28/09/2023

Preview: Mycelial at Newcastle Northern Stage

New international production from Open Clasp Theatre Company co-created with sex worker activists 


Mycelial

Newcastle Northern Stage 

Friday 20 - Saturday 28 October 2023


Open Clasp premieres its first international and most ambitious production to date, co-created with sex worker activists around the world over four years. Mycelial offers a reality check on assumptions made about people involved in sex work.

From the multi-award winning theatre company behind New York Times Critics’ Pick Key Change and Sugar on BBC iPlayer, Mycelial will also be captured on film and streamed online. It has been co-created with sex work activists across the UK, Ireland - where the law was changed in 2017 to criminalise sex work, and Aoteoroa/New Zealand - the first country in the world to decriminalise sex work in 2003.

There are estimated to be more than 73,000 sex workers in the UK, and more than 70% worked in healthcare, education or the voluntary sector* - yet it remains surrounded by stigma and misconceptions. 

Open Clasp Mycelial cast arrive in rehearsals for first read through
Photo: Von Fox Promotions

A 2022 Amnesty International report* on sex workers’ human rights in Ireland found that most of the sex workers interviewed stressed the impact and “chilling effect” of the 2017 criminalisation of sex work on their safety and well-being, and that despite the growth of sex worker-led activist movements, the issue of sex workers’ human rights and their experiences of gender based violence have been largely ignored or dismissed. In response to a Home Office consultation on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) to inform its 2021-24 strategy, Sex Workers Too* was published by National Ugly Mugs, a pioneering, national organisation providing access to justice and protection for sex workers. It highlights the importance of sex workers’ contributions to the VAWG agenda.

Open Clasp Artistic Director & Playwright Catrina McHugh MBE at the Tonic Awards

When Open Clasp Artistic Director Catrina McHugh MBE facilitated a workshop for the North East Sex Work Forum, she was struck that the voices of sex workers were often missing from the narrative and became aware of two different sides to the debate. She explains, “The debate between the two camps of thought - the Nordic Model and the Decriminalisation of Sex Work - is challenging and complex. Toxic even. People are scared to talk about it. Mycelial aims to make space for debate and discussion. It is activism and theatre at its best, celebrating the strength and humanity of sex work activists who can’t walk by injustice. Underpinned by our co-creator’s principle, ‘nothing about us without us’, Open Clasp is the scaffolding and their voices are centre stage.”

Driven by a passionate belief that theatre can bring about social change, Catrina McHugh co-founded Open Clasp 25 years ago, and in 2017 was awarded an MBE for outstanding services to disadvantaged women through theatre. The company places theatre at the heart of transforming the lives of women and girls excluded by society and the arts to create bold and urgent theatre for personal, social and political change. 

By standing with activists campaigning for sex workers’ rights to be upheld, and inviting audiences to step into the shoes of others through theatre, Open Clasp aims to influence public opinion and inform UK policy around preventing violence against women in the sex industry. 

The project has support from campaigners and experts around the world including Dame Catherine Healy from the Aotearoa/New Zealand Sex Workers’ Collective, who said, “Mycelial digs into the whorearchy, exploring that which drives us apart, whilst pushing back against those who would dehumanise us as sex workers.” Dr. Raven Bowen, CEO at National Ugly Mugs who are sponsoring sex worker engagement on advocacy panels associated with the production said, “Mycelial portrays the distinctiveness of individual experiences in sex work and the subterranean, subcultural and sub rosa connectivity among sex workers, trans folx, and black and brown communities. A pulse or ecosystem that is felt and lived but not always apparent, yet ties all struggles for justice together.


