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13/02/2025

News: The Customs House in South Shields receives vital support for The Takeover 2025 from Hays Travel Foundation

The Customs House in South Shields receives vital support for The Takeover 2025 from Hays Travel Foundation

The Customs House in South Shields is set to take its award-winning Takeover Festival 2025 to new heights after receiving crucial funding from the Hays Travel Foundation. The Foundation, renowned for supporting local causes and registered charities focused on helping young people thrive in sport, health, the arts, and education, has awarded the Festival funding to support its ambitious 2025 programme.

DEMONS


The funding will enable The Customs House to provide an exceptional platform for young artists and performers, including workshops, live performances, and hands-on experience in festival management. This will also allow the Festival to further expand its diversity and inclusivity efforts, giving a voice to young people across the region to showcase their talents and develop their skills in a professional setting.

The Takeover Festival, produced and delivered by 13-18-year-olds, is known for its unique and dynamic approach to youth engagement in the arts. In 2024, the Festival featured a variety of events, including the popular BreakOver Youth Breaking Jam, a debut play from the Young Writer in Residence, and an Esports tournament with a Nintendo Switch on a massive 220-inch cinema screen.

BreakOver Jam
Photo: Benjamin Michael Smith


‘We are absolutely thrilled to have received this funding from the Hays Travel Foundation,’ said Fiona Martin, Deputy Director of The Customs House. ‘This support will allow us to provide an exceptional, visible platform for young artists from across the region. It will also help offer valuable professional credits and opportunities that will have a long-term, positive impact on their careers and personal development.’

The Takeover Festival continues to be a springboard for young people in the region, providing them with a unique opportunity to engage in all aspects of the arts, from performance to event production. With the generous support of the Hays Travel Foundation, The Customs House is looking forward to delivering a memorable and exciting week. 

Director of DEMONS (Young Writer in Residence Play)


Toni Gibson, Head of Sales Operations and Community Initiatives at Hays Travel, said: ‘We are delighted to be able to support The Customs House and its Takeover Festival 2025. Supporting the wellbeing and opportunities of young people is at the heart of what we do, and we’re proud to help provide this incredible platform for young creatives to showcase their talents and gain vital experience. We look forward to seeing the impact of this funding on the festival and the young people involved.’


12/02/2025

Preview: Fluff Newcastle at Alphabetti Theatre

It’s time for Fluff to do the ultimate puzzle... her life.


Fluff

Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre 

Friday 14 - Saturday 15 March 2025




Written by Tayla Kenyon and James Piercy


But Fluff hates puzzles; especially word searches. She can never find the words and doesn’t understand why there’s a half eaten birthday cake and a woman who keeps visiting her room. As she navigates her way through her most treasured and darkest memories, Fluff desperately needs to piece together her life; story by story, person by person. This darkly comedic play explores memories and the choices we make in life.



Winner of the Best Theatre Production at the Buxton Fringe 2024, alongside awards for Best Performance and Best New Piece at the Birmingham Fringe 2023. The non-linear plot line allows the audience to feel, first hand, the devastating affects of dementia, through joining Fluff in her journey to uncover her life’s memories.

Fluff, is proud to be supported by the Arts Council England, W3RT, Alzheimer’s Society, Trauma Breakthrough UK and Herts Musical Memories.



Previous praise for FLUFF:

“A thoughtful piece of theatre that bounces between past and present seemingly effortlessly, it held

my attention from beginning to end” ★★★★ LondonTheatre1

“A stirring narrative that’ll keep you hooked” ★★★★ Theatre & Tonic

“Tayla Kenyon is compelling” ★★★★ The Upcoming

“Not just a fluff piece – this show has grit” ★★★★★ Bum On A Seat



Cast and creatives

Written by Tayla Kenyon and James Piercy

Performed by Tayla Kenyon

Directed by Danäe Cambrook

Lighting Design by Alex Teixido Blouna

Sound Design by Markos Beebe

Graphic and Video Design by Douglas Baker

Produced by Teepee Productions and Joe Brown


Tickets:

Box office - https://www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk/fluff

Running Times 75 minutes (no interval)



11/02/2025

News: Sunderland Empire raises £21K for charity Macmillan Cancer Support


Sunderland Empire raises £21K for charity Macmillan Cancer Support  

Sunderland Empire is delighted to announce that £21,075.40 has been raised over the past 12 months for their 2024 nominated charity, Macmillan Cancer Support, thanks to the dedication and hard work of generous staff and patrons.


