Review: Gregory’s Girl at Newcastle Peoples Theatre

She’s got style

Gregory’s Girl

Newcastle Peoples Theatre

Until Saturday 20^th September 2014.

Bill Forsyth’s classic story of growing up still resonates today as adolescents are still suffering from the same issues: school, teachers, boys, girls and the art of kissing.  The tale has been updated from the 80s film to include mobile phones and the fourth form has become year 10.

The action centres around Gregory who is your average fifteen year old. He is in the football team but his heart is no longer in it. He is fancied by Susan but he doesn’t notice her. He fancies the new member of the football team, Dorothy, but she has her mind on other things. Each member of the cast has their own dreams and aspirations but perhaps the most grounded individual is Gregory’s younger sister who seems to understand the connections between relationships.

A large youthful cast helps to bring the story to life. Simon Stuart plays Gregory with a sense of fun. Katie Maloney is a natural performer as his younger sister. The lads and Alex Carmichael did a cracking job with the football scenes. The play has retained the sense of fun of the original film, in particular the great cookery class scenes with Michael Critchlow, as Stephen, showing everyone has to make their pastry, and the bemused cheerleaders at the football matches.

A charming story performed by promising young actors.

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 https://www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo 

Tickets:

Gregory’s Girl by Bill Forsyth

Presented by The Young People’s Theatre. Director, Chris Heckels.

Dates:                         Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 September 2014

Time:                           7.30pm

Venue:                       The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon  Tyne, NE6 5QF

Tickets:                       £13.50 (Concessions £11)
Telephone:                0191 265 5020
Website:                    www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

 

Review: Plays For Today at Newcastle Live Theatre

The Truth Is Out There

Plays for today

Part of the 15^thAnnual Youth Theatre Festival

Newcastle Live Theatre

7^th August 2014

Testament  Photo: Chris Auld

This is a festival that poses many questions: Is there enough theatre for kids to attend once they get past the CBeebies target age group? Are there enough opportunities for this age group to create high quality theatre which is based upon their current experiences? Are there enough plays (which are not musicals) for them to perform which are relevant to their life as they see it?

R.A.T.S. Photo: Chris Auld

This production comprised of three very different short plays, each devised by its participants with the help of an experienced director. The students aged between 11 – 19 have done a fabulous job of creating a new production from scratch using news headlines as their source material.

R.A.T.S. Photo: Chris Auld

R.A.T.S., directed by Jackie Fielding, was a funny and interesting look at how the young people today could easily be monitored and potentially controlled by their use of new technology. The ‘Regular Average Teenage Subjects’ are sent a text and find themselves face to face with the people who monitor them. Each of the characters were likeable and convincing.

Testament  Photo: Chris Auld

Testament, directed by Ben Ayrton, was a very different ensemble piece which demanded total commitment from its young cast. A troupe of Russian Clowns are about to give their final performance as the world ends. What would someone say as life as we know it finishes?

Book13  Photo: Chris Auld

The final play, Book 13, directed by Neil Armstrong, features an author Oliver Trench who has writers block