Preview: My Name Is Rachel Corrie at Newcastle Alphabetti

wet arts ltd & Alphabetti Theatre present the North-East Premiere of 

My Name Is Rachel Corrie

Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

Tuesday 8 – Saturday 26 October 2024

Directed by Ryan Hay 

Performed by Rebecca Glendenning-Laycock

Sound design by Shevek Imogen Fodor.

"I think it is a good idea for us all to drop everything and devote our lives to making this stop. I don’t think it’s an extremist thing to do anymore. I still really want to dance around to Pat Benatar and have boyfriends and make comics for my coworkers. But I also want this to stop".

Alphabetti Theatre and wet arts ltd proudly present My Name Is Rachel Corrie. Rachel Corrie was an American activist who was killed in 2003 by an IDF bulldozer, at the age of 23.
First performed in 2005 at the Royal Court Theatre Upstairs, the play - edited by Alan Rickman and Katharine Viner – draws on Rachel’s own diaries and emails to create a powerful testimony. My Name Is Rachel Corrie has garnered global attention for its raw portrayal of a young woman’s courage, idealism, and unflinching dedication to justice.

Alphabetti Theatre and wet arts ltd are proud to bring this seminal work to North-East audiences for the first time. Driven by a shared belief that the theatre is a place where communities can come together to think and feel their way through the big questions of our day, we are mounting this production to hold space for our audience to have an urgent conversation about the ongoing crisis in Gaza.

Director Ryan Hay said: “I spent the best part of a year walking past an encampment of protesters at Newcastle University on a daily basis, as they campaigned to ensure their institutions divested from the IDF. They embodied the message of Rachel Corrie’s testimony, which stands to remind us that we are inextricably connected to our international siblings: that our choices, words, and actions have an impact on the lives of countless people we may never even meet. I look forward to having conversations with audiences at Alphabetti about how we reckon with that”.

Incoming Artistic Director at Alphabetti, Edward Cole, added: Everyone at Alphabetti is honoured to host Ryan and Wet Arts at Alphabetti for their debut production and humbled at being able to platform this enduring and emotive production. Theatre is a place for discussions, ideas, and the sharing of stories. At a time when some theatres feel the need to censor their artists, Alphabetti is proud to provide a home for such crucial work. 

Performing the role of Rachel Corrie is Rebecca Glendinning-Laycock, an incredible up-and-coming local actor whose portrayal will bring the audience into the heart and mind of the young activist. Known for her magnetic stage presence and stirring honesty, Rebecca is returning to Alphabetti following her appearances in Angela and Hope is a Four-Letter Word.

This North East premiere of My Name is Rachel Corrie is an opportunity for theatregoers to engage with theatre that challenges perceptions and invites difficult, necessary conversations about global justice, activism, and human empathy. Alphabetti Theatre’s commitment to innovative work and platforming vital voices ensures that this will be a highlight of the autumn theatre season.

Tickets:

Pay What You Feel (8th – 12th October)

£15 - £3 (15th – 26th October)

Age recommendation: 14+

Website and ticketing: https://www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk/mynameisrachelcorrie 

Accessibility:

• Captioned: Wed 16th October

• Touch Tour: 18:30 – 19:00, Wed 23rd October

• Audio Described: Wed 23rd October

• Relaxed performances: All Saturday matinees

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Preview: The Halloween Traitor Murder Mystery at South Shields Hedworth Hall

 Quinn Creative present

The Halloween Traitor Murder Mystery

South Shields Hedworth Hall

Friday 1st November 2024 at 7:30pm

Following the success of ‘A Totally 80’s Murder Mystery’ at Hedworth Hall back in May, Quinn Creative are set to return to Hedworth Hall in South Shields for a brand new fully interactive Murder Mystery evening. This time ‘The Halloween Traitor’ takes place on Friday 1st November, perfect for Halloween celebrations. 

The fully interactive event takes place in the stunning first floor banquet suite at Hedworth Hall on Dean Road in South Shields. The stunning architecture makes it the ideal setting for a grizzly murder and a killer night of entertainment.