 

The cancer support charity was nominated by the theatre’s staff, a cause that has been close to many of their hearts and has been paramount in supporting staff members and their families through cancer. The theatre have collaborated with the charity alongside Sunderland Hospital, ensuring that a percentage of the money raised would go directly to the fantastic local Macmillan services which have positively impacted and touched the lives of staff members and the local community. At least 109,200 people are living with cancer in the North East, a number which is set to rise. 

 

Macmillan provide physical, financial, and emotional support to people living with cancer. This includes expert nurses, information and support services, an online community, support line, welfare advice as well as Macmillan grants.

 

The theatre’s charity panel, which launched back in 2022, organised a range of exciting and challenging fundraising events including walking the mighty Yorkshire 3 Peaks, Boxing Day dips, wreath making workshops, handmade Christmas decoration sales, Macmillan coffee mornings, staff socials, sponsored walks and more. In addition, bucket collections and QR code donations from giving patrons throughout 2024 and Panto season have contributed generous amounts to the final figure.

 

Sarah Goldie, Local Relationship Fundraising Manager for Macmillan Cancer Support said, “We cannot thank the Sunderland Empire, staff, and customers enough for the incredibly kind donations and fundraising.  Everyone has gone over and above to help achieve and go beyond the amount that has been raised. 

 

With more people diagnosed and living with cancer, Macmillan has never been needed more. Cancer turns many people’s lives upside down, we want to ensure everyone with cancer has access to the support they need. From visiting one of our Macmillan Information Centres, to ringing our Support line and our Macmillan professionals offering specialised care. We do whatever it takes to get every person the best support today and spark a revolution in cancer care for the future. We can only continue this work with support from events like these, you are all amazing, well done Sunderland Empire!”

 

Marie Nixon, Theatre Director at Sunderland Empire said, “We are absolutely delighted with the incredible fundraising success we’ve achieved. It has been a brilliant partnership, and we are immensely grateful to our fabulous team and our wonderful patrons, whose energy and generosity have been truly inspiring. Their support and donations have made a real difference. We wish Macmillan every success in the future as we now turn our focus to supporting our soon to be announced charity for 2025."

 

Macmillan are going all out to support people every day, across the UK and the North East, but they rely almost entirely on donations to keep doing their fantastic work doing whatever it takes to give people living with cancer and their families the support they need.

 

For further information, support or just someone to talk to, call 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk

To donate, volunteer, raise money or campaign, call 0300 1000 200 or visit macmillan.org.uk

Preview: Steam to Grin at Newcastle Discovery Museum

Discovery Museum’s first ever stand-up comedy night this February – ‘Steam to Grin’ 

 

Steam to Grin 

Newcastle Discovery Museum

Friday 28 February 2025  

 

Newcastle’s Discovery Museum is hosting its first ever stand-up comedy night in the magnificent Great Hall space called Steam to Grin on Friday 28 February.  

Discovery Museum - the Great Hall
 

The night will feature three main acts Bethany Black, Cal Halbert and Chris Kehoe with compere for the evening North East comedy stalwart Si Beckwith. 

 

Steam to Grin is the second ‘Discovery Nights’ after-hours event created purely for adults seeking something a bit different, and is part of the wider Steam to Green: A North East Energy Revolution event programme.  

 

Kylea Little, Keeper of History at Discovery Museum explains: “At Steam to Grin we want our adult visitors to kick back, have fun and maybe become inspired along the way – and most importantly – laugh! The Great Hall is a fabulous space to hold an event like this. Our first Discovery Nights event was popular so we’re hoping our first ever comedy night hits the spot.”  

 

Steam to Grin Compere - Si Beckwith
Photo: Jay Dawson

Si Beckwith, event producer and compere added: We’re all so excited for this show, and it promises to be such a uniquely fun night out. The Discovery Museum holds a special place in my heart, and is home to some wonderfully accessible history and innovation. We’ll all be bringing something bespoke to the night, to make this a one-off show that you do not want to miss.'”  

 

More about the acts:  

 

The Guardian called Bethany Black 'dark tinged but magical'; 

Bethany Black

Simon Cowell said Cal Halbert is ‘very good'; 

Cal Halbert

Geoff Norcott said Chris Kehoe is ‘so funny he almost turned me left wing' and according to the BBC host Si Beckwith ‘delivers warm laughter from some hot topics'.

Chris Kehoe

    

The Steam to Green: A North East Energy Revolution event programme is Discovery Museum’s two year programme of family and adult events.  

 

Tickets:

Doors open at 6pm with the show starting at 7pm. It’s for over 18s only - there’ll be a bar and tickets cost £12 and can be booked here [https://discoverymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/steam-to-grin]  

Booking is essential.  

