Preview: Shuggy Boats at Newcastle Live Theatre

Shuggy Boats

Newcastle Live Theatre 

Friday 6 - Saturday 21 March 2026

A cornucopia of local talent is set to hit the stage of Live Theatre in a brand new comedy play written by BAFTA-winning filmmaker Jacquie Lawrence. Shuggy Boats brings together an exceptional cast led by Dave Johns, who returns to the stage for the first time in over 20 years following his acclaimed film career in I, Daniel Blake, Fisherman's Friends and 23 Walks.

The story begins at a birthday party where Maeve, a human dynamo who shines brighter than her fuchsia lipstick, drops a bombshell in front of her television quiz-obsessed husband, cocky son, recently bereaved sister and workaholic niece. Her revelation throws the family into panic, forcing them to make changes they didn't know needed changing. But when Maeve meets the charismatic Fingers, newly released from prison, the lipstick really hits the fan.

 

What follows is a shuggy boat ride full of chaos, comedy and celebration, as the action veers between the disparate worlds of "Provvy Women", Mastermind addicts and Tynemouth Pride. Through comedy and pathos, we witness a family with fault lines like craters learning to come back together – differently.

Johns is joined on stage by Natalie Ann Jamieson (Emmerdale, Vera), Alicya Eyo (Bad Girls, Emmerdale), Phillipa Wilson (Where The Heart Is) and Libby Davison (The Bill), alongside Benjamin Storey, Soroosh Lavasani and Barbara Heslop. The production features a special dimension with screened performances by Denise Welch, Charlie Hardwick and Si King.

For writer Jacquie Lawrence, an expat Geordie, this production is deeply personal. "Shuggy Boats is infused with characters and scenarios from my early life in Newcastle," she explains. "It's emotional to come home to tell the story I've always wanted to tell and see it come to life with such a stellar cast and inspired creatives."

Director Fiona MacPherson describes the collaborative process: "Every family has its fault lines but this one has craters. Working alongside a wonderful ensemble of theatre makers, it's been a joy to develop Shuggy Boats, bringing all these big characters together to create such a dynamic story."

Johns himself is clearly delighted to return to the stage: "Shuggy Boats for me means summers on Whitley Bay beach, donkey rides, candy floss and stolen kisses. I'm thrilled to be part of this heartfelt, funny and very human play."

Natalie Ann Jamieson, fresh from her iconic stint on Emmerdale, adds: "I'm so excited to be back at Live! Being a part of the youth theatre is among my fondest memories from my teenage years. Appearing in this play, which will mean so much to so many, is fantastic."

Denise Welch, who appears on screen, celebrates the play's themes: "Although I'm not appearing in real life, it's smashing to be part of a play that celebrates people choosing to live the lives they were always told they couldn't, or even shouldn't, live!"

This is a homecoming in every sense – a Geordie story told by Geordies, for Geordies, celebrating the chaos, warmth and resilience of North East families with all their beautiful imperfections.

Tickets:

Shuggy Boats runs from Friday 6 to Saturday 21 March 2026 at Live Theatre. For more information and to book tickets, visit live.org.uk