Preview: New season from Laurels, Whitley Bay

Olivier award-winning Theatre N16 Ltd open new theatre Laurels in Whitley Bay

 

New season from Laurels, Whitley Bay

212 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, NE26 2TA

 

Above buzzy tapas bar Laurels Whitley Bay, Laurels Theatre is a wee place to tell big stories and where everyone on the NE coast will be going to see the most exciting work before it breaks the big time. Partnered with the amazing tapas and bar downstairs, this venue offers a chilled out accessible space to bring live theatre, visual arts and comedy together.

Founded by award-winning theatre producer Jamie Eastlake and writer and filmmaker Stephen Robertson, Laurels aims to provide a hub for artists and tapas lovers alike. It’s named after and in honour of Stan Laurel, whose father ran theatres on the Northeast coast, where he first read the boards.

It’s been a rollercoaster to get to the opening of Laurels: when Theatre N16 Ltd was founded in 2015 it was designed with a simple premise – no frills, no hire fees and loads of support. Over 300 productions came through its doors across three different venues with the company forming a producing arm (Eastlake Productions) whose shows included the Olivier award-winning Flesh and Bone at Soho Theatre. However, the company was plagued with challenges including losing two different leases and the sad passing of their Executive Producer. With 40k of debt and many bills to pay, Jamie Eastlake fought on determined to uphold the N16 model and support the artists he cared about. And, even with a worldwide pandemic, he did it!

Working several jobs Eastlake knew he wanted to reinvent the company to not rely on other people’s buildings. In September 2020, he opened Laurences in Blythe – a little Geordie and Mexican tapas bar with different artists performing on its small stage every Friday and Saturday. And now, Laurels heralds the start of his new full-time theatre space.

Opening Laurels’ first season is critically acclaimed Geordie artist Serena Ramsey (New Diorama Theatre’s emerging Artist of 2019) with Waxa Belta Helta Skelta (14th – 24th September 2021) – a solo show offering a surreal look at abandonment, cults and Mammy issues. Combining live soundscapes, playful storytelling, dark humour and experimental electro-music for support, this absurd true story engulfs us in the explosive world of one Geordie girl with a missing mum.

Waxa Belta Helta Skelta

Ramsey brings emotions to the stage that will resonate heavily with anyone who has ever experienced loss, love and the need for answers. With her unique brand of comedic storytelling, drawing on cabaret and drag background the audience will leave laughing, crying and craving a sausage roll.

Following this will be:

The Psychedelic Fox by Charlotte Fox

6th – 8th October 2021

A new show from the chameleonic sassy sorceress, Charlotte Fox!

The Psychedelic Fox by Charlotte Fox

Dracula by Northumberland Theatre Company

26th – 27th October 2021

Join us this Halloween as we follow the adventures of Mina and the hapless Jonathan Harker who are joined by Dr Van Hesling (yes you read that right!) as they face a race against time to stop Count Dracula! Silly, spooky storytelling with a touch of gothic glee!

The Bon Bons Cabaret

13th November 2021

Step through the doors and who knows who you will meet. Will it be your hosts, drag trio Bonnie and The Bonnettes? Will it be our starlet on the rise singer/songwriter MXYM? Will it be the lip-syncing, burlesque babe that is Mama Rhi? Or will it be the appetising queen Vol-Au-Vent Love? Who knows? But there is one thing you can be sure of and that is a glitter-fuelled, foot stomping, pant wetting cabaret riot!

Antichristmas by Reece Connolly

8th – 11th December 2021

Jo and Maz need cash. As young millennials with useless degrees living in a shitty flat with a leaky roof during one of the most tumultuous times in modern history, there’s not a lot of opportunities going begging. And Christmas is coming. Until - that is - one snowy Christmas Eve.

On the way back from the offie, under a flickering neon Newkie Brown star, they meet a man.

Old-looking, sparkly eyes, red suit, and well-groomed facial hair. It could very well be Santa. It could also be the Devil himself. Or an eldritch warlord from outer space. The jury’s still out.

