Preview: 2:22 - A Ghost Story at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 2:22 – A Ghost Story to return to Newcastle

2:22 - A Ghost Story 

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Monday 13 – Saturday 18 April 2026

What do you believe? And do you dare discover the truth? Critically acclaimed, smash hit, supernatural thriller 2:22 - A Ghost Story will return to Newcastle Theatre Royal in 2026 as it embarks on its second extensive UK-wide tour.

The production’s phenomenal success includes three years in the West End over seven seasons. There have been twelve replica productions worldwide and the show has been seen by over 1 million people in seventeen different countries.

In 2023, 2:22 - A Ghost Story had its first, hugely successful visit to Newcastle Theatre Royal with a cast featuring Joe Absolom, Charlene Boyd, Nathaniel Curtis and Louisa Lytton. The production will feature a brand-new cast when it returns in 2026, revisiting due to popular demand, so audiences can enjoy the story once again or enjoy the thrill for the very first time! 

2:22 is written by award-winning Newcastle-born writer Danny Robins, creator of the hit BBC podcast and TV series Uncanny (which sold out its performance in the Grey Street earlier in the year), and is directed by Matthew Dunster; it’s an adrenaline-filled night where secrets emerge, and ghosts may or may not appear…

The production began in Summer 2021 at the Noel Coward Theatre, starring Lily Allen, Julia Chan, Hadley Fraser and Jake Wood, and where it won the WhatsOnStage award for Best Play. Several performance seasons and venue transfers added James Buckley, Giovanna Fletcher, Cheryl, Joe McFadden and Stacey Dooley amongst others to the productions impressive list of previous cast members.

Danny Robins said: ‘I was blown away by our fantastically successful UK tour in 2023-24 plus another West End season this year. I keep pinching myself to see the huge appetite for my play seems to be ongoing. Hopefully this new tour will see a combination of return and first-time visits from audiences, bringing 2:22 - A Ghost Story to new people, as well as those who are hungry for more. I am genuinely humbled by how well the production continues to be received and am very excited (as you may be) to reveal our cast in due course.’ 

Jenny believes her new home is haunted, but her husband Sam isn’t having any of it. They argue with their first dinner guests, old friend Lauren and new partner Ben. Can the dead really walk again? Belief and scepticism clash, but something feels strange and frightening, and that something is getting closer, so they’re going to stay up... until 2:22... and then they’ll know.

2:22 - A Ghost Story features set design by Anna Fleischle, costume design by Cindy Lin, lighting design by Lucy Carter, sound by Ian Dickinson for Autograph Sound and illusions by Chris Fisher. 2:22 - A Ghost Story is produced by Tristan Baker and Charlie Parsons for Runaway Entertainment, Isobel David and Kater Gordon.

Tickets:

2:22 - A Ghost Story plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Monday 13 – Saturday 18 April 2026. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

Booking dates...

Friends Plus - Mon 2 Dec 10am

Friends - Wed 4 Dec 10am

Flexi/Adv/Groups/Schools - Fri 6 Dec 10am

Public - Tue 10 Dec 10am

Preview: Stewart Lee vs The Man-Wulf at Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre

Stewart Lee vs The Man-Wulf

Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Monday 3 - Tuesday 4 November 2025.

Cartoon artwork by Mark Reynolds.

In this brand-new show, Stewart Lee shares his stage with a tough-talking werewolf comedian from the dark forests of North America who hates humanity. The Man-Wulf lays down a ferocious comedy challenge to the culturally irrelevant and physically enfeebled Lee. Can the beast inside us all be silenced with the silver bullet of Lee's unprecedentedly critically acclaimed style of stand-up?

Stewart Lee vs The Man-Wulf will be at Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Monday 3rd & Tuesday 4th November 2025.

Stewart Lee ("the world's greatest living stand-up comedian" The Times), is in danger of being left behind. He's approaching sixty with debilitating health conditions, his TV profile has diminished, and his once BAFTA award-winning style of stand-up seems obsolete in the face of a wave of callous Netflix-endorsed comedy of anger, monetising the denigration of minorities for millions of dollars. But can Lee unleash his inner Man-Wulf to position himself alongside comedy legends like Dave Chappelle, Ricky Gervais and Jordan Peterson at the forefront of side-splitting stadium- stuffing sh*t-posting?

