Preview: Bonnie & Fanny’s Christmas Spectacular at Newcastle Live Theatre

Bonnie & Fanny’s Christmas Spectacular is back to bring a celebration of all things comedy and cabaret to Newcastle’s Live Theatre this festive season. 

Bonnie & Fanny’s Christmas Spectacular 

Newcastle Live Theatre

Wednesday 1 - Thursday 23 December 2021

Created and performed by Your Aunt Fanny and Bonnie and The Bonnettes. 

 

Side splitting sketch troupe, Your Aunt Fanny and foot stomping, glitter throwing drag trio Bonnie and The Bonnettes are back at Live Theatre from Wednesday 1 to Thursday 23 December, with their updated alternative Christmas night out, celebrating all things cabaret and comedy!  

Whack on a Santa hat, grab a bottle of fizz, wrap your secret Santa, as it’s the office Christmas party! Sweaty Sandra has eaten your turkey and stuffing sandwich, horsey Leanne’s Spanx are too tight, and all that’s left on the buffet are vegan cocktail sausages – but it’s going to be a cracking night! Bonnie & Fanny’s Christmas Spectacular is unapologetic raucousness and audiences should prepare for a calamitous Christmas knees up with sketches, songs, lip-syncs and dances. 

Created and Performed by Your Aunt Fanny and Bonnie and The Bonnettes and presented in association with Live Theatre this hilarious feel good production was a sell out when it premiered in December 2019. This brilliantly funny show is a Christmas party like you’ve never seen before, full to the brim with festive frolics.

 

All female comedy outfit Your Aunt Fanny were originally formed at Live Youth Theatre. Your Aunt Fanny’s shows vividly capture a night out on the town with your oldest, wildest, filthiest friends. Five of the troupe will be performing in the Christmas Spectacular including Lydia Brickland, Jackie Edwards, Brogan Gilbert, Matilda Neill and Katie Powell.

Lydia Brickland said: “The Fannies are so excited to be back at Live Theatre where we were first formed. Live holds such a special place in all of our hearts so to be performing in their main house Christmas show this year feels marvellous. We’re also equally delighted to be sharing the stage again with Bonnie and The Bonnettes, their iconic dancing has definitely kept us on our toes!” 

Bonnie and The Bonnettes are a theatre company and drag/cabaret trio based in Newcastle. Founded in 2016 by Cameron Sharp, Rebecca Glendenning and Hattie Eason they mix entertainment with potentially political/important narratives and believe that a good night out is the perfect place for communication, celebration and a shared experience.

Hattie Eason said: “We are totally thrilled to bring Bonnie and Fanny’s Christmas Spectacular back to North East audiences this Christmas for a beautiful, long run. Collaborating with Your Aunt Fanny for Christmas 2019 was the most wonderful, inspiring and feel-good experience and the joy we all feel creating together is something we are passionate about sharing with our audiences this festive season, especially after the last 18 months!” 

Tickets:

Performances at Live Theatre: Wed 1 to Thu 23 Dec 2021. 

Accessible performances: Wed 15 Dec , 7.30pm BSL; Thu 16 Dec, 2pm audio described and captioned 

Groups of four or more can sign up for the VIP Christmas Theatre and Party Package which includes Prosecco drinks reception on arrival, luxury pre show ‘Bonnie’s Buffet’, Fanny’s Festive Party Pack’ and tickets for the best available seats at time of booking.  

The party package supplement is just £20 per person plus ticket charges and as a cork popping bonus, the organiser of groups of 10 people of more receives a FREE bottle of Prosecco. Contact hires@live.org.uk to book a truly unique night of feel good theatre.   

Tickets priced from £10 - £20, with concessions from only £6 available from www.live.org.uk or on (0191) 232 1232. 

Preview: The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe at Sunderland Empire

 

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The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe Makes North East Premiere At Sunderland Empire This Month

The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe

Sunderland Empire

Tuesday 30 November – Saturday 4 December 2021

Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/SundEMpireLWW 

 Spellbinding Tale by C.S. Lewis hits Sunderland Empire’s stage on this week.

TV and theatre star Samantha Womack plays Narnia’s evil White Witch in an epic new stage adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ classic The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe which arrives at Sunderland Empire on Monday 30 November, where it will run until Saturday 4 December 2021.

