The North East Theatre Guide: drama

Showing posts with label drama. Show all posts

Saturday, 17 October 2015

Preview: The Rooms at Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

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The Rooms
Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre
Monday 19^th - Saturday 31^st October 2015

The Rooms is a harrowing and chilling immersive promenade production created for Halloween made up of three short plays situated in three rooms not normally accessible to the public, in the depths of Alphabetti Theatre – underneath the old Odeon Cinema.

Paper Walls written by Nina Berry
Directed by Lee Rosher
Performed by Arabella Arnott
Mary is trapped, with thoughts that aren't hers. A truth buried beneath false stories and harsh punishment. She knows the answer is somewhere, and if these walls could talk...they'd tell everyone.

Dreaming is Free written by Michael Brown
Directed by Matt Jamie
Performed by Jessica Johnson
I do not remember getting to this room. Just waking up in bed with my kind friend sat in that chair. He was very sad and told me it was too dangerous to live with him anymore. It would not be safe to leave the room until he said so. I was desperate to get out to see the moon and stars….But he brought them to me.

Meat Factory by David Raynor
Directed by Ali Pritchard
Performed by Rosie Stancliffe
Here at Quick N Easy Meat Based Products Ltd there are no problems, only opportunities. Come and look around...taste the future.'

The Rooms: Video Trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOBECiKaPiU

Performance Details

When:
Bar Opens 6.30pm. Performance starts 7.30pm

Where:
Alphabetti Theatre, The Basement 18 Newbridge Street West Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8AW
Ticket Price:
£8 / £6
Running Length:
Approx. 1 Hour 15 minutes (including 3 x 15 minute intervals)

Capacity is limited –booking is essential.
Please be advised that this a promenade production, where audiences will be watching the show on their feet.

Website: http://www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk/whats-on/24-whats-on-articles/144-the-rooms

Ticket website: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/100136

Saturday, 12 September 2015

Preview: The Disappearance Of Dorothy Lawrence at South Shields Customs House

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The Disappearance Of Dorothy Lawrence

South Shields Customs House

Thursday 17^th September 2015

A new play by award-winning theatre artist Julie McNamara directed by Paulette Randall MBE explores the remarkable stories of the silenced First World War correspondent Dorothy Lawrence.

It’s 1915. England is at war. Journalist Dorothy Lawrence aims to become War Correspondent, cycles to the frontline in France never to be seen in public again.

Vital Xposure interrogates the ways society deals with women who step out of line.

A cast of four with subtitling, filmed BSL narrative and audio-visual elements leads the audience back in time to explore themes of inequality and power that still resonate today.

Vital Xposure is a bold, dynamic, disability-led production company operating under the creative leadership of Julie McNamara, who has just completed a 19-month tour of her latest show Let Me Stay. Vital Xposure promotes hidden voices with extraordinary stories to tell. The company creates exciting, innovative theatrical experiences for audiences, artists and communities alike. All our work is inclusive and BSL integrated. Vital Xposure is part of Arts Council England’s National Portfolio.

An interview with Julie McNamara and Paulette Randall can be read on The Public Reviews: http://www.thepublicreviews.com/interview-julie-mcnamara-and-paulette-randall/

Cast:

Penelope Freeman, Suni La, Gareth Turkington, Simon Balcon with filmed sequences featuring Matthew Gurney and Becky Allen

Creatives:

Directed by Paulette Randall MBE

Written by Julie McNamara

Design by Libby Watson

Lighting Design by Crin Claxton

Visuals by Caglar Kimyoncu

Produced by Vital Xposure with David Duchin

On The Web:

Website: www.vitalxposure.co.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/vitalxposure

Facebook: www.facebook.com/VitalXposure

Tickets:

Thursday 17^th September 2015

South Shields Customs House

Mill Dam, South Shields, Tyne and Wear NE33 1ES Website: http://www.customshouse.co.uk/whats-on/Theatre/2025/the-disappearance-of-dorothy-lawrence

Box Office 0191 454 1234 Tickets £12/£10

Tour:

11 & 12 September Arena Theatre, WOLVERHAMPTON University of Wolverhampton, Wulfruna Street, Wolverhampton WV1 1SE www.wlv.ac.uk/arena-theatre Box Office 01902 321 321 Tickets £10/£8

17 September Customs House, SOUTH SHIELDS Mill Dam, South Shields, Tyne and Wear NE33 1ES www.customshouse.co.uk Box Office 0191 454 1234 Tickets £12/£10

22 – 26 September Pleasance Theatre, LONDON Carpenters Mews, North Road N7 9EF www.pleasance.co.uk Box Office 020 7609 1800 Tickets £12/£10

29 & 30 September Dugdale Centre, LONDON 39 London Road, Enfield EN2 6DS

www.enfield.gov.uk/millfield Box Office 020 8807 6680 Tickets £16 (concessions £14) or £14 (£13) online

2 October New Wolsey Theatre, IPSWICH Civic Drive, Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2AS www.wolseytheatre.co.uk Box Office 01473 295900 Tickets from £10 (concessions for under 26s & disabled companion £10, British Sign Language User £10-15)

Pre-show talk: Suffragette ‘Hotbloods’: The Pre-War Militants 2 Oct 6pm Tickets £5

7 & 8 October Salisbury Arts Centre Bedwin Street, Salisbury SP1 3UT www.salisburyartscentre.co.uk Box Office 01722 321744 Tickets £10

Friday, 11 September 2015

Review: Cinder Path at South Shields Customs House

World Premiere of Cookson Classic

The Cinder Path

South Shields Customs House

Wednesday 9^th to Saturday 12^th September 2015.