Stewart Lee’s BASIC LEE LIVE AT THE LOWRY is currently airing on Sky and the streaming service NOW and much of his filmed oeuvre is available to buy or rent ‘on demand’ from www.mediagarageproductions.com.

Stewart Lee began stand-up in 1988 at the age of 20 and won the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year in 1990. In 2001 he co-wrote the libretto for Richard Thomas’s Jerry Springer, The Opera, which went on to win four Olivier Awards. His most recent live shows have been Carpet Remnant World (2011), Much A Stew About Nothing (2013), Room with a Stew (2015), Content Provider (2016), Snowflake/Tornado (2019) and Basic Lee (2022- 2024). He made four series of Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle for the BBC which won

Best Male TV Comic and Best Comedy Entertainment Performance at the British Comedy Awards in 2011 and a BAFTA in 2012. In 2014 he began performing Indeterminacy by John Cage and in 2019, made King Rocker (with Michael Cummings) a rockumentary about The Nightingales. In 2023 he re-wrote the Porter scene for an RSC production of Macbeth directed by Wils Wilson. Stewart is also a newspaper columnist and music journalist and has published several books with Faber.

Jonathan Higgins, CEO, exclaims “We’re thrilled to be bringing iconic comedians to our theatre – we have a very exciting 2025 lined up, and we can’t wait to host Stewart Lee. Autumn is always our busiest season, and events are filling up fast for 2025, so follow our socials to see our recently announced shows.”

Tickets:

Tickets cost £32 - £28.50 (must be 14+) and can be purchased from: https://www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/whatson/stewart-lee-vs-the-man-wulf/ 

Preview: Babatunde: High Expectations at Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Babatunde Aléshé: High Expectations

Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Saturday 1st November 2025.

As seen on Taskmaster, Live At The Apollo, Celebrity Gogglebox, Would I Lie To You,  The Last Leg & many more!

Babatunde Aléshé, one of the fastest-rising stars in British Comedy, is back on tour! Following the huge success of his 23/24 sold-out debut headline run across the UK, join the multi-award-winning comedian as he this time guides us through family life, his newfound fame and the joys of Costco in this hilarious new stand-up show. Babatunde brings High Expectations to the Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Saturday 1st November 2025.

After warming the hearts of the nation with his incredible stint in the jungle as part of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, Baba's stock has continued to shoot through the roof. Now a firm TV favourite, the hugely popular award-winning comedian, actor and podcaster has since been seen on Taskmaster (C4), Live at the Apollo (BBC), Celebrity Gogglebox (with Mo Gilligan - C4), Would I Lie to You (BBC) & The Last Leg (C4). Most recently, Babatunde has teamed up with his wife Leonie Aléshé to take listeners on a laughter-filled journey through parenting and childhood in their brand-new, Global Original podcast Then & Now with Babatunde and Leonie Aléshé - available to listen to here. Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/whatson/babatunde-aleshe-high-expectations/

Preview: Present at Newcastle Live Theatre

CRACKING CREATIVE TEAM DELIVER FESTIVE FABLE PRESENT TO LIVE THEATRE THIS DECEMBER

Alphabetti Theatre in association with Live Theatre and Crisis Skylight:

Present

Newcastle Live Theatre

Tuesday 3 - Saturday 21 December 2024

2019 Production – Photo: Matt Jamie

Alphabetti Theatre in association with Live Theatre and Crisis Skylight have announced the transfer to Live Theatre from Alphabetti Theatre of their 2019, Christmas hit Present, written and directed by Ali Pritchard. Showing from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 21 December at the Newcastle Quayside venue, Present is a high octane, energetic festive production with live music.

Present, is written and directed by Ali Pritchard, best known for founding Alphabetti Theatre in 2012, which under his leadership has grown into one of the UK’s leading studio theatres. After twelve years at the helm, Ali has left Alphabetti to develop his artistic practice – in his place steps in the newly appointed Edward Cole.