Step through the wardrobe into the enchanted kingdom of Narnia. Join Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter as they wave goodbye to wartime Britain and embark on the most magical of adventures in a frozen, faraway land where they meet a faun, talking beavers, Aslan (the noble king of Narnia) and the coldest, most evil White Witch.

Samantha Womack said: ‘Having been a huge fan of C S Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe for as long as I can remember, I am thrilled to be playing the The White Witch. The book has always been a magical read and having watched incredible actors interpret this role in the past, I am excited to see what she holds for me. This production is so beautifully conceived with thrilling sets and costumes and an amazingly talented cast and creative team. I can’t wait to seduce, plot and terrify Narnia into a permanent winter’

Samantha Womack returns to the theatre after her recent success playing the lead role in the sold-out production of The Girl on the Train in the West End and on tour. Sam’s past theatre roles include the Tony award-winning production of South Pacific in which she starred alongside Patrick Swayze, Guys and Dolls at London’s Piccadilly Theatre (directed by Michael Grandage) and playing Emma in an award-winning production of Harold Pinter’s Betrayal (directed by Sir Peter Hall). Her varied work on television has seen Samantha moving from comedy to drama with the cult success of BBC’s Game On and Babes in the Wood to ITV’s gritty crime drama Liverpool 1, Imogen’s Face and Ronnie Mitchell in EastEnders. Films include playing the unhinged mother of Eggsy in the The Kingsman franchise sharing the screen with Colin Firth and Samuel L Jackson and playing Hazel in Jon Godbers Up ‘n Under.

Joining Samantha in the cast are: Ammar Duffus (Peter Pevensie), Shaka Kalokoh (Edmund Pevensie), Robyn Sinclair (Susan Pevensie) and Karise Yansen (Lucy Pevensie). Aslan is played by Chris Jared, Mr Tumnus by Jez Unwin, Mr Beaver by Sam Buttery and Maugrim by Michael Ahomka-Lindsay. They are joined by Oliver Bingham (Mr Brinkworth, March Hare and Aslan Puppeteer), Scott Brooks (Mr Pope, Fox Trot, Associate Music Captain), Rachel Dawson (Miss Chutney, Blue Badger and Spirit of the Moon), Oliver Grant (Mr Wilson, Schrodinger, Red Squirrel and Aslan Puppeteer), Matthew James Hinchliffe (Mr Marsden, Mauve Mole), Tash Holway (on stage Swing, Dance Captain), Shaun McCourt (Mr Granville, Jack Rabbit, Aslan Puppeteer), Sophie Naglik (on stage Swing) Kate Parr (Miss Gumley-Warmley and Phoenix), Anthony Starr (on stage Swing), Christina Tedders (Mrs Beaver), Brad Veitch (on stage Swing). Johnson Willis (Professor Kirk, Father Christmas, Wise Owl and White Mouse) and Grace Wylde (Mrs Pevensie, Robin and Falcon).

The tour is directed by Michael Fentiman, based on the original production by Sally Cookson with original Set and Costume design by Rae Smith. Michael’s previous productions include the Olivier Award-nominated Amélie (Watermill Theatre/The Other Palace/UK Tour and currently running in the West End), The Windsors: Endgame (also running in the West End), The Importance of Being Earnest (Vaudeville Theatre), the 50th anniversary production of Joe Orton’s Loot (Park Theatre/Watermill Theatre), Titus Andronicus and Ahasverus (Royal Shakespeare Company), The Taming of the Shrew (Sherman Theatre/Tron Theatre) and, as director and writer, CinderELLA (Nuffield Southampton) and The Last Days of Anne Boleyn (Tower of London).

Joining Michael Fentiman on the creative team are Tour Set and Costume Designer Tom Paris, Dramaturg Adam Peck, Composer Benji Bower with additional composition by Music Supervisor Barnaby Race, Choreographer Shannelle ‘Tali’ Fergus, Lighting Designer Jack Knowles, Sound Designers Ian Dickinson and Gareth Tucker for Autograph, Puppetry Director Toby Olié, Puppetry Designer Max Humphries, Aerial Director Gwen Hales, Illusionist Chris Fisher, Music Director Toby Higgins, Movement Consultant Dan Canham, Casting Director Will Burton, Fight Director Jonathan Holby, Costume Supervisor Joanna Coe, Wigs and Make Up Supervisor Susanna Peretz, Props Supervisor Lizzie Frankl, and Associate Director James Callàs Ball.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is produced on tour by Elliott & Harper Productions and Catherine Schreiber and based on the original Leeds Playhouse production.

