News: Props, prints and programmes wanted for history of North East comedy exhibition

Props, prints and programmes wanted for history of North East comedy exhibition

Not only Sid James died in Sunderland

Newcastle Bottleworks

Saturday 13 - Sunday 14 July 2024

Local people are being asked to rummage in their attics for artefacts from the history of North East comedy to go on display as part of an exhibition of the region’s hilarity heritage. 

Props, prints, programmes, tickets and costumes are wanted for a showcase of comic curios from over century of North East laughter - alongside historic and iconic items dating back to Victorian music halls and original memorabilia from the earliest days of Viz –taking place as part of this summer’s Ouseburn Festival.

Waves O'Shave

Contributors also have the option to donate or lend their items to the Discovery Museum’s regional archive or as part of a first step towards a planned museum showcasing the rich history of comedy of the North East.

Not only Sid James died in Sunderland is being run by comedy co-operative Felt Nowt at the Bottleworks in Newcastle on July 13th and 14th and will tell the history of local comedy, including:

●      The jester who was replaced by a monkey

●      The TWO local comedians with links to the Beatles

●      The comedian who was sentenced to death for being gay

●      The human anvil

●      The giant who lies in an unmarked grave

●      The North East links to the Lincoln assassination

 

The exhibition will also seek to record attendees’ memories of North Eastern comedy to create an aural history of comic entertainment in the region. 

Wee Georgie Wood

Felt Nowt is a non-profit co-operative run by local comedians to build and promote regional comedy and comedic talent and to take comedy into communities which might not otherwise have access to it. The event has been developed in partnership with the Tyne & Wear Archives and the Discovery Museum.

Comedian Lee Kyle said: “Felt Nowt is all about creating opportunities for the present and future of North East comedy, but we have a responsibility to preserve its past too. We all know Bobby Thompson, Sarah Millican and Rowan Atkinson but lesser-known figures like Wavis O’Shave, Ella Retford and Wee Georgie Wood also played a vital role in the cultural history of our region and it’s equally vital that we preserve and recognise their contribution.

Lee Kyle

“It’s about personal history as much as regional history – if you have a family member who contributed to North East comedy in any way, even as an audience member, this is the opportunity to preserve and showcase that contribution to the cultural life of our area forever.

“We’d also like people to tell stories of seeing comedy or meeting comedians, local comedians, the more obscure the better. We’re after posters, flyers, articles, programmes, letters, tickets... anything honestly!”

Details:

“Not only Sid James died in Sunderland” takes place at the Bottleworks on July 13th and 14th as part of the Ouseburn Festival – event link