Preview: Get Carter at Newcastle Northern Stage

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Jack’s Return Home

Get Carter

Newcastle Northern Stage

Friday 12^th February – Saturday 5^th March 2016

Northern Stage are bringing a dark and stylish new adaptation of the classic British crime drama to the stage. Get Carter opens in Newcastle before going on a national tour including Glasgow, Richmond, Coventry, Doncaster, Durham, Salford and Southampton.

Set in 1960s Newcastle, Torben Betts’ adaptation of the novel Jack’s Return Home by Ted Lewis (made famous by the 1971 Mike Hodges film, Get Carter starring Michael Caine) is a hard and uncompromising look at a city’s underworld gang culture and a gripping noir thriller, directed by Northern Stage Artistic Director Lorne Campbell.

Director Lorne explained: “I’m very excited to be bringing this iconic North East story to the stage. Ted Lewis is one of Britain's great crime and thriller writers and this is his masterpiece, in turns brutal and emotional. It's a tragic noir study of a corrupted man struggling to find a way out of a corrupted world. We’ve brought together a fabulous team of North East actors and hope to do justice to the telling of this epic tale.”

Kevin Wathen as Jack Carter

Photo: Mark Savage

The creative team includes set design by Leo Warner/59 Productions, the team responsible for video design at Danny Boyle’s London 2012 Opening Ceremony as well as more than 100 shows across the world at venues including The Royal Opera House, The National Theatre, The Royal Court, The Young Vic, English National Opera and The Metropolitan Opera in New York. 2015 Mercury Prize-nominated singer-

songwriter Nadine Shah will record original music as well as new arrangements of songs by iconic 1960s Newcastle band, The Animals, working with sound designer James Frewer. The production will also feature live music from drummer Martin Douglas (Baghdaddies and The Unthanks).

Writer Torben Betts says, “My adaptation is very much a reaction to the novel the film was based on. The story is in itself quite simple. A gangster goes back to his home town to bury his older brother and he suspects foul play. He trawls around the town’s underworld until he discovers his suspicions are well-founded. What was more interesting was to look at how we could re-imagine this very well-known narrative. To look at Jack’s environment growing up as he did in a brutalised post-war world. I wanted to look at the kind of man Jack Carter is, why he became the way he did.”

Kevin Wathen as Jack Carter

Photo: Mark Savage

Newcastle-born Kevin Wathen will play Jack Carter. Kevin’s theatre credits include Tony Elliot in Billy Elliot (Victoria Palace, London); The Godfather in Quadrophenia (Plymouth Theatre Royal/National Tour); Mad Hatter in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (Bristol Old Vic); Rosencrantz in Hamlet (Old Vic Theatre); and Michael in Skellig (Young Vic Theatre). Television credits include George Gently (BBC); And Kill Them (Channel 4); Blue Murder (ITV); Silent Witness (BBC); and Judge John Deed (BBC).

After her critically acclaimed role in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof in 2014, Victoria Elliott returns to Northern Stage to play Margaret and Glenda. The Newcastle-born actress is best known for BBC sitcom Hebburn, and has also appeared in Emmerdale and Holby City. Theatre roles include Alice in Two (Royal Exchange); Jill in Cooking with Elvis (Hull Truck); and Kate in Tyne (Live Theatre).

Michael Hodgson will play the roles of Kinnear and Con. Michael has regularly appeared at Northern Stage over the years, including Catch-22, which also toured nationally, and A Christmas Carol, directed by Erica Whyman OBE. Theatre credits elsewhere include Harry Wilson in The Pitmen Painters (Live); Bernard in Death of a Salesman (West Yorkshire Playhouse); and Hodge in The Shoemaker’s Holiday (Royal Shakespeare Company).

Donald McBride will play Albert, Brumby and Gumboots. Best known for TV roles in North East dramas Our Friends in the North, Spender, and Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, Donald has been a regular at Live Theatre in Newcastle for more than thirty years, including the role of Jimmy Floyd in The Pitmen Painters which went on to tour nationally and internationally.

Amy Cameron will play Jack’s niece Doreen. Originally from Sunderland, Amy has appeared in ITV’s Vera alongside Brenda Blethyn and her stage roles include Helene in A Doll’s House (Royal Exchange) and Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Hallé).

Kevin Wathen as Jack Carter

Photo: Mark Savage

Benjamin Cawley will play Eric. Earlier this year Benjamin played Kanzo in Dr Who (BBC) and he has appeared on stage at the Barbican and with the Royal Shakespeare Company.

