Review: Day of the Flymo at Newcastle Live Theatre

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“We cannot give up because it’s hard”

Day of the Flymo

Newcastle Live Theatre 

Until Saturday 21^st November 2015

Award winning playwright Paddy Campbell’s second play returns to the Live Theatre after it’s sell out run in April 2015. His first play Wet House was stunning (Wet House: NETG Review LINK) so will his second play live up to the high expectations?

Kalem Patterson & Tezney Mulroy

Liam is a 13 year old boy who cannot see the point of school. He has been expelled because of his behaviour. Compounding the problems is the nature of his home life. He lives with his Mum, Karen, and Sister, Becca, whilst his Dad is away at her majesties pleasure at HMP Durham. Dad is violent, and one episode resulted in Liam ending up in care whilst Mum had to go into hospital. The family are known to social services and Ben is looking after the case.

The play is both powerful and emotional without ever going for the obvious sob story. Director Paul James uses Paddy Campbell’s text to explore a situation sympathetically without cliché nor unnecessary overacting. Hence it is remarkable that this is done using genuine school aged actors rather than recent graduates pretending to be 13.

The central star is 14 year old local lad Kalem Patterson, as the troubled Liam.  Kalem owns the role, warts and all.  He is able fill the stage with boundless enthusiasm and draw empathy from the Live Theatre audience.

Tezney Mulroy is magnificent as Liam’s sister Becca. She is the straight one who is battling to keep her family together and study for exams despite the home issues.  It is easy to feel compassion rather than pity as she tries to lead the family.

Completing the young line up is Sophie Pitches as the slightly older girl Clara, whom Liam has found is also avoiding school Clara befriends him after initially appearing aloof.

Tezney Mulroy,  Sophie Pitches and  Kalem Patterson

All three young actors do a wonderful job in roles that are central to the plot. Whilst their performances can be, at times raw, it is in keeping with the nature of the story and they show a degree of maturity in their portrayal.  They have the potential to be future stars in the making.

Supporting the young cast are Jill Dellow, as the mother who is struggling with life, and Akemnji Ndifornyen as the pragmatic social worker Ben.  Their on stage relationships with the children are believable and compassionate.  Jill draws real emotion as her character’s fragile existence hangs in the balance. The role of Ben also involves a degree of narration, as the case notes on Liam, and his family, are revealed. Akemnji holds the piece together nicely and without fuss.

Day of the Flymo examines the role of the state when it gets involved in family relationships. It does not preach or over dramatise the scenario. The result is a powerful, rich and compassionate show that is well worth seeking out.

Creatives:

Written by Paddy Campbell
Directed by Paul James
Assistant Director Rachel Glover

Set Design by Phil Green

Read the original North East Theatre Guide preview: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/preview-day-of-flymo-at-newcastle-live.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

Tickets

Day of the Flymo comes to Live Theatre from Thursday 12^th to Saturday 21^stNovember.

PERFORMANCES: Tuesday to Saturday, 7.30pm
MATINEE: Saturday 14 November, 2pm

For more information on Day of the Flymo and to buy tickets costing between £18 to £10, over 60s concessions from £16 to £12 and other concessions £10 to £6 call Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or see www.live.org.uk.

DURATION:  Approx 1hr 20mins
SUITABILITY: 13+, contains strong language and some scenes of violence

TICKETS: £18-£10, over 60s conc. £16-£12 other concs. £10-6

ASSISTED PERFORMANCES: 

BSL Tuesday 17 November, 7.30pm

Captioned Wednesday 18 November, 7.30pm

Touch Tour Thursday 19 November, 6pm

Audio Described Thursday 19 November, 7.30pm

Related Events: 

Tuesday 17 November, Approx 9pm (10 minutes after the end of the play) – Talkback

Join writer Paddy Campbell, director Paul James and the actors from the show as they talk about the process of bringing the show to the stage and discuss the issues raised in the play 

DATES: Tues 17 Nov, 9pm (10 minutes after the end of the play)
LOCATION: Main Theatre
DURATION:  Approx. 40mins
SUITABILITY: 13+
TICKETS: Free, booking essential

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

Preview: Live Theatre’s June to December 2015 Season

Preview of Newcastle Live Theatre’s June to December 2015 Season:

Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour

This week Live Theatre announced its June to December 2015 season with an exciting collaboration with National Theatre of Scotland on Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour (Thursday 1 to Saturday 24 October), a new play by Lee Hall (The Pitmen Painters). Adapted from Alan Warner’s novel, The Sopranos and directed by Vicky Featherstone, the play will receive its world premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe before touring Scotland ahead of its English Premiere at Live Theatre in October.