He cuts them a deal. A suitcase full of money - more than they’ve ever seen, and no matter how much they take out, will always magically replenish - if they help deliver a very important little baby into the world that very night. They reckon he’s off his rocker. But they take the deal anyway. Wouldn’t you? What follows is a Christmas neither of them will ever forget…

Antichristmas

Wink – a new version – by Phoebe Éclair Powell

25th January – 5th February 2022

A new version of Phoebe Éclair Powell's ground-breaking play, set in Whitley Bay. Directed by Live Theatre's executive producer, Graeme Thompson.

Wink – Phoebe Éclair Powell

Jerry & Sewell, an adaptation of Jonathan Tulloch’s ‘The Season Ticket’ by Jamie Eastlake.

29th March – 10th April 2022

Antony Gormley's angel looked down on the lads, "She'll see us through, she'll help us. The guardian angel of fucking toe rags." Two lads. One mission. Belta. Based on Jonathan Tulloch's 'The Season Ticket', adapted by Jamie Eastlake. Sewell and Gerry live in Gateshead. Theirs seems the perfect partnership. Sewell is physically strong; Gerry is small but crafty. Neither has attended school for a long time. Both are broke, and both love one thing, Newcastle United. An exciting adaptation featuring puppetry, live music and a purely belter tale of epic proportions.

Jerry & Sewell

Eng-er-land by Hannah Kumari

5th – 6th March 2022

1997. Last year England made it to the semi-finals of Euro 96, Gina G came third in Eurovision and 13-year-old Lizzie went to her first in-person football game: Coventry vs. Manchester City.

Not the Man City of today, oil and superstars, but the old Man City - a bit rubbish, but with good fans. Lizzie fell in love with the beautiful game that day, and she’s been obsessed ever since. But then something happens to make her question her place in the stands. ENG-ER-LAND is an energetic play about who’s really on your team.

Eng-er-land by Hannah Kumari

Founder Jamie Eastlake comments, ‘Laurences was born during the pandemic – but that was only phase one. Phase two was about doing the same but slightly bigger. Find another building down the Northeast coast, one that could fit a restaurant and a bar and a full-time theatre space in it. We’re not sure how we’ve done it, but we’ve built it. It’s cost six figures and it’s beautiful and we can’t wait to welcome you all through our doors!’

On The Web:

@LaurelsTheatre, @theatren16ltd

 

Tickets:

Laurels is based at 212 Whitley Road, Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear, NE26 2TA

Tickets are available from £15 with concessions at £10 and can be

purchased online from https://www.laurelswhitley.co.uk/theatre

or via phone on 0191 252 0923 

REVIEW: Free School Meals at Newcastle Northern Stage

 An Unfolding Theatre and Northern Stage co-production:

Free School Meals

Newcastle Northern Stage

Until Saturday 28^th August 2021

Northern Stage re-opens with a show with a clear social message about the last 18 months, and this time it is nothing to do with lockdowns or epidemics. Featuring a cast of 15 children supervising 2 adults. Typical of Unfolding Theatre, the cast lead the audience through a journey that will last longer than the one hour running time of the show itself - but the show is also entertaining too.

Our bubble had been allocated a table in Stage 2. It was clear that Simon Henderson's design was going to put the audience in the centre and most of the action was going to take place around us. The setting is a cafe, run by children, called "The Future" and the audience as there to be fed on opening night. The children introduce themselves and their older apprentice, Alex Elliott. They have also provided entertainment in the form of local musician Kay Greyson. 

Now there is a problem in reviewing a short show that if I reveal much more about opening night that I will land straight into spoilers. Anyhow, the show is inspired by the episode last summer when a footballer, Marcus Rashford, used his influence to point out that children go hungry - especially during the holidays. A company that supplied the summer holiday food was getting away with a couple of vegetables, a few slices of bread, sliced cheese and a portion of dried pasta whilst overcharging the tax payer in the process. The supplier and the government were publicly embarrassed and made noises about the parcels not coming up to their standard. As the show's programme points out, 1 in 4 children who are below the poverty line are still unable to access free school meals. This is a sad state of affairs for a rich country like ours.