Preview: November Nonsense at Stockton Globe

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WILL MELLOR & RALF LITTLE ANNOUNCE NOVEMBER NONSENSE: THE TWO PINTS PODCAST LIVE TOUR  

 

November Nonsense: Two Pints Podcast Live

Stockton Globe

Saturday 8 November 2025 

 

Tickets on sale 10am Friday 14 February

 


Following two sell-out tours of their hugely successful Two Pints podcast Will Mellor and Ralf Little are hitting the road again with their laugh-out-loud banter for the brand-new November Nonsense: Two Pints Podcast Live tour. 

 

Including a date at Stockton’s Globe on Saturday November 8 the tour will visit 12 venues with tickets going on sale at 10am Friday from ATG Tickets


Most recently seen on TV screens together sharing their comedic adventures in Will and Ralf Should Know Better, the pair continue to entertain the nation weekly with their antics and infectious wit in their Two Pints podcast. 

 

And now they are bringing that uproarious comedy to theatres for a third time. 

 


Ralf said: “We absolutely love going on tour, being on stage is such a buzz and with the crowd we have a right laugh, November can’t come soon enough.” 

 

Will added: “Me and Ralf live on stage again, what could possibly go wrong!?!  

“We absolutely love doing our live show and we just want everyone to come along, get involved and hopefully have a great time! Bring on November!!” 

 

Tickets:

For more information and to secure tickets head to ATG Tickets

 


The Two Pints Podcast On The Web: 

WEBSITE

INSTAGRAM

FACEBOOK

SPOTIFY

YOUTUBE 

09/02/2025

Preview: The Shark is Broken at Newcastle Theatre Royal

A Boat, A Malfunctioning Shark And A Load Of Laughs

The Shark is Broken

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 March 2025

As smash hit comedy The Shark is Broken sets out on a UK tour, which will be visiting Newcastle Theatre Royal, co-writer Ian Shaw reveals why he wanted to write a play about the troubled making of Jaws, and what it’s like to play his dad, legendary actor Robert Shaw.

 Ian Shaw 
Photo: Helen Maybank

When Jaws hit cinemas in the summer of 1975, it was a blockbuster success unlike anything the film industry had seen. Its behind-the-scenes drama has become the stuff of similar legend: mechanical sharks broke down, boats sank, actors argued fiercely, and the script changed day by day.

The Shark Is Broken
Photo: Manuel Harlan


The Shark is Broken, which embarks on a UK tour after smash runs in the West End and on Broadway, is set in those long, tense gaps between filming. It focuses on the relationships between the film’s three lead actors, Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss and Robert Shaw who found themselves stuck on a small boat called the Orca for 16 weeks with little to do except drive each other crazy.

The Shark Is Broken
Photo: Manuel Harlan


The play’s co-writer Ian Shaw stars as his father Robert. “I’d spent my life trying not to be associated with my dad, as most children of famous people tend to do,” says Shaw. “You want to carve your own path, so I was wary of that. But I’m obsessed with films, and I’m obsessed with the story of filmmaking. I just imagined three men stuck on this boat, marooned out in the water. Something about that idea appealed to me. I’ve reached a point now where I guess the comparison with my dad doesn’t matter so much. I’m also at the same age as my dad when he was doing Jaws.”

The Shark Is Broken
Photo: Manuel Harlan


Almost as soon as he started thinking about the idea, Ian lost faith. “I thought it might be in poor taste to play my father and to portray him like that, so I put it in a drawer. It wasn’t until a while later that I had a pint with a friend who thought it was a good idea, so I looked at it again. My wife and family all thought it was interesting. So, I decided that I should take the risk.”

The Shark Is Broken
Photo: Manuel Harlan


The Shark is Broken opened at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2019 and was met by glowing reviews, leading to both a West End and Broadway run in quick succession. Now the production is embarking on a UK tour, and Ian is getting ready once again to don the moustache and cap that bring out the striking resemblance to his father. “It's a funny thing, being there in the dressing room and looking in the mirror before I go on, doing a bit of the famous Indianapolis speech from the film that my late father helped to write, just to make sure that I feel in character.

The Shark Is Broken
Photo: Manuel Harlan


I'm not somebody who believes in spiritual things very much, but there's definitely a dialogue between me and my dad before I go on stage. It's not like anything I've ever done in my life before.”