2019 Production – Photo: Matt Jamie

World premiering in 2019 at Alphabetti Theatre, Present, was created in collaboration with Crisis Skylight. It is a funny and heartfelt production, with an incredible live soundtrack - that follows one man’s quest to buy his grandson a Christmas present. It was applauded by audiences and reviewers alike, with The Stage describing it as: “Beautifully written and powerfully performed, this alternative Christmas fable is packed with humour and heart.”

For this new iteration writer and director Pritchard has extended the script working with Tamsin Rees a stage and screen writer based in the North East of England. Tamsin's play Cheer Up Slug, premiered at Live Theatre in 2021 receiving a four-star review from The Guardian, and was published by Bloomsbury Methuen Drama.

2019 Production – Photo: Matt Jamie

Pritchard has become a leading figure in the UK's grassroots arts community, with a passion for accessible, joyful, and thought-provoking theatre. He is a visiting lecturer at a number of higher education institutes and is the founder and co-director of the Newcastle Fringe Festival, In 2023 he was recognized in The Stage's Top 100 Most Influential People in Theatre. He has won multiple awards for his creative work with his theatrical credits including Bacon Knees & Sausage Fingers, Trolley Boy, and Nurse’s Station. Ali's work blends humour with poignant social themes, continually empowering both artists and audiences.

Malcolm Shields, who originally played the lead character Dave in the 2019 iteration, is returning to the production, as performer and choreographer. Notable theatre credits include One Off at Live Theatre, Floorboards and Trolley Boy at Alphabetti Theatre, Cinderella at the Citizen's Theatre, and When The Boat Comes In at the Customs House. His choreography has been featured in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Six Characters Looking For An Author, and Couldn’t Care Less. On screen, Malcolm has appeared in Outlander, We Hunt Together, and Taggart. His film work includes I Daniel Blake and Young Adam.

Malcolm is joined on stage by musician Ceitidh Mac, an alt folk singer and cellist known for her progressive sound and stunning voice. Blending contemporary arrangements with folk influences, she creates captivating songs that incorporate both live and electronic elements. Ceitidh has released several EPs, including I Reach for the Pen and Seabird. Ceitidh's previous theatre credits include rearrangement and compositions for Sucking Eggs by Steve Byron at Alphabetti Theatre in 2021. She won the Drake YolanDa Award 2022 and was Artist in Residence at The Glasshouse 2022/23.

2019 Production – Photo: Matt Jamie

Joining the creative team is freelance set and costume designer Molly Barrett. She aims to create work that is both elegant and playful and is always keen to explore narrative as well as the beauty in movement and mechanical function. Her work is increasingly focused on the links between science and art.

Molly has worked with a number of companies in and around the North East, including Alphabetti Theatre (where she is an associate artist), Northern Stage, Live Theatre, the Centre For Life, Seven Stories, Unfolding Theatre and Curious Monkey, as well as nationally with Wild Works, The World Famous, Nutmeg Puppets, SAW Trust and NORCA.

2019 Production – Photo: Matt Jamie

Crisis Skylight, Newcastle, is again collaborating on the production, providing opportunities for its members and highlighting the importance of philanthropy from the general public, during the winter months in a cold city like ours. Alongside the show, Live Theatre and the creative team have exciting initiatives planned for audiences to get involved in supporting the homeless community in our region and further details will be announced soon.

Ali explains: “Establishing a transfer route from a small-scale fringe theatre like Alphabetti to one of the leading new writing theatres in Arts Council England’s National Portfolio is thrilling for me as an artist and for the wider North East performing arts community. This is a brilliantly ambitious move by Live Theatre, following the commercial success of their co-production last year with Laurel’s, Gerry & Sewell, which has just played to sold out audiences at the Theatre Royal.”

2019 Production – Photo: Matt Jamie

Present, marks the beginning of Ali Pritchard's freelance journey as a creative, following one of the most exciting first acts in the North East performing arts scene over the past decade. Pritchard has been a trailblazer, transforming the region's artistic landscape and his eagerly awaited second act will unfold, with Present at Live Theatre in December 2024.

