Preview - Rutherford and Son - Little Theatre

Rutherford and Son 

22 April – 28 April

by Githa Sowerby

Coming this week to The Little Theatre, the Progressive Players present Rutherford and Son a gritty Northern Drama written by  local playwright, Githa Sowerby.

A patriarch owner of a Glass works in the North East, Rutherford rules his family just as he runs his business in the early 20th Century with a true rod of iron and a ruthless air, brooking no challenge to his reign. However in his latter years, his sons have other ideas, and now Rutherford’s legacy is crumbling around him and he reaps what he sows. A real Northern family period drama. 

Githa Sowerby, also known by penname K. G. Sowerby was born in Gateshead, her family the Sowerby’s were a local glass-making family. A noted feminist as well as a playwright she wrote a number of children’s books, including a number of retellings of classic fairy tales Cinderella and Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Rutherford and Son is her most well known play.

Tickets are available online from ticketsource or from the box office 

Telephone 0191 4781499 (Box Office answerphone) 

Box Office opening hours: 

Week before play week - Monday to Friday 6.30pm to 8pm, and during play week - Monday to Saturday 6.30pm to 9pm.

Or you can Email boxoffice@progressiveplayers.org

Preview - Miss Crispy 1988 - Gala Theatre

Journey back to the 1980s for a play that is packed full of fun and flavour

Shoulder pads, tiaras and cheese and onion crisps – beauty pageants and North East factory lines collide in a must-see play set in the 1980s.

Miss Crispy 1988 tells the story of a group of female friends whose working life at a Teesside crisp factory is turned upside down when they are invited to enter a beauty contest. 

The production is set to entertain audiences at Durham’s Gala Theatre at 7.30pm on Friday 17 January and is inspired by the stories of workers at The Crispy – the nickname given to the KP crisps factory in Billingham. 

The factory was a major employer in the area in the 1980s and theatregoers can look forward to big hair, legwarmers and plenty of Northern wit in this nostalgic yet moving comedy about female friendship, love and overcoming adversity. 

Miss Crispy 1988 was written by David Tuffnell and is produced by Less is More, a Middlesbrough-based theatre company with a passion for telling stories from working-class communities. It received rave reviews when it first toured the region in 2013, and the Less is More team cannot wait to bring the show to the Gala.

The theatre is close to the heart of the play’s director Laura Lonsdale, who is currently appearing as the genie in this year’s Gala pantomime, Aladdin. Laura previously taught at the Gala Theatre Stage School and has gone on to cast many former students in the shows she has directed over the years. 

Laura, from Middlesbrough, said: “It’s always a joy to come to the Gala Theatre. County Durham audiences are a pleasure to perform to and I know they will love Miss Crispy 1988. It’s the tenth anniversary of Less is More this year and what better way to celebrate than to tour a show that epitomises what we are all about; honesty, drama and humour.”

 

David added: “I think Miss Crispy has received such a positive reaction because it’s a story that is set in our region with characters people can relate to. Those of us who lived through the 1980s will enjoy the sense of nostalgia it evokes – the music, the clothes, the big perms.  

“However, the 1980s were also an important period in history and a time of great change, especially for women. This is explored in the play through the thoughts, experiences and ambitions of five unique but very relatable female characters.”

Tickets for Miss Crispy 1988 are priced at £15, £13 for concessions and £12 for Gala members. To book, visit www.galadurham.co.uk or call 03000 266 600.

Preview - Robin Hood - Royalty Theatre

ROYALTY THEATRE TO STAGE ROBIN HOOD PANTOMIME

Sunderland’s Royalty Theatre will see Christmas in with their annual pantomime, which this year is Robin Hood.

Written by the Royalty’s James Errington, who also stars as the legendary lincoln-green outlaw, the show follows the adventures of Robin Hood and his band of merry men, as he tries to foil evil-doers and win the heart of Maid Marian.

Director Helen Bowie says, “I absolutely love panto and am thrilled to be directing Robin Hood at the Royalty Theatre.  It isn't a panto you see every year and you've definitely not seen a version like ours. The cast and crew have worked so hard and I hope as many people can see the fruits of their hard work.”

Alex Goodchild, James Errington and Andy Barella.

