Review: Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour at Newcastle Live Theatre

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Explosive Action Comes to The Live

Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour
Newcastle Live Theatre
Until Saturday 24^th October 2015

Photo: Manuel Harlan

They sing like angels and they have dreams, just like any other kids. The only difference for these 6 girls from Oban, Scotland, is they’re off to discover themselves on a trip to the capital.

Photo: Manuel Harlan

The show opens with the 6 girls, in perfect school uniform singing Mendelssohn’s Elijah. Their voices combine to make a truly beautiful sound. They are going to perform in a singing competition which means that thy need to wait for their teacher at 6am at the station. Quickly the action spins to some quick introductions.

Photo: Manuel Harlan

Fionnular (Dawn Sievewright) lives in a council house bought with granda’s money. Manda (Kirsty MacLaren) lives with her Da after their mam left them. Chell (Caroline Dayga) has had a lot of tragedy in her family. Orla (Melissa Allan) has had a run in with cancer but seems better after a trip to Lourdes.  Kylah (Frances Mayli McCann) sings in a band whilst Kay (Karen Fishwick) appears to have everything going for her.

Photo: Manuel Harlan

The show works because, not only can the cast sing wonderfully but they also come across as authentic. As the story follows the girls on their journey to Edinburgh we see their dreams, the insecurities and their humour. The six girls play a variety of roles from a fellow pregnant school friend to the random men they meet along the way.

After sneaking drink on board, the trip was going to have a lively start. When the teacher tells them to be good and be unsupervised until the competition starts at 6pm the real adventures begin. What trouble can 6 teenage girls with a love of drink get up to?

The exposition is subtly interwoven within the story in Lee Hall’s adaptation of Alan Warner’s The Sopranos. This helps keep the pace up and under the direction of Vicky Featherstone there is always something happening on stage.

Photo: Manuel Harlan

When the story centres around Kylah joining her band her love ELO comes to light and the inclusion of Mr Blue Sky is one of the many musical treats. The songs are performed live with a young talented band on stage. Amy Shackcloth on keyboards; Becky Brass on drums and Emily Linden on guitar do a cracking job on a few of Jeff Lynne’s finest compositions.

Photo: Peter Dibdin

The show is a free spirit, a punkish play with a musical core rather than another typical jukebox musical that lacks a story. The story is a strong one. Whilst the passage to adulthood is an often told story, this story feels fresh and exciting and is full of energy. In short: great music and exciting action make this production hard to beat. Tickets are being quickly snapped up – it is no surprise that this show has performed to sell out crowds throughout its tour. It is fabulous.

Photo: Peter Dibdin

Adapted by Lee Hall from The Sopranos by Alan Warner
Directed by Vicky Featherstone
Music Supervisor Martin Lowe
Designed by Chloe Lamford
Lighting Design by Lizzie Powell
Choreography by Imogen Knight

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for the North East Theatre Guide from Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

Read the original North East Theatre Guide preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/08/preview-our-ladies-at-newcastle-live.html

Photo: Manuel Harlan

On The Web:

Website: http://www.live.org.uk/whats-on-book/our-ladies-of-perpetual-succour

Tickets

Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour opens at Live Theatre on Thursday 1 October and runs until Saturday 24 October. 

For more information on Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour and to buy tickets costing between £26 to £10, over 60s concessions £16 and other concessions between £18 to £6 call Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or see www.live.org.uk.

 

Preview: Our Ladies at Newcastle Live Theatre

Follow North East Theatre Guide on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NETheatreGuideand on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NETheatreGuide.  Read about JoWhereToGo and its PR and photography services here.

Lee Hall’s latest play, Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour is a sell-out and critical success at the Edinburgh Fringe

Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour
Newcastle Live Theatre
Thursday 1^st to Saturday 24^th October 2015

l to r. Kirsty MacLaren (Manda, Karen Fishwick (Kay),
Melissa Allan (Orla), Frances Mayli McCann (Kylah),
Caroline Deyga (Chell, Dawn Sievewright (Fionnula)
Photo: Peter Dibdin

 
Live Theatre’s first ever co-production with National Theatre of Scotland, Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour written by Billy Elliot and The Pitmen Painters writer Lee Hall has been a sell-out success at its world premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. The play was sold out in advance of its two week run at the Traverse Theatre and has garnered critical acclaim from reviewers and audiences alike. It has gained seven five star reviews, a Herald Angel Award and an Acting Excellence Award from The Stage to date. Our Ladies… has its English premiere at Live Theatre, Newcastle from Thursday 1 to Saturday 24 October, the play’s only dates in England.