Max Robert, Artistic Director, said: “Live Theatre has enjoyed a long and fruitful creative relationship with Lee Hall so we are delighted to collaborate with National Theatre of Scotland in this co-production of his adaptation of Alan Warner’s brilliant novel, The Sopranos. I’m sure our audiences will be thrilled to see Lee’s latest work and will extend a warm Tyneside welcome to the company for the play’s English Premiere.”

Day of the Flymo

After its short sell-out run in April 2015 Day of the Flymo by Journal Culture award-winning playwright Paddy Campbell will be returning to Live Theatre (Thursday 12 to Saturday 21 November).  Awarded 4 stars by The Guardian audiences will have the chance to meet a brother and sister as they come into contact with the care system. Paul James, Associate Director of Education & Participation and director of Day of the Flymo said: “I am delighted that Day of the Flymo is returning to Live Theatre. The piece is funny, moving and smacks of authenticity as it reflects Paddy Campbell's real-life experience of working with young people caught up in the care system. Don't miss the opportunity to see this original and compelling play by a hugely talented writer.”

Writer Paddy Campbell added: “I'm thrilled that Day of the Flymo is being brought back for another run in November. The audience response was terrific in April and it’s great that more people are going to get the chance to see it. I feel incredibly lucky to have had such a great cast for this play and I know they are raring to get back in the theatre again. I can't wait.”

Your Aunt Fanny

Young people from Live’s Youth Theatre will be taking over the building for two weeks in August for the company’s sixteenth annual Youth Theatre Festival called Our World where they will create four evenings of unique entertainment; Big Talk, Small Talk (Thursday 6 August) is a selection of short pieces devised over ten days; 11 Plus (Friday 7 & Saturday 8 August) gives young people’s perspective on what it’s like to be 11 and 12 today; Your Aunt Fanny (Friday 7 & Saturday 8 August) test out some new comedy sketches before they head up to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for the first time, and Invisible Cinema (Sunday 9 August) a film made using improv acting by six young actors working with Magic If films.

Red is the New Blue

Live Lab offers theatre-goers the opportunity to see exciting new work performed for the very first time. This season Red is the New Blue (Tuesday 23 & Wednesday 24 June) is a new collaborative project with three Live Lab Associate Artists, there are two Ten Minutes to… events (Sunday 7 June and Sunday 1 November), a Scratch Night (Thursday 19 November) as well as seasonal festivities in Live Lab Christmas Adventures (Monday 21 December).

What Thunder Said

Joseph Adelakun, Felix O'Brien and

Imogen Rose Photo: Camilla Greenwell

for Theatre Centre

Ahead of the launch of the new Children & Young People’s Writing Centre next year, created as part of Live Works, Live Theatre is starting a new programme of theatre especially for schools. What the Thunder Said (Wednesday 17 to Friday 19 June) will explore 9 to 11 year olds’ responses to witnessing violence and bullying and The Forest(Thursday 15 & Friday 16 October) is a multi-sensory tale especially for teenagers and young adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

Turning Pages

Turning Pages (Thursday 3 to Saturday 5 December),presented as part of Write Stuff, Live Theatre’s playwriting initiative for secondary schools, will feature six plays written by 13 to 15 year olds from Furrowfield School in Gateshead and Redhouse Academy in Sunderland.

Fun Palaces

To help launch its new public gardens Live Theatre is calling out for proposals for Fun Palaces (Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 October), a free nationwide celebration of arts, culture and sciences.

No More Worries

The quayside based Theatre is also looking forward to welcoming some of the country’s most exciting visiting theatre companies. No More Worries (Thursday 18 June) is a combination of theatre and spoken word from Simon Mole.  Two Mixtape events (Friday 24 July & Friday 30 October) will offer hilarious bite-sized theatre inspired by music.   

