the month but his legacy is a script which has believable characters.  

This was a fine piece of theatre to finish the season with and everyone involved should justifiably proud of their achievements.

The History of the East Lancashire Regiment in the Great War" records that out of some 720 Accrington Pals who took part in the attack, 584 were killed, wounded or missing. Further information can be found at http://www.pals.org.uk/pals_e.htm.

The new season starts with Gregorys Girl in September and hopefully some new flavours of ice cream!

Photos by Paula Smart: https://www.facebook.com/thejazzdevilphoto

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 https://www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo    

Ticket Information:

The Accrington Pals by Peter Whelan

DATE:              Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 July 2014

TIME:               7.30pm

VENUE:           The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne,

NE6 5QF

TICKETS:          £12.50 (Concessions £10)
TELE:                0191 265 5020
WEBSITE:         www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

FACEBOOK:  www.facebook.com/peoples.ptag

TWITTER:         https://twitter.com/peoplestheatre

Preview: The Accrington Pals at Newcastle Peoples Theatre

A Tribute to the Heroes of the Great War

The Accrington Pals

by Peter Whelan
Newcastle Peoples Theatre
Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 July 2014 

Newcastle’s Peoples Theatre are commemorating the 100^th Anniversary of World War One next week with our staging of Peter Whelan’s poignant drama, The Accrington Pals.

Based on the true story of a group of young men from a small Lancashire mill town, who left their homes and lovers for the trenches of the Somme, The Accrington Pals is a touching and timely reminder never to forget the brave people whose lives were forever changed by conflict.

In the Summer of 1914 a 700 strong Accrington battalion marched jauntily off to war.When they arrived in France the brutal reality of the trenches was beyond anything they were prepared for. In just ten minutes at the Battle of the Somme in 1916 out of 720 Pals 584 were killed or reported missing.

The play is told from the perspective of the women they left behind and their growing sense of solidarity in the midst of fierce deprivation-financial, social and sexual. 

Naturalistic in style, with an ensemble cast, the play explores this harrowing true story with warmth, humour and compassion.

The Accrington Pals is the Peoples Theatre’s final play of the Summer Seasonand they return in September with Bill Forsyth’s coming-of-age comedy Gregory’s Girl.

Photos by Paula Smart: https://www.facebook.com/thejazzdevilphoto

Ticket Information:

The Accrington Pals by Peter Whelan

DATE:              Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 July 2014

TIME:               7.30pm

VENUE:           The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne,

NE6 5QF

TICKETS:          £12.50 (Concessions £10)
TELE:                0191 265 5020
WEBSITE:         www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

FACEBOOK:  www.facebook.com/peoples.ptag

TWITTER:         https://twitter.com/peoplestheatre

Review: Stepping Out at Newcastle Peoples Theatre

Escaping reality…through dance

Stepping Out

By Richard Harris

Newcastle Peoples Theatre

Until Saturday 21^st June 2014.

Everyone has issues. Everyone has a need to escape those issues. Everyone wants to be acknowledged. Peoples Theatre’s latest play features an eclectic bunch who decide to do this through dance.

Mavis is the ex professional dancer who has decided to run the dance class for adults. Kath Frazer does a wonderful job in this role as the undervalued leader. Anne Havis appears as the pianist Mrs Frazer who knows it all. Throughout the story there is some attempt to suggest some of the characters back stories and their reasons for attending. The loan male participant is Geoffrey (Roger Liddle) though he is readily accepted by the others. We never find out where Maxine (Joanne Kelly) is sourcing the stuff she sells to the others; or why Andy(Emma Wass) seems to be so withdrawn. There are suggestions to the reasons why but plenty is left to the audience’s imagination – and it is probably better that way.

The story does look at how relationships strain when a group of strangers come together for a single purpose. As with real life, there are numerous light hearted moments as comedy can be found in many situations.

Director Sally-Anne Cooper and choreographer Julie Bowman have arranged numerous dance routines give the cast a chance to show-off their tap dancing skills. The confidence and ability improves as the show proceeds but that doesn’t stop the opportunity for some comedic moments.

The 8 dancers and their teacher do a superb job of dancing through the show, from the first steps as learners to the full “Top Hat” treatment of the grand finale.  The show features the professional hallmarks that one expects from Newcastle’s premier amateur theatre group.

Photos by Paula Smart: https://www.facebook.com/thejazzdevilphoto

 

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

STEPPING OUT by Richard Harris

DATE:             Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 June 2014

TIME:              7.30pm

VENUE:          The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne,

NE6 5QF

TICKETS:        £12.50 (Concessions £10)
TELE:               0191 265 5020
WEBSITE:       www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

Preview: Stepping Out by Richard Harris at Newcastle Peoples Theatre

“And it’s 5,6,7,8 ...”

Stepping Out
Newcastle Peoples Theatre
Tuesday 17 June - Saturday 21 June 2014

The People’s Theatre prides itself on the variety it offers. So as well as regularly performing plays audiences might not have seen before they are also not adverse to some old favourites too.

 

Stepping Out Cast Photo: Paula Smart

From Tuesday 17^th June they present the Richard Harris toe-tapping comedy Stepping Out that charts the exploits of the Mavis Turner Tappers, a class of amateur hoofers who meet once a week in a scruffy church hall and who are forced to raise their game and work as a team when they are invited to take part in a big charity show.

 

Mavis (Kath Frazer) and Mrs Fraser (Anne Havis)

It’s a play so popular with People’s members and audiences that two of its cast are returning for a third time!  Anne Havis returns as acerbic pianist Mrs Fraser, while Roger Liddle reprises his role as the only man in the class, the rather hapless Geoffrey.  They are joined by eight actresses brand new to the play, and in some cases brand new to tap-dancing.

Because Stepping Out isn’t your usual production, as on top of the typical blocking and line learning there’s the added challenge of learning how to do the Time Step, the Maxi Ford, paradiddles and much more! Experience amongst the cast ranges from over ten years tapping to never having worn a tap shoe before lessons started in March. But under the patient tuition of choreographer Julie Bowman, Head of Dance at Central Newcastle High School, the routines have taken shape.   Julie comments, “it has been great fun to teach tap to the cast. They have worked very hard to learn and perform. I am delighted to be part of this company, and am looking forward to the show.”

 

Lynne (Jessica Chapman), Dorothy (Geffen Yoeli-Rimmer), Sylvia (Leigh Denley) and Rose (Eileen Davidson)

One of the great appeals of Stepping Out has got to be its characters. They’re a rag-tag bunch from different backgrounds and walks of life, each coming to the weekly class for their own different reasons.  Director Sally Cooper says “the people that we meet are so diverse and fabulous. They’re each juggling the traumas we all face in our daily journeys through life. Just about every problem of family, work, self-esteem, self-confidence and the decisions we make are represented.”

So The People’s Theatre is the place to be next week to see how Lynne, Dorothy, Maxine, Andy, Sylvia, Rose, Vera, Geoffrey, Mrs Fraser and Mavis cope with the steps - and each other - in this energetic, feel good comedy that is the ideal way to step (ball change) into summer!

 

Vera (Alison Carr), Maxine (Jo Kelly), Geoffrey (Roger Liddle) and Andy (Emma Wass)

Photos by Paula Smart: https://www.facebook.com/thejazzdevilphoto

 

STEPPING OUT by Richard Harris

DATE:              Tuesday 17 – Saturday 21 June 2014

TIME:               7.30pm

VENUE:           The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne,

NE6 5QF

TICKETS:          £12.50 (Concessions £10)
TELE:                0191 265 5020
WEBSITE:         www.peoplestheatre.co.uk