Fresh off the heels of Geordie The Musical (North East Theatre Guide review) comes a hit drama based a story by one of the regions most successful authors. Catherine Cookson’s tale pulls together the friction caused by battles between classes, sexes and countries and wraps it up in a tender love story.

Photo: George Knox

Paul Dunn has adapted the popular novel into a tight drama that went down a storm to a packed Customs House. Central to the drama is young Charlie Macfell, played by the versatile Jamie Brown, who rarely leaves the stage. Charlie may be at school but his father is both trying to marry him off and ensure he is capable of running their farm. He doesn’t approve of some of the harsh ways in which he deals with his staff.

Photo: George Knox

As landlord to some of his staff, his Father is able to wield considerable power. At the start of the show we witness the lad from the workhouse, Ginger Slater, being punished on the cinder path for his apparent laziness. As is often the case, what goes round, comes around and we also see Ginger grow as the plot develops. James Hedley does a great job as the lad makes the most of his opportunities.

Photo: George Knox

Of course Cookson always develops strong female characters. Sarah Boulter has great pathos as Nellie. She is able to show empathy whilst never being weak. At times Charlie’s inexperience makes the character comes across like Fast Shows Ralph from the Ralph and Ted sketches. The ladies in Charlie’s life are instrumental in the decisions that he makes and the path that he follows. However, as Charlie heads off to fight in The Great War, he grows in maturity though many events are beyond his control, such is the nature of war.

Photo: George Knox

The Cinder Path features a strong supporting cast who perform a large variety of demanding roles. Paul Dunn, for example, was the aggressive Dad in one scene and the solicitor shortly after. Rosie Fox, Anna Nicholson and Georgia Nicholson play the other women, and some of the soldiers, in Charlie’s life with a wonderful presence. Paul is joined by Steven Stobbs who plays a number of allies to the sometimes hapless Charlie.

Photo: George Knox

The much missed Jackie Fielding was directing the show with Ion Production’s Gareth Hunter until her untimely death. The creative pair have delivered a passionate play that has both comedic lighter moments and some pretty intense points. The movement of the cast, particularly during the war battle scenes was fluid.

Jamie Brown leads a strong cast in a production which is a must for the many fans of South Shield’s born Catherine Cookson. The show represents another cracking world premiere at South Shield’s Customs House.

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

Read the North East Theatre Guide Preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/preview-cinder-path-at-south-shields.html

Tickets:

Photo: George Knox

The Cinder Path runs from Wednesday 9^th to Saturday 12^th September 2015 at the Customs House with matinees on the 10^th and 12^th. For tickets contact The Customs House on 0191 4541234 or visit www.customshouse.co.uk.

Promo photography by George Knox (weblink)

Sunday, 6 September 2015

Preview: Duke in the Cupboard at South Shields Customs House

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STORY OF NOTORIOUS ART HEIST - PREMIERE AT THE CUSTOMS HOUSE

The Duke in the Cupboard

South Shields Customs House

Wednesday 7^th – Saturday 10^th October 2015

The true story of one of the world’s greatest art theft mysteries is finally being told in a play – 50 years after a Newcastle man confessed to stealing the masterpiece.

The play has been written by Susan Wear, from Jarrow, South Tyneside, who became fascinated with the story in 2012 when secret Director of Public Prosecution papers relating to the case were finally released from the National Archives.

She spent two years researching and writing the play ‘The Duke in the Cupboard’ and is the first she has had produced. It will be performed at The Customs House, South Shields, from Wednesday October 7 to Saturday October 10.

In 1961 Goya’s portrait of the Duke of Wellington was stolen from the National Gallery in London. Four years later, Kempton Bunton, a 61-year-old unemployed former bus driver from Benwell, Newcastle, confessed to the theft.

Scotland Yard detectives found it hard to believe the overweight, bespectacled Geordie was the criminal mastermind who had outwitted the gallery’s sophisticated security and bamboozled Scotland Yard detectives, taunting them with ransom letters in the national newspapers.

The case sparked a national sensation and became so famous it featured briefly in Dr No, the first James Bond film, in 1962.

“I felt compelled to keep going and uncover the incredible twists and turns of this story much of which has not been told before,” said Susan, who works for the Port of Tyne. “It is about one man taking on the establishment – the police, the art world, the Government, and the press - for a good cause. His long-suffering wife supported him through it all and the play is about her story too.”