Percussionist Martin Douglas (Baghdaddies, The Unthanks) will perform live on drums in the role of Frank, Jack’s dead brother who was a an amateur Jazz drummer throughout his life.

Completing the creative team are award-winning costume designer Imogen Cloet and lighting design by regular Gecko and Cheek By Jowl collaborator Kristina Hjelm.

Cast:

Jack Kevin Wathen

Frank Martin Douglas

Doreen Amy Cameron

Margaret/Glenda Victoria Elliott

Eric Benjamin Cawley

Kinnear/Con Michael Hodgson

Albert/Brumby Donald McBride

Creative team:

Director Lorne Campbell

Writer Torben Betts

Set Designer Leo Warner/59 Productions

Costume Designer Imogen Cloet

Lighting Designer Kirstina Hjelm

Tickets:

Get Carter appears at Newcastle’s Northern Stage from Friday 12^th February to Saturday 5^th March 2016

Previews: Friday 12^th - Tuesday 16^th February, All tickets £14.50

Tue - Fri & Sat matinees: £24, £19.40, £14.50 / Students/Under 21s: £12 Concessions Available

Saturday Evenings: 20 Feb, 27 Feb, 5 Mar - 7.30pm, £25, £19.50, £14.50 / Students/Under 21s: £12

Box Office: www.northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/get-carteror call 0191 230 5151.

Age recommendation: 16+
Post show discussion:Wed 24 Feb

Newcastle in the 60s: Thu 25 Feb6.30pm. A FREE pre-show talk, but please book online (45mins).

Tour dates:

8-12 March, Citizens Theatre, Glasgow

0141 429 0022

http://citz.co.uk/whatson/info/get_carter/

15-19 March, Richmond Theatre, London

0844 871 7651

www.atgtickets.com/shows/get-carter/richmond-theatre/

22-26 March, Belgrade Theatre, Coventry

024 7655 3055

www.belgrade.co.uk/event/get-carter

5-9 April, Cast, Doncaster

01302 303 959

https://castindoncaster.com/whats-on/performance/get-carter

12-16 April, Gala, Durham

03000 266 600

www.galadurham.co.uk

19-23 April, The Lowry, Salford

0843 208 6000

www.thelowry.com

26-30 April, Nuffield, Southampton

023 8067 1771

www.nuffieldtheatre.co.uk/whats-on/get-carter

 

Preview: Festive family shows at Northern Stage

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Festive family shows at Northern Stage

Up and Out, Christmas Sprout

Saturday 14^th November 2015– Saturday 2^nd January 2016

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Saturday 28^th November 2015– Saturday 2^nd January 2016

Newcastle Northern Stage

Two original productions for families première at Northern Stage in Newcastle over the festive period.

Award-winning poet and playwright Caroline Bird (Secret Theatre/Lyric Hammersmith) has written a brand new play based on Frank L Baum’s classic story, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (28 November – 2 January 2016) for children over 7 and their families.

A cyclone sweeps Dorothy Gale far, far away from her grey, boring life. She’d rather keep her trainers on than wear ruby slippers but here she is in the Technicolor Land of Oz, ready for an adventure. Directed by Mark Calvert (The Ballad of Little Johnnie Wylo, The Letter Room), this new Northern Stage production will be designed by the ever-inventive Rhys Jarman (Institute, Gecko) with original music performed live on stage by Jeremy Bradfield (The Worst Princess, New Writing North).

Director Mark Calvert says, “Our version will be more Roald Dahl than Judy Garland. It will be set at a fairground – we experience everything through Dorothy’s eyes, the possibilities of what can happen at a fairground are endless – but like the original, at the end of the day it’s all about the importance of family.”

Costume design: Rhys Jarman

Writer Caroline Bird says, “As a child, I absolutely loved the story. However, being a ten-year-old know-it-all bookworm who could spot a moral sleight of hand at a hundred yards, I hated the final bit when the horrible, lying Wizard gives them life-lessons. I thought, ‘Hey! He’s a humbug, living in Emerald luxury while Munchkins get enslaved, and now we’re taking his advice? No thanks very much!’ So this is inspired by that childlike anger: Oz is a troubled land, Dorothy the Brave is there for a reason - she lands in a mysterious country of tiny people and wicked witches, where the trees carry bazookas, the crows recite slam poetry, and a mouse can blow your head off. In just one day, this little girl revolutionises an entire nation. She brings freedom, and colour.”

