North East Theatre Guide

Looking at theatre and the arts across North East England, the North East Theatre Guide continues to celebrate culture in our region. If a link is labelled #Ad: Tickets are now available from one of our affiliate ticket suppliers. The ticket company will also be the official supplier of tickets for the event. This means we receive a small share of the sale. Clicking on these links helps us to cover the costs of producing the NE Theatre Guide free of charge to both our readers and theatres.

30/08/2023

Preview: Seconds Away! at Newcastle Live Theatre

Seconds Away! A gripping new play with songs, scripted by Ian La Frenais OBE with music and lyrics by Jimmy Nail to debut at Live Theatre Newcastle.

Seconds Away!

Newcastle Live Theatre

Tuesday 6 to Saturday 17 February 2024

Live Theatre, Newcastle Upon Tyne and Bill Kenwright Productions are thrilled to present an exclusive first staged reading of an original play with songs, Seconds Away! starring celebrated actor and musician Jimmy Nail and written by legendary screenwriter Ian La Frenais OBE. The staged readings with live music run from Tuesday 6 to Saturday 17 February 2024 and offer an incredibly special opportunity to experience a brand new work at the beginning of its journey.

From an original idea and with newly commissioned compositions written by Jimmy Nail, these staged readings will feature a cast who will perform scenes and songs accompanied by a live band featuring local legends Peter Tickell, (Musical Director) and Lindisfarne’s Ray Laidlaw (drums and percussion).

Seconds Away! Chronicles the poignant odyssey of Fighting Frankie Tanner, a once-celebrated heavyweight boxing champion grappling with a life overshadowed by adversity.

Amidst personal grief, the wreckage of his marriage, and the fractures within his family, Frankie embarks on a journey of redemption. Set against the vibrant backdrop of Newcastle Upon Tyne, this two-act play with songs delves deep into the themes of personal combat, enduring values, family discord and regional pride. As Frankie confronts these formidable challenges, he must summon his inner strength for a final, monumental battle—the greatest of them all.

Returning to Live Theatre after a sold out Live Encounter in April 2023, Jimmy’s extensive acting credits include TV series Crocodile Shoes, Parents of the Band, feature film Evita, stage musicals The Last Ship and The War of the Worlds. His hits include Big River, Ain't No Doubt, Crocodile Shoes, Love Don’t Live Here Any More and Cowboy Dreams.

Photo: Tony Mac

Jimmy Nail who takes on the role of Frankie Tanner said: “I am delighted to be returning to Live Theatre and to Newcastle Upon Tyne, my spiritual home, to team up with Ian (La Frenais) and to bring Seconds Away! to the stage. Geordieland is where the play was conceived and it was always my fervent hope we would begin its journey in this theatre and this city. Knockout! as Frankie might say. My compositions will be immeasurably enhanced by the group of musicians we’ve somehow managed to assemble, players of the very highest calibre. I’d pay to see this line-up outside of the play! I look forward to confirming cast members in due course. My thanks to Jack McNamara and everyone at Live Theatre and to Bill Kenwright and all at BKL. See you in February!”

Musicians Peter Tickell and Ray Laidlaw will be joined on stage by virtuoso guitarist Micky Crystal (acoustic guitars) and celebrated harpist Mary Macmaster (acoustic/electro harps, vocals). The full cast of actors/singers will be announced very soon Seconds Away! reunites Jimmy with Ian La Frenais with whom he collaborated so successfully on the hugely popular TV series Auf Weidersehen, Pet and Spender and the feature film Still Crazy. The prolific and acclaimed writer is well known for groundbreaking series The Likely Lads (co-written with Dick Clement) which followed the adventures of Bob and Terry, two working-class lads from the North East. Ian’s credits also includes TV series Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads, Porridge, Going Straight, Lovejoy and Spies of Warsaw as well as feature films The Commitments, Goal, Flushed Away, The Bank Job and Across the Universe. His most recent work includes the Sixties documentary My Generation and the stage play Chasing Bono.

Commenting on the collaboration, Ian La Frenais said: “I welcome any opportunity to work in the North East and help bring its characters and culture to a wider audience. Like Jimmy, this is truly my spiritual home and the values instilled in me in my early years have defined me ever since no matter where I have lived whether it was in London or California. I thank Jimmy for giving me this opportunity, the superb cast of actors and musicians, the staff of Live Theatre and Bill Kenwright who keeps us all believing.”