Credit: Royalty Theatre

Joining James in the cast are panto regulars Andy Barella as Munchy Bob and Alex Goodchild as Friar Tuck.  Erin Moyse stars as Maid Marian.

The show runs from 12 to 22 December with evening shows on Tuesdays to Saturdays, and matinées on Saturdays and Sundays, some of which are close to selling out.

Tickets are £8/£6.50 in advance, £9/£7.50 on the night and canb booked via www.ticketsource.co.uk/royaltytheatre or on 0333 666 3366.

Plays remaining this season are Robin Hood (12-22 December), Two (22-25 January), Shadowlands (17-22 February), God of Carnage (23 to 28 March), Wait Until Dark (18-23 May) and Dirty Dusting (22 to 27 June).

Group bookings for parties of 10 or more can be arranged via rtboxoffice@gmail.com.

Preview - A Thousand Splendid Suns - Northern Stage

A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS
By Ursula Rani Sarma
Based on the book by Khaled Hosseini


Khaled Hosseini’s book has been adapted by Ursula Rani Sarma and is directed by Artistic Director, Roxana Silbert, her last as Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre.

A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini’s spiritual sequel to The Kite Runner had its European première at Birmingham Repertory Theatre and is on its way to Northern Stage at the end of this month. The cast features Waleed Akhtar (Salmon Fishing in the Yemen/ Lasse Hallström; What Shadows / Birmingham Repertory Theatre and The Kite Runner/Nottingham Playhouse & Liverpool Pal Aron (Behind the Beautiful Forevers/National Theatre; Stella/ Sky One); Sujaya Dasgupta (Death of a Salesman/Royal & Derngate, Press/BBC);  Munir Khairdin (Whitechapel/ITV); Naveed Khan (Tamburlaine and Tartuffe /RSC); Mollie Lambert (The White Devil/Shakespeare’s Globe); Shala Nyx (Miss Prue/Bristol Old Vic; The Shadow Factory/Nuffield Southampton Theatres) and Lisa Zahra (The Kite Runner/Wyndham’s) and

Amina Zia (Tartuffe/RSC). 

Khaled Hosseini’s international best-selling novel is the powerful story of three generations of

women discovering strength in unity and finding hope in the unlikeliest of places. Set in 1992 in an Afghanistan ravaged by war, an orphaned Laila is left alone in an increasingly threatening world.  Her older neighbour Rasheed is quick to open his home and takes Laila as his second wife.
Everyman); Rasheed’s first wife Mariam has no choice but to accept her younger, and now pregnant, rival. As the Taliban take over, life for all of them becomes a desperate struggle against starvation, brutality and fear, and the two women find themselves unlikely allies.  In A Thousand Splendid Suns, love grows and sustains the human spirit even during the hardest of times.

Roxana Silbert directs A Thousand Splendid Suns, her final show as Artistic Director of Birmingham Repertory Theatre. She said:
“In Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns we are given a rare glimpse into 30 years of contemporary Afghan history and thanks to Ursula Rani Sarma’s emotionally stirring adaptation audiences will be able to bear witness to the extraordinary story of two radiant women who struggle to survive the terrifying political situation they find themselves in. I can’t wait to bring this inspiring and enlightening story to the stage.”

Playwright Ursula Rani Sarma said: “This play is about the immense strength and endurance of women and how they can survive tremendous suffering to keep those they love alive. It is also about how even in the darkest of times and places, love can grow and sustain the human spirit beyond all pain and hard-ship. It’s about friendship and loyalty, courage and selflessness, grief and violence. What the play has to say about love, endurance, and survival is very much worth listening to for a contemporary audience. There is beauty and strength at the heart of A Thousand Splendid Suns, and I feel so proud to be part of its evolution from novel to stage.”

Ursula Rani Sarma is a scriptwriter for stage and screen. Her previous credits include Delicious (Sky), the award-winning film Anywhere But Here, Yerma (West Yorkshire Playhouse) and The Dark Things (Traverse Theatre).

Khaled Hosseini is one of the most widely read and beloved novelists in the world, with over 38 million copies of his books sold in more than seventy countries. The Kite Runner was a major film and was a Book of the Decade, chosen by The Times, Daily Telegraph and Guardian. A Thousand Splendid Suns was the Richard & Judy Best Read of the Year in 2008. Hosseini is currently a Goodwill Envoy to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the UN Refugee Agency and the founder of The Khaled Hosseini Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation which provides humanitarian assistance to the people of Afghanistan. He was born in Kabul, Afghanistan, and lives in northern California.