As the action unfolded we were served with a herbal tea and a small snack (though as the original publicity put it - don't go without your tea as it is just a small and very tasty snack.)

Luca Rutherford has written a show that gets a point over without too much lecturing. It is not too preachy and treads on the right side of the line. Director Annie Rigby has arranged the children so the action surrounds the audience, with each child getting a regular input. The actors are delightful and work really well in the tight space.

The programme points out that Kay Greyson is only 22 and yet it feels like she has been around for such a long time. She is a wonderful talent and her input into the show segued nicely with the main exposition. Alex Elliott is another great performer who is capable of a life changing performance. If I ever get around to writing the story about the North East Theatre Guide then he will be making a large appearance in chapter one after the Unfolding Theatre show Best In The World. This is another show in which the audience leave with a keep sake with a positive message on.

This is a show that deserves to be seen but is on a short run and only a limited number of spaces at each show. Free School Meals typifies the ability of theatre to be fully inclusive, entertaining and not afraid to make a point. But more than that, this show is tasty too!

We have missed Northern Stage so much and it is good to be back.

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Luke Waddington.

Cast and creatives:

Director: Annie Rigby

Writer: Luca Rutherford

Choreographer: Patrick Ziza

Performer: Alex Elliott

Songwriter & Performer: Kay Greyson

Designer: Simon Henderson

Sound Design: Garry Lydon

Lighting Design: Nick Rogerson

Dramaturg: Natalie Ibu

Cast: Daniela, Doaa, Finn, Harmony, Joshua, Jasmine M, Jasmine T, Lavender, Lexi, Mason, Melissa, Mohammed, Princess, Sarah, Tosin, Tally, Alex Elliott & Kay Greyson 

Tickets:

Free School Meals opens Northern Stage’s Housewarming season with seven performances from 25 - 28 August. Tickets start from £10. Visit www.northernstageco.uk or call 0191 230 5151 to book.

Preview: Our Laygate at South Shields Customs House

 

Our Laygate: A Multicultural Story of Seafarers, Family and Community

 

Our Laygate

South Shields Customs House

Wednesday 8^th - Saturday 11^th September 2021

The Customs House has announced the cast for a new production which opens this September. It is a gritty new kitchen sink drama, Our Laygate. Written by new playwright Ann Ahmed, with additional text by Natasha Haws and Mina Anwar.

The cast; Natasha Atkinson, Mahsa Hammat Bahary, Melissa Sert, Soroosh Lavasani, Akeesha Adamus, Jerome Ngonadi, Sarah Boulter, and Christina Berriman Dawson are currently in rehearsals at the South Tyneside venue.

Writer Ann Ahmed commented “I wanted to write a play about how well the Laygate community comes together to support each other, and how proud I am of that. We were poor, but they were some of the happiest times of my life, and I’m sure Mina will do a great job dramatising that.”

Set in late sixties Laygate, it tells the story of Maggie Ibrahim and her 3 children, weighed down with poverty and prejudice whilst waiting for their beloved husband and cherished father, David Ali to return home after a two-year absence as a cook on the ships.

The tight knit multicultural community prepare to be rehoused by the council as their slum homes are set to be demolished, but with no news of David’s return and the regeneration of the town looming, the dear friends and neighbours of Laygate try to enjoy their last week's together and share their hopes and fears for the future.

Mina Anwar, who previously directed and choreographed The Dolly Mixtures at The Customs House in 2019, commented “I’m thrilled to be back at The Customs House directing this brand-new play. This is a fascinating story to bring to the stage. It’s been a joy to work with Ann on this multicultural story about a community who have rarely had their stories told.”