Producer Chris Harper said: ‘We are so proud of the cast and creative team that we have assembled for our tour of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, and are delighted to welcome incredibly talented Samantha Womack as the White Witch.’

Reviews for The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe include:

★★★★★ Sunday Times “This vision of Narnia will restore your faith in theatre”

★★★★★ DAILY MAIL “Spectacular new life for Narnia”

★★★★ THE TELEGRAPH ‘An absolutely spellbinding return to Narnia’

Photos: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

On the web: 

Website www.lionwitchonstage.com 

Twitter @LionWitchOnTour  

Instagram @lionwitchonstage

 

Tickets:

To book tickets call 0844 871 7615 (Applicable fees apply. Calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s standard network access charge) or visit https://tinyurl.com/SundEMpireLWW 

REVIEW: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 The Success of the Theatre Royal Panto is no Accident!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Until Sunday 9 January 2022

Danny Adams and Clive Webb are joined by Joe McElderry for the much anticipated Theatre Royal pantomime, which returns after a couple of years away. The result is a bright beautiful and magical experience that does not disappoint.

When I was a kid I was taken each year to a pantomime. My Great- Grandmother would get the box and we would look on, in awe at the fabulous cast in their gorgeous costumes and brightly coloured sets. From those early experiences came a lifelong love of theatre. Tonight’s show in Newcastle came the closest to how I remember my first pantomimes. The outfits were stunning, the sets were bright and it had a positive feel. There is always a danger with Snow White to go a bit dark - especially in the forest, but not here. This show looks stunning.

This pantomime combines comedy, magic, music and sticks to the fairy tale, with one major plot twist (but no spoilers here!) Yes - this is a Theatre Royal panto that does not forget it is Snow White.

First up is the Spirit of Pantomime, Carole Stennett, with the first musical number. Now here was an actor, with an amazing singing voice that was under utilised in the show. Backing her up was a live band under musical director Richard Atkinson. Regular readers will know that we always appreciate a group of live musicians and panto is no different.

An early appearance of the dwarfs is unusual as they usually pop up for the first time in Act 2, but in this tale from Wallsend’s own Michael Harrison, they arrive on a train in order to narrate the initial exposition. Yes, unusual for some pantos, this tale does not skip on the story - which will make it easier for the discerning young audience members happy.

The stars for the past 16 years, Clive Webb and Danny Adams, have established not only a successful formula for this theatre, but one which is being copied - by varying degrees - at other theatres. A regular central cast around which the action unfolds. The father and son team have a clear rapport with both each other and the audience. The recognition is panto gold. Danny works extremely hard and is the glue that frequently keeps the show going. Clive is able to moderate Danny’s actions. The combination is very, very funny.

Whilst there is a regular team here - that keeps the audience returning year after year - two of them have swapped roles. Steve Arnott appears as the panto dame Mrs Nelly Nightnurse, leaving an opportunity for the regular dame to go evil. Indeed, having Chris Hayward not asking after the Hinnies in the audience felt strange. Don’t get me wrong - he makes a great evil Queen Dragonella. But in my opinion - and it is just that, an opinion - the show missed out on his usual big dame role.

The queen called the Man in the Mirror to ask, “who is the fairest in the land?”,  and up pops Joe McElderry. The lad from Shields is an unusual feature for this year’s panto - a star in his own right. Unlike some “big stars” - Joe has taken to panto very quickly. He is a natural with the variety element of the show. Of course, he gets a chance to sing - I think he had about the right number of songs in the show. It might have been tempting to give him more - but at 2 hours 20 (including interval) this this is in the sweet point in terms of running time - not too long for the younger audience members. Joe is at the centre of many of Danny’s jokes and he seems to take it well.

