News: Cast Announcement For Customs House Panto

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Cast Announcement For Customs House Panto

The Lambton Worm

South Shields Customs House

Tuesday 28^th November 2017 - Saturday 6^th January 2018

This year The Customs House in South Shields is celebrating the 150^th anniversary of the publication of the song and production of the 1867 pantomime of The Lambton Worm.

In 2016 record numbers attended the Customs House panto NEWS LINK and the show won the prestigious North East Theatre Guide “Most entertaining pantomime” Award NEWS LINK. We said that show was “the panto that delivers all that it promises” REVIEW LINK  

Ray Spencer and

David John Hopper

This year you will have a chance to see the brave and bold Sir John battle the monster, save the day and win the heart of the beautiful princess, if her father allows this. While the wacky castle cook Dame Totty and her useless son Hopper reek mayhem and run rings around Lord Lambton. This well-known North East tale will be brought to life in The Little Panto with the Big Heart’s fun-filled traditional pantomime.

Ray Spencer and

David John Hopper

The Customs House are thrilled to announce starring in this year’s pantomime will be Ray Spencer and David John Hopper. Ray has been a part of The Customs House pantomime for over 15 years starting out as Tommy the Trumpeter and in the last three years has firmly established himself as one of the North East’s most loveable Dames. This year Ray takes on the role of Dame Totty. Ray who also writes and directs the pantomime said, “We always like to bring something different to The Customs House panto and this year we are bringing a North East folk tale to life that was first written for pantomime 150 years ago. To be part of this story’s history by bringing it into the 21^st century is a pure joy and apt as The Customs House panto has become part of many families’ traditions over the festive period. This is going to be so much fun, grab your tickets now before the worm gobbles them up.”

The Customs House

David John Hopper is returning for his second year at The Customs House. In last year’s record breaking pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk, David played the part of Arbuthnot, The Dame’s hapless son and then reprised the role in our half term show The Cow Jumped Over the Moon which played to sold out audiences. This year he returns to play the role of Hopper, Dame Totty’s useless son. David said, “It’s an honour to be invited back to The Customs House pantomime. I’m so proud to be performing in my hometown once again in a pantomime I’ve come to see every year since being a child. This is a dream come true for me and I can’t wait to work alongside Ray again in The Lambton Worm.”

Tickets:

The Lambton Worm sponsored by Hays Travel is on at The Customs House, South Shields from Tuesday 28^th November 2017 until Saturday 6^th January 2018. Tickets can be booked by phoning (0191) 454 1234 or online at: https://www.customshouse.co.uk/theatre/the-lambton-worm/

   

Preview: The Owl and The Pussycat at Arts Centre Washington

All aboard for The Owl and The Pussycat!

The Owl and The Pussycat

Arts Centre Washington

Wednesday 12^th April 2017

Children’s theatre company Kitchen Zoo are bringing their first show, The Owl and The Pussycat, to Arts Centre Washington in April, in a spectacular adaptation of the classic poem which features puppetry and live music.

The North East based company are setting sail in their pea performing the children’s tale on green boat and will be 12th April 2017 at Arts Centre Washington and is perfect for children aged 3 – 7 years.

The Owl and the Pussycat live in a dull and dusty world, so imagine how shocked and surprised they are when a stupendous storm sweeps them out of the window, SPLASH!

On to an unexpected sea voyage to a curious land. But who will they meet? Which way should they go? And, what is a runcible spoon?

Kitchen Zoo is a duo made up of performers Bob Nicholson and Hannah Goudie, who have worked together since 2014 on various projects. The Owl and the Pussycat will be their first show as Kitchen Zoo and it has been developed in partnership with ARC, Stockton-on-Tees and The Witham, Barnard Castle.

Hannah described her excitement: “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to explore this brilliantly bizarre adventure by Edward Lear. There is such beauty in his storytelling and the language he uses which we are excited to bring to life through music and song as we work with the wonderfully talented Jeremy Bradfield as musician performer.”

Bob described the inspiration for the show: “This is a well known poem that appears to span generations and continue to capture our imagination. We are excited to address the many questions posed by the poem in our performance. How did these two creatures meet? Why did they go to sea? What is a bong tree? And many more...”

Tickets:
The Owl and the Pussycat comes to Arts Centre Washington on Wednesday 12 April at 11am and 2pm. Tickets are £6.50 / £22 (family, admits 4) and can be bought by calling the Box Office on 0191 561 3455 or at www.artscentrewashington.co.uk

 

News: This week at the Sunderland Empire

THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE AT SUNDERLAND EMPIRE

This week Sunderland Empire have a host of spectaculars gracing the stage from award winning tributes, opulent opera to comedy with home-grown talent, but don’t delay they are only here for one night!

First up A Country Night in Nashville (Saturday 4 March) recreates the scene of a buzzing Honky Tonk in downtown Nashville, perfectly capturing the energy and atmosphere of an evening in the home of Country Music. Prepare to be transported on a musical journey through the history of Country, featuring songs from its biggest stars both past and present.  