Tickets:

Seconds Away! Integrates original music and drama. Audiences can expect scenes of light and shade, finding humour in the darkness. Tickets priced at £30 are available from www.live.org.uk or Box Office on (0191) 232 1232.

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REVIEW: Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Until Saturday 3 September 2023.

Buddy Holly is the subject of one of the first jukebox musicals, and it has hit the North East this week. The hit show continues to play the memorable hits to packed houses because people love experiencing the music being performed live.

The musical, written by Alan James, opened 34 years ago and in choosing the tale of a musician whose career was very short (around 18 months), and yet extremely productive, it has created firm following. Holly is the enigma of his generation. The show is packed full of great rock and roll hits that regularly get the enthusiastic audience clapping along.

Christopher Weeks - Photo: Hamish Gill

Jukebox musicals based around one act tend to either construct a story around the music (Mamma Mia or We Will Rock You) or attempt to give the story of the artist (Jersey Boys or On Your Feet). Buddy is from the latter camp. Whilst you can now go on Wikipedia to verify the tale, back in 1989 much of this tale was less well known by those born after February 3 1959.

L-R AJ Jenks, Joe Butcher, Christopher Weeks,
Josh Haberfield - Photo: Hamish Gill

Am I correct in assuming though that, like watching a show about the Titanic, everyone knows the ending? Perhaps not, as there is a generation now that don't realise that The Bodyguard was a film before it was a musical - or that Carrie existed before the series Riverdale covered the musical version. No spoilers to follow then.

L-R Joe Butcher, Christopher Chandler, Miguel Angel,
Josh Haberfield - Photo: Hamish Gill

The action begins in Buddy Holly's hometown of Lubbock, Texas. He has formed a band called Buddy Holly and the Crickets and they have been invited to play country on the local country radio show. Mid way through they decide to break into the new radical phenomenon that is rock and roll - which angers local DJ Hipockets Duncan (Thomas Mitchells). The band are clearly frustrated that they don't have the freedom to play music the way that they want to.

They try their luck at the "home of country music" Decca Records in Nashville but the new style of brash loud rock and roll is not to the label's liking and hence hey are rejected. (Mind you Decca also rejected the Beatles as they thought guitar music was on its way out, but that's another story).

L-R Joe Butcher, Christopher Weeks, Josh Haberfield - Photo: Hamish Gill

Lucky for them, Holly and the boys are given a chance to link up with producer Norman Petty who is in a much better place to realise their dream. With the help of Norman's wife Vi (Stephanie Cremona) they create a number of hits in the studio before heading off on tour.

This musical features the ground breaking show at the Apollo in Harlem and Holly meeting his future wife before heading off on a freezing cold winter tour of the US with the Big Bopper (Christopher Chandler) and Ritchie Valens (Miguel Angel)...

Christopher Chandler - Photo: Hamish Gill

The main reason why this show works is three fold: firstly Buddy Holly comes across as a likeable/relatable person; secondly he wrote some catchy songs that still work today and finally - and most importantly - these hits are performed live by a brilliant ensemble that play and act seamlessly.

Miguel Angel - Photo: Hamish Gill

The energy that comes from the live performances rolls off the stage into the auditorium. The audience are regularly invited to join along with the clapping and this, at times, gives a feeling of a live concert. The three ringed circus is alive and kicking - especially as the show reaches the last few songs. No wonder the audience are on their feet at the end.

At the core of the live performances, on the night that we saw the show, are the highly engaging Christopher Weeks as Buddy, supported by AJ Jenks as Niki Sullivan (rhythm guitar), Josh Haberfield as Jerry Allison (drums) and Joe Butcher as Joe B Mauldin (bass). They play, in character and keep it tight. This includes some wonderful showing off with the bass and the guitar. The rest of the ensemble come in with keyboards, brass and vocals. (Worth noting that the roles of Holly and Niki alternate between the two actors at different performances)

L-R Miguel Angel, Laura-Dene Perryman, Christopher Weeks,
Samuelle Durojaiye - Photo Hamish Gill

So this is not a warts and all gritty drama. I'm sure that the songs took more time to develop (remember The Doors movie in that respect) and the people involved were not always so nice - but this is a feel good movie. Or as feel good as you can be given the ending. Director Matt Salisbury is responsible for a tight well oiled machine that delivers the very best slice of rock and roll heaven that it can.