Photo: Manuel Harlan

Based on The Sopranos by cult Scottish novelist Alan Warner, and adapted for the stage by award-winning writer Lee Hall, Our Ladies is about six girls on the cusp of change. It follows the choir’s trip to Edinburgh as it goes badly wrong when love, lust, pregnancy and death all spiral out of control in a single day.

Photo: Manuel Harlan

The soundtrack of classical music and 70s pop rock, sung by the six cast members and performed by an all-female band features music by Handel, Bach and ELO. Our Ladies… is an outrageous piece of new music theatre with Tony-winning Martin Lowe (Once) as Music Supervisor.

Photo: Manuel Harlan

The Artistic Director of Newcastle’s Live Theatre, Max Roberts, said: ‘’As audiences will know Live Theatre has enjoyed a long and fruitful creative relationship with Lee Hall so we are delighted to collaborate with the National Theatre of Scotland in this co-production of his latest work the adaptation of The Sopranos by Alan Warner entitled Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour. I was completely knocked out by the production directed by Vicky Featherstone at The Traverse Theatre and it proved to be one of the highlights of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. It is hilarious, shocking and tearfully emotional in turn and its exciting, young all female cast deliver Martin Lowe’s brilliant musical arrangements superbly. It is quite simply a dazzling piece of theatre. I’m sure our audiences will be delighted to witness its English premiere here in Newcastle before it begins its inevitable life as a national and international smash hit to follow Billy Elliot and The Pitmen Painters.’’

Photo: Manuel Harlan

Writer Lee Hall said: “I am delighted to be working for the first time with the National Theatre of Scotland. This is a project I've wanted to bring to the stage since I first read the book 17 years ago. Alan Warner's view of the world chimed so much with my own experience of growing up in Newcastle so it seemed a perfect project to work on as a co-production with Live Theatre where I have a very long association. I think the Scots and Geordies share a common understanding of the world. A robust sense of humour, an appetite for a good time and a lack of pretension about what Art should be. The Sopranos is filthy, manic, hilarious and heartbreaking in equal measure - all the things I think theatre should be. Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour is a show full of music from the most exquisite classical choral pieces to foot stomping disco classics and much else in between. This is a very special show and very much a labour of love for Vicky Featherstone and I who have been working on this for several years now.”

Photo: Manuel Harlan

Vicky Featherstone returns to the National Theatre of Scotland for the first time since her appointment as Artistic Director at the Royal Court Theatre, to collaborate  with Lee Hall, (Billy Elliot and The Pitmen Painters), to create a funny, sad and raucously rude production about singing, sex and sambuca.

Photo: Manuel Harlan

Warner, whose 1995 debut novel Morvern Callar became a literary phenomenon, continues his themes of being young, lost and out of control in this musical play about losing your virginity and finding yourself.  Alan Warner wrote The Sopranos in 1998, followed by its sequel The Stars in the Bright Skywhich was long listed for the 2010 Man Booker Prize. He has written eight novels and is best known for Movern Callar which was made into a film starring Samantha Morton in 2002. His most recent novel is Their Lips Talk of Mischief, published by Faber in 2014.

Photo: Peter Dibdin

A cast of young Scottish musical theatre actresses take on the roles of Fionnula, Kylah, Kay, Manda, Chell and Orla. The cast features  Dawn Sievewright (Legally Blond)  and Karen Fishwick  (The Overcoat for Gecko Theatre and Caucasian Chalk Circle for The Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh) , who return to work with the National Theatre of Scotland, having both previously appeared in the award-winning musical, The Glasgow Girls. They are joined by Caroline Deyga who most recently appeared in Lucy Porter’s Fair Intellectual Club, Frances Mayli McCann (National Theatre’s Here Lies Love and Priscilla Queen of the Desert in the West End), Kirsty MacLaren (Piltochry Festival Theatre season)and Melissa Allan who is making her professional debut in the production.  The cast will be joined on stage by a trio of young female musicians, Amy Shackcloth, Becky Brass and Emily Linden.

 

 

The cast will be joined on stage by a trio of young female musicians, Amy Shackcloth, Becky Brass and Emily Linden.

Adapted by Lee Hall from The Sopranos by Alan Warner
Directed by Vicky Featherstone
Music Supervisor Martin Lowe
Designed by Chloe Lamford
Lighting Design by Lizzie Powell
Choreography by Imogen Knight

On The Web:
Join the conversation:#OurLadies

Tickets

After a sell-out run at the Traverse as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and a tour of Scotland Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour opens at Live Theatre on Thursday 1 October and runs until Saturday 24 October. 

For more information on Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour and to buy tickets costing between £26 to £10, over 60s concessions £16 and other concessions between £18 to £6 call Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or see www.live.org.uk.