Costume design: Rhys Jarman

The cast includes Tessa Parr (Get Santa, Northern Stage) as Dorothy; Zoe Lambert (Tyne, Live Theatre) as the Wicked Witch; Carl Kennedy (Shh A Christmas Story, Northern Stage and a member of improv group The Suggestibles) as Nick Chopper (the Tinman); Michael Blair (Mr Scratch, Northern Stage, and a founder member of The Letter Room) as the Cowardly Lion; Ruth Johnson (The Christmas Grump, Northern Stage) as Queen of the Field Mouses; and Maria Crocker (Jumping Puddles, Open Clasp/Frantic Assembly) as the Scarecrow; with puppetry by Tom Walton (The Borrowers, Northern Stage).

Illustration: John Disley

And for under 6s, Up and Out, Christmas Sprout (14 November – 2 January 2016) is written by Laura Lindow (Heartbreak Soup, Live Theatre). Follow our brave(ish) hero William Russell Sprout Junior up and out into the winter sky. Up, up and away to the Wild Beyond, negotiating snowy rooftops and stormy seas on his quest to put things back the way they were.

The show is directed by Unfolding Theatre’s Annie Rigby who has a wealth of experience of making shows for young children, having previously directed Tattercoats and Thumbelina for Northern Stage. She says, “I’ve admired Laura’s writing for many years, so it’s a delight to collaborate with her this Christmas and we’ve got a great team working to create a magical world for Northern Stage’s youngest audiences. It’s such a privilege to make theatre for children - for many, it might be the first time they’ve come to see a show and we want to make the whole experience very special.”

Photo: Mark Savage

Set and costume design is by Lily Arnold; Lily was design assistant in residence at the Royal Shakespeare Company from 2009-2011, and most recently designed Yellow Face for the National Theatre Shed and Minotaur for Polka Theatre. 

Photo: Mark Savage

Willie Sprout will be played by Tom Isted, a former Northern Stage Young Company member; Hannah Goudie (Camisado Club founding member and graduate of Northern Stage’s NORTH programme) plays Aurora Barora; and Karen Traynor (The Borrowers, Northern Stage) plays Hether Grether. Original music comes from composer and music director Tim Dalling (New Rope String Band), who also plays Willie’s Dad, with live music performed by the cast.

Tickets:

Up and Out, Christmas Sprout

Saturday 14^th November 2015– Saturday 2^nd January 2016, See website for performance schedule

Adult: £14 / £12.50 / £7.50 Child: £10 / £9.50 / £7.50 Under 12 months: £2

Booking: www.northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/up-out-christmas-sproutor call the box office on 0191 230 5151.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Saturday 28^th November 2015– Saturday 2^nd January 2016, see website for performance schedule

£24, £19.50, £14.50. Student / Under 21, £12. Family tickets £60

Booking: www.northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/Wizard%20of%20Ozor call the box office on 0191 230 5151.

Review: Dark & Lovely at Newcastle Northern Stage

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Dark & Lovely

Newcastle Northern Stage

Until 4^th November 2015 then on tour

Dark and Lovely is a wonderful nugget of theatrical gold. Selina Thompson uses her own experiences and those of the community in Chapeltown, Leeds. The end result feels very personal,  honest and real.

Selina begins the show by stating “hair is just hair”. The audience is then bombarded with many examples of how hair is intrinsically coupled to ones own values. After offering everyone a drink she examines straight blonde hair. The colour of all those stars and Disney princesses. It is a simple statement but, without actually saying it, the void is presented. The media rarely features examples of beauty in other ways.

The centrepiece of the show is described as a “tumbleweave”. It is a tent-like construction covered with hair extensions. The show goes on in and around it and the audience move in a well organised promenade performance. When they are inside, it feels as if the tumbleweave is a part of Selina too.

The show is interactive. Not in a “Hello, what is your name, what do you do” stand up comic way. More in a ‘sit around on the floor and listen to tales whilst audience members makes a hair preparation whilst another invited member of the audience sorts out Selina’s hair’ sort of way. This show is far from conventional.

The science of hair and the history behind the show are used as a vehicle to start discussing the Chapeltown community and their hair. The problems of dealing with hair and expectation of society run alongside the community aspects of the hair salons.

The end product poses questions about culture. What is it like to be black, to be a woman, to be a black woman in Leeds in 2015?

Dark and Lovely is an exquisite treat. Intimate but not overly sentimental. Rich, powerful but not angry. Emotional, though provoking but not lecturing or undermining of its audience.