The Customs House Executive Director Ray Spencer added “It must be three years ago when I had a call from Anne Ahmed wanting to talk about an idea she had to tell the story of her childhood community; Laygate. It’s been a journey of discovery for everyone connected to this production. A wonderful cast will bring to life a rich tapestry of characters under the direction of our dear friend and talented director Mina Anwar, who has worked so closely with Ann to shape the final script and bring the story of the stage, it is a story of its time that still resonates today. I am proud that The Customs House has once again made space to tell a story of our people and place. Thanks to all the companies and individuals who have given financial help to support to this project.

Our Laygate is sponsored by PGS Law, Parker, Vic Young.

Supported by Arts Council England, South Tyneside Council

Tickets:

Our Laygate opens at The Customs House on Wednesday 8^th September and runs until Saturday 11^th September.

Tickets for Our Laygate are priced from £15.50 and are available from the box office on (0191) 454 1234 or online at www.customshouse.co.uk.

Preview: School of Rock at Sunderland Empire

 

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Kids Across The UK…You’re In The Band!

Full Cast Announced For The First Ever Tour Of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Smash Hit West End & Broadway Musical

School of Rock

Sunderland Empire

Tuesday 5^th – Saturday 9^th October 2021

Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/SchoolOfRockSUN *

School of Rock - The Musical, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s smash hit, Olivier Award-winning West End show today reveals casting for its first ever UK and Ireland tour, which will rock Sunderland Empire from Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 October 2021.

Jake Sharp is getting the band back together as it is confirmed that he will lead the cast as Dewey Finn having previously performed the role in the West End. Alex Tomkins will perform in the role at certain performances. They are joined by Rebecca Lock as Rosalie Mullins, Matthew Rowland as Ned Schneebly and Nadia Violet Johnson as Patty Di Marco. The remaining adult cast comprise Ryan Bearpark, James Bisp, Joanna O'Hare, Samuel Haughton, Tom Hext, Harveen Mann, Richard Morse, Annell Odartey, Amy Oxley, Helena Pipe, Michaela Powell, Richard Vorster and Craig Watson.

‘A FOOT-STOMPING, DELIRIOUSLY ENJOYABLE FABLE OF FREEDOM AND FUN’

THE SUNDAY TIMES

One of three incredibly talented teams of twelve children will perform live alongside Dewey each night and are currently getting ready to stick it to the man when the bell rings for the new school term in September. They comprise (including covers) Eva McGrath (thirteen years old from Birmingham), Emerson Sutton (thirteen years old from the West Midlands), Thomas Harvey (twelve years old from Cheshire) and Isaac Forward (twelve years old from Buckinghamshire) who will play Freddy; Chloe Marler (ten years old from Essex), Marikit Akiwumi (twelve years old from Guildford), Daisy Hanna (thirteen years old from Surrey) and Ivy Balcombe (nine years old from Surrey) who will play Katie; Oliver Forde (twelve years old from London), Angus McDougall (thirteen years old from Buckinghamshire), David Gluhovsky (twelve years old from London) and Oliver Pearce (eleven years old from North Wales) who play Lawrence;  Joseph Sheppard (twelve years old from the West Midlands), Harry Churchill (nine years old from Devon), Hanley Webb (ten years old from Northamptonshire) and William Laborde (twelve years old from Surrey) who will play Zack;  Wilf Cooper (twelve years old from Surrey), Logan Matthews (eleven years old from Berkshire) and Alfie Morwood (ten years from South Wales) who play Billy;  Keira Laver (eleven years old from Essex), Florrie May Wilkinson (ten years old from London) and Saffia Layla (eleven years old from Hertfordshire) who will play Summer; Jasmine Djazel (eleven years old from London), Souparnika Nair (ten years old from Bury St. Edmunds) and Angel Lucero (eleven years old from London), who will play Tomika; Hadlee Snow (ten years old from Brighton), Darmani Eboji (twelve years old from Essex), Devon Francis (eleven years old from London), Riotafari Gardner (ten years old from London) who will play James; Lily Rose Martin (eleven years old from Kent), Elodie Salmon (eleven years old from London) and Paris Banyong (nine years old from London) who will play Marcy; Caelan Wallington (eleven years old from Watford), Alex Shotton (twelve years old from Buckinghamshire) and Nesim Adnan (ten years old from Kent) who will play Mason; Kyla Robinson (eleven years old from Surrey), Eden Anthony (twelve years old from London) and Elisha Kerai (eleven years old from London) who will play Shonelle; Ophelia Parsons (twelve years old from London), Jemima Newman (nine years old from Bedfordshire), Ava Masters (eleven years old from Kent) and Inez Danielak (twelve years old from Essex) who play Sophie.