The production features a nine-strong cast representing the diversity of its co-creators from across the UK, Ireland, and Aotearoa/New Zealand. The characters reflect those who Open Clasp worked with, including trans women of colour, lesbian, queer, straight and intersex people. The cast are: 

Muire McCallion (Luaithríona agus Pósadh an Phrionsa/Aisling Ghéar Theatre Company, Irish language feature film KNEECAP, due for release in 2024); trans actor and performer of mixed descent originally from Northern Ireland, 


Alexis Meshida (When All Is Said/curated by Travis Alabanza for Fuel Theatre); New York drag artist and comedian Yael Elisheva (Assistant Director on The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs/Soho Theatre, performer at Glastonbury Festival 2023; Chess Tomlinson (Jane Eyre/National Theatre & Bristol Old Vic), 


Patricia Jones (Road/Northern Stage and UK tour); Bláithín Mac Gabhann (Dancing at Lughnasa/National Theatre); Danielle James (Beautiful Things/Theatre Royal Stratford East), Lexi Clare (Game Face/UK and Aotearoa/NZ); and originally from Wellington in Aotearoa/New Zealand, Michelle Huirama (The Pale Blue Dot short film, selected for Cannes Festival 2023, and The Inside Man TV series).

Cast member Lexi Clare is originally from Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau in Aotearoa/New Zealand and is excited by projects that are deeply rooted in community. She said, “People tend to have strong feelings about sex work so it’s a complex topic to explore. Sex work was decriminalised in Aotearoa when I was 10 years old so I grew up understanding that there was still a level of stigma attached, but never questioning whether it should be criminalised. Researching the sex work industry on an international scale has been really eye opening for me; I honestly didn’t realise how different Aotearoa’s approach was, and still is, compared to other countries. 

This project feels like such a rich tapestry of perspectives and experiences. What is brilliant is how the script weaves together so many different stories - I think audiences might be surprised at how many moments and relationships resonate with them. And regardless of how you feel about sex work, we’re also talking about the fundamental right to a safe and healthy working environment, which is something that I would hope people can get behind.”

The creative team includes Writer Catrina McHugh whose writing credits for Open Clasp include Key Change and Sugar, Director Laura Lindow (Key Change/Open Clasp), Set and Costume Designer Amanda Mascarenhas (The Sorcerer’s Apprentice/Northern Stage), Lighting Designer Sherry Coenen (Operation Mincemeat/Riverside Studios), Composer and Sound Designer Roma Yagnik (The Mare of Easttown/HBO), Film Director & Editor Katja Roberts (Sugar/Open Clasp & BBC Arts) and award-winning motion graphic designer Simona Knuchel.

Tickets:

For more information or to book tickets visit www.northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/mycelial/

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Jowheretogo Podcast- The Northeast Culture Show :

Previews and reviews of live music, comedy, theatre & more in Northeast England. New music, old music and a bit of what we fancy! Find out what's on in Northeast England: With Jo ; Northeast Music Guide , and Steve : Northeast Theatre Guide

Available now on Spotify

Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1SWCOsTHti5BJiuOZTSB8D


26/09/2023

REVIEW: Jesus Christ Superstar at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 Jesus Christ Superstar

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Until Saturday 30 September 2023

The biblical tale with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice has returned to the region for the first time in a long while. The rock opera feels fresh and engaging, no wonder the theatre was packed on opening night.

The show covers the last few days of the life of Jesus. I will assume that most people will know the ending so they will be few spoilers here. Jesus and his entourage have reached the attention of the priests  Caiaphas (Jad Habchi) and Annas (Matt Bateman) who see a threat to the state. Effectively the show is narrated in part by Judas (Shem Omari James) as he gives his views on Jesus (Ian McIntosh). At Jesus's side is Mary Magdalene (Hannah Richardson) who, at times, seems more supportive than his followers when the heat goes up.

This show is sung through and thus relies on the quality of the singing. Brandishing microphones and mic stands, the cast do a fantastic job of bringing the story alive. Stand out performances included I Don't Know How To Love Him and Gethsemane (I Only Want to Say) as Hannah Richardson and Ian McIntosh put their own stamp on these musical classics.

The musicians are on the stage in the view of the audience rather than tucked away in the pit. This gives the show, in part, a feeling of a concert performance. But this is most definitely a proper musical thanks to the ensemble and their tight choreography. They fill in many roles and act as stand hands as props appear and disappear as necessary between, as sometimes during, the big numbers. The result is a show that flows rapidly. 