Hits from Johnny Cash to Alan Jackson, Dolly to the Dixie Chicks, Willie Nelson to Kacey Musgraves, are showcased by the amazing vocals of Dominic Halpin, Shelly Quarmby and their fabulous backing band, the Hurricanes. With songs including Ring Of Fire, Crazy, Sweet Home Alabama, Don’t Rock The Jukebox, Need you Now, 9-5, Don’t Worry Baby to name just a few.

Local lad and everybody's favourite randomist Ross Noble is back and set to fill the Sunderland Empire with laughter when Brain Dump hits the stage (Wednesday 8 March). As always Ross has lots of stuff backing up in his head and it's time to let it all out.  Famed for his super quick freewheeling style and highly imaginative flights of fancy, a Ross Noble show is always an unmissable event. 

Ross Noble started in comedy 25 years ago, at the age of 15, and has established a loyal audience as one of the world’s best live stand-ups. Come and be part of this truly unique live experience and join Ross as audience and performer come together for a massive Brain Dump.

Next up is Mercury: The Ultimate Queen Tribute (Thursday 9 March). Winners of the National Tribute Awards 2013, Mercury have firmly established themselves as one of the world’s most authentic tributes to Queen. The show includes fantastic and authentic performances of the most popular Queen hits such as Bohemian Rhapsody, Radio Ga Ga, We Are The Champions, We Will Rock You and many more.

Music fans are then invited to the biggest party of the year as the unstoppable Magic of Motown (Friday 10 March) steams into town. Seen by over a 1 million people all over the world and recently performed for the Royal Variety Performance 2016. Prepare yourself for 40 back-to-back classic Motown hits, glittering costume changes, dazzling dance moves and outstanding musicianship in this explosive concert experience.

Celebrate the sound of a generation as the timeless music of Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, Stevie Wonder, The Temptations, The Supremes, The Four Tops, Martha Reeves, Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson and many more are sensationally recreated for you by an exceptionally talented cast and band.

The week ends with a double bill of opulent opera when Ellen Kent returns with La Bohème (Saturday 11 March). One of the most romantic operas ever written, it tells the tragic tale of the doomed, consumptive Mimi and her love for a penniless writer.

Directed by Ellen Kent, this brand new production is traditionally staged with international soloists, highly-praised chorus and full orchestra. This classic tale of Parisian love and loss features many famous arias including Your Tiny Hand is Frozen, They Call Me Mimi and Musetta’s Waltz. Sung in Italian with English surtitles.

The following evening Opera & Ballet International proudly presents an Ellen Kent production Verdi Nabucco (Sunday 12 March) with the famous chorus of the Hebrew slaves. Verdi’s haunting and melodic chorus of the Hebrew slaves, Va Pensiero, follows the plight of the Hebrews as they are forced from their homeland into exile by the Babylonian King Nabucco. This powerful tale is laced with revenge, destruction and jealousy.

A spectacular traditionally-staged production featuring magnificent sets and costumes with amazing lighting and stage effects which includes the burning down of Soloman’s temple. Nabucco promises to be an evening to remember.

Tickets:

Tickets available from the Box Office on High Street West, via the ticket centre 0844 871 3022* or www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland *calls cost up to 7p per minute plus standard network charges. Booking and transaction fees may apply to telephone and online bookings.

REVIEW: Trajectory at Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

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A Fine Farewell

Coracle Productions in partnership with Alphabetti Theatre, with support from Arts Council England present

Trajectory – a double bill

Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

Until Saturday 4^th March 2017

Life After by Arabella Arnott

Bricks & Mortar by Steve Byron

As the centre of Newcastle’s fringe theatre scene, Alphabetti Theatre, is about to enter its final week in the current basement venue, it is host to a double bill of new plays.  Whilst there’s a big difference in the two plays, they do work well together and make it worth a trip to Newcastle’s “best kept secret venue”.

The first production was Life After which looks at a couple of adults who friends but are not in a relationship. When Sophie died a year ago, it left a big gap in both partner Simon’s and sister Helen’s life. The story starts in the living room of Helen’s house.

Neither Helen or Simon currently have a partner, and Helen is looking for work so they discuss making plans to change that. Simon eventually suggests speed dating and this sets in motion a look into some of the complications of the dating scene in later life.

Writer Arabella Arnott appears as Helen, who is keen for change and Carl Kennedy is Simon who is not always as keen on Helen’s games. Under Director Matt Jamie, the two actors hold your attention as each detail of the past year is revealed. 

The hour long tale has a number of scenes and costume changes and this does affect the pace a little.  Without giving any spoilers away, the tale does reach a suitable conclusion. This sense of closure and the quality of the acting make this a fascinating watch.

After the interval the living room set was modified into the council house belonging to Mary in Steve Byron’s play Bricks & Mortar.  Paula Penman is both enigmatic and funny as the widow who gives a running commentary, as she peers through her window blinds, looking at the events outside. This was the house she had shared with her husband and son. The two men in her life have both died and so the council feel it is time to reallocate the large building to a bigger family. Mary, on the other hand, has other ideas.