I enjoyed it. Now "Alexia - play Buddy Holly".

Review: Stephen Oliver

Tickets:

Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Monday 28 August – Saturday 3 September 2023. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

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28/08/2023

Preview: English Youth Ballet – Coppelia at Sunderland Empire

Young local dancers to showcase in

English Youth Ballet’s ‘Coppelia’

at Sunderland Empire

Friday 1 and Saturday 2 September 2023

There will be 3 performances of English Youth Ballet’s (EYB) charming and colourful ballet at Sunderland Empire this September. The humorous production will star 6 international principal dancers and showcase the talents of 80 young dancers from the local area.

Coppelia Act I - Photo: Patrick Baldwin

The story of Coppélia follows the escapades of the dreamy Franz and how he comically falls in love with a beautiful, life-like doll. The doll –Coppélia –is created by the eccentric, yet mysterious inventor, Dr Coppelius. The hilarious plot thickens when Franz’s jealous lover, Swanhilda, takes her friends on an adventure into the spooky house of the mad inventor to confront her rival. Of course, the story ends happily after the truth is uncovered. The whole town joins the most extravagant wedding celebration for the smitten Franz and Swanhilda.

The cast were selected in a big audition on stage at Sunderland Empire. Over 200 young dancers attended for the exciting opportunity. They all took part in a full ballet class on the stage. The successful auditionees found out that they had been selected on the day of the audition.

The young cast will have rehearsed for 60 hours over 10 days of rehearsals at weekends. At rehearsals, the dancers experience the working life of a professional dancer. Rehearsals always start with 3 company classes for the dancers to warm-up.

Phil Sam - Photo Peter Mares

Janet Lewis OBE, English Youth Ballet Director said: “English Youth Ballet’s aim is to provide performance experience to aspiring young dancers in beautiful venues close to where they live.. The young dancers get to experience what life is like in a professional ballet company. They learn about developing their artistic and performance skills as well as improving their technique. I am always amazed at how quickly the young dancers progress and how positive they are when presented with new challenges.”

Photo Peter Mares

EYB previously won The Stage Award for special achievement in regional theatre. The opportunity to watch EYB is a unique experience. Sell-out audiences are treated to beautiful international principal artists sharing the stage with the top up-and-coming young talent from the local area. EYB’s large cast ensures the ballet is performed with the scale and grandeur which was originally intended.

EYB principal dancers are of the highest calibre and have joined EYB from companies such as Vienna Festival Ballet, English National Ballet and Ballet Cymru. There are now ex-EYB young performers in some of the world’s best companies including the Royal Ballet. including the Royal Ballet.

Tickets:

English Youth Ballet – Coppelia will pirouette onto Sunderland Empire’s stage for three performances only from 1-2 September 2023. Tickets are available online now at https://tinyurl.com/EYBTicketsSUnd

Subject to transaction fee of £3.80

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23/08/2023

Preview: Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story at Newcastle Theatre Royal

SMASH HIT MUSICAL BUDDY COMES TO NEWCASTLE

Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Monday 28 August – Saturday 3 September 2023.

The West End and Broadway smash-hit musical Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story heads to Newcastle Theatre Royal for a much anticipated week long run from Monday 28 August.

Loved by critics and audiences alike, Buddy tells the enduring story of the musical icon’s meteoric rise from his Southern rockabilly beginnings to international stardom and his legendary final performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa, before his tragic and untimely death at the age of just 22. In 18 short months the bespectacled boy from Lubbock, Texas, revolutionised the face of contemporary music, and would influence everyone from The Beatles to Bruce Springsteen and the Rolling Stones.

Boasting a multi-talented cast of actor-musicians, Buddy presents two terrific hours of music with over 20 of his greatest hits, including the timeless classics That’ll Be The Day, Peggy Sue, Oh Boy, Everyday and Rave On. With the Big Bopper’s Chantilly Lace and Ritchie Valens’ La Bamba, and rip-roaring versions of Shout and Johnny B. Goode completing a stellar musical line-up, Buddy is a not to be missed evening of family entertainment.

