Preview: Goth Weekend at Newcastle’s Live Theatre

Goth Weekend to premiere at Newcastle’s Live Theatre

The Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, and Live Theatre, Newcastle, present a co-production of the world premiere of

Goth Weekend

Scarborough Stephen Joseph Theatre: Friday 14^th September to Saturday 7^th October 2017

Newcastle Live Theatre: Wednesday 11^th October to Saturday 28^th October 2017

Goth Weekend

Written by Ali Taylor

Directed by Paul Robinson

Cast: Jessica Johnson, Sean McKenzie, Gurjeet Singh, and Amy Trigg

Designer: Helen Coyston

Lighting Designer: Tigger Johnson

Sound Design: Paul Stear

Casting Director: Sarah Hughes

Goth Weekend, a hilarious comedy written by Ali Taylor comes to Live Theatre, Newcastle this autumn following its premiere at The Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough in an exciting new co-production between the two venues.

Rehearsal pictures

Sean McKenzie as Ken, Amy Trigg as Anna

Photo: Tony Bartholomew

Goth Weekend tells the story of Anna who wants her recently bereaved dad, Ken, to get out more. To meet people. To start dating again. Then Belinda comes along. She’s the newly single singer in Belle Epoque, a Geordie Goth band, with her disgruntled teenage son, Simon (a.k.a. Bram), on keyboards. She’s a disaster – for Anna.

Rehearsal pictures

Amy Trigg as Anna, Sean McKenzie as Ken,

Gurjeet Singh as Simon, Jessica Johnson as Belinda

Photo: Tony Bartholomew

Ken has had his head turned and his wardrobe will never be the same again. Things get worse for Anna when Belinda and Bram, arriving in a customised purple hearse, move in, to rehearse for a gig at Goth Weekend in Whitby.

Rehearsal pictures

 Jessica Johnson as Belinda, Sean McKenzie as Ken

Photo: Tony Bartholomew

In this hilarious comedy with music, Anna has to wrestle with whether or not to sabotage the band, and Ken and Belinda’s Goth happiness… Set during the lead-up to Whitby Goth Weekend, this funny and provocative play is about who we are and what we pretend to be. Can the members of this new family learn to accept each other’s identities and overcome more than just musical differences to live in harmony?

Rehearsal pictures

Jessica Johnson as Belinda, Gurjeet Singh as Simon

Photo: Tony Bartholomew

Goth Weekend features Newcastle based actress Jessica Johnson, most recently seen in Key Change at Live Theatre and on tour, and Live Theatre debuts by actors Sean McKenzie, Amy Trigg and Gurjeet Singh

Rehearsal pictures

Jessica Johnson as Belinda

Photo: Tony Bartholomew

Goth Weekend is directed by Stephen Joseph Theatre Artistic Director, Paul Robinson (who directed Land of Our Fathers and Here Come The Nightjars, both sell out successes when they toured to Live Theatre), and written by Ali Taylor, a playwright, screenwriter and teacher. He is currently on attachment to BFI/Origin Pictures to develop an original screenplay for BBC Films and is developing his sitcom Disaster Zones with Big Talk. His first TV script Pure Evil was developed during the 4Screenwriting programme at Channel 4.

Rehearsal pictures

Sean McKenzie as Ken, Jessica Johnson as Belinda

Photo: Tony Bartholomew

Writer Ali Taylor said: “This is a play that’s fundamentally about family, about growing up and working out who you are. It’s full of music, humour, jokes and fun but also, I hope, with a poignant core expressing what it’s like to be an outsider in today’s society. I’m thrilled that Goth Weekend has been co-commissioned by and will be performed at both the SJT in Scarborough and Live Theatre, Newcastle.

Rehearsal pictures

Gurjeet Singh as Simon, Amy Trigg as Anna

Photo: Tony Bartholomew

“The inspiration came from a trip to Whitby Goth Weekend, which happens in spring and at Hallowe’en each year. Goths from all over the country come to Whitby to listen to some of the great music from the early 80s and 90s. There are two tribes at Whitby – the real, or trad, goths, and the people who just like to dress up – in Victoriana and vampire costumes, as steampunks or undertakers – it’s an amazing event. The play is a warm-hearted comedy about a family of Goths from Gateshead playing a gig at Whitby Goth Weekend. We’ve got songs, laughs and brilliant costumes.”

Rehearsal pictures

Sean McKenzie as Ken, Jessica Johnson as Belinda

Photo: Tony Bartholomew

Graeme Thompson, the Creative Producer of Live Theatre said “Rehearsals are well underway for Goth Weekend and I am really looking forward to this show coming to Newcastle. Jess Johnson, who Live Theatre audiences will recognise from Open Clasp’s Key Change, is brilliantly funny in this play and is backed up by a really talented cast. Goth Weekend really does have something for everyone. It’s a play about two broken families unexpectedly thrown together and a washed up goth band who may or may not get back together. Its moving, fantastically witty and has some 80’s power ballads thrown in for good measure. It’s going to be a great show to come and see.”

Following its World Premiere at The Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough from Friday 14 September to Saturday 7 October, Goth Weekend transfers to Live Theatre, Newcastle from Wednesday 11 to Saturday 28 October.

Events:

Free events at Live Theatre include a Meet the Writer post show talk after the 2pm show on Saturday 14 October, a Goth Weekend Party after the 7.30pm show on Saturday 14 October; a Meet the Cast post show talk after the show on Tuesday 17 October (both the performance and talk are BSL signed that evening); a post show talk on Goth Identities and Sub Cultures after the 7.30pm show on Thursday 19 October and a Hallowe’en Fancy Dress Closing Party after the 7.30pm show on Saturday 28 October. Events are free for ticket holders for the performance on that day.

Tickets:

Tickets are £10-£22, concessions from £6. For more information or to book tickets visit www.live.org.uk or contact Live Theatre’s Box Office on (0191) 232 1232.