At over 50 years old, the musical could easily become dated in either the orchestration or the dancing. Thankfully the show has a modern feel in how it has been staged.

Jesus Christ Superstar is an entertaining, engaging and pacey show and it has an ace up its sleeve. The second act appearance of King Herod is made this production very memorable as it involved Julian Clary adding a nice touch of sparkle to the role. 

Review: Stephen Oliver

Tickets:

 https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/jesus-christ-superstar/ 


Jowheretogo Podcast- The Northeast Culture Show :

Previews and reviews of live music, comedy, theatre & more in Northeast England. New music, old music and a bit of what we fancy! Find out what's on in Northeast England: With Jo ; Northeast Music Guide , and Steve : Northeast Theatre Guide

Available now on Spotify

Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1SWCOsTHti5BJiuOZTSB8D



25/09/2023

Preview: SIX at Sunderland Empire

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SIX is Coming to Sunderland for the very first time!


The multi award-winning musical SIX, written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, announces new tour dates and will visit Sunderland Empire for the first time from Tuesday 2 to Saturday 6 July 2024.

Ticket Link: https://tinyurl.com/SIXsunderland 

SIX follows the six wives of Henry VIII as they take to the mic to tell their own personal tales, remixing five hundred years of historical heartbreak into an 80-minute celebration of 21st century girl power.

Casting to be announced in due course. The cast are backed by the show’s all-female band, The Ladies in Waiting.


Since it’s early days as a student production in a 100-seat room at the 2017 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the show has fast become a global musical phenomenon. On the international stage, SIX currently has productions playing on Broadway at the Lena Horne Theatre and two concurrent North American tours, including a seven-week run in Las Vegas, with further stagings announced in Canada and Holland this Autumn. SIX opens in Seoul, South Korea on 17 March and recently completed an Australian tour. Back on home turf, the London production continues its reign in the West End at the Vaudeville Theatre (its third royal residence) and the UK and Ireland tour continues to break Box Office records. The UK tour is now booking through to 2024.


Winner of 26 major international awards including the 2022 Tony Award for ‘Best Original Score’ and ‘Best Costume Design’ on Broadway, double Whatsonstage Award winner for ‘Best West End Show 2022 & 2023, and the 2020 BBC Radio 2 Audience Award for ‘Best Musical’, SIX was also nominated for five Olivier awards, including ‘Best New Musical’. Celebrating the global success of its songs with over 500 million streams and over three billion views on TikTok, the original studio album of SIX officially turned Gold in 2021, with the Broadway album ‘Six – Live on Opening Night’ nominated for a Grammy Award.


Written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, SIX is co-directed by Lucy Moss and Jamie Armitage, featuring choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille. The design team includes Emma Bailey (Set Design), Gabriella Slade (Costume Design), Tim Deiling (Lighting Design) and Paul Gatehouse (Sound Design). The score features orchestrations by Tom Curran with music supervision and vocal arrangements by Joe Beighton. Musical Director Caitlin Morgan and Associate UK Musical Supervisor Lauren Hopkinson. Casting is by Pearson Casting. SIX is produced by Kenny Wax, Wendy & Andy Barnes and George Stiles.

Photos: Pamela Raith

Tickets:

SIX will be Divorced. Beheaded. LIVE on Sunderland Empire’s stage from Tuesday 2 to Saturday 6 July 2024. Pre-sale tickets for members on sale now. Public tickets on sale from 10am tomorrow, 26 September 2023 online at https://tinyurl.com/SIXsunderland *

*A £3.65 transaction fee applies to online bookings.


Jowheretogo Podcast- The Northeast Culture Show :

Previews and reviews of live music, comedy, theatre & more in Northeast England. New music, old music and a bit of what we fancy! Find out what's on in Northeast England: With Jo ; Northeast Music Guide , and Steve : Northeast Theatre Guide

Available now on Spotify

Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1SWCOsTHti5BJiuOZTSB8D



22/09/2023

Preview: Quiz at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 

Is That Your Final Answer?