‘THE MOST ENJOYABLE FEW HOURS MONEY CAN BUY’

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

Based on the hilarious hit movie, this new musical follows Dewey Finn, a failed, wannabe rock star who decides to earn a few extra bucks by posing as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school. There he turns a class of straight-A students into a guitar-shredding, bass-slapping, mind-blowing rock band – sensationally performed live by the production’s young actors every night with roof-raising energy! While teaching these pint-sized prodigies what it means to truly rock, Dewey falls for the school’s beautiful, but uptight headmistress, helping her rediscover the wild child within.

School of Rock - The Musical features new music written by Andrew Lloyd Webber with lyrics by Glenn Slater (The Little Mermaid, Sister Act) and a book by Julian Fellowes. Originally directed by Laurence Connor (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, London Palladium 2019) with choreography by JoAnn M Hunter, set and costume designs by Anna Louizos, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Mick Potter and music supervision by John Rigby.

School of Rock- The Musical debuted at Broadway’s Winter Garden Theatre in New York in 2015, and ran for more than three years, picking up four Tony nominations along the way.  It transferred to London in late 2016 and ran for over three year at the New London Theatre, winning an Olivier Award for Outstanding Achievement in Music.

For the production’s first UK and Ireland tour, Christopher Key takes the reigns as Associate Director, Maria Graciano as Associate choreographer and Musical Supervision is by Matt Smith.  Adam Fisher and Stuart Porter complete the team as Associate Sound and Lighting Designers.

The UK & Ireland Tour of School of Rock – The Musical is produced by David Ian for Crossroads Live by arrangement with the Really Useful Group.

Tickets:

Tickets available from the Ticket Centre on 0844 871 7615* or online at https://tinyurl.com/SchoolOfRockSUN *

*Calls cost up to 7p per minute plus your standard network charge. Booking fees may apply to telephone and online bookings.

NEWS: Newcastle’s Live Theatre announces the line-up of plays for Your Voice: North East

Newcastle’s Live Theatre announces the line-up of plays for Your Voice: North East

Thursday 23  – Sunday 26 September 2021

 

Ø Pints by Ellie Carroll

Ø The Big Welcome by Vivek Nityananda

Ø It Takes Two by Becci Sharrock

Ø Black Dark by Aimee Shields

Ø Once a Dunstoner, Always a Dunstoner by Holly Readshaw

Ø Through The Hurricane by Nick Tennant

Ø Networking by Catherine O’Neill 

Live Theatre is delighted to announce the seven short plays selected for Your Voice: North East. The writers and artists commissioned have not previously had work performed professionally at Live Theatre so it is a great opportunity for audiences to experience work by new voices and the theatre talent of the future. The diverse line up of new plays, tell the untold stories of the contemporary lived experience in the North East.

In Pints by Ellie Carroll, weeknight shifts in the bar serve as a welcome distraction from the last year for Newcastle student Abbie. Even the vomit, harassment and ignorant customers don’t grate as badly as they used to. As she tries to ignore the inevitable moments of quiet, alone between work and home, she can’t help but wonder why you never see old people anymore?

Vivek Nityananda’s The Big Welcome shows that sometimes we find answers in the most unsuspecting of places. Jyoti is just moments away from a life changing ceremony when she gets cold feet. Can her wife Nooreen convince her to go through with it? Are her dreams of an ideal nationhood and citizenship pulling her in a new direction?

Anna is out alone and looking to pull in It Takes Two by Becci Sharrock. But with every sip of her cocktail, Anna’s motives slowly come into focus, she’s not just looking for a one night stand, she’s after much more than that.

