Once more for the row…
Hadaway Harry – 10th Anniversary Tour
5 - 22 February 2025 – North East Tour
Written by Ed Waugh
Starring Jamie Brown
After 10 years the show is going to complete a farewell tour in February.
From humble beginnings (a workbench-turned-stage at the North East Maritime Trust in South Shields) to the main stage at Newcastle Theatre Royal in front of audiences of thousands, Hadaway Harry - the epic tale of the life and times of Victorian world champion rower Harry Clasper - will have captivated audience for a decade in 2025. Something of an epic journey itself, the play has seen Clasper recognised by way of a commemorative blue plaque at the base of the High Level Bridge for the first time, has earned actor Jamie Brown the accolade of ‘Performing Artist of the Year’ at the North East Culture Awards, and has paved the way for works in a similar vein, such as The Cramlington Train Wreckers, Wor Bella, Carrying David and more, that have shone a light on perhaps lesser-known figures and episodes from the area’s rich history.
From working-class pitman in Jarrow, to multiple Rowing Champion of the World, Harry Clasper was rightly dubbed ‘King of the Thames and the Tyne’, North East anthem ‘The Blaydon Races’ was written for him, and later 130,000 people would attend his funeral.
Weaving a socio-political, historical trail with high-octane story-telling and puppetry, this one-man show has garnered standing ovations across the country and is often branded a ‘tour-de-force’ – not least due to an arduous second act showdown that leaves many on the edge of their seats.
The North East Theatre Guide reviewed the show back in 2017 (Link:http://www.northeasttheatreguide.co.uk/2017/02/review-hadaway-harry-at-newcastle.html) and said “Jamie Brown shows his versatility as he both narrates and acts his way through Harry’s life. It takes real skill to have the Theatre Royal hanging on to your every word as you describe a rowing race. The applause that follows was as much a spontaneous appreciation of his performance as it was in recognition of Harry Clasper’s achievement.”
In February, the show will take to stages around the region for the final time with its original line-up, with actor Jamie Brown deciding that 2025 marks the right time to sail (or row) off into the sunset. “It’s been an unbelievable journey, but anyone who has seen the show will know that it is genuinely incredibly difficult to perform…and I’m 40 in February! So, with the show marking its 10th anniversary and me marking my 40th it seems like the perfect opportunity to celebrate what we’ve achieved and bring to an end a wonderful chapter for which I’ll forever be thankful.”
The tour opens at Alnwick Playhouse on Wednesday 5 February and visits multiple venues around the region until the Saturday 22 February. Tickets for all venues can be found at www.hadawayharry.com.
Tour dates:
5-6 February - Alnwick Playhouse
7-8 February - Gosforth Civic Theatre
13 February - Whitley Bay Playhouse #ad Tickets: https://axs-uk.sjv.io/55jkyL
14 February - The Witham, Barnard Castle
15 February - Bishop Auckland Town Hall
16 February - Gateshead Rowing Club
19 February - Hamsterley Village Hall
20-21 February - Customs House, South Shields
22 February - The Maltings, Berwick
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