The play, directed by Gary Kitching, has great pace and a sense of humour as Mary considers her options in the face of bureaucratic opposition. The poor council official that has paid Mary a visit is played by the equally as wonderful David John Hopper. His reaction to being offered tea or a bacon sandwich is a delight.  This particular story is just a short one, at about 20 minutes, but this double act gave the audience plenty of chances to laugh.

Alphabetti has enabled shows like these two to have a platform to be seen without a trip to Edinburgh Fringe.  The room was nearly full on the Thursday evening when we saw the show and this confirms there is an appetite to experience quality new writing like that on stage tonight.  Having followed Alphabetti since its days above a pub, we hope the new Alphabetti venue opens as soon after the closure of the current one.

Review by Stephen Oliver.

On The Web:

Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/398882903789501/

Twitter: @coracleNE @alphabetti

Web: www.coracleproductions.com

Read the original NETG preview: LINK

Tickets:

When: Wednesday 1^st – Saturday 4^th March 2017

Where: Alphabetti Theatre, The Basement, 18 New Bridge Street West, NE1 8AW

Tickets £8/£6. https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/164165

REVIEW: Hansel and Gretel at Newcastle Theatre Royal

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A Superb Introduction To Opera

Opera North: Hansel and Gretel

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Wednesday 1^st - Saturday 4^th March 2017 

Music by Engelbert Humperdinck

Text by Adelheid Wette, after the tale by Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm

English Translation by David Pountney

Director: Edward Dick

Conductor: Christoph Altstaedt

Set Designer: Giles Cadle

Costume Designer: Christina Cunningham

Lighting Designer: Mathew Haskins

Video Designer: Ian William Galloway

Choreographer: Gary Clarke

Theatre Royal favourites Opera North are in town this week with their ‘fairy-tale season’ featuring Rimsky-Korsakov’s The Snow Maiden, Rossini’s Cinderella and this evening’s spectacular Hansel and Gretel. There has been a deliberate attempt to make the show accessible to younger audiences and Engelbert Humperdinck’s tale succeeds in this respect. Opera North are to be congratulated for trying to secure an audience for the future.

The three shows use modern technology, such as video, in order to give a show, first performed in its original version in 1893, a 21^st century vibe. Having said that, whilst they have made the narrative relevant, the show is still faithful to its source material and normal opera conventions. 

We are big fans of live music in theatrical performances hence you can imagine how please we were to see the Opera North orchestra were tuning up upon our arrival. The orchestra pit had been extended by removing all of the seats in front of the 2 boxes at the front of the auditorium. This large musical ensemble was able to fill the room with the sounds from the fabulous score. Indeed, it was a pleasure to hear the overture for the first 8 minutes.

Hansel and Gretel is about a poor family that is struggling to make ends meet. They lack food and need both of the children to work in order to raise enough funds to buy food. After a commotion the last bit of food is wasted and so they are sent to the woods to collect strawberries. This journey is one in which not everything is as it first seems. Typical for a traditional Grimm Brother’s fairy tale – this is a story with a message which is still entirely relevant in 2017.

The cast for this evening’s performance had no weak links. Katie Bray and Fflur Wyn were a delight as Hansel and Gretel respectively. Their soaring voices were more than capable of being heard over the orchestra. Even though the show is in English, the text is displayed on 2 screens at each side of the stage. This is another step that will help newcomers to the art form.

Susan Bullock had just the right amount of menace as the Witch. The singing tonight was delightful. In addition to Bullock’s fine voice we had Stephen Gadd as Peter, Rachel J Mosley as the Sandman and Amy Freston as the Dew Fairy. They were supported by a group of wonderful children in the final scene who all sang, acted and danced to give the production a suitable finale.

The technology amounted to more than the set and the lighting. Hansel and Gretel had a video camera at their disposal which was then projected onto the back of the set. This not only helped improve the view of some of the action but also set up an atmosphere of its own. Indeed some of the close ups of their faces and the journey through the forest combined give that part of the show a real Blair-Witch feel.

The combination of a relevant story, great acting and singing, a wonderful orchestra, and a running time around two hours with the interval, make this a fine introduction to an art form you made not have considered before. Our 13 year old was very impressed and he said it was “brilliant!” Hansel and Gretel is an enjoyable start of Opera North’s fairy tale season. 

Review by Stephen Oliver. 
Photos: Richard Hubert Smith.

Read the North East Theatre Guide preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/preview-opera-north-at-newcastle.html

Tickets:

Hansel and Gretel appears at Newcastle Theatre Royal Wed 1 & Sat 4 Mar at 7.00pm, Cinderella on Thu 2 Mar at 7pm and Sat 4 Mar at 2.00pm and The Snow Maiden for one performance only on Fri 3 Mar at 7.00pm.  Tickets are available from £18.50 can be purchased online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge).

 

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