Tickets:

Present runs from Tuesday 3 to Saturday 21 December. For further information and to book tickets go to www.live.org.uk.

Running time: approx. 90mins including interval

Age Rating 15+

Content Warnings: Contains some themes and language that some audiences may find upsetting and distressing.

BSL Performance: Tue 10 Dec

Captioned and Audio Described Performance: Wed 11 Dec

REVIEW: Chicago the Musical at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Chicago the Musical 

Newcastle Theatre Royal 

Until Saturday 2 November 2024

The musical that’s sassy, sultry and dangerous to know is back in town. A talented cast and on stage orchestra perform all of the memorable hits like All That Jazz and Razzle Dazzle in a show that captivates the audience. Chicago is a really classy treat.

Set in prohibition-era America, the story is based upon a 1926 play, that was written by newspaper reporter Maurine Dallas Watkins, which looked at the actual crimes and criminals that they reported on. It shows that the concept of fleeting celebratory status is both fickle and not a new concept.

The play is intended to be a satire of the system and how those with money can beat it. The action comes in announced sketches – just like the vaudeville theatre that was popular at the time.

After opening with the classic All That Jazz, the story follows 2 ladies that have murdered the men in their lives. Velma Kelly (Djalenga Scott) is a star of the stage who killed her husband and her sister when he found them in bed together. She is joined in prison by chorus girl Roxie Hart (Faye Brookes) who assassinated her lover Fred Casely (Josh Crowther) after he declared he was going to leave her.

Velma and Roxy find themselves in the same block in Cook County Jail being looked after by Matron ‘Mama’ Morton (Brenda Edwards) who arranges, at a cost, legal representation by Billy Flynn (Kevin Clifton). He has the reputation to get girls off the hook, after all, the county isn’t in the habit of hanging women. He doesn’t come cheap and his methods are somewhat suspect. Roxie’s husband Amos (Joshua Lloyd) seems to be a pawn rather than a player in the lawyer’s plans. Chicago follows the cases and desire, of the characters, to maintain their fame.

The staging of the show is more unusual in that most of the stage is occupied by the orchestra who reach up to the top on raked seating, like a classic movie from the era. This leaves a small portion at the front of the stage for the action, with any unused members of the ensemble sat around, watching the action. The legendary choreographer Bob Fosse, who also wrote the book and directed the original production, still leaves his mark on how the movement and dancing flows. A lot of hands and feet move during many of the numbers.

William Ivey Long's costume design adds to the classy sultry style that helps make the show stand out. Rather than being reliant on props, the show is about appearances, dancing and the music. Musical director Neil MacDonald leads a large group of musicians who remain in view for most of the show and that visual certainly adds to the experience. This is especially the case during the Entr'acte in which the band are given some opportunity to show off their talent.

The cast were pretty much flawless. There is always a danger when 'names' are brought in that they will be a weak link, but that is not the case here. Whilst some of the cast have been on television, they have plenty of theatre experience and they thrive in the live setting. Brenda Edwards commands the stage as Mama Morton whilst Kevin Clifton swiftly manoeuvres as the slippery lawyer. Faye Brookes and Djalenga Scott positively fizz in their roles as the murderous wives Roxie and Velma.

This is a wonderful production that I feel I really enjoyed. There is something magical in live theatre when all of pieces fit this well together.

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Tristram Kenton

Tickets:

Chicago plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Monday 28 October – Saturday 2 November 2024. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

Preview: Blitzen On The Tyne at Newcastle Live Theatre

Magical tale Blitzen on the Tyne to be brought to theatrical life at Live Theatre, with talented cast and creative team

Blitzen On The Tyne

Newcastle Live Theatre

Saturday 7 - Sunday 22 December 2024

Live Theatre, Newcastle is delighted to announce the delightful duo who will be performing in Danielle Slade’s fun and frantic festive tale Blitzen On The Tyne, showing at the Newcastle Quayside venue from Saturday 7 to Sunday 22 December. Bringing this wintry tale to life will be accomplished actors Karen Traynor and Micky Cochrane.