The event takes place at an annual halloween fancy dress competition so audience members are encouraged to get dressed up to take part in the competition.

Creative director for Quinn Creative, Stephen Sullivan of South Shields said, “It’s a real pleasure to premiere this event right here in my home town. We’ve been doing these events for two years now and the support has just grown and grown with each event. It’s a tongue in cheek night of entertainment with some fantastic actors, and me, as well as a top vocalist. The best part is that the audience is involved too and at this event more so than ever. Not only will they have to discover who they think committed a murder but they’ll also have to decide who they can trust on their table, as one of them will be a traitor! This is a really exciting new dynamic to this event and we’re very excited to see how everyone plays the game!”

The night includes top class entertainment with professional actors, a live vocalist and a pie and pea supper will be served, vegan option available.

Tickets

Think you’ve got what it takes to faithfully work out this Murder Mystery and avoid the lies of a traitor? Get your tickets now. Contact ‘Quinn Creative’ directly through facebook at: www.facebook.com/Quinncreative24

Or email Quinn Creatives: info@quinncreatives.co.uk 

Tickets £25 Each

Table of 8 £184

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REVIEW: Wicked at Sunderland Empire

Wicked

Sunderland Empire

Until Sunday 20 October 2024

This slick reimagining of the Wizard of Oz carries all before it in a lavish, technically dazzling production, with strong leads belting out the now famous power ballads, quirkily charming costumes, imposing scenery and impressive effects. This hard-working and talented company deserved their standing ovation, though I found the show, as a whole, not as emotionally involving as one might have hoped. 

Wicked premiered 20 years ago on Broadway to what can only be described as a mixed critical response. The paying public, however, clearly had no such reservations and the show boosted the careers of leads, Kristen Chenoweth and Disney’s darling, Idina Menzel, into the stratosphere. Having two leading ladies on different journeys, the show gives Broadway veteran songwriter Stephen Schwarz room for more than your average number of self-realisation ballads and stirring anthems. Many of these have become massive hits and last night they were eagerly awaited and wildly applauded by an audience that knew what to expect.  

The show opens with a lugubrious anthem as good witch Glinda, announces the death of Elphaba, the Witch of the West. In response to a question about her past friendship with the deceased, the show goes into flashback mode and tells the story of Glinda’s (then known as Galinda – don’t ask me to explain why she changes it) and Elphaba’s college days. The former a spoilt, popular rich girl and the latter a green-skinned misfit, loved by no-one except perhaps her wheelchair bound sister, Nessarose.

When the two are forced into rooming together this sets up one of the most amusing songs in the score, describing their mutual loathing. When it becomes clear, however, that Elphaba has a unique power of sorcery and assists Galinda to become involved in her studies, the two become unlikely friends. Through the efforts of Madam Morrible, the enigmatic school principal, Elphaba is invited to meet the wizard with a view to becoming his assistant. Elphaba’s main purpose, however is to seek his help with a problem whereby the talking animals of Oz, as represented by her teacher, Doctor Dillamont, are being deprived of speech. 

After being persuaded to test her powers by giving wings to a monkey, so effectively that she endows all Oz’s monkeys in similar fashion, she realises the person behind the sinister changes is actually the wizard, aided by Morrible, tellingly now promoted to his Press Secretary. His agenda, echoing fascist doctrines, is to keep the people of Oz united by providing them with a common enemy. This is heavy stuff for a musical. Elphaba frees the monkeys and runs away with the wizard’s spell book, declaring her intent to take to the skies, closing the act with the powerful and iconic number ‘Defying Gravity.’ 

One could be forgiven for wondering at this point just what is left for the second act. The answer is the playing out of a love triangle with the sadly underwritten charmer Fiyero, who may be callow and self-centred or may be deeply noble, or perhaps both. There is also another encounter with the Wizard, where he gives the essence of the show by explaining that history is entirely subjective, depending on who gets to tell the tale.  There follows the resolution of Elphaba’s story, giving an alternative view to the classic tale and giving new back stories to its central characters.