Which brings us to Danny’s jokes. Danny has the ability to deliver very funny jokes. This show is very funny and I laughed a lot. However I did not have younger children with me. Danny’s innuendo does go near the knuckle. Frequently. I watched the young girl in the row in front to see her reaction. She laughed a lot - but was bemused when the older gentlemen next to her clearly found some jokes a lot funnier than she did.

Central to this story are Snow White and her Prince. Kirsty Ingram and Wayne Smith both do well at creating the fairy tale characters. The fact that this show sticks with the story gives these two a chance to shine.

Not seeing something as often as you’d like to, perhaps, is a positive - leave the audience hanging out for more, as they say. This is how I felt about the underused Mick Potts as the Idiot. Hopefully we will see more of him in future productions.

This is a show with 2 ensembles within the cast. Eight great dancers and, strangely enough, seven dwarfs. Both felt to be a part of the show rather than an after thought -as can happen in panto. They all added to the glamour of this fine production.

So is it worth it? What can I say without spoilers? Yes, we have great special effects from the Twins FX. The sound design from Olly Steel ensured that we could hear the dwarfs (not guaranteed over the years of going to panto!), Ben Cracknell’s lighting design and Ian Westbrook’s set design helped raise the feel of the show to a magical level.

The show is very funny - we laughed a lot. It looks great. It sticks coherently to the plot. In our first panto of the season I feel we have seen a panto that is unashamedly amongst the best. It is a blast of fresh air after a couple of troubled years.

Review by Stephen Oliver

Photos: Paul Coltas

Tickets:

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will play Tuesday 23 November 2021 – Sunday 9 January 2022. Tickets are on sale now with prices starting from £14.50 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or by calling 0191 232 7010.

Preview: RuPaul’s Drag Race UK: The Official Series 3 Tour

 A D V E R T I S E M E N T

 

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK:

The Official Series 3 Tour

Dates Announced For Autumn 2022 Ruturn

 

Newcastle, O2 City Hall - Wednesday 7th September 2022

Stockton Globe – Saturday Oct 15th 2022

 

Drag Royalty will sashay* across the UK next autumn for The Series Three Tour of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.

Visiting theatres and arenas across England, Scotland and Wales, expect a night of endless extravaganza as ALL 12 queens from Series Three of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK werk their way across the country.

And audiences in Stockton can witness the Charisma, Uniqueness, Nerve and Talent of their favourite queens LIVE on stage as the tour includes a date in Newcastle in September and at the Globe on October 15.

Tickets go on general sale at 10am Friday November 26.

Acclaimed for their amazing production values, expect the unexpected in this glittering tour which will include Series Three finalists Kitty Scott-Claus, Krystal Versace, Vanity Milan and Ella Vaday.

RuPaul’s Drag Race UK: The Series 3 Tour is presented by Werq The World producers Voss Events and the media company behind Drag Race, World of Wonder, in cooperation with Live Nation and Cuffe and Taylor, and follows the sold out The Official Series 2 Tour which is taking place throughout February next year.

Ben Hatton, Director of Theatre Touring for Cuffe and Taylor, said: “We are delighted to already be announcing RuPaul’s Drag Race UK: The Series 3 Tour before we have even taken Series 2 on the road.

“Such was the demand for sales for the first tour when we announced it earlier this year that we have decided to get everything in place for the Series 3 tour now.

“RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is an exciting show and we can’t wait to witness what will undoubtedly be many incredible and outrageous nights of live entertainment in venues across the UK.”

*See the dictionary according to RuPaul, in Notes to Editors under Dragtionary

 

Tickets (on sale from Friday 26th November at 10am): 

Newcastle, O2 City Hall - Wednesday 7th September 2022 - ONLINE TICKET LINK: https://ticketmaster-uk.tm7559.net/ZdLn4g 

 

Stockton Globe – Saturday Oct 15th 2022 - ONLINE TICKET LINK https://prf.hn/l/7aNakqg

Preview: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 Mirror, Mirror On The Wall – Newcastle Theatre Royal’s Panto Is The Fairest Of Them All!

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 23 November 2021 – Sunday 9 January 2022

The count-down has begun! There’s less than a week to go until Newcastle Theatre Royal opens its magical panto – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs - which will run for seven weeks from Tuesday 23 November 2021 to Sunday 9 January 2022.