This glorious treat for children is a laugh-out-loud new play about a reindeer who takes on the Toon. Acclaimed North East based children’s playwright Danielle Slade has penned this brand new wintry tale with the input of local schoolchildren from Northern Counties School-Percy Hedley Foundation, St Johns Primary School and High Spen Primary School. Directed by Becky Morris, with set and costume design by Molly Barrett, the show is the perfect alternative to a traditional panto.

Karen Traynor

Karen Traynor has, for almost three decades, worked across theatre, radio and television with companies including The RSC, Northern Stage, Curious Monkey, The Young Vic, BAC, Lyceum Edinburgh, Open Clasp, Theatre By The Lake, Hull Truck and at Live Theatre where she starred in Rendezvous and Networking (Your Voice North East). An associate at Alphabetti Theatre, she recently direct Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light. Karen is: “delighted to be living her best reindeer life at Live Theatre, this Christmas - let it snow!”

Micky Cochrane

Micky Cochrane is an actor, singer and occasionally a stand-up comedian. Recently he performed in the award-winning stage version of I, Daniel Blake and Curve Theatre’s revival of Billy Elliot. Other credits include Reiver: Tales from the Border, Pitmen Painters and one man show Carrying David and his Live Theatre appearances have included A Nightingale Sang and Christmas Crackers. TV credits include George Gently and Man Down, he produced stand up show What the Fudge and released the album You are not the end of The World with band This Ground Moves.

Micky said: “It’s great to be back on this iconic stage with a show that is going to delight kids and grown-ups alike.”

Blitzen on the Tyne is a story about finding your inner magic, friendship and celebrating your true self. Blitzen is bottom of the pile, the back row, last in line, and it had been this way for as long as Blitzen could remember. The smallest voice, the shabbiest hooves, the weakest antlers. Blitzen was the littlest reindeer with, quite frankly, the littlest story. Blitzen was lumpy and bumpy, a little bit wonky and big bit funky. Blitzen was different.

Writer Danielle Slade

Writer Danielle Slade is a passionate storyteller who uses her work to address the complexities of mental health and wellness for little minds, helping them understand, relate and come away with coping mechanisms to make their journeys through life that little bit more manageable. Writing credits include the award winning Melva, Peggy Pearpot, Orville and Raven.

Danielle commented: "Live Theatre is one of the first theatres I ever worked in. I've seen so many beautiful and meaningful plays here. Live Theatre strive to put children's ideas and experiences of creativity before anything else and I have seen this first hand in the work I do for them through Live Tales. So, to have been asked to write the Christmas show this year is a massive honour and something I am so excited about. So far, I have been so impressed by the ideas from the schools we have been working with to help bring 'Blitzen' to life. Children truly have the purest and most wonderful imaginations and being able to write this show not only for children but with them, is simply magical!"

Show director and Live Tales Creative Lead Becky Morris is passionate about new writing. This will be her third year directing Live Theatre’s family Christmas show. She said:

“This is a really special project working all year round with Northern Counties, High Spen and St Johns school. The Live Tales facilitators, writing mentors and creatives have built a safe and nurturing environment for the children to feel empowered to thrive creatively! The team have developed a magical once in a lifetime experience for these young people and that’s the work we never really see out in the public when actually it’s the process that’s the most impactful. The show is going to shine because not only do we have a wonderful cast and writer but the children and team have been working like little elves in their workshops to create an enchanting world for all to see.”

Joining the creative team is freelance set and costume designer Molly Barrett. Molly has worked with a number of companies in and around the North East, including Alphabetti Theatre (where she is an associate artist), Northern Stage, the Centre For Life, Seven Stories, Unfolding Theatre and Curious Monkey, as well as nationally with Wild Works, The World Famous, Nutmeg Puppets, SAW Trust and NORCA.

