Preview: Worlds Apart at Newcastle Northern Stage

New play takes a truthful and optimistic look at what it means to be a carer or cared for in the North East

Worlds Apart 

Newcastle Northern Stage

Thursday 20 to Saturday 22 April 2023

Directed by Poppy Crawshaw

Developed by Woven Nest Theatre

“Magical. The movement between worlds was just so beautiful. The subtlety of the issues and the nuance was just incredible.”

(Audience member, Worlds Apart)

Woven Nest Theatre will be bringing their new show, Worlds Apart, a lively celebration of ageing and human resilience to Northern Stage from Thursday 20 to Saturday 22 April 2023. Inspired by the unpaid carers the company has met from across the North East over the last three years, along with a desire to tell an authentic story about what it’s like to be a carer and be cared for, Worlds Apart tells the story of three generations of women who are thrown together in a household after years of living apart. Told through the eyes of a young gamer, audiences are invited to take a truthful and optimistic look at unpaid care and family relationships in all their messy, marvellous glory.

Poppy Crawshaw co-founder of Woven Nest Theatre and director of Worlds Apart said: “As an aging population, many of us will either care for a family member or be cared for at some stage in our lives. In 2022 we brought together young carers, unpaid carers and older people living in residential care to take part in a range of group storytelling, writing, drama, and music workshops, to collaborate on the development of this important show. The result is a funny, raw, and truthful look at the world of care that we hope will resonate with audiences.”

Featuring Jacqueline Phillips as Penny, Rosie Stancliffe as Helen, and Ayla Brown as Egg, Worlds Apart welcomes audiences into the heart of one family as they grapple with what caring looks and feels like. Post-performance will feature a musical response with original songs by Zoe Takiwatanga, an emerging writer who worked with musician Nicky Rushton to put her words to music. This show is a vibrant and engaging experience presented by one of the North East’s most exciting theatre companies. Woven Nest Theatre is passionate about bringing relevant work to audiences and welcoming people who do not usually visit theatre or the arts in general to see their work.

Photos: Danielle Giddins

Tickets:

Worlds Apart is at Northern Stage from Thursday 20 to Saturday 22 April, 7.45pm with a matinee on Friday 21 April at 2pm. Running time is 1 hour 10 minutes. For more information and to book tickets visit https://northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/worlds-apart/. This production is supported using public funding by Arts Council England.