Tickets:

The Shark is Broken plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Tue 18 – Sat 22 Mar 2025. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

Preview: Sh!t-faced Shakespeare: Hamlet at Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House

 Sh!t-faced Shakespeare to turn the dramatic into drunken delight with Hamlet


Sh!t-faced Shakespeare: Hamlet

Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Thursday 6 November 2025


After successful consecutive years of touring, Sh!t-faced Shakespeare® are returning to the Tyne Theatre & Opera House in November 2025, but this time with arguably the greatest dramatic work ever produced, Hamlet. Celebrating 15 years on the wagon, Sh!t-faced Shakespeare has toured the world, broken America and established themselves on London’s West End.

Featuring a cast of professional Shakespeare actors, the performance seems like any other Shakespearean one until one of the performers is chosen to be deliberately intoxicated. The rest of the cast navigates the play the best that they can, which causes unpredictable chaos and even more laughs. Think you know Hamlet? You don’t know this version!


No two nights are ever the same with this production company, who have essentially set out on the world’s longest bar crawl. From Edinburgh to Australia, see how The Bard can be performed in new and exciting ways, time after time.

Jonathan Higgins, CEO of the Tyne Theatre & Opera House exclaims, “Sh!t-faced Shakespeare® has been impressing our audience for several years now, and we’re thrilled to welcome them back into the venue this year. Our comedy and theatre line-up are looking incredible for 2025, so we recommend checking our website to stay up-to-date with all of the fantastic shows on offer!”

Tickets cost £28.50 - £25.50 (must be 16+) and can be purchased from: https://www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/whatson/sht-faced-shakespeare-hamlet/

08/02/2025

Interview with Tricia Paoluccio (Here You Come Again at Sunderland Empire)

Here You Come Again

Sunderland Empire 

Tuesday 11 - Saturday 15 February 2025


Tricia Paoluccio, who co-wrote the show and appears as Dolly, describes the journey of bringing the show to the stage and the inspiration behind it.

What can audiences expect when they come to see the show?

I think every audience member, no matter who they are, will find something very relatable in the character of Kevin (brilliantly portrayed by Stevie Webb). And I think they'll find the show to be really funny, with lots of laughs, but they’ll also be surprised by how deep and emotional it is. It's a play with music, with the side benefit of it also sometimes feeling like a Dolly Parton concert.

What was the original inspiration for the show?

I've always loved Dolly and been able to sing like her. It was my dream to someday be able to use this ability in a theatrical way and thought the best way to do it, was to have it be another person's journey. What developed was a story about an uber-fan's fantasy friendship with Dolly.

I wanted to show Dolly in action, to see her helping another person, versus it being a bio musical about her life.



What was the collaborative process with Gabriel Barre and Bruce Vilanch, with whom you co-wrote the original script?

This experience has been one of the most harmonious, joyous experiences of my creative career. We each brought something unique to the journey. Gabriel is an expert in creating the theatrical framework and keeping us on track. He's such a diplomat and truly a great director. I helped conceive of the basic story and I'd share how I think Dolly would say something or how I think she would behave in a situation. And then Bruce is just a comedy genius. He fleshed out the dialogue based on all of our brainstorming sessions with personal insights to Dolly since he wrote for her and the world of stand up comics since he’s also from that world. It's been a wonderful joint effort.

And what does Jonathan Harvey, who has worked with you on the UK version, bring to the table?

He is so funny. He's a great writer, with fine-tuned taste, and the main thing he's contributed is helping us set it in England because we had to change all of our cultural references. He's also helped us to understand how things will hit a British audience because British audiences are different than American audiences and your experience during 2020 was a little different than ours.



How did you set about "becoming" Dolly for the show?

I like to say that I began rehearsing for this role when I was five years old, when I first heard Here You Come Again on the radio. I remember that moment vividly. I begged for the record and I memorised every song on it. I've always been able to tune my vocal cords to hit her vibrato and to find that cry in her voice and the musicality of her styling. When it came time to doing our show, though, I did not have her speaking voice down. I worked with a very celebrated dialect coach named Erik Singer, who helped Austin Butler prepare to play Elvis. We worked together on cracking her speaking voice and that took a bit more effort. I've watched tons of Dolly videos and early interviews to absorb how she does and says things, her mannerisms and everything. I just love to study her.

How important to you is it not to simply do a Parton impersonation?

Very important. There are wonderful tribute artists out there doing great things to spread the love of Dolly. But in terms of a play or a musical, I don't think that would be a very satisfying evening in the theatre. I do not think about impersonating her. I'm only thinking about what my objective is in the story and I trust that Dolly's presence is strong enough in me to let it go.



What did you feel was important to get right about her as a person as well as a singer?