The play is directed by Katy Weir, joint artistic director of OddManOut, a new-writing company based in Darlington. She was thrilled to be asked to direct 'The Duke in the Cupboard' and still finds it hard to believe it was a true story. “Susan has done a brilliant job capturing the essence of a fascinating piece of North-East history,” she said. “This play has a little bit of everything: love, upset, anger, intrigue, and a sprinkle of comedy. I hope it gets the audience it deserves”.

Ray Spencer MBE, Director of The Customs House, said: “This is an incredible story and we are delighted to give this piece of new writing its first airing at The Customs House, and I think our audiences are going to enjoy it.”

Tickets:

Tickets are available from The Customs House Box Office, South Shields, tel 0191 4541234 or buy tickets on line at http://www.customshouse.co.uk/whats-on/Theatre/1933/the-duke-in-the-cupboard

Wednesday, 26 August 2015

Preview: Call Mr. Robeson at Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

From Carnegie Hall to The Alphabetti.

Award-Winning Play Comes to Newcastle

Call Mr. Robeson

Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

Wednesday 7^th - Saturday 10^th October 2015

Call Mr. Robeson, an award-winning play which received a standing ovation at New York's Carnegie Hall in February 2012 and was staged in London's West End in October 2013, is to be performed at The Alphabetti Theatre between Wednesday 7^th - Saturday 10^th October 2015, as one of the highlights of Newcastle's Black History Month events.

Photo: Carol Rosegg

This rollercoaster journey through actor/singer Paul Robeson’s remarkable life highlights his pioneering and heroic political activism as well as his music. It features Ol’ Man River and other famous songs, much fiery oratory, and a defiant testimony to the House Un-American Activities Committee.

Written and performed by Liverpool-based playwright and singer Tayo Aluko with piano accompaniment by Glen Giffney, Call Mr. Robeson was chosen by The Guardian’s theatre critic Michael Billington as his top pick for things to see in London in January 2011.

Photo: Carol Rosegg

It has sold out several other established theatres around the UK, including The Lowry, Belgrade Coventry, Manchester's Royal Exchange Theatre, The Bolton Octagon, and Liverpool's Everyman Theatre. All seventeen performances of his recent tour of New Zealand and Australia also completely sold out.

During October 2014, it enjoyed a 4-week residency at the Tristan Bates Theatre in Covent Garden, where BBC Radio 4's Loose Ends presenter Clive Anderson saw it and later described it as one of the most memorable plays he had seen in 2013.

Photo: Carol Rosegg

Among the many awards in the Call Mr. Robeson cabinet, the latest was won at the Atlantic Fringe in Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada in August 2013, where from an international field it was awarded Best Musical Performance. It also won Best Solo Show at the Stratford-upon-Avon Fringe in 2013 and the Argus Angel Award for Artistic Excellence and the Best Male Performer Award at the Brighton Fringe in 2008.

What some critics said:

"First-rate. A fine job” (4 stars) The Guardian

“Simply told but immensely powerful.” (4 stars) The Scotsman

"A thrilling, moving and marvellously entertaining musical drama. ... totally soulful and convincing" Latest 7 Magazine

“Aluko is a force of nature. Never less than utterly believable” (5 stars) British Theatre Guide

“A stunning piece of musical theatre” (5 stars) Fringe Review

“A must-see experience. A treasure of a show. TOP PICK!” D C Theater Scene

Aluko, who has performed the play on stages across the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and Jamaica, said, “It was interesting to see that Newcastle was where people turned out in greatest numbers to hear Jeremy Corbyn speak, filling the Opera House with a contemporary socialist message. Paul Robeson would have done that ten times round in his day, with songs thrown in. I look forward to sharing his inspiring story at the Alphabetti - and selling out too!”

Click to view trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjoqM-VzG5E&feature=channel

Tickets:

Call Mr. Robeson. A Life, With Songs. Written and performed by Tayo Aluko, with Glen Giffney, Piano.

Directed by Olusola Oyeleye, Designed by Phil Newman

Wednesday - Saturday, October 7 - 10, 7.30pm

The Alphabetti Theatre.

18 New Bridge Street

Newcastle-upon-Tyne,

NE1 8EW

www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk

Tickets £8 (£6 concessions)

Age Recommendation: 12+

Wednesday, 12 August 2015

Review: Curious Incident at Sunderland Empire

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Fabulous Insight

The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night–Time

Sunderland Empire

Until 15^th August 2015

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a rich theatrical experience. Occasionally a treat comes along in which the strong story is coupled to fabulous acting and great design. Through Marianne Elliott’s intelligent direction the action never stops. This is a 24 carat experience.

The play by Simon Stephens is based upon the popular 2003 novel by Mark Haddon. Christopher Boone (Joshua Jenkins) is a 15 year old boy, on the autistic spectrum, who lives with his Dad (Stuart Laing) in Swindon. His Dad has told him that his Mother had died of a heart attack and he was more interested in which type of cardiac arrest rather than showing other emotions. He is extremely good at mathematics and wants to do his A level this year.