Tickets:

Tickets for Blitzen On The Tyne are priced at only £15 for adults and £10 for children and concessions. Generously supported by The Gillian Dickinson Trust, it’s proper new writing for kids. Families can make the festive experience even more special with a super Santa experience Live Theatre style. Save 20% when you book for both! To find out more and to book, go to live.org.uk or call Box Office on 0191 232 1232.

Preview: Gwyneth Goes Skiing at Newcastle Live Theatre

Awkward Productions’ viral sensation Gwyneth Goes Skiing heads to Live Theatre

Gwyneth Goes Skiing

Newcastle Live Theatre

Wednesday 13 - Saturday 16 November 2024 

Gwyneth Goes Skiing
Photo: Jonny Ruff

Awkward Productions are taking their viral sensation Gwyneth Goes Skiing on a UK & Ireland tour this autumn, visiting Newcastle in Autumn. Gwyneth Goes Skiing will return to the slopes after two sold-out and critically acclaimed runs in London, as well as a sold-out run across the globe in Park City, Utah, where the real trial happened. There, the show was enjoyed by both Gwyneth and Terry’s legal teams, as well as witnesses and jurors from the trial itself – with one describing the show as “99.9% accurate” and another as “more entertaining than the actual trial”. This ever-evolving show from the harbingers of queer chaos is a story of justice, betrayal and optometry, recounting the biggest case to rock the legal world since law was invented. The show makes the audience the jury, asking them to decide who's guilty and who's gooped.

Joseph Martin and Linus Karp
Photo: Jonny Ruff

Gwyneth Goes Skiing stars Linus Karp as the Goop-founding, Door-Sliding, Shakespeare-In-Loving, consciously-uncoupling Hollywood superstar Gwyneth Paltrow, and Joseph Martin as her nemesis, Terry Sanderson, a retired Optometrist from Utah. The show follows Awkward Productions’ multiple award-winning, Edinburgh Fringe sell-out hit Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story.

In an exciting development for Gwyneth Goes Skiing, Emmy and Golden Globe winner and Broadway legend Darren Criss will provide the singing voice of Terry Sanderson. Criss is best known for playing the role of Blaine Anderson in Glee (alongside the real Gwyneth Paltrow!), as well as his lead role in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. Criss has also starred on Broadway in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Joseph Martin
Photo: Jonny Ruff

Alongside Criss, Edinburgh Comedy Award Winning comedian, actress and singer Cat Cohen will lend her voice as Gwyneth Paltrow on the vocal track with absolute bops including I Wish You Well and See You In Court.

Cat Cohen’s live comedy performances combine stand-up with cabaret-style songs. The comedian, actress, and singer’s first Netflix comedy special, The Twist...? She's Gorgeous, was released in 2022. As an actress, she has appeared on comedy series such as High Maintenance, Broad City, Search Party, and What We Do in the Shadows.

Linus Karp
Photo: Jonny Ruff

Drag legend, television personality, make-up mogul and singer-songwriter Trixie Mattel makes a special on-screen appearance as Gwyneth Paltrow’s mother, Blythe Danner. In 2015, the world fell in love with Trixie on the seventh season of RuPaul's Drag Race, and in 2018, she went on to win RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars.

Gwyneth Goes Skiing recounts the collision in 2016 on the slopes of Deer Valley and the court case seven years later that enthralled the world. Gwyneth Goes Skiing features a whole lot of fiction, a sprinkling of verbatim lines from court transcripts and delightfully catchy original music by Leland (RuPaul’s Drag Race; Cher’s Christmas; Troye Sivan’s Something To Give Each Other).

Audiences are advised that Gwyneth Goes Skiing is BYOJE (bring your own jade eggs).