 It would be unhelpful to spoil future audience’s enjoyment by detailing the clever way the show dovetails with its predecessors, at the same time completely changing our perception of events. 

The show hinges on the two female leads, of course. Schwarz’s score calls for powerful vocals from both, as well as classical soprano technique from Glinda. Laura Pick’s Elphaba and Sarah O’Connor’s Glinda were not found wanting. Pick thrilled the audience with her ringing high belt and she gave all the script allowed in terms of characterisation. O’Connor was a scintillating delight, perky to the point of nausea, and the very essence of privileged perfection, she brought a great comedic sense to Glinda’s painful voyage to self-awareness. Their voices blended beautifully, particularly in the touching number, ‘For Good.’

Russell Dickson (at this performance) brought a rakish appeal and a warmth to Fiyero, Donna Berlin was a commanding Madame Morrible and Simeon Truby brought great charm and a light touch as the wizard, also doubling poignantly as Dr Dillamont. Megan Gardiner did a good job of navigating Nessarose’s slightly puzzling journey and Jed Berry was effective as Boq, Glinda’s disappointed Munchkin suitor.

If, for me, all this adds up to a show that is somewhat less than its parts is down to the need for Winnie Holzman’s otherwise efficient script to deliver such a complex and idea-loaded story arc, whilst accommodating 22 songs, thereby allowing minimal time for character development and reducing one’s connection with, and concern for, the characters.

That is only a personal view, of course, and such concerns clearly did not trouble the Empire’s audience, nor my 11-year-old companion. The show was received with great warmth and enthusiasm, as befits this impressive staging and the hard-working and gifted company.

Oh, by the way, does anybody know why there was a hugely impressive animatronic dragon dominating the proscenium arch? I know it’s been a feature of the set from the first production, but I’m entirely baffled by its relevance.

Review: Jonathan Cash

Tickets:

#ad Tickets are available from our affiliates ATG Tickets Ticket link: https://prf.hn/l/5NqjzNl

Preview: Jack and the Beanstalk at Sunderland Empire

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SUNDERLAND EMPIRE PANTO CAST ARE DOWN AT THE FARM FOR  PANTO LAUNCH DAY 

Jack and the Beanstalk

Sunderland Empire 

Friday 13 December 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025

Pictured: Tom Whalley, Matthew Wolfenden, Emma Crossley, Miss Rory and Millie Readshaw 

The cast of the canniest panto in the land, Sunderland Empire’s 2024 production of Jack and the Beanstalk, took a trip to Down At The Farm in Houghton-Le-Spring for a giant of a Panto launch, marking the return of Wearside’s biggest pantomime ahead of the festive season and revealing its glittering cast.

Recently announced Emmerdale actor Matthew Wolfenden, set to star as loveable hero Jack, was joined by the North East’s Queen of Comedy Miss Rory (Boulevard), as the fe-fi-fo-fabulous Dame Rorina Trott alongside the rib-tickling comic Tom Whalley who will be donning the hat of the lovable, laugh-a-minute, Silly Simon, both back for a fifth year by popular demand. Emma Crossley (I Should Be So Lucky) stars as the punch-packing princess Jill with Richard Meek (The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Hairspray) as heinous henchman Fleshcreep. Gary Davis (Strictly Ballroom, Annie) plays the kind-hearted King alongside Millie Readshaw as the feisty Vegetable Fairy.

Matthew Wolfenden is best known for his long-running television role as David Metcalfe in ITV’s Emmerdale, as winner of the seventh series of Dancing on Ice, and as a guest presenter on This Morning, Loose Women, Lorraine, Loose Men, and for starring in The Real Full Monty. Being no stranger to musical theatre, audiences may have caught Matthew most recently performing as Buddy in Elf The Musical (Dominion Theatre).

Matthew said: “I am thrilled to be playing Jack in the iconic Jack and the Beanstalk this Christmas. Where better to spend Christmas than at the Sunderland Empire, one of the most beautiful theatres in the land. Can’t wait to see you there!”