A Thousand Splendid Suns has set and costume designs by Ana Inés Jabares-Pita, lighting design by Simon Bond, composition by Mahmood Kamen, sound design and co-composition by Dave Price with Ben Hart as magic consultant.


Tickets and Information: 0191 230 5151
Book online: northernstage.co.uk

Images: Pamela Raith

Preview-Shakers (Re-Stirred)-Royalty Theatre

Royalty Theatre To Perform Godber and Thornton's Classic Shakers

The Royalty Theatre are gearing up to perform their second studio play of the 2018/19 season, Shakers (Re-stirred), by John Godber and Jane Thornton.

The play follows the working lives of four bartenders working in Shakers, a cocktail bar.  Director Corinne Kilvington says, “Shakers is a really great piece of theatre; it's stood the test of time.  It's full of the characters you've seen down the town on a Saturday night.  It’s funny, touching and full of memorable moments.  The four actors play all of the different characters with real ease, moving from bar tenders to girls on a night out to the 'lads' out on the town.  It's a great night out and a blast from the past with a great 80s soundtrack.”

A small but strong cast includes Helena Wildish, Tom Kelly and Royalty debutantes Jamie-Leigh Price and Rhiannon Gillibrand.

The play, by John Godber and Jane Thornton, began life simply as Shakers in 1985 before being ‘re-stirred’ in 1991. It subsequently became a 1993 TV movie and a 1996 musical and is now one of the best known of Godber’s works.

Performed in the intimate space of the Royalty’s studio theatre, seats are strictly limited to 52 per evening. All tickets are £6.50 and are available online at https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/sunderland/royalty-theatre .

I saw this play a few years back at another local venue. It is witty, incisive and still apt today (in my humble opinion). Anyone who has ever been to a cocktail bar after work...or worked in a cocktail bar... really ought to see it. Studio performances are always interesting as the audience is so close to the action. Corinne Kilvington is an experienced director, and Tom Kelly's comedic style should be just right for this role - and will be intense in such a small space, so it should all make for an entertaining night out.   I would recommend purchasing studio tickets in advance to avoid disappointment as their last studio production, Mary Mary, sold out... DS

Photograph shows (left to right): Helena Wildish, Rhiannon Gillibrand, Jamie-Leigh Price and Tom Kelly.

Credit: Royalty Theatre

Preview - Hobson's Choice - Royalty Theatre

ROYALTY THEATRE TO PRODUCE HOBSON’S CHOICE

The Royalty Theatre, Sunderland, continues its 2018/19 season with the much-loved classic Hobson’s Choice.

Harold Brighouse’s play, made into a 1954 David Lean film starring Charles Laughton, centres around the life of cobbler Henry Hobson.  His comfortable world is thrown into disarray when his ambitious daughter Maggie decides to set up her own business, along with Hobson’s bootmaker, William Mossop.

A strong cast includes David Armstrong as Henry Hobson, Corinne Kilvington as Maggie and Jordan Carling as William Mossop, as well as a number of new faces.

Although first staged in 1916, and set in 1880s, Hobson's Choice has very modern themes, exploring the role of women in society and business, patriarchy, bullying and emancipation. Over a hundred years since it was first staged it is still relevant today. DS



The play runs from 18th to 23rd February on the theatre’s main stage.
Tickets for regular season shows are £8/£6.50 in advance, £9/£7.50 on the night.

Tickets can be booked via www.ticketsource.co.uk/royaltytheatre or on 0333 666 3366.

Group bookings for parties of 10 or more can be arranged via rtboxoffice@gmail.com.

Preview - Wonderland - Northern Stage

Wonderland comes to Northern Stage 

I'm pleased to see yet another gritty and honest play about mining communities coming to the North East. DS

Following rave reviews from critics and audiences Nottingham Playhouse revealed that Wonderland would be returning to the theatre to kick off its 2019 season, prior to a run at Northern Stage in Newcastle.

Set in 1983 Nottinghamshire, Wonderland sees two 16-year-olds, Malcom (played by John Booker) and Jimmy (played by Joshua Glenister) wait nervously at the pithead. Guided by veteran miner Colonel (played by William Travis), they descend into the brotherhood, banter, searing heat and liquid blue light of Welbeck Colliery.