After a year away panto, legends Danny Adams and Clive Webb return this year to play Danny, The Court Jester and Oddjob along with Chris Hayward as the Queen Dragonella.

The long-time favourites will be joined by X Factor star Joe McElderry as The Man in Mirror and this year’s cast also sees the return of Danny & Mick’s Mick Potts with musical theatre star Carole Stennett making her Newcastle Theatre Royal panto debut as the Spirit of Pantomime

They are joined by Steve Arnott as Mrs Nelly Nightnurse, Wayne Smith as the Prince and Kirsty Ingram as Snow White. The seven dwarfs will be played by Jamie John, Scott English, Fergus Rattigan, Simeon Dyer, Andrew Martin, Josh Bennett and Blake Lisle.

Featuring a brand-new script and epic sets, the panto will be full of fun, laughter and surprises that audiences have come to love and expect from a Newcastle Theatre Royal pantomime and more.  Spectacular choreography, glittering sets, breath-taking special effects and a wonderful musical score form the backdrop to a tale full of adventure and hilarious slap-stick.

Newcastle Theatre Royal pantomimes are widely thought to be among the best in the UK due to the exceptional combination of father and son team Clive and Danny - for whom Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will mark their sixteenth Theatre Royal panto appearance with West End producer and Chief Executive of Crossroads Pantomimes (and Newcastle’s own) Michael Harrison, who produces and directs the show.

Tickets:

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will play Tuesday 23 November 2021 – Sunday 9 January 2022. Tickets are on sale now with prices starting from £14.50 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or by calling 0191 232 7010.

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Preview: Waitress at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 

Chelsea Halfpenny to star in smash-hit musical Waitress at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 

Waitress 

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 8 – Saturday 12 March 2022

Local TV favourite Chelsea Halfpenny will play the role of Jenna in the smash hit romantic musical comedy Waitress when the diner opens its doors at Newcastle Theatre Royal.

Chelsea Halfpenny began her career in the popular children’s television series Byker Grove. She appeared as ‘Amy Wyatt’ in Emmerdale for three years and ‘Alice Munroe’ in Casualty, a part she played for four years. Chelsea recently made her West End debut as ‘Judy Bernly’ in 9 to 5 The Musical at the Savoy Theatre.

Waitress tells the story of Jenna, an expert pie maker in a small town, who dreams of a way out of her loveless marriage. A baking contest in a nearby county and the town’s new doctor may offer her a chance at a new life, while her fellow waitresses offer their own recipes to happiness. But Jenna must find the courage and strength within herself to rebuild her life. This beautiful musical celebrates friendship, motherhood, and the magic of a well-made pie.

Tickets:

Waitress plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tue 8 – Sat 12 Mar 2022. Tickets are priced from £15.00 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

Preview: GAZE at Newcastle Northern Stage

S L Page presents:

GAZE

Newcastle Northern Stage

Thursday 25th November 2021

 

Written by S L Page

Directed by Tilly Branson

Performed by Kitty Randle, Esme Sears, Christina Berriman Dawson & Alex Tahnée

From disabled writer S.L.Page, GAZE is a new play about women’s voices, and the stories that we inherit and carry with us.

Brought to you by an all-women team, GAZE spans time periods from the 1890’s until now, where we follow two women on their journeys to discovering their identities. Alice Guy Blaché, the first real-life female filmmaker, is desperate for artistic freedom as her film career is burgeoning in the late 19th century, but faces countless barriers and betrayal. Rose, a modern-day film student, is grappling with her mental health in her battle to find a sense of purpose in her life.

Although worlds and centuries apart, together these women rebel against the difficulties that women have always come up against; through their love of film they fight to access the power, the autonomy and the creative freedom that we all deserve.

One of S.L.Page’s passions is film and film history, and whilst embarking on research in 2017 she came across Alice Guy Blaché. To her surprise, she had never heard of Alice, despite the fact that Alice was the first woman to direct a film, and the first person to direct a film with a narrative (The Fairy of the Cabbages, 1896). GAZE is a response to the fact that most people have never heard of this remarkable woman; it exists to spread the word of Alice’s untold story. Steeped in film history, feminism and addressing mental health, the play is inspired by an ambition to write about women that might otherwise be left out of the traditional history books.

