Preview: Geordie the Musical at South Shields Customs House

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New Show Will Remember

Much-Loved Director

Geordie the Musical

South Shields Customs House

Friday 21^st August to Saturday 5^th September 2015

A new musical will be dedicated to a much-loved member of the theatre community.

Geordie the Musical was due to be directed by Jackie Fielding at The Customs House in South Shields this August, but following her sudden death earlier this year it will now be dedicated to her memory.

Jackie had worked closely with the creative team to shape the play. Customs House Executive Director Ray Spencer said: “Jackie was an immensely talented performer and director who made The Customs House her home. It is only right that this production is dedicated to a woman who is still an absolute inspiration to so many.”

Andy Bogle, the ex-pat who came up with the story behind the musical, added: “Jackie left an indelible mark on Geordie and her creative input serves as a fitting tribute to a life devoted to the The show, which features traditional Geordie song and is set during a time of change in the North East, will now be directed by Jamie Brown, who worked closely with Jackie on several projects and starred in her final show, The Man and the Donkey, in May.

Director Jamie Brown and

assistant director Viktoria Kay

at The Customs House

He said: “I will be forever thankful to have been entrusted as one of Jackie’s leading men over the past few years, including in her final production The Man and The Donkey. Her loss is still very raw to “How she’d feel about me directing ‘Geordie’ in her stead, I couldn’t possibly say – all I can say is that I’m honoured and privileged to be part of a project which, although it may be going ahead without her at the helm, will have her as the wind in its sails, and the fire in the belly of all those driving the project forwards. There is little doubt that our time together shaped me artistically and personally and I can’t think of anything that could stand me in better stead for the challenge ahead.”

His assistant director will be his fellow Man and the Donkey co-star Viktoria Kay. She added: “Being part of Geordie the Musical is a very special honour and a privilege for me. Geordie: The Musical highlights how precious the Geordie dialect is and how, through the art of song, it will forever be preserved. I had a huge emotional response when I read the script, I was full of pride, and I’m sure the audiences will feel the same. Jackie was always my champion and for that I will forever be in her debt. Helping to bring the project she started, Geordie The Musical to life, in all its glory, is a chance to repay just a smidgeon The fact that Geordie The Musical has been dedicated to Jackie will make her very happy, albeit secretly, as she was renown to hate any sort of fuss made of her!”

Mike Turnbull will be the musical director, lighting will be done by James Henshaw, set will be produced by Kate Urwin and the costumes have been created by Lou Duffy.

A memorial show will also be held in Jackie's honour on September 13. It will raise funds to help young budding actors go to drama school.

Tickets

Geordie runs at South Shields Customs House from Friday 21^st August to Saturday 5^th 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.