AJ Jenks and Christopher Weeks reprise the role of Buddy Holly on alternate performances. Cast members include: Joe Butcher as Joe B. Mauldin, Josh Haberfield as Jerry Allison, Daniella Agredo Piper as Maria Elena Holly, Miguel Angel as Ritchie Valens/Tyrone Jones and Christopher Chandler as JP Richardson ‘The Big Bopper’.

Buddy - The Buddy Holly Story has enjoyed phenomenal success and is one of a small number of iconic musicals including Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, Miss Saigon, Evita and Cats to reach a spectacular three decades on stage.

Since its inception, Buddy has inspired a generation of multi-million selling jukebox musicals including Mamma Mia and We Will Rock You, yet remains the true original and a musical phenomenon. Seen by more than 22 million theatregoers since it opened in London’s West End in 1989, Buddy speaks an international language and continues to have audiences rockin’ in the aisles across the globe!

Photos: Rebecca Need-Menear

Tickets:

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21/08/2023

News: Newcastle Theatre Royal Announces Fabulous New Shows For 2024

Newcastle Theatre Royal Announces Fabulous New Shows For 2024

All-time favourite musicals, show-stopping dance and a new twist on the classic whodunit dance are amongst the fantastic new shows for 2024 announced by Newcastle Theatre Royal. Blood Brothers, The Rambert Dance Company, The Syndicate, An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical, Johannes Radebe, Cluedo 2 and Grease are coming to the Grey Street venue.

Jack Hopewell and the company of the North American Tour of Jesus Christ Superstar.
The UK tour is also coming to the Theatre Royal.
Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade

The ever-popular Blood Brothers returns to the stage (Tue 30 Jan – Sat 3 Feb 2024). The captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences is a firm favourite with audiences and played to packed houses night after night on it most recent visit to Newcastle Theatre Royal in 2021.

Dance takes centre stage on Wed 24 & Thu 25 Apr 2024 when Rambert make a much anticipated return to perform two darkly funny short pieces packed with originality. Cerberus and Goat have been created by Ben Duke who is known for story-telling that reveals the absurd, the savage and the funny.

Based on the hit BBC TV show that entertained millions of viewers over four successful series, The Syndicate (Tue 7 – Sat 11 May 2024) is a new stage play by Kay Mellor that follows five supermarket employees whose lottery syndicate numbers come in, just as their jobs and livelihoods are under threat.

Prepare to be swept off your feet with An Officer and a Gentleman The Musical (Mon 13 – Sat 18 May 2024). Based on the award-winning 80s movie, this timeless story of love, courage, and redemption will make your heart soar and leave you breathless, longing for more.

The doors to the House of JoJo are open – and you are invited! Following two previous smash-hit productions, TV dance sensation and international champion Johannes Radebe is returning to Newcastle Theatre Royal with a brand new production Johannes Radebe: House of JoJo (Sun 19 May 2024).

Fans of the much loved board game are in for a treat with the hilarious whodunit Cluedo 2 on stage (Tue 28 May – Sat 1 Jun 2024) in a brand new tale, with a new house, new suspects, and lot of new bodies!

If you are a fan of musicals, Grease really is the one that you’ll want (Mon 10 – Sat 15 Jun 2024). After a whirlwind summer romance, leather-clad greaser Danny and girl-next-door Sandy are unexpectedly reunited when she transfers to Rydell High for senior year. But can they survive the trials and tribulations of teenage life and find true love once more?

Tickets:

Booking for newly announced shows opens at 10am on Mon 21 Aug for Friends of the Theatre Royal, Wed 23 Aug (10am) for Advantage Members, Groups and Schools and (1pm) for public booking. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

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05/08/2023

REVIEW: Cinderella at South Shields Customs House

Cinderella

South Shields Customs House

Until Saturday 12th August 2023

If panto was an Olympic Event, then in the South Shields relay, the baton is being passed from Davey Hopper to Glen RIchard Townsend. This week the 'panto with a big heart' sees one of the best panto comics in the region back his bags and the dawn of a new era. The writers could not resits getting a few digs in about Hopper's new employer.