An interview with Rory Bremner

 

James Graham’s thrilling and provocative drama, Quiz comes to Newcastle Theatre Royal, Wednesday 4 – Saturday 7 October 2023.

Danielle Henry, Rory Bremner and Leo Wringer in rehearsal
Photo: Johan Persson

In 2001, in a shockingly shameless scam, Who Wants to Be A Millionaire was duped out of £1,000,000 – or was it?

Rory Bremner, Britain’s top satirical impressionist and renowned comedian, stars as Chris Tarrant in the thrilling and entertaining ride through the infamous Coughing Major scandal.

We caught up with Rory to talk about the scandal that engulfed the world’s most popular TV quiz show.


You’ve only starred in one other play before, Noël Coward’s Relative Values, what made you say yes to this? And what are you looking forward to most about touring this production?

Loved Relative Values - for someone used to stand-up, it’s great to be part of a team. With Quiz I’m really looking forward to the challenge of playing a character over a whole play, not just a short sketch. Also, Chris says he hates my impression of him, which makes it even more fun!

 

You’re an impressionist, what is it that helps you most get into a character when there is often so much information out there about a person in the public eye?

Always the voice. Once you get that the rest often follows. It’s an instinctive thing with impressionists. But playing a character is going to involve some acting. Luckily both the writer and the director are as good as they come. That’s really exciting and makes me want to raise my game.

 

How familiar were you with the scandal of ‘The Coughing Major’? Had you seen the play when it was on in the West End back in 2018, or seen the ITV adaptation which aired in 2020?

I knew about it and enjoyed the TV version with Michael Sheen (who’s cornered the market in playing well-known figures on film- I must meet his agent) and Matthew McFadyen, who’s terrific in everything he does- especially Succession. His character Tom Wambsgans reminds me of Peter Mandelson. I’d love to see him play that part. I’ve deliberately avoided watching Quiz again though as Daniel Evans (the director) told me not to. It’s the first note he gave me and I’m doing what I’m told! I’m also not starting too soon as it’s enough for my wife to live with Chris Tarrant for four months. Six would be too much!

 

If you could star in a play centred around the life of another of your well-known impressions, who would you like bring to the stage most? Or which do you think audiences would have the largest appetite for?

Maybe Boris or Trump. I enjoy doing them but I can’t stand either of them so it might drive me mad. I helped Kenneth Branagh and Dominic West with Boris and Prince Charles respectively. We spent most of the time laughing.

Who would be at the top of your list of impressions you wish you'd done (or have yet to do!)? 

Playing myself. That’s the hardest one of all and I still haven’t nailed it yet.

 

In rehearsal
Photo: Johan Persson

Tickets:

Quiz plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Wed 4 – Sat 7 Oct 2023. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.


Jowheretogo Podcast- The Northeast Culture Show :

Previews and reviews of live music, comedy, theatre & more in Northeast England. New music, old music and a bit of what we fancy! Find out what's on in Northeast England: With Jo ; Northeast Music Guide , and Steve : Northeast Theatre Guide

Available now on Spotify

Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/45fRH0TUt1ObXQmMDdG1iC



21/09/2023

REVIEW: Penguin at Newcastle Live Theatre,

Penguin 

Live Theatre, Newcastle - 20-23 September 2023

Omnibus Theatre, London - 30 September - 1 October

HOME Manchester - 10-12 October

Leeds Playhouse - 20-21 October 

Sheffield Theatres - 9-10 November

Arts Centre Washington - 30 November

Penguin is a wonderful piece of storytelling. It draws you in and lets you consider what it would be like to be in someone else's shoes. Sometimes it is a tough story, most of the time it is a humorous tale. All of the time, it tell you the diversity of life's many experiences.