Black Dark by Aimee Shields questions whether you can rebuild your dreams after moving? It’s about moving back from London when your dreams don’t work out, losing love and realising that sometimes your soulmate is your best friend.

In Holly Readshaw’s Once a Dunstoner, Always a Dunstoner, it’s Georgia’s birthday and she’s going to celebrate it how she wants – sat on Dunston Staiths with her best friend Maya. Georgia did try to leave once. Maya never got as far as that. Taking a moment to appreciate their home, they question life’s biggest mystery – can anyone ever leave Dunston?

It’s a daunting prospect starting over again, knowing that we didn’t make it first time around. But life is all about making mistales and learning from them in Through The Hurricane by Nick Tennant.

The final short is Catherine O’Neill’s Networking. Why watch the TV when there’s so much going on in the street outside your window? At least that’s what Barbara thinks. With romance scandals, wild mice being adopted as pets and seagulls attacking Rentokil workers – what else could you need? A little company perhaps?

Graeme Thompson, Interim Creative Producer at Live Theatre said: “The seven short plays that make up Your Voice: North East are like tiny little windows into the lives and experiences of our community and region. Each one is really compelling and there is a big range of emotion to keep you entertained. We had over 100 short scripts sent to us for this production and choosing from the wealth of talent we have in the North-East was a tough job. But it’s a real privilege to introduce audiences to new voices and to get people back to Live with this showcase of fresh writing talent.”

Tickets:

Tickets for Your Voice: North East at Live Theatre from Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 September are available from £6 from www.live.org.uk or 0191 232 1232.

REVIEW: Magic Goes Wrong at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 Don’t Try This At Home!

Magic Goes Wrong

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Until Saturday 28th August 2021

Mischief Theatre have teamed up with the magicians Penn and Teller to create a magical farce that has the audience laughing throughout. The result, which is being performed at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal this week, is the perfect live theatrical tonic to the lockdown blues.

We have loved three of Mischief’s previous shows:  The Play That Goes Wrong, Peter Pan Goes Wrong and The Comedy About a Bank Robbery. In fact they are rare shows in that we’ve happily gone back to see them again. It is fair to see our hopes were high as we took our seats early for the next episode about Magic.

Having seen them previously we knew that we’d be rewarded by an early arrival and sure enough, the performance starts before the curtain goes up as you can hear doves and members of the cast are buzzing around the theatre looking for the flying props. A bunny also escapes and there is some last minute vacuuming of the stage.

Eventually the show begins and the lights spell out that we are witnessing the broadcast of the “Disasters In Magic Charity Fundraiser” which, as host Sophistico (Sam Hill) explains, plans to raise money for those who have died this year performing magic. This includes his Father who was crushed by the weight of his props crashing through his ceiling. The beginning of the show starts with the razzmatazz of a televised magic show of the 80s.

This is complete with Eugenia (Valerie Cutko) appearing in a curtained cage before launching into song. So far so good - but it is only a matter of time before the props start to fail and the audience give unanticipated answers. One of the first acts, the acrobatic German pairing of Spitzmaus (Jocelyn Prah) and Bar (Chloe Tannenbaum) break their trampoline and quickly leave before the Mind Mangler appears.

David Nellist will be no stranger to North East audiences after appearing in numerous Live Theatre and Northern Stage shows, as well as big hits like Billy Elliot. As the Mind Mangler he gets the opportunity to show his brilliant comic timing.

He tries to guess names and occupations, and shows up all of those fake mediums that go for the obvious while exploiting their audiences. North East actor David is able to improvise well with the audience's reactions plus he is able to chip in his local knowledge about regional rivalries.  His antics were a real highlight of the show.

The magical line up is completed with daredevil Blade (Kiefer Moriarty) who claims to feel no pain but goes through the wringer as the show progresses. He is responsible for two of the tricks that actually worked in the end and had the pair of us discussing “who did they do that” as we left - which is always a good sign after a magic show.