Key Change

Key Change (Friday 11 & Saturday 12 September) presented by Open Clasp Theatre Company and devised with women from HMP/YOI Low Newton Prison will return to Live Theatre.  

The Bogus Woman

Grandad and the Machine (Wednesday 16 September) is an epic quest in a fairytale for grown-ups and The Bogus Woman(Saturday 7 November) is the tale of an African woman seeking safety and asylum as she arrives in a strange country.

Stella Chiweshe and The Crossing Band

Live Theatre will also host live music from Jumpin’ Hot Club, a special gig launching Refugee Week featuring Stella Chiweshe and The Crossing Band (Sunday 14 June) and a monthly night of alternative comedy from Silly Billies Comedy Club (Sunday 27 September, 25 October, 29 November & 20 December)

Tickets:

For more information about Live Theatre’s June to December 2015 season or to book tickets visit www.live.org.ukor contact the box office on (0191) 232 1232.

Preview: Day of the Flymo at Newcastle Live Theatre

Young cast announced for Day of the Flymo, a new play by Paddy Campbell, the award-winning writer of Wet House

 
Day of the Flymo

Newcastle Live Theatre
Wednesday 8 April to Saturday 11 April

Written by Paddy Campbell
Directed by Paul James
Assistant Director Rachel Glover

Set Design by Phil Green

Three young actors from Live’s Youth Theatre have been cast for Day of the Flymo, a brand new play written by award-winning playwright Paddy Campbell (Wet House). Day of the Flymo looks at the chaotic lives of three young people as their family life falls apart. The World Premiere of Day of the Flymo is at Live Theatre, Newcastle from Wednesday 8 to Saturday 11 April 2015 and is Paddy’s second full length play.

Tezney Mulroy  Sophie Pitches &  Kalem Patterson

The cast of Day of the Flymo by Paddy Campbell

at Live  Theatre 8-11 April 2015

The three young actors are confirmed as Kalem Patterson (age 13, from Ryton) as Liam, Tezney Mulroy (age 17, from Newcastle) as Becca, and Sophie Pitches (age 16, from North Shields) as Clara. They will be supported by a professional cast.

Day of the Flymo explores the mechanisms that swing into action when social services step in, and follows a brother and sister as they struggle to cover up the cracks. Day of the Flymo asks what do you do when the state decides it’s going to take over from your Mam?

Writer Paddy Campbell, said:  “I've worked in a children's home for the past eight years and it's an interesting subject. It's not as black and white as people might think. I was delighted to be asked to write a piece for young people and am looking forward to seeing how the play is received by audiences.”

Paul James, Associate Director of Education & Participation said:  “When Paddy approached me with a proposal for doing a play regarding children in care for Live's Youth Theatre I was naturally delighted especially following the success of Wet House. Paddy has had a long association with the Youth Theatre but this will be his first full length commission specifically geared towards young people which I am extremely excited to be directing.  Last year we presented an initial script-in-hand performance of Day of The Flymowhich was positively received by audiences and assured us that we had something special on our hands. The piece reflects Paddy's experience of working in care homes and poses some big questions. Don't miss it.”

The separation of young people in care was the subject of a recent report by the Family Rights Agency which reported that 44% of siblings in care were separated in the North East compared to an average of 50.5% in the UK, which the charity suggested could have ‘lifelong consequences’ on the lives of the young people.

Jowheretogo loved Paddy Campbell’s first full length play, Wet House. Read the review here: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/review-wet-house-at-newcastle-live.html. Wet House was the winner of three Journal Culture Awards, and voted one of The Guardian’s Top 10 Plays of 2013 and who said about Paddy ‘All hail a fine new voice’ . After a sell-out run at Live Theatre in 2013, as part of Live Theatre’s 40^thanniversary year, Wet House returned to Live Theatre and toured to Hull Truck Theatre and Soho Theatre in 2014.