Cinderella played by Rebekah Summerhill

Cinderella is a well worn panto path to follow but, in this script, a few changes have been made to freshen it up and fit the cast. The end result is a great way to entertain the family. As I type this the rain is lashing down on the windows and the idea of taking the family to a just-under-3-hour show for the cost of a 3D movie at the local multiplex appeals. As always the jokes work on two levels and you'll hear both older and younger members of the audience laughing away. After all this creative pairing wrote our favourite panto of the year for three years in a row.

Den-Dini played by Glen Richard Townsend & Arbut-tons played by Davey Hopper

It is a full panto. You get the usual panto elements in here including a memorable messy scene that had an audience reaction as soon as the tarpaulin was rolled out. No spoilers here...

Den-Dini played by Glen Richard Townsend & Arbut-tons played by Davey Hopper

You have the songs - the Customs House pantos always feature a fair few songs. I have to say though my favourite was Jen Stevens arrangement of Britney Spear's Stronger.

Arbut-tons played by Davey Hopper & Cinderella played by Rebekah Summerhill

You have the jokes - most recycled from the great panto jokebook but still they make the audience laugh.

Coni played by Dale Jewitt & Di played by David McCarthy

You have the romances. Will Cinders meet her Prince? Will Arbuthnot...now called Arbut-tons find love too?

Christina Berriman Dawson as the Stepmother

But this is South Shields so you still have the style and feel of the Christmas pantos through, one expects, some recycling of resources from previous productions. Remember that the sets and costume designs have won national awards in the past.

Jess Brady as Fairy Godmother

You also get a cast that appreciate that they need to bring the audience along with them for the ride. It is not just the ever dependable Hopper and his side kick Townsend that interact with the audience but the tale needs the Ugly Sisters and their Mother to be distastefully likeable, the Fairy Godmother to be not just helpful but a strong character too. Likewise it helps in Prince Charming is not just some clueless/wet bolt-on-to-the-action as happens in too many Cinderella productions. The writing and the cast in this show combine to create a fine, enjoyable panto that keeps the audience in the frame.

This is the big difference between this show and a number of high budget shows. The audience are a part of the show here. This isn't just something that you sit back and watch whilst comedy happens in front of you - the audience very much has their part to play. This panto is not done to you- you are a part of it. The more that you give of yourself, the bigger the reward and the better the entertainment created. This is why the fans of the North East panto scene always include a trip to South Shields in their diaries. Indeed it is the show that the cast of other pantos often visit on their days off.

Andy Borthwick as Prince Charming

This is an ensemble piece with everyone pitching in both on and off the stage. There are moments of chaos (which are funny) and there is support in the three ringed circus that is panto. With a cast of eight, plus young dancers who always come across as professional for their age despite what else is happening on stage, there is no room for a weak link.

The Customs House always sets a very high bar for itself. Whilst this is not the greatest panto ever to grace their stage it is still a lot funnier than many I'll see this year.

Andy Borthwick as Prince Charming

Hopper will be missed - their was always chemistry between him and Ray Spencer. He deserves the success that he is heading to. Mickey Mouse's gain is our loss...BUT the Customs House was creating great panto before Davey's debut and they will again in the future. It is great to see Hopper getting a fitting goodbye from his fans. We wish him well on his travels. Bon voyage!

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Jordan Embleton

Cast and Creatives:

Davey Hopper - Arbut—tons,

Glen Richard Townsend - Den-Dini,

Christina Berriman Dawson - Stepmother,

Rebekah Summerhill - Cinderella,

Jess Brady - Fairy Godmother,

Dale Jewitt - Di,

David McCarthy - Coni

Andy Borthwick - Prince Charming.

Director – Davey Hopper

Writers - Ray Spencer and Graeme Thompson,

Production Manager – Jordan Embleton

Stage Manager – Jackson Beal

Lighting Design – John Rainsforth

Sound Design – Jordan Embleton

Sound Operator – Cameron Turnbull

Stage Crew – Stefan Hetherington

Followspot Operator – Joe Hall

Followspot Operator – Scarlett Henderson

Musical Director – Jen Stevens

Wardrobe & Costume – Eleanor Chaganis

Additional Costume/Magic – David Gibson

Additional Set – UK Productions

Tickets:

Cinderella runs at The Customs House from August 4 to 12. Tickets are £15 and available from www.customshouse.co.uk or by calling the box office on 0191 454 1234

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