Elevator Festival ★★★½
Newcastle Live Theatre
Until Saturday 17th March
2018
This week Live Theatre is showcasing a number of new
works that they have supported through bursaries and professional support. This
is a showcase of work in progress, some pieces are more complete than others.
Knowing Live Theatre’s past form some of these plays will reappear in a fully
fitted form at some point in the future. Tonight’s show on the main stage
featured 2 very different productions which illustrate the diversity of the
organisation’s output.
Spoon
Theory
Written and Directed by Bex Bowsher
Co-directed by Tory Copeland
Performed by Steven Blackshaw, Lisa Eagleton &
Graham Hornsby
Though there were 3 actors on stage, for the bulk of
the show Bex Bowsher’s tale looked just at a married couples relationship after
a tragedy. Lisa Eagleton is the newly wed who works out the logistics of how
they will go on honeymoon. She likes to be in control but before they depart
she is involved as a pedestrian as a victim of a road traffic collision. The
impact of that incident is having most of a leg amputated plus other serious
and painful surgery. The incident then impacts upon her relationship. Graham
Hornsby is the husband trying to balance the act of carer and partner and the
couple struggle to cope. In order to achieve some external support she applies
for a PIP (Personal Independence Payment) and Steven Blackshaw performs as the
variety of unemotional government representatives as the application goes
through the various stages.
Spoon Theory has the potential to be the next I, Daniel Blake. A serious issue is raised
and needs further exposure in order to bring about change in the system. This is a work in progress, and cutting the
story to begin immediately before the accident do not give the characters an
opportunity to establish any on stage chemistry. It isn’t clear at the start
why they are a couple and so it is harder to understand some of the reactions
later on. Having said that, there is a strong heart to the tale which will make
it worthwhile to carry on with its development. Certainly it would make a
powerful tv or film drama.
Rat
Boy
Written by Christina Berriman Dawson & Lee
Mattinson
Directed by Christina Berriman Dawson
Creative Support Laura Lindow
Music Composed by Kirk Turnbull (QFX)
Choreographer Malcolm Shields
Performed by Christina Berriman Dawson, Micky
Cochrane, James Hedley, Paula Penman & Christopher Price
The one man crime wave that was “Rat
Boy” filled national newspapers back in the day. Christina Berriman Dawson and
Lee Mattinson bring back a number of memories in the 90s with their energetic
and lively tale.
Micky Cochrane and Paula Penman are
the parents, though not a functioning couple who brought James Hedley’s
eponymous character into the world but he has already upset both of them. The term dysfunctional family appears to not
come close to describe a family in which watching the Stars In Their Eyes or Crackerjack
has greater priority over the safety of the family. Between the moments of
laughter are some really tragic moments. Christina Berriman Dawson and Christopher
Price are Rat Boys friends who actually care about the lad’s disappearance and
try to seek him out.
The short section has lots of feel
good memories to make the audience laugh, from watching the youngsters throwing
their shapes to music that sounds familiar and of the time through to the Dad’s
reactions to the TV. A strong script
coupled with some recognisable, if not always entirely likeable, characters
makes for a charming experience. This is
another show that could easily be worked up into a full-length play for stage
or screen.
Live Theatre has got their festival
off to a great start and the North East has a much stronger cultural scene
thanks to the activities of the organisation. Long may it continue.
Tickets:
Tickets for plays in Elevator Festival cost
between £3 and £8, with some events free,
and the Director’s Masterclass £10. Live Theatre has extended
availability of its concession priced tickets to include all young people aged 25 and under, proof of age
is needed when booking or collecting tickets.
To book tickets and to find out more contact Live Theatre’s box office
on (0191) 232 1232 or visit www.live.org.uk/elevator.
Post
show events
Fri 16 Mar (after 7.30pm show)
MEET THE MAKERS - Christina Dawson, Rebekha Bowsher
and Graeme Thompson, Live Theatre’s Creative Producer, discuss making their
plays and how winning Live Theatre bursaries aided their work.
FREE with a ticket for that evening’s performance.
Post Show Talks are audio recorded and can be
listened to again on www.live.org.uk
BSL signed
peformance (Sat 17 Mar)
Live Theatre has also launched it’s
call out for its 2018 Bursary offering £2,000, support and space to develop
innovative new theatre for next year’s Elevator Festival. See www.live.org.uk/bursary for
details.
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