On The Web:

@awkwardprods

Cast

Gwyneth Paltrow Linus Karp (he/him)

Terry Sanderson Joseph Martin (he/they)

Singing Voice of Gwyneth Paltrow Cat Cohen (she/her)

Singing Voice of Terry Sanderson Darren Criss (he/him)

Blythe Danner Trixie Mattel (she/her)

Deer of Deer Valley Leland (he/him)

Voice of Deer Valley Resort, Mrs Rabbit Sam Carlyle (she/her)

Mr Squirrel Wez Maddocks (he/him)

Judge Dan Hildebrand (he/him)

Creatives:

Writers, Directors, Lyrics Linus Karp (he/him) and Joseph Martin (he/they)

Producer Nic Connaughton (he/him)

Original Music and Lyrics Leland (he/him)

SM, Lighting Design James Appleby (he/him)

Assistant Stage Manager Ciara Pidgeon (she/her)

Music Production Gabe Lopez (he/him)

Sound Design Roly Botha (they/them)

Choreographer Sam Carlyle (she/her)

Associate Director Lauren Lambert Moore (she/her)

Sound Recordist Wez Maddocks (he/him)

Hair And Wig Styling Styled By Vodka

Graphic Design Alice Gorman (she/her) 

Tickets:

Gwyneth Goes Skiing runs from 13th - 16th November at Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne. Tickets are available online from https://www.live.org.uk/whats-on/gwyneth-goes-skiing  

Running Time 120 minutes (including a 20minute interval)

Notes Ages 16+, this show contains strong language, adult humour and exploding vagina candles

REVIEW: Saint Maud at Newcastle Live Theatre

Saint Maud

Newcastle Live Theatre

Until Saturday 2 November 2024

As Halloween approaches, a psychological horror play is entertaining crowds at the Quayside venue. Using stage trickery and sound effects, the tale is based upon the critically acclaimed 2019 movie - though the action has now moved to the North East.

Central to the cast is Brogan Gilbert as the eponymous Maud. Brogan is a fine product of the Live Theatre youth system and she can command the stage, even when her character is apparently struggling with life.

Maud is a nurse whose faith runs parallel to her desire to serve as a nurse. She has become an agency palliative care nurse looking after Amanda, who is in the final stages of her terminal cancer. Dani Arlington ensures that her Amanda comes across as a strong willed character from the very first exchanges with her new nurse. Dying she may be but she is no wall flower and expects to be given dignity and respect. The former dancer is fully aware of her diagnosis but her attitude remains resolute. In Jessica Andrews script the pair do not exactly hit it off as there are clashes in values.

A note here on the script - whilst some theatre Halloween shows are family friendly, this most definitely is not one of those, as Amanda lets her feelings known using the strongest of language.

Matters become more complicated for Maud as Amanda's lover Carol (Neshla Caplan) keeps paying a visit and sticking her oar in. Clearly everyone on stage has a past, though the best way to present that exposition in a film is different to the best way to keep a live theatre audience watching a play on a single set. Director Jack McNamara has a challenge to maintain interest in this plot, to those who are not familiar with the film, whilst maintaining pace and audience interest in the characters.

It is clear that matters will come to one of the climaxes during the birthday party that Amanda is organising. The show continues past this point to look at the consequences for all involved.

Gazelle Twin - Photo: Teri Varhol 

A major component to this production, and one in which Brogan Gilbert is able to respond to, is the music and sound design. Elizabeth Bernholz aka Gazelle Twin is responsible for the music - which gets quite industrial by the time Maud hits the pub/club and starts dancing. Through Matthew Tuckey's sound design the pulsating rhythms give a sense of flow missing during some of the stark, classic horror, sound effects. Drummond Orr's lighting design has to help facilitate some of the jump scares around Alison Ashton's set. Getting the action and the effects to combine in a timely fashion helps pull off the desired effect on the audience. We were sat in line with the middle corner and this gave us a good view of the action.

Running for 80 minutes without an interval does help maintain tension. Ultimately, this is a brave attempt to transfer a successful horror movie to a different format. In trying to make it jumpy, the effects may have detracted away from the stage craft of the fine cast, and in particular Brogan Gilbert. Having said that, there was plenty of positive audience reaction from the Saturday Matinee audience that were in attendance with us.

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Von Fox

Tickets:

Saint Maud runs from Thursday 10 October to Saturday 2 November at Live Theatre. Find out more and book at: www.live.org.uk  or call Box Office on 0191 2321232.