Matthew got to know his fellow panto stars as he settled in to Down at the Farm life with ease thanks to his time in the dales, posing for photographs with farm animals and tractors alike. Sharp-witted dame, Miss Rory, arrived to the farm in a larger-than-life polka dot look any land girl would envy, just one outfit from her infamous festive wardrobe audiences can look forward to. It of course wouldn’t be a Sunderland Empire Christmas without madcap funny man, Tom Whalley, as he brought a burst of energy and humour to the day. Get ready to scream ‘Alreet!’this festive season as Tom jumps back onto the stage.

No pantomime is complete without a plucky princess, and Emma Crossley joins the cast fresh from the I Should Be So Lucky UK Tour, which visited Sunderland Empire last April with the show receiving rave reviews from local press. Millie Readshaw brought sparkle to the farm as the bubbly fairy who will bring a dose of magic to the fairytale.

When a heinous henchman kidnaps a cow and a princess from the downtrodden town of Boggy Bottom, young Jack finds himself on an adventure that he thought only existed in story books!

Expect a wholesome hero, a punch-packing princess, a feisty fairy, a silly sibling, a witty widow, a slippery servant, a kind-hearted king... and a cow with some beef. Oh... and a very large magical plant, of course! 

Join us for a fabulous, reimagined romp through a classic tale you thought you knew… with amazing 3D effects!

Photos: David James Wood

Tickets:

Catch this GIANT of a pantomime, Jack and the Beanstalk, wowing Sunderland Empire audiences from Friday 13 December 2024 – Sunday 5 January 2025! Tickets are available online now at ATGTickets.com/Sunderland*

*A £3.95 transaction fee applies to online bookings.

Preview: Boeing Boeing at Newcastle People's Theatre

A fast and funny farce continues the new Season at the People’s Theatre in Heaton

Boeing Boeing 

by Marc Camoletti, translated by Beverley Cross and Francis Evans

Newcastle People's Theatre

Tuesday 1 – Saturday 5 October 2024

Boeing Boeing follows the exploits of bachelor Bernard and his trio of flight attendant fiancées.

Artwork by JUMP

Gloria, Gabriella and Gretchen work for different airlines, and Bernard (with the help of his long-suffering housekeeper) makes sure they don’t know about each other.

“One taking off, one landing, one already airborne ... It’s geometrical, my dear Robert. So precise as to be almost poetic.”

Unfortunately for the lying lothario, a new super-fast jet brings all three women to his Paris apartment at the same time.

Can Bernard weather the comic chaos that ensues, or will a disaster occur?

Video Credit:  People’s Theatre/Ashton Matthews

This hilarious and fast-paced farce has been delighting audiences for over sixty years. Fasten your seatbelts because there’s turbulence ahead.

Tickets

Tickets are available from the People’s Theatre Box Office on 0191 265 5020 (option 2) and online at www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

Preview: Fixing at Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

Can something broken ever truly be mended?

Fixing

Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

Tuesday 5 - Saturday 23 November 2024

Co-created by Matt Miller and Peader Kirk

Performed by Matt Miller

Matt Miller & Peader Kirk in partnership with Alphabetti Theatre present the World Premiere of Fixing - a show about family breakups and trying to make things better, about learning car maintenance and choosing the right shade of lipstick to do it in – at Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle, from 5-23 November 2024.

Photo:  Tom Platinum Morley

When Matt was little, their dad bought a classic car. A 1954 Sunbeam Talbot Mark II. Dad had ideas that he and Matt would do it up, repair, rebuild together. They never did, and the car festered in a garage. I mean, Dad had just been through a divorce. Now in their 30’s, Matt would like to learn how to fix a car engine. They’d like to learn a bit more about Dad, and that time, when Dad and Mum split up. The time when Matt and Dad were closest. Matt can’t do this alone, which is tricky for a solo show. That’s where Matt’s drag alter-ego Natalie Spanner comes in. She knows all about things that girls like Natalie know about. Like how to build an engine. About maintenance, care and repair. Together, Matt and Natalie will try to ask, in an increasingly broken world, how might we repair ourselves, together?