The logo on the front doors at Live Theatre Photo: S Oliver

Day of the Flymo premieres at Live Theatre, Newcastle from Wednesday 8 to Saturday 11 April 2015. A free Meet the Writer event takes place at 6pm before the performance on Thursday 9 April, in which writer Paddy Campbell and director Paul James will talk about the making of the play. There is also a free Talkback discussion, ten minutes after the end of the play at approximately 9.00pm on Friday 10 April, in which the writer, director, actors from the show and experts talk about the process of bringing the show to the stage and discuss the issues raised in the play.

Tickets & event details:
For more information on Day of The Flymo and to buy tickets costing between £14 to £10, over 60s concessions from £12 to £10 and other concessions £5 call Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or see www.live.org.uk

Day of The Flymo - What do you do when the state decides it’s going to take over from your Mam? A new play by Award-winning writer, Paddy Campbell (Wet House).

DATES: Wed 8 to Sat 11 Apr, 7.30pm & Sat 11 Apr, 2pm

DURATION:  Approx 1hr 20mins
SUITABILITY: 13+, contains strong language and some scenes of violence

TICKETS: £14-£10, over 60s conc £12-£10, other concs £5
ASSISTED PERFORMANCE:  BSL Sat 11 Apr, 2pm

Thursday 9 April, 6pm
Meet the Writer
Join writer Paddy Campbell and director Paul James as they talk about the show. Discover more about Paddy’s approach to writing a play and some of the challenges he faced.

DATES: Thurs 9 Apr, 6pm
DURATION:  Approx. 40mins
SUITABILITY: 13+

TICKETS:Free, booking essential

Friday 10 April, Approx 9.00pm (10 minutes after the end of the play)
Talkback
Join writer Paddy Campbell, director Paul James, actors from the show and experts as they talk about the process of bringing the show to the stage and discuss the issues raised in the play.
DATES: Fri 10 Apr, 9.00pm (10 minutes after the end of the play)
DURATION:  Approx. 40mins
SUITABILITY: 13+
TICKETS: Free, booking essential

Review: Wet House at Newcastle Live Theatre

“The only difference is that

we have the keys…”

Wet House

Newcastle Live Theatre

Until 11 October

Paddy Campbell’s first play was deservedly awarded three 2013 Journal Culture Awards and was given the status of one of the Guardian’s top ten plays of the year. We loved it at Jowheretogo but how will the latest run match up to the original?

Andy is a fresh graduate who decides to put his 2:2 in Art History to good use in the care industry. He ends up working in a Wet House – a place for the homeless that allows the residents to drink on the premises. Providing the care for societies’ forgotten people proves to be a challenge but Andy also has to deal with the staff who work there. The other key workers, Helen and Mike, have their history and their problems as they deal with drunks like Dinger, the heavily pregnant Kerry and new arrival Spencer.

Director Max Roberts has recognised the need to entertain and keep the light hearted moments in the mix. Add in a healthy amount of disturbing situations and it leaves the audience feeling like a ride on the old cork-screw.  This is a fabulous play to experience in the intimate surroundings of the Live Theatre.

The cast is terrific, Riley Jones plays the new member of staff well without being too wet and Eva Quinn is vibrant as the vulnerable Kerry. The one new comer to the cast is Simon Roberts who added a new dimension to the role of Spencer. Jackie Lye, as Helen and Chris Connel, as Mike, quickly draw the audience into their character’s complex issues. 

Once again it is Joe Caffrey who is phenomenal as the hopeless drunk Dinger in memorable moments such as trying to avoid a bath or singing the hits of Petula Clarke.  Dinger is one character that will make you laugh and cry in equal measure.

Wet House is a powerful drama with an awesome cast.

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

There will also be a discussion on Sunday 5^th October on Homelessness & Addiction:  Discussion with writer Paddy Campbell and a chance meet the team behind the show on Tuesday 7^th October.

The production will tour to Hull Truck (14-18 October) and Soho Theatre, London (22 October – 16 November)

Ticket Details:

Wednesday 17 September to Saturday 11 October

LOCATION: Main Theatre

SUITABILITY: 14+, contains strong language, scenes of violence and adult themes

TICKETS: £22-£10, over 60s concs £22-£10, other concs £15-£5

DURATION: Approx. 2 hours and 30 minutes including an interval

www.live.org.uk

Hull Truck:www.hulltruck.co.uk 

Soho Theatre: www.sohotheatre.com/whats-on/wet-house