Preview: Cherryade Supernova at South Shields Customs House

 

Eight Young Actors cast in Takeover Play

 

Cherryade Supernova by Andrew Finnigan

South Shields Customs House

Friday 4th June 2021

 

The cast to the Takeover Young Writer in Residence’s play has been announced. Cherryade Supernova by Andrew Finnigan will be performed at The Customs House in South Tyneside on the last night of Takeover 2021 on June 4. The play – a story about friends discovering what it really means to be cool – will be directed by local actor and Takeover acting alumni Abigail Lawson.

The Takeover Young Writer in Residence’s play gives emerging actors the opportunity to gain experience and Cherryade Supernova will be following on from the success of Reece Connolly’s WORMTOWN and Elijah Young’s Isolation.

Andrew said: “We saw such a great range of talent over two days, and we are thrilled to have found such a talented cast. I am excited to see what Abigail and the company will do with my script!’

Abigail added: “I am eternally grateful to The Customs House for always providing me with the best opportunities and experiences and for always believing in me.”

Josie’s throwing a house party. Not by choice obviously, but because her Mam has told her to. Josie is mortified but best mate Josh, seizing the opportunity to prove to people that they aren’t total losers, instantly drafts up a flawless Facebook event and invites everyone from College. All squashed together in Josie’s front room, we see how she battles through the night and navigates the stress of trying to keep everyone happy.

So, there’s Cherryade in the fridge, fish fingers in the oven and a stray cat in the bathroom. Here’s to being cool!

Taking on the role of Josie is Gateshead actress Chloe Jane Millar, who recently completed her training at Arts Educational achieving a master’s degree in Acting. She has played Rosie in Bridges Apart at the Union Theatre, London and Natalie in Xposed at Southwark Playhouse, London. She is due back at The Customs House later this year to play the Fairy in the pantomime, Rapunzel.

Playing her best friend Josh will be Benjamin Michael Smith, from South Tyneside. His recent stage credits include Jack Orben in Overdue and Chuck in Burlesque’D.

Lucy Marie Curry, from Tyneside will play Sophie. Her credits include Suffragette at Alphabetti Theatre, Teechers at Durham Gala, Stand By Me - The Drifters UK tour, ‘84 The Miners Wives - NE tour, Preservation at Live Theatre, Mary Shelley in Frankenstein – North East tour, Arbuthnot & Pals at The Customs House, BBC and ITV documentaries and commercials for DFDS seaways and The Metro.

Jackson Watson from Washington may be making his acting debut as Jae, but he’s no stranger to the stage. Jackson has competed in breaking competitions all over Europe, America and China, as well as being the ‘Red Bull BC One’ UK Champion in 2019, going on to make the Top 16 at the ‘Red Bull Last Chance Cypher’ in India.

Jack Breedon from Cullercoats will play the part of Reece. Jack has performed in a variety of fields, voice acting in Danny Boyle’s ‘Pages by the Sea’, Sunderland Spark Radio and other character work over the last few years as well as starring in award winning short film First Date of the Dead.

The part of Callum will be played by Kieron Michael from Birtley recently graduated from Manchester School of Theatre. He has performed on the National Theatre stage in Tokyo in 'The Monster', and has recently been in a virtual theatre play called 'Broken Link' which is going to the Brighton Fringe Festival.

Emily Corless from County Durham will play Stevie. Emily graduated from Newcastle Theatre Royal’s actor training company, Project A last year. Her recent acting credits include: Project A’s Love and Information at Newcastle Theatre Royal, Where Do We Belong? At Northern Stage, Brunskill and Grimes’ Summer Space to Create at the National Theatre, As You Like It, Shakespeare Speakeasy at Alphabetti Theatre, and My Life Productions’ Strike at Northern Stage.

Rounding up the roles will be Becky Lindsay from Sunderland, who is taking on the part of Lily. Becky was shortlisted for the prestigious Spotlight Prize Award 2020 and was also the BBC Carlton Hobbs Bursary Award Reserve 2020 representing ALRA North. Her recent credits include Advent Plays at Oldham Coliseum, Theatre Space North East’s tour of Hansel and Gretel, Black Dog Films campaign to ‘End Youth Homelessness’ and in Floppy Toast with Drippy Butter for Lone Pine Pictures.

Award-winning writer Tom Wells has been mentoring Andrew through his first writing experience. Andrew, from Simonside, South Shield is an actor who has worked closely with the Customs House and was a proud member of the Customs House Youth Theatre from 2012-2017. His recent acting credits include You Stupid Darkness! for Paines Plough at Theatre Royal Plymouth; Drip for Script Club and Boundless Theatre; Wormtown at The Customs House.

Jake Smith, who has directed the last two Takeover plays is mentoring Abigail through her directorial debut. This is Abigail’s third year being involved in the Takeover Festival, after being cast in WORMTOWN and Isolation.

Tickets

Cherryade Supernova will be staged on Friday 4 June at 7.30pm at The Customs House, tickets are Pay What You Decide.

This work is possible due to the generous support of their funders Scottish Power Foundation.

For tickets, contact the box office on (0191) 454 1234 or visit: www.customshouse.co.uk.