Photo:  Tom Platinum Morley

At a time when connections in the world seem to be breaking down more than ever, through global divisive politics, but also on a one-to-one level; Fixing seeks to initiate conversations around care, nurture, rupture and recovery. Fixing invites audiences to consider what maintenance means to them in the context of personal relationships.

This is the third full length show that Matt and Peader have made together and the third supported by Alphabetti Theatre in Matt’s hometown of Newcastle under the artistic directorship of Ali Pritchard. Alphabetti’s uniquely supportive and nurturing co-production offer makes work possible for artists across the North East and this show became possible because of that co-production offer for bold new theatre. Alphabetti is local, affordable, accessible and essential.

Photo:  Tom Platinum Morley

Matt and Peader said: “Coming back to Alphabetti is coming home. Doing a three week run of a new show is an incredible gift and we are so excited to share this with Newcastle.” 

Throughout their work, Matt and Peader combine personal stories and bigger social questions to create work which is entertaining and thought provoking for a range of audiences including poetry, theatre and LGBTQ+ audiences. For the first time, they are moving into the world of drag, whilst also increasing their access offer for Disabled and Neurodiverse audiences. Longer term, they aim to tour nationally with this work.

Tickets:

To book for Fixing, visit: https://www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk/fixing or call 0191 261 9125. 

Pay What You Feel (5-9 November) 

£15 - £3 (12-23rd November); 

Access performances: 

Captioned 13 November; 

Touch Tour 6:30pm – 7.00pm 20 November; 

Audio described 20 November; 

Relaxed performances all Saturday Matinees.  

Age guidance 14+.

REVIEW: Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of)

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Until Saturday 28 September 2024

The show, that joins the list of "fringe to big stage" transfers, returns to Newcastle. This time it is, for the first time in 10 years, a Theatre Royal co-production and it is a great choice after selling out on tour last time.

This production joins the current trend for shows that will be popular with a more youthful crowd than some other mainstream productions. At long last we are seeing touring productions that will click that often forgotten crowd. The common feature is usually the sheer energy that pours off the stage.

For this is very much an ensemble piece, as a wide range of characters, and quick prop changes, are delivered seamlessly by a cast of just five. The fact that they are also having to pick up a karaoke microphone and sing some well chosen piece at regular intervals further highlights their talent. My own pick of the songs was the clever use of Pulp's Something Changed - but I'm sure each member of the audience will have their own.

The story loosely follows the Jane Austen novel in which Mrs Bennet is trying to get at least one of her daughters married off before her husband dies in order to prevent the family becoming destitute. They attend a party at their neighbours, the Bentley's house. Attending the party is the very rich Mr Darcy, who seems to be spending quite a lot of time with Elizabeth Bennet - but she is strong willed and aware of the gossip. This leads to a "will they, won't they" trope that has been extensively used since.

The cast are amazing for a show that only open a few days ago. Susie Barrett, Emma Rose Creaner, Rhianna McGreevy, Naomi Preston Low and Christine Steel sing, play instruments and bounce around the set. It is often the non-verbal moments and the sudden arrival of a prop that ensured that the audience had plenty to laugh at.

Whilst the tale is "loosely" based on Austin's work, the Isobel McArthur script has frequently updated the language to the modern vernacular. In other words - there is some swearing, which, through comic timing, can cause a laugh but is not so frequent that it jars with the flow of the story.

Like a good wine, this show will improve as the run continues. The action will get tighter and the show will get funnier. Don't get me wrong - tonight was good, but it will get better each night.

This is a raucous and enjoyable night at the theatre that breaths much needed life into a historic text. The audience enjoyed it and so did we.

Review: Stephen Oliver 

Photos: Mihaela Bodlovic 

 

Tickets:

Pride & Prejudice* (*sort of) plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Thursday 19 – Saturday 28 September 2024. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or by calling 0191 232 7010.