Meanwhile in London, an American CEO Ian MacGregor (played by Robin Bowerman) is brought in to reform King Coal. Pits close and a strike is called.

Taking the stage as The Times reporter David Hart will be Giles Taylor, while Geff Francis will play pit manager Tilsley and transport secretary Nicholas Ridley. Holding roles as pitmen in the story will be Karl Haynes as Bobbo, and Jack Quarton as Fanny.

Nicholas Shaw and Paul Kemp have been confirmed to play pitman Spud and real-life politician Peter Walker in the Nottinghamshire-based show, respectively.

Directed by Nottingham-born Adam Penford and written by the daughter of Nottingham miner Beth Steel, the local story proved a huge hit with East Midlands audiences and returns to the award-nominated theatre for the second year running. 
Morgan Large’s ambitious coal-face set design also received critical acclaim, winning Best Design in the UK Theatre Awards 2018. 

Adam said: ““Wonderland was a huge hit in 2018 and received standing ovations every performance. Our audience has been calling for its return since it closed and it’s clear they feel an ownership of Beth Steel’s beautiful play.  

“It’s rare that theatre resonates so strongly with a community, producing tears and laughter in equal measure. I’m sure the production will capture the imagination of the audience again, whether they’re returning or seeing the show for the first time.  

“I’m also thrilled we’re taking it to Northern Stage, where the story will resonate just as deeply.” 

“**** This is a big play…full of heart and very little sentimentality” – The Guardian

“powerful and pertinent - ****” – The Stage

“Richly theatrical - ****” – What’s On Stage

“Unmissable” – British Theatre Guide

“*****” – East Midlands Theatre

“This is a fine start for Adam Penford as the Playhouse’s new Artistic Director,” – Nottingham Post

Wonderland runs from Friday 8 February through to Saturday 23 February 2019 at Nottingham Playhouse and from Wednesday 27 February to Saturday 9 March 2019 at Northern Stage. 





Preview - Jack Lear - Northern Stage

A modern day re-working of Shakespeare's King Lear comes to Northern Stage in February. 

 Lear is one of my favourite Shakespeare plays - with more layers than an onion - so I will be interested to see how this modern interpretation of the story works when it comes to Northern Stage next moth. 

DS

 Barrie Rutter OBE leads cast for Jack Lear at Hull Truck Theatre 

With music composed by folk icon Eliza Carthy MBE 

Hull Truck Theatre are donning their oilskin overalls and fishing boots in January, as they step into 2019 with Jack Lear, an exciting new production written by Ben Benison, set on the banks of the river Humber. Jack Lear will showcase a cappella folk music composed by Yorkshire-born folk icon Eliza Carthy MBE, daughter of musicians Martin Carthy and Norma Waterson. 

The title role of Jack Lear will be played by Hull-born Barrie Rutter OBE. Winner of numerous awards, including the "Creative Briton Award" in 2000, Rutter continues his Shakespearean adventures in this gritty re-working of King Lear. Rutter gives life to the eponymous central character and uses his directing talent to tell an intense, complex, and unique story.  

Nicola Sanderson (Somewhere, National Theatre, Henry V, Northern Broadsides, The Merry Wives, Northern Broadsides/ West Yorkshire Playhouse) will star as Morgana, Jack Lear’s eldest daughter. Sarah Naughton (Euphoria, Ensemble 52, Fruit, Hull, Hamlet, East Riding Theatre, Dark Winter, Ensemble 52, Hull Truck Theatre) will be Jack’s middle daughter, Freda. Olivia Onyehara (All our Daughters?, New Vic Theatre, Pride and Prejudice, Nottingham Playhouse/York Theatre Royal,  A Midsummer Night’s Dream/ Macbeth, Shakespeare’s Rose Theatre York) will join the cast as Victoria, the trawlerman's youngest daughter. 

Andy Cryer (The Comedy Of Errors, Northern Broadsides, Othello, Whitehall Theatre, The Two Noble Kinsmen, Shakespeare’s Globe) will take on the role of Edmund, the solicitor who adds an extra touch of drama to this stormy family affair.  