Performer and co-creator of Penguin is Hamzeh Al Hussein. He puts each audience member on a quick tour of the places he knows well. As such you are transported from a village in Syria through a camp in Jordan before flying to Gateshead. 


Hamzeh is blessed with being a naturally engaging storyteller. He draws you in as he recalls some of the events in his journey. Though he is the only one on stage, you fell that you know his friends. As such, under direction from Amy Golding, the show flies through its 70 minute run. 


Hamzeh dances around making the most of the Live Theatre stage. All the time he conveys a feeling of the vitality of life.

There are sad moments. His mother, for example is still in the camp in Syria, but, thanks to technology, they are able to stay in touch. She is able to pass on her experience on, for example, how to cook okra.


In yet another Curious Monkey production, we find ourselves able to empathise - yet also to celebrate the cultures that have joined us in order to develop our rich tapestry of community. They give a voice to those not always represented in mainstream theatre.

Hamzeh leads the audience on a rewarding, entertaining and often funny journey. This show deserved the sold out audience that it enjoyed on the evening that we saw it. Fabulous.


Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: picturesbybish


Tickets: 

For more information or to book tickets visit www.curiousmonkeytheatre.com/penguin


Jowheretogo Podcast- The Northeast Culture Show :

Previews and reviews of live music, comedy, theatre & more in Northeast England. New music, old music and a bit of what we fancy! Find out what's on in Northeast England: With Jo ; Northeast Music Guide , and Steve : Northeast Theatre Guide

Available now on Spotify

Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/45fRH0TUt1ObXQmMDdG1iC



20/09/2023

Preview: Frankenstein at Darlington Hippodrome

 

Frankenstein: A Chilling Twist On A Classic Tale

 

Frankenstein

Darlington Hippodrome

Tuesday 17 - Saturday 21 October 2023

 

Tilted Wig brings a new perspective on the gothic chiller, Frankenstein, coming to Darlington Hippodrome for one week only in October.

 

1943. Whilst Europe tears itself apart, two women hide from their past at what feels like the very end of the world. And one of them has a terrifying story to tell…

When it comes to adapting a well-known novel for the stage, there are countless challenges for a playwright to navigate.

And in Séan Aydon’s new production of Frankenstein, the timeless themes of Mary Shelley's iconic story are entwined with a host of new elements that will give its audiences a particularly haunting experience.

This new production, which begins a major UK theatre tour in September, has a couple of twists in its tale with a story set against the backdrop of World War Two and a female Doctor ‘Victoria’ Frankenstein.

Aydon explains his inspiration. “When I first approached the script, I wanted to make it feel more contemporary, to relate more to the ethical questions of today and to make it feel more real. But setting it in 2023 felt too clean and clinical – there is something far less scary about lasers and steel in comparison to rusted operating equipment!”.

So why World War Two? He continues, “There is no historical context that we have a better shared understanding than that of World War II. We are all aware of the horrors of the time and by setting our play amongst them it raises the stakes immeasurably; the Doctor’s experiments have the power to change the whole world in a way we can all imagine. By exploring it through the prism of that time, a world where eugenics and racial purity were growing in popularity, I’m also hoping that the audience question the ethics of today and the dangerous path that chasing “perfection” leads to.”


One of the most striking changes in this adaptation is the gender swap of the protagonist, transforming Doctor Victor Frankenstein into Doctor Victoria Frankenstein. The switch has significant influence over the dynamics and the overall message of the play.

Aydon says, ”The biggest impact of having a female doctor is the use of the word mother and all the connotations that go with it. When the Creature calls her ‘Mother’ it’s a chilling reminder of the responsibility we have when creating life and how distorted the relationship can become.”

Adapting a renowned novel like Frankenstein for the stage presents its own set of challenges. In this case, Aydon approached the original text as a starting point for an entirely new play. While major plot points remain intact, very little dialogue was directly lifted from the novel, allowing for the exploration of Shelley’s ideas in a fresh context.