Preview: Strictly Come Dancing The Live Tour at Utilita Arena Newcastle

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Strictly Come Dancing The Live Tour returns to Utilita Arena Newcastle for 2025

Strictly Come Dancing The Live Tour 

Utilita Arena Newcastle 

Wednesday 22 - Thursday 23 January 2025 

Get your score cards ready, your dancing shoes on and prepare for the return of the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour! The 2025 UK extravaganza will see four seats at the judge's desk, as Motsi Mabuse will be making her UK tour debut, joining fellow Strictly legends Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood for 30 sequin-studded shows across the UK. Tickets go on sale at 10.00am on Friday 20 September from AXS.

Hosted once again by the sensational Janette Manrara, 2025’s arena spectacular opens in Birmingham at the Utilita Arena on 17 January for the first of five shows. From here, the tour will then foxtrot around the country visiting Sheffield, Newcastle, Glasgow, Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham, before culminating at London’s O2 Arena on 9 February. Featuring a glittering line-up of celebrity contestants from the smash hit BBC TV series and their Strictly professional dancing partners – who will be announced soon - this is the perfect way to start the new year!

At the helm of this FAB-U-LOUS production is the inimitable Craig Revel Horwood who also directs the live show, creating two hours of high-octane entertainment, including iconic dances from the series and huge group numbers that leave arena audiences cheering for more. The show is brought to magical life with the incredible Strictly band and singers.

Motsi Mabuse said: “I’m thrilled to be joining my fellow TV judges Shirley, Anton and Craig on the Strictly Live Tour. I’ve heard so much about the incredible audiences that come to the shows across the country - it will be such a joy to be part of that magic - I can’t wait for January!”

Strictly’s Head Judge Shirley Ballas said: “I can’t think of a better way to start 2025 than on the Strictly Live Tour. I’m delighted that Motsi will be on the road with us next year to bring some extra girl power to the proceedings and help keep Anton and Craig in check! I always love seeing the fans who travel to watch us - we can’t wait to put on an amazing show for you all.”

Anton Du Beke said: “This will be my third year on the arena tour and I really can’t wait. Having all four of the judges behind the desk is going to be so much fun. The scale of the live show is really something to behold and we love it just as much as the audience - it’s a great outing for all the family.”

Craig Revel Horwood said: “Strictly fans are in for a huge treat on the live tour - it’s going to be bigger and better than ever before. Audiences will be able to enjoy all of the glitz and glamour of the TV show and see their favourite celebrities and dancers up-close and personal. And with Motsi joining us for the first time, it’s going to be even more FAB-U-LOUS!”

The BAFTA Award winning Strictly Come Dancing returned to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 14 September to launch another spectacular series of glitz, glamour and unforgettable performances.

The Strictly Live Tour captures all the joy of the television series to showcase the amazing choreography and fantastic live music that Strictly is famous for and then super-sizes it into arenas around the UK, giving audiences the chance to experience everything they love about the TV show live on stage. The celebrity and professional dancers will be performing much loved routines and choreography from the television show with some surprises thrown in. This is an entertainment show for all generations and a huge family favourite.

And remember, there is one important decision to be made at every show on the tour - and it’s not in the hands of the judges: who will lift the Glitterball Trophy? The judges are there to critique and provide their invaluable opinions on each routine, but they do not hold the power. This lies with the audience, who can vote using their mobile phone to decide who they believe is the worthy winner.

Each performance will host a British Sign Language interpreter, who will be displayed on two very large screens on either side of the stage so that the audiences can book tickets and sit almost anywhere in the arena to enjoy the experience with family and friends.

STRICTLY COME DANCING LIVE TOUR is produced by Stage Entertainment UK and Phil McIntyre Live, in association with BBC Studios.

Tickets for Strictly Come Dancing The Live Tour at Utilita Arena Newcastle on Wednesday 22nd and Thursday 23rd January are now on sale from our AXS: LINK