The creative team includes Kate Unwin (Set Designer), Aideen Malone (Lighting Designer), and Mathew Clowes (Sound and Digital).  

Jack Lear opened at Hull Truck Theatre on Thursday 17 January and the production transfers to Northern Stage in Newcastle from 12th to 16th February.

Age recommendation: 14+ 

Tickets start from £10 for Jack Lear at Northern Stage. To book online visit www.northernstage.co.uk or call the Box Office on 0191 230 5151.  

Photo credit: Nobby Clark

Preview - Jack and the Beanstalk - Royalty Theatre

ROYALTY THEATRE RETURN TO PANTO WITH JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

The Royalty Theatre’s annual pantomime is back, and this year it's Jack and the Beanstalk.

The much-loved kids’ classic has been given the panto treatment by local writer David Farn, and features Royalty Theatre newcomer Erin Moyse. Jack's magic beans cause merry mayhem and a fearsome encounter with the giant who lives atop a beanstalk.

Artistic Director Nikki Slack says “This year’s panto will entertain the whole family, with jokes and songs for all generations. It’s a must-see in the run up to the festive holidays.”

Also appearing is Royalty panto favourite Andy Barella as Simon, and writer David Farn steps into the high heels as Dame Flossie.

Tickets are already being snapped up, with many shows – including the four afternoon performances – already reduced to a small number of remaining tickets.

The pantomime will be performed from Thursday 13^th to Sunday 22^nd December, with evening shows taking place Tuesdays to Saturdays, and afternoon shows Saturdays and Sundays. 

Get your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment. Book via www.ticketsource.co.uk/royaltytheatre or on 0333 666 3366. Group bookings for parties of 10 or more can be arranged via rtboxoffice@gmail.com.

Preview - My Cousin Rachel - Royalty Theatre

ROYALTY THEATRE TO SHOW DU MAURIER CLASSIC "MY COUSIN RACHEL"

James Errington as Philip, and Olivia Bowern as  Rachel

Credit: Royalty Theatre

The Royalty theatre will continue their 2018/19 season with an adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s thriller My Cousin Rachel.

Diana Morgan’s adaptation of the Victorian suspense drama, set in the Cornish countryside, concerns Philip Ashley, a young gentleman who has just inherited his late cousin Ambrose’s estate and a valuable collection of jewels.  After Ambrose’s widow Rachel arrives from Italy, having been left nothing by Ambrose, Philip begins to develop affection for her.  Not all are convinced that Rachel has innocent motives for coming to England – especially when Philip begins to show signs of a similar sickness to that which killed Ambrose.

Director John Appleton says “It’s a story that’s perfect for the stage, full of intrigue and some great characters.  It melds the suspense of Agatha Christie with some grit and realism - something I think that our audiences will enjoy from start to finish.”

The show runs from 29^th October to 3^rd November, and stars James Errington as Philip, Olivia Bowern as Rachel and Royalty newcomers Peter Wilson and Stephanie Cubello as Nick and Louise Kendall.

Tickets are £8/£6.50 in advance, and can be booked via www.ticketsource.co.uk/royaltytheatre or on 0333 666 3366 (booking fee applies). 
Tickets purchased on the door are £9/£7.50 

Preview - No Sex Please We're British - Royalty Theatre

ROYALTY THEATRE BEGIN 2018/19 SEASON WITH NO SEX PLEASE, WE’RE BRITISH

Nichol Kilty, Tom Kelly, Lee WIlkins

Credit: Royalty Theatre

Sunderland's Royalty Theatre will begin their upcoming season with the classic comedy No Sex Please, We’re British.

The farce by Alistair Foot and Anthony Marriott follows the misfortunes of banker Peter Hunter and his new wife Frances, whose attempt to order some Scandinavian glassware by mail goes awry. Instead of glassware they receive videos, books, photographs – and visits from young ladies – of the sort they wouldn’t wish their visiting relatives or banking superiors to find out about.

The original play starred Michael Crawford, and the film version, Ronnie Corbett - no small shoes to fill for the Royalty cast. They have fielded a strong team with Royalty regular Lee Wilkins taking the lead role, and Nichol Kilty playing his wife, while Tom Kelly co-stars as Peter’s friend (and the bank’s chief cashier) Brian.

No Sex Please, We're British runs from 24^th to 29^th September.