Aydon elaborates, “The book itself is not particularly theatrical; it is told in a series of letters. But I wanted to retain that element of it feeling like a “ghost story” told in the past tense. I love the idea of two people sitting by a fire, telling a story that grows in the audiences’ mind until the tension is almost unbearable. True fear exists in the imagination”.

There’s no question that Doctor Frankenstein’s story is an enduring popular one, with a host of productions over the years on both stage and screen. Emma Stone will be a female Frankenstein’s monster in the upcoming film ‘Poor Things’, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos.  The Hammer reworking in 1957 with Christopher Lee was a huge hit and spawned six sequels whilst Boris Karloff’s 1931 creature is often lauded as definitive. Less scary, but no less notable is Mel Brooks’ hilarious parody, Young Frankenstein (1974) starring and co-written by Gene Wilder. More recently Tim Burton’s stop-motion Frankenweenie featured the voices of a host of stars including Winona Ryder, Martin Landau and Martin Short and Frankenstein’s story got a rather different treatment in the direct-to-video Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet Frankenstein.

At the National Theatre, Jonny Lee Miller and Benedict Cumberbatch famously alternated the roles of Victor Frankenstein and the Creature in Danny Boyle’s 2011 production and they went on to share both the Laurence Olivier Award and Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Play for their respective performances.

Why does the story of Doctor Frankenstein hold such enduring fascination? Aydon puts it down to a number of factors. Importantly, it’s the very first science fiction novel, a genre that continues to captivate audiences as scientific advancements bring its themes closer to reality. Furthermore, its themes are timeless: we are still questioning humanity's responsibility toward one another and right now, with the boom in AI, the news if full of the, often unchecked, progress of science and technology. And of course the eternal question of nature versus nurture will always strike a nerve with every parent and carer.

The fascination with horror stories, both on stage and screen, reflects our inherent desire to be scared. While cinema offers realistic portrayals of horror, theatre taps into the power of imagination and the present moment. The absence of a screen allows the audience to be fully immersed, heightening the tension and fear. Productions like Andy Nyman's "Ghost Stories" and Robert Icke's psychological horror adaptations have excelled in leveraging the strengths of theatre to create truly terrifying experiences.

What does Aydon hope the audience will take away from this new adaptation? He says, “I want people to leave this production of Frankenstein realising they haven’t relaxed any of the muscles in their body for the last hour.”

One thing is for sure, this clever new version is sure to provide an unforgettable theatrical experience for theatregoers.

Aydon concurs, “If you love gripping drama, if you love a good story well-told, if you want to be laughing and before you know it find your heart in your mouth, if you want to be left arguing about which character was in the right for the next few days – you should book to see Frankenstein.”

Full casting for Frankenstein was announced recently. Eleanor Mcloughlin will play ‘Victoria Frankenstein’ with Basienka Blake as ‘Captain/Richter’, Cameron Robertson as ‘The Creature’, Dale Mathurin as ‘Henry’ and Lula Marsh as ‘Elizabeth’.

Eleanor McLoughlin’s credits include ‘Mollie Ralston’ in The Mousetrap West End and ‘Perdita’ in Cheek by Jowl’s The Winter’s Tale US Tour. Basienka Blake recently played ‘Madam Boussiron’ in We’ll Always Have Paris for the Mill at Sonning and UK tours include Rufus Norris’s Cabaret and The Da Vinci Code. Cameron Robertson’s stage credits include Theatre Royal Bath’s production of Oleanna and For King and Country at Southwark Playhouse. Dale Mathurin has appeared in Coming to England at Birmingham Rep, in Jamie Lloyd’s Evita at Regents Park Open Air Theatre as well as in a host of roles at the RSC. Lula Marsh has just graduated from the Manchester School of Theatre and was shortlisted for the BBC Carleton Hobbs Bursary Award.

Not suitable for Under 12s.