Tour Dates: 

Traverse Theatre, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, (18 to 30 August);

Tron Theatre, Glasgow (8 to 12 September);

Lemon Tree, Aberdeen (15 & 16 September);

One Touch Theatre, Eden Court, Inverness  (18 & 19 September); 

Adam Smith Theatre, Kirkcaldy, Fife (22 & 23 September);

The Brunton, Musselburgh (25 & 26 September);

Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne (1 to 24 October).

 

Love?hate tickets: http://rftk.bigcartel.com/

News: First Live Theatre and Northumbria University joint Writer in Residence announced

First Live Theatre and Northumbria University joint Writer in Residence announced as Paddy Campbell

Live Theatre and Northumbria University are delighted to announce its first partnership Writer in Residence, launching a three year collaborative Writer Residency programme that will run from 2015 to 2018.

Paddy Campbell, writer of Live Theatre successes Wet House and Day of the Flymo, and a Northumbria University graduate will be the inaugural partnership Writer in Residence, from May 2015 to May 2016, developing new work and collaborating with students and staff at Northumbria University to enhance research and teaching. 

The appointment was announced to press at Live Theatre during the opening night of Rendezvous, which celebrated the life and work of novelist, poet and playwright Julia Darling. Julia was writer in residence at Live Theatre from 2001 to 2003, and this year marks the tenth anniversary of her death.

Max Roberts, Artistic Director, Live Theatre, said: “At a time where when Live Theatre is remembering the legacy of Julia Darling, one of its writers in residence who did so much to encourage other writers, it is appropriate that Paddy, who has come through Live Theatre’s writing development programme, is the first partnership Writer in Residence between Live Theatre and Northumbria University.”

Lucy Winskell OBE, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Business and Engagement), said: “I’m thrilled that the first Northumbria University and Live Theatre Writer in Residence will be one of our graduates, the playwright Paddy Campbell.  Paddy’s recent plays at Live Theatre have demonstrated his tremendous talent and I’m extremely excited to see what he produces next while working closely with staff and students at the University. This three-year collaboration will build on the University’s partnership with Live Theatre and our joint commitment to enhancing arts and culture in the region and beyond.”

Lucy added: “By working in partnership with internationally acclaimed arts organisations like Live Theatre, Northumbria will continue to invest in emerging creative talent to boost the economic, social and cultural development of the region and create new ways to inspire and engage students at the University.”

Paddy Campbell said: “I feel greatly privileged to have been given this opportunity. Live Theatre has supported my writing from the very start and I'm thrilled to have the chance to develop new plays for the company during my residency. I moved to Newcastle fifteen years ago to study at Northumbria University and had such a good time I decided to stay. I'm hugely grateful to Northumbria for their partnership in this residency and look forward to working with them during the next year.”

Paddy’s most recent play Day of the Flymo which follows a brother and sister as they come into contact with the care system will return to Live Theatre from Thursday 12 to Saturday 21 November. The play and had a sell-out run at Live Theatre in April 2015 and was awarded 4 stars by The Guardian.

Another previous writer in residence who has had a long and fruitful relationship with Live Theatre is Lee Hall whose work includes Billy Elliot and The Pitmen Painters. Lee’s latest play, Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour has its English premiere at Live Theatre from 1 to 24 October.

Over the next three years the joint Writer Residency Programme will contribute to Northumbria’s ongoing partnerships with the cultural sector that nurture and support emerging creative talent across the North.

For more information about Live Theatre visit www.live.org.uk.

 Link to the Acoustic Circus Gateshead Staiths Cafe music event

Review: What Falls Apart at Newcastle Live Theatre

Ambition Can Ruin A Man

In A Political Game OF Chess

What Falls Apart
Newcastle Live Theatre

Until Saturday 16 May 2015

Live Theatre is a leader in the presentation of new writing. They are not afraid to tackle the tough subjects of what life is actually like head on. Amazing drama such as Faith And Cold Reading or Wet House (See Jowheretogo Review here) or political explorations such as A Walk On Part have had us recommend strongly that people should walk away from the television and give Live Theatre a try. Without exception, our recommendations have resulted in new fans for the Newcastle Quayside venue. What Falls Apart is another Live Theatre classic that reaches for the jugular.

In Torben Betts play we start in the 24 hour bar in a hotel with a Labour election candidate propping up the bar as the sole customer, supping his wine and musing on the day.

Campaigning has been met with indifference or hostility as the electorate still remember the illegal war. For Tom Savage this is a fairly new situation as he had not drunk until he was in his 40s and he had started to feel the effects of being in government.