Tickets are £9/£7.50 on the night or £8/£6.50 in advance and can be booked online via  www.ticketsource.co.uk/royaltytheatre or by telephone on 0333 666 3366.

Season Preview - Royalty Theatre

ROYALTY THEATRE ANNOUNCES 2018/19 SEASON 

The Royalty Theatre have announced the programme for their 2018/19 season, and it is a strong programme with a great mix of plays which we are very much looking forward to!

They begin a packed season with classic comedy No Sex Please, We’re British. 

The farce by Alistair Foot and Anthony Marriott kicks off a season that theatre bosses believe has something for everyone.  It’s joined in the comedy stakes by May’s Barefoot in the Park, the film version of which starred Robert Redford and Jane Fonda.

For fans of suspense drama, Daphne du Maurier’s My Cousin Rachel will be performed in October and November, and the time-honoured favourite Dial M for Murder is the Royalty’s March offering.  Hobson’s Choice in February and Jane Austen’s Emma in June add to the drama.

The annual pantomime this year is Jack and The Beanstalk by local writer David Farn.

Once again, the studio is put to use for intimate small scale productions with the premier in  January of Billy Towers’ Mary, Mary, based on the life of Jack the Ripper victim Mary Kelly.  April’s studio production is John Godber and Jane Thornton’s Shakers (Re-stirred)

Thanks to the popularity of last year’s A Night at the Musicals, The Royalty are reprising this for two nights only on September 7^th and 8^th.

Visiting companies include Pink Floyd tribute act What the Floyd, appearing on 5^th October.  Sunderland Stages return to the Royalty with Red Ladder Theatre’s The Damned United, the story of Sunderland and Middlesbrough legend Brian Clough’s ill-fated 44 days at Leeds United, on 13^th and 14^th November.

Artistic Director Nikki Slack says, “We’re now raring to go for the 2018-19 season. We have a year packed with a range of diverse plays that will appeal to all. Recent media has been much focussed on equality and ‘Girl Power’ is certainly coming back with a bang! Our programme of plays this coming season shines the spotlight on our female talent from more female-centred plays to our female directors and technicians.”

Tickets are on sale now at www.ticketsource.co.uk/royaltytheatre.  
Tickets for The Damned United are available from the Sunderland Stages website.

Westovians - Preview - A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Durham

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Durham,  

Tuesday 10^th to Saturday 14^th July 2018.   

Westovians final show of the year is a comedy written by Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood. It is an irreverent and anarchic take on the story of the Lindisfarne Gospels. A sketch-based play, featuring around 40 characters played by just three actors, A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To Durham, covers more than 1400 years of English History in just 90 hilarious minutes. It included encounters with many famous historical figures, including five Kings of England, a Saint, several Vikings and Monks, a Leper, a Spin-Doctor, the Easter Bunny, and of course, Sherlock Holmes.

Tickets are just£8 (Tuesday and £9 (Wednesday – Saturday), and are available online at Ticketsource, or from the Visitor Information Centre at The Word. Tickets will be available from the Theatre Box Office each night during the performance from 10^th July. Theatre doors open at 7pm, and the performance starts at 7.30pm. 

Further details on the show are available here .

Watch out for the following outside hires coming up soon too! 

• Friday 27^th and Saturday 28^th July – The Blue Flamingos 60’s Review, a live band bringing you hits from both sides of the Atlantic (The Kinks, The Searchers, The Beatles, The Everly Brothers, The Mamas and the Papas to name but a few). Further information is available here. Tickets priced £12.50 are available at the Westovian’s Ticketsource.
• Friday 14^th (7.30pm) and Saturday 15^th September (2.30pm/7.30pm) – Ed Waugh’s The Great Joe Wilson, a play with Geordie songs, about the life of the undisputed North East concert hall superstar. It starts Micky Cochrane, Sarah Boulter and Phil Corbitt, and is directed by Russell Floyd, with Joe’s words put to music by Pete Scott. Please see here for further information. Tickets cost £16 and are available at the Westovian’s Ticketsource.
• Thursday 20^th – Saturday 22^nd September – the Gilbert and Sullivan Society Concert. Please see their Facebook page for further details.
• Saturday 15^th (7pm) and Sunday 16^th December (2pm/6pm) – we welcome back Encore for their Christmas show. Please see their Facebook page for further details.  