 

Tickets:

Frankenstein runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 October. For full details and to book visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk or call the box office on 01325 405405

 

Jowheretogo Podcast- The Northeast Culture Show :

Previews and reviews of live music, comedy, theatre & more in Northeast England. New music, old music and a bit of what we fancy! Find out what's on in Northeast England: With Jo ; Northeast Music Guide , and Steve : Northeast Theatre Guide

Available now on Spotify

Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/45fRH0TUt1ObXQmMDdG1iC



REVIEW: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at Sunderland Empire

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Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

Sunderland Empire 

Until Saturday 23 September 2023

Everybody's Talking About Jamie has arrived in Wearside this week. As the posters say - it is a really funny show that is not afraid to stand out from the pack when it needs to. A great cast deliver a highly timely story. 

This musical is a coming-of-age stage musical with music by Dan Gillespie Sells and book and lyrics by Tom MacRae. It looks at the final days at school for Jamie New - performed by the fabulous Ivano Turco. Starting with year 11 careers lesson delivered by Miss Hedge (Hayley Tamaddon) and finishing with the prom. 

Jamie wants to be a drag queen but his teacher points out that hardly anyone leaves school to be a performer or a footballer - and his online profile on the careers software has matched him up as a fork lift driver. Jamie is determined and he is support by his school friend Pritti (Talia Palamathanan) and his mother Margaret (Rebecaa McKinnis). 

In his journey Jamie meets up with fashion retailer/ex-drag queen Hugo (John Partridge) who mentors him. Of course the path does not run smooth and school bully Dean (Jordan Ricketts) struggles to coup with the diversity that he finds himself with. Likewise his absent Dad (Akshay St Clair) features amongst the issues as he fails to attend Jamie's birthday celebrations.

The show has its own truth as it based upon a true story - it was adapted from the BBC Three documentary Jamie: Drag Queen at 16 by Jenny Popplewell. That level of authenticity helps the audience invest in the characters.

The only niggle was having a single teacher, who seemed to have an awful lot of different roles at the school (I appreciate that it is a play and characters can represent a number of real life people). 

The show has regular displays of vibrant choreography from Kate Prince. Such action by the talented ensemble kept up the energy levels in the show and it is amazing how fast the 2 hours 40 minutes seemed to fly by. Director Matt Ryan has kept a tight hold on the action to keep it flowing.

There is a live band on a level above the stage, under musical director Danny Belton, and they appear occasionally. Most of the time sees blind being lowered and projections from lighting designer Lucy Carter and video designer Luke Halls help set up the scene.

There were many great vocal performances throughout the show. Rebecca McKinnis with If I Met Myself Again, Talia Palamathanan with It Means Beautiful and John Partridge with The Legend Of Loco Chanelle were notable. Ivano Turco, though, steals the show with every song that he is involved in - and there are number of those. 

This is the first time that I have seen the show and I had only heard good things from those who had seen the show. Now that I have seen it I totally appreciate the shows popularity. It is one of the best "new" musicals that I have seen recently. The standing ovation represented a genuine appreciation for a great show. 

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photo: Matt Crockett

Creatives: 

Music by Dan Gillespie Sells

Book and Lyrics by Tom MacRae

From an idea by Jonathan Butterell

Directed by Matt Ryan from original direction by Jonathan Butterell

Design by Anna Fleischle

Choreography by Kate Prince

Lighting design by Lucy Carter

Sound design by Paul Groothuis

Video Design Luke Halls

Casting by Will Burton

Musical Supervisor Theo Jamieson 

 

On the web:

Twitter: @JamieMusical #JamieTour

Facebook and Instagram: Jamie Musical


Tickets:

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie appears at Sunderland Empire from  Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 September 2023

Tickets: From £13 - JAMIE ATG TICKETS LINK

*A £3.65 transaction fee applies to online bookings.


Jowheretogo Podcast- The Northeast Culture Show :

Previews and reviews of live music, comedy, theatre & more in Northeast England. New music, old music and a bit of what we fancy! Find out what's on in Northeast England: With Jo ; Northeast Music Guide , and Steve : Northeast Theatre Guide

Available now on Spotify

Podcast link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/45fRH0TUt1ObXQmMDdG1iC