Read the original North East Theatre Guide preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/11/preview-dark-lovely-at-newcastle.html

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

On The Web:

@SelinaNThompson | #Dark&Lovely | www.selinathompson.co.uk 

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmhUB1cxRxs

Behind the scenes video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rA3LSk__HqE

Running Time: 60 minutes, no interval | Suitable for ages 7+ suitable for families (non alcoholic rum for under 18s)

Cast & creatives

Created and performed by Selina Thompson

Lighting Design by Cassie Mitchell

Produced by Emma Beverley                      

Designed by Rachel Good

Composed by BUFFALO                       

Production Managed by David Lam

Touring dates

3 – 4 November Northern Stage, Newcastle

Barras Bridge, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, NE1 7RH

7.30pm | £10 (£8 conc) 

Box office: 0191 230 5151 http://www.northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/dark-and-lovely

 

10 – 14 November     Birmingham REP

Broad Street, Birmingham, B1 2EP

2.30pm (Thu & Sat only) and 8pm | £13 (£10 conc)

Box office: 0121 236 4455

18 – 20 November     The Crucible Studio Theatre, Sheffield

55 Norfolk Street, Sheffield, S1 1DA

5pm (19th & 20th only) & 8pm | £10

Box office: 0114 249 6000

25 – 28 November     Theatre in the Mill, Bradford

Off Shearbridge Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire BD7 1DP

7.30pm | ££8 (£6 conc) | Limited student offer: £3

Box office: 01274 233200 or email theatre@bradford.ac.uk

 

Dark & Lovely was commissioned by East St Arts, and supported by Leeds Inspired and Arts Council England. 

Review: Manifesto for a New City at Newcastle Northern Stage

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A City Hijacked By Entrepreneurs?

Manifesto for a New City

Newcastle Northern Stage

Until Saturday 17^th October 2015

Photo: Topher McGrillis

A conversation that has happened recently is that of the gentrification of the city of Newcastle. The arrival of the money people who are pushing the natives out. Established music venues are having to close due to complaints about noise from those in new flats nearby. Do the venues with the modern art resonate with the local residents or are they simply a good viewpoint? Are these new concerns?

Photo: Topher McGrillis

2015 represents the tenth anniversary since the untimely passing of playwright Julia Darling. Her 2005 play Manifesto for a New City is still fresh and relevant. It shows that much of what is currently discussed has been a concern for over a decade.

A strong vibrant cast of 14 discuss the problems of the much loved city and then propose a solution.  Linking these ideas are 18 songs, many of which are sung in brilliant a-cappella arrangements that take full advantage of the variety of voices on stage. Jim Kitson and Steve Morton have enabled a rich musical overlay to a poignant show. Julia’s writing is highly relevant to the Newcastle of 2015 and has sharp wit that frequently had the audience laughing.

Whilst Savannah Betts narrates as the poet, Phil Corbitt gives a non-creative angle to our cities problems as a bus driver that crosses from east to west.  Amongst the many clever ideas in the script are the different backgrounds of the characters. The positive primary school teacher (Colette Conlin) contrasts with the curses of the taxi driver (Steve Halliday) and the waitress (Bethan Carr). The issues for Leah Goldie’s lonely business woman are unlike the issues for the auxiliary nurse (Kerry Green) on the low wage. 

Photo: Topher McGrillis

The lighting design helps highlight aspects of the large cast. In particular reducing the light when the blind man (Sandy Davidson) was describing the sounds and smells of the city. 

The music had great lyrics – especially when thefemale cast members sung about Don’t Feel Sorry For Men before the male cast members reciprocated with We Are Reasonable Men.

Photo: Topher McGrillis

In a play that points out that Newcastle is more than stones and roads, but more about hearts and flames, there is plenty of passion.  There is an interesting view of the utopian vision, though it is willing to show some of the short comings. Perhaps we will always complain about our leaders and our area no matter what is done for us.

Director Emma Roxburgh and producer Kylie Llloyd are to be congratulated for the latest production of Manifesto.   It is a vibrant celebration of Newcastle’s spirit which raises questions about the future for the region. Manifesto for a New City is a fabulous show that deserves a longer run.

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

Photo: Topher McGrillis

Read the original North East Theatre Guide preview:  http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/preview-manifesto-for-new-city-at.html

Tickets:

Manifesto for a New City by Julia Darling comes to Newcastle’s Northern Stage from Thursday 15^th– Saturday 17^th October 2015, 7.30pm - £10 / £8 concs. 

Box Office: www.northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/manifesto-for-a-new-city  or phone 0191 230 5151

Photo: Topher McGrillis