Penn and Teller have both gone on the record denouncing those who perform actually illusions that are actually dangerous. Funnily enough three of those tricks that they mention are performed by the Blade in this show. Obviously the actor is not actually in peril but it does make you wonder how they pull the stunt off. 

Of course, before the big reveal each time, opportunity is made for “mistakes” to be made and props to fail. Stooge MIckey (Daniel Anthony) does not help matters as he assists in the failure of many of the tricks.

Readers of this review of a certain vintage will remember Tommy Cooper, (I don’t want to upset you but it is 37 years since he passed away live on television),  who made a career out of magic tricks that appeared not always to go to plan. This show very much follows in his footsteps and has those elements of jocular farce that made Cooper a household name. Great timing from a cast that you have empathy for creates the witty moments. 

Credit must also go to the backstage crew as a lot of effects and backdrops had to occur (or not) at the funniest moments.

This is a really funny show. Farcical too, and at times the three ringed circus involving the audience had a feel of a pantomime. Is it for the whole family? If you’re happy for the odd costume failure revealing underwear, a bear to go on the loose and a few dead doves then you have nothing to fear.

This show, like its predecessors, has been the funniest show of the year so far (I know...we haven’t seen that many as the theatres have been shut) and that may even be the case at the end of the year.

...and the take home message of the show? Probably not to take the safety bar off a circular saw!

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Pamela Raith Photography

Tickets:

Magic Goes Wrong plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Monday 23 – Saturday 28 August 2021. Tickets are priced from £15.00 and can be purchased 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).

Preview: Carrying David on tour

Carrying David

Wednesday 8^th September 2021: Blyth Phoenix Theatre 

Tuesday 14^th September 2021:  Hexham Queen's Hall Arts Centre

Thursday 16^th September 2021: Durham Gala Theatre  

Friday 17^th September 2021: Newcastle Tyne Theatre and Opera House  

Saturday 18^th September 2021: Alnwick Playhouse 

Sunday 19^th September 2021: Barnard Castle The Witham 

 

The amazing true story of Glenn McCrory and his brother David is coming back to the stage in September 2021. Having been scheduled to play Newcastle Theatre Royal in April 2020 the show was cancelled because of Covid. Although the Theatre Royal dates could not be rescheduled, a tour of the North-East has been booked, with the play’s star Micky Cochrane also producing this run of the show.

Carrying David charts the background and career of Glenn McCrory and his relationship with the terminally ill David. Inspired by the love and spirit of his brother, boxer Glenn fought back against all odds to bid to become the first fighter from the North-East to become a world champion.

Adapted from the autobiography of the same name, the play is written by Ed Waugh adding to his long list of success with shows such as Hadaway Harry and The Great Joe Wilson. Superbly directed by Russell Floyd it garnered praise during it’s first North-East run and also when the show transferred to Northern Ireland, culminating in a memorable performance at Belfast’s Lyric Theatre. Each audience rose in standing ovation, something which still inspires Micky, “The play seemed to resonate and inspire each audience. The response we got was amazing and I believe this show can go anywhere and be a success as it has universal themes which the audience engages with. There is obviously a boxing element to it but you don’t have to be a fan of boxing to watch. As Glenn said to me when covid stopped us in our tracks, it’s an inspirational story and people want and need these stories in these difficult times. I believe in it and I want to take it far and wide and hopefully will do.”

On The Web:

https://www.wisecrackproductions.co.uk/carrying-david

Tickets:

Wednesday 8^th September: Blyth Phoenix Theatre Box Office 01670367228

 

Tuesday 14^th September:  Hexham Queen's Hall Arts Centre Box Office 01434 652477

 

Thursday 16^th September: Durham Gala Theatre   Box Office 03000 266 600

 

Friday 17^th September: Newcastle Tyne Theatre and Opera House  Box Office 0191 243 1171

 

Saturday 18^th September: Alnwick Playhouse Box Office 01665 660550

 

Sunday 19^th September: Barnard Castle The Witham Box Office 01833 631107