Dolly is a very practical person. She’s no-nonsense and wise. I wanted to make sure that she stayed grounded and real. While we have very performative moments to the audience, I wanted to show her in a very truthful and down-to-earth way. I also wanted to show Dolly doing very humble things. I envisioned her as the kind of friend who if you're going through a hard time would help clean up your kitchen and eat a meal with you. She's not so rich and famous that she's above doing those little things.

With so many songs to choose from, how did you and the team decide what to include?

I love the late-70s/early 80s-Dolly, so I came up with a kind of hit list. But I have to give credit to our lawyer Thomas Distler, who's responsible for making this all happen because he knew Dolly Parton's lawyer and got the material to her. That's how we got permission to be able to do the show and the rights to all her music. Tom also said "You've got to find a way to put Jolene in there". At first we didn't have it in the show because it didn't really fit our storyline, but we found a wonderful way to put it in and I'm really glad that we did.



Do you have a favourite song to perform in the show?

It's like picking a favourite child and I love them all for different reasons. But I think my favourite one to perform is Me And Little Andy. It's just so sad and strange, where Dolly does a little girl voice and it takes this painfully tragic turn. I love performing it and I love the reaction it gets from the audience. If you don't know the song already don't listen to it before you come to see the show! Let yourself be surprised because I want you to have the same reaction that Kevin does.

Like Dolly, you grew up on a farm - albeit an almond farm. Do you have other things in common with her?

Like her, I'm very lucky to have had a happy childhood. I'm from a loving family and now as an adult I recognise how rare that is. My parents gave my brother and I a very wholesome childhood and I think this greatly shaped my outlook on life and helped me to be a positive, optimistic person. I'm also grateful for an understanding of God that brings me a lot of comfort and joy. I credit God with all good things, just as Dolly's faith is the backbone of her creativity and art. So many of her songs reflect that in a way that's very universal and easy for people to accept - even people who might not have a belief in God themselves. She's able to share her faith in a very simple way that people can understand.

How would you describe your relationship with Dolly's music?

As a child I spent hours and hours walking around our almond orchard in Modesto, California singing her songs, imagining how life might be as a grown up. Singing along to her made me want to become an actress, because I loved how she told stories and how emotional her songs could be. I can't express enough how deeply her artistry has influenced my entire life - a love of beauty and a love of storytelling, culminating in what I consider the greatest achievement of my career - creating and being in this show. It's the honour of a lifetime.

Why do you think she's so beloved?

She grew up very poor, made it big and has handled herself with dignity and grace her whole career. Watching interviews with her from the 70s, they're just crazy. She gets asked the most insulting and sexist questions and she never takes offence. But she never backs down either. She sticks up for herself with great humility and humour. What I also admire is how she uses her wealth and influence to donate to and bring attention to worthy causes, and she has managed to stay true to herself and her beliefs without ever taking sides. She fights for the little guy, uses her power for good and basically is one of the kindest, sweetest human beings ever to walk the earth. I'm just in awe of the life she's created for herself and all she has given to the world.



If you got to meet her, what's the one thing you'd want to ask her?

I met her sister Rachel, who saw our show in Tennessee, but unfortunately Dolly was away shooting music videos for her rock album so she wasn't able to come along herself. I don't know what I'd do if I ever met her. I'd die! I would ask her first "Can I borrow some of your wigs for our show?" But if I was having a real heart-to-heart with Dolly I'd want to know "How have you been able to navigate your life and career the way that you have?" She really has never had a misstep.

As well as a performer, you are also an artist and designer. How do you juggle that with theatre work?

I think when you love to do something you always find the energy and time for it. I'm really passionate about flower pressing and I've been doing it my whole life. A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to be discovered by some luminaries in the fashion and music industries. I started doing these collaborations that became very successful, such as the Ă“scar de la Renta collaboration which led to Taylor Swift wearing that pressed flower dress at the Grammys. Then Anna Wintour wore one of ODLR’s designs, which used my art as the pattern, at the Met Gala. It gave me the confidence to create a whole brand using pressed flower imagery in high design and now I've created a business. I really hope to make connections in the UK because I have a little following here of passionate flower pressers which I hope to nurture. I also hope to pick and press flowers in the UK and make a body of work inspired by the flowers of this beautiful part of the world.

North East Theatre Guide show review LINK

Photos: Hugo Glendinning


#ad Tickets:

Here You Come Again will dazzle Sunderland Empire’s stage from Tuesday 11 – Saturday 15 February 2025. Tickets are now on sale online at https://prf.hn/l/xEaEv05*


* A £3.95 transaction fee may apply to online bookings.