Preview - Wind in the Willows - Royalty Theatre

ROYALTY THEATRE produces family classic THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS.

Sunderland's Royalty Theatre will close their 2017/18 season with the children’s classic The Wind in the Willows.

Kenneth Grahame’s most famous work has been a family favourite for over a century.  This fantastic new adaptation by Mike Kenny follows the adventures of Ratty, Mole and Badger as they explore the Wild Wood and try to keep Toad of Toad Hall out of trouble.

Ratty (Lee Wilkins) and Mole (Rose Whittle) Credit: Royalty Theatre

A superb cast includes Lee Wilkins as Ratty, Royalty newcomer Rose Whittle as Mole and Billy Towers as Mr Toad. 

The show runs from 25^th to 30^th June with 7.30pm starts, and a matinée has been included in the run, at 2.15pm on Saturday 30^th June. Doors open 45 mins before curtain up.

Tickets can be booked in advance via www.ticketsource.co.uk/royaltytheatre or on 0333 666 3366, and are priced at £8 (£6.50 concessions).

Northern Stage - Autumn Season Launch

Season Launch

Northern Stage
Autumn 2018

Northern Stage launched their autumn season with comedian and poet Kate Fox. Kate gave us a taste of what was to come in a series of interviews, video clips and snippets of performances. Her chirpy, upbeat commentary and infectious enthusiasm kept the evening moving along at a cracking pace - as well it needed to, there was a lot to pack in!

Before we get to the Autumn there is a great programme of events over the summer with Northern Stage's involvement with the Great Exhibition of the North. There are plans for Self Build Utopias - a series of exhibitions, installations and performances re-imagining the future. Lorne Campbell and Annie Rigby talked about the inspiration behind the projects and the hope to produce an interactive and engaging series of activities to recreate landscapes and reconnect communities. Watch out for the many different activities around the Great Exhibition of the North from June 22nd till 9th September.


But what can we expect at Northern Stage in the Autumn? 

As always there is a stunning array of diverse and original theatre.
If you missed last season's production of  Laura Lindow's adaptation of H G Wells' War of the Worlds then you have another chance to see it in September.

After the Last Ship and Launch Day, remembering the shipyards, this coming season sees  The Last Seam pays tribute to the mining heritage of the north with a play based on stories and voices of the miners during the last deep seem colliery closure. There's limited availability so be sue to book your seat for this one! (27th Sept).

October brings the stage premier of Alice Seebold's bestselling selling novel The Lovely Bones (9th-20th). This much loved, uplifting tale of love, loss and redemption has been adapted by Bryony Lavery.
While on Stage 2 there is drama in The Mountaintop - an intimate look into the life of Martin Luther King on the eve of his assassination (9th - 13th).





In November we have two powerful, but different pieces of  from classic literature - Dylan Thomas's lyrical observations of life in the small, imaginary Welsh village of Llareggub in Under milk Wood (2nd -17th), while the English Touring Theatre bring us Richard Twyman's vital production of Shakespeare's Othello (13th-17th).
Both these productions give a fresh and innovative look at a classic piece of literature.


The Christmas show this year is also a classic from English literature - Dicken's A Christmas Carol. Adapted by Neil Bartlett and directed by mark Calvert it promises to another imaginative and original Christmas production. (Dec 1st - Jan 5th)

And of course we have dance:  Tangomotion is a virtuoso display of traditional and contemporary interpretations of this passionate dance, while Ballet Lorent's After Dark is a cabaret style celebration of the 25 years of the company. Then there is more Dickens with Fagin's Twist - Avante Guarde Dance Company's hip-hop style re-imagining of five of Dicken's familiar characters (13th-20th Dec).

This really just scratches the surface of what is on at Northern Stage - there is quite literally something for all ages and interests, whether you love dance, drama, poetry or puppetry there is a show for you next season. If  you want to be more involved than a spectator then check out their youth theatre - Open Stages (ages 5-15) and Young Company (ages 16-21) - they gave a breath-taking, assured performance of part of their own work at the launch.
If you're at the other end of the spectrum you might like to join in with Read Through - a script reading group for the over 60s.

Check the website www.northernstage.co.uk to see the full programme of productions and activities and book your place.

Denise Sparrowhawk