GAZE has been supported through three periods of research and development by Arts Council England and S.L.Page is currently being supported by Northern Stage’s Beyond Programme. This time has been spent working with Director of Development Karen Traynor to develop the script, engaging with a dramaturg, sound designer, and testing out ideas to live and digital audiences.

GAZE is a funny, poignant and timely comment on what has changed for women across time, but - more importantly – what hasn’t.

Cast & Creatives:

Writer          S.L.Page

Director      Tilly Branson

Assistant Director          Hope Thain

Producer    Chloe Stott

Cast  Kitty Randle

          Esme Sears

          Christina Berriman Dawson

          Alex Tahnée

Set & Costume Designer       Eleanor Field

Production Manager & Sound/Lighting Designer        Louise Gregory

Filmmaker  Rachel Bunce

Director of Development        Karen Traynor

 

Tickets:

Date: Thursday 25^th November 2021

Times: 2.00pm & 7.00pm

Running time: approximately 70 mins, no interval

Ticket Prices: £10

Venue: Northern Stage, Barras Bridge, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear NE1 7RH

Tickets available online from https://www.northernstage.co.uk/event/gaze or from the box office: 0191 230 5151.

Both performances will be relaxed and BSL interpreted.

There will be a talk about unknown women from film history at 4.00pm which is free for ticket holders.

Preview: The Offing at Newcastle’s Live Theatre

The Offing – From page to the Live Theatre stage with a hauntingly beautiful score.

The Offing

Newcastle’s Live Theatre

Wednesday 3 to Saturday 27 November 2021

The sensitive new adaptation of Durham writer Benjamin Myers’ best-selling novel The Offing travels from Scarborough to Newcastle’s Live Theatre on 3 November, following a superb sell-out opening at Stephen Joseph Theatre. The show runs from Wednesday 3 to Saturday 27 November and music lovers are in for a real treat thanks to the ethereal, seaside and folk music vibe of the soundtrack created by sound designer and composer Ana Silvera and a trio of talented folk and jazz musicians, Rob Harbron, Aidan O’Rourke and Jasper Hoiby.

This unforgettable story captured the hearts and minds of readers on its publication in 2019 when it was featured on the BBC Radio 2 Book Club . Adapted by playwright Janice Okoh with additional material and direction from Paul Robinson the stage show brings all the vibrant colour and life of this loved novel to life.

Set in a Britain reeling from the Second World War the play stars North East actor James Gladdon as 16 year old Robert Appleyard who sets off on an adventure from his Durham home to head South where he hopes to find work. His travels however come to a stop on the clifftops at Robin Hood’s Bay where a chance encounter with the bohemian and eccentric Dulcie Piper, played by Cate Hamer, changes his path forever. Dulcie awakens Robert, culturally, sensually and intellectually, introducing him to the joys of art and literature, of good food and wine. But is this coastal escape as idyllic as it seems? Ingvild Lakou portrays the mysterious but troubled Romy, a presence who floats in and out of the action.

London-born singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Ana Silvera is the composer and sound designer for The Offing. Ana’s original score features songs drawing on folk music from the North East and the soundtrack is also inspired by the landscape and sea. Rob Harbron (Leveret) on concertina, Aidan O’Rourke (Lau) on fiddle and Danish jazz musician Jasper Hoiby on double bass, perform alongside Ana on the recorded music for the show. Folky vocals and instrumentals work in harmony with the sound of seagulls and waves lapping.

Paul Robinson, director of The Offing said: “I first came across The Offing when I heard Benjamin Myers talking to Jo Whiley on the BBC Radio 2 Book Club. I knew it would be perfect for the stage – wise and lyrically beautiful. Ana Silvera our composer and sound designer is a brilliant recording artist in her own right, and has introduced us to three wonderful musicians.”

Tickets:

Tickets for this mesmerising coming-of-age stage play are on sale now at www.live.org.uk. Live Theatre is committed to keeping audiences safe with measures in place to minimise the risk of Covid-19 including a number of socially distanced performances of The Offing on Wednesday 10 November at 7.30pm and Thursday 11 November at 2pm.