Listening to his woes is barman Gary, who is a master of the bar quiz through his incredible memory. Tom cannot remember the previous night very well, and this includes a photo that Gary has now got on his phone which could be embarrassing for his political campaign. 

After offering money for the picture to be removed he decides he should retire for the night just as a young lady who claims to be a fan appears at the bar. Venetia Fitzpatrick offers the old campaigner a drink which he is reluctant to take. She knows a lot about him and she is quite insistent. As he eventually accepts the drink he starts rolling a series of events that will make this a memorable night.

Director Max Roberts has created a theatrical event in which the 2 hours flies past at some rate. The bar tender, Gary, is played by the wonderful Kevin Wathen who juggles both the bottles and the dialogue to great effect. Zannah Hodson is captivating as the temptress who seems rather too eager to have the company of a middle aged election candidate.

It was important that, given the bad press that members of Parliament have had in recent years, that Nigel Hastings plays Tom Savage as a man that the audience can empathise with. Nigel is convincing as the career politician.

Unusual for a Live Theatre production but there is a set change but each set is very cleverly designed to enable everyone in the audience gets a great view of the action.

This is a fabulous drama that deserves to be seen and enjoyed. It is a powerful exploration of issues that can form the back stories of ordinary people, be they working class or wanting to join the ruling class. Like all good theatre, it requires emotional engagement and leaves you pondering over the events as you leave.

Live Theatre is also running a number of events in the run up to the election which will include an opportunity for younger people to get involved in the debate. This includes a Young People’s Question Time and a discussion of politics as a profession with the writer of the diaries that A Walk On Part was based upon, former local Labour MP Chris Mullin. Further details of these events are given below.

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

Read the original JoWhereToGo Preview here

Tickets:

Wednesday 22 April to Saturday 16 May
What Falls Apart
Written by Torben Betts - Directed by Max Roberts - Design by Isla Shaw

PERFORMANCES: Tues to Sat, 7.30pm
MATINEES: Sat 2 & 16 May 2pm, Thurs 7 May, 2pm & Sun 10 May, 4pm

Tickets for What Falls Apart cost £22 to £10, over 60s concessions £22 to £10 and other concessions £15 to £5.  Tickets can be purchased by contacting Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or online by visiting www.live.org.uk  

SUITABILITY: 14+, contains strong language
 
ASSISTED PERFORMANCES:
Tuesday 12 May, 7.30pm - British SignLanguage Interpreted
Wednesday 13 May, 7.30pm – Captioned
Thursday 14 May, 6.15pm – Touch Tour
Thursday 14 May, 7.30pm – Audio Described

Associated Events

Thursday 30 April, after the show
Meet the Team
Join writer Torben Betts, director Max Roberts and the cast as they talk about the process of bringing the show from page to stage.

LOCATION: Main Theatre

DURATION: Approx. 30mins

SUITABILITY: 14+

TICKETS: Free, booking essential

Friday 1 May, 8pm

Exclusive Screening of Downhill

Torben Betts wrote the screenplay for the British independent feature film Downhill a story about four old school friends who reunite to attempt the epic coast to coast walk, across the United Kingdom.

As their journey unfolds, this comically incompatible foursome walk full tilt into their mid-life crises.

Join us for an exclusive screening of this film, which was released in cinemas in May 2014, then listen to Torben talk with Max Roberts about the differences between writing for the stage and the screen. This is followed by a Q&A.

LOCATION: Studio Theatre

DURATION: Approx. 2hrs 15mins, including an interval

SUITABILITY: 15+

TICKETS: £8, £6 concs

Sunday 3 May, 4pm

#GetOnYourSoapbox &

Young People’s Question Time

To mark the beginning of Election Week this is a chance to enjoy a piece of theatre devised by young people as they get their voices heard in #GetOnYourSoapbox.

Then join Young People’s Question Time – a chance for local young people to challenge the decision makers who shape the issues that impact on oureveryday lives.

LOCATION: Studio Theatre

DURATION: Approx. 2hrs, including an interval

SUITABILITY: 14+

TICKETS: Free, booking essential

Sunday 3 May, 7.30pm

In Defence of Politics

At a time of unprecedented cynicism about politics and politicians, former Labour minister and best-selling diarist Chris Mullin makes a welcome return to Live Theatre, this time to argue that, for all its imperfections, British politics is an honourable profession. Join Chris as he sets out what he believes is the great political challenge facing future generations.

A 40 minute talk followed by 50 minutes of Q&A.

LOCATION: Main Theatre

DURATION: Approx. 1hr 30mins

SUITABILITY: 14+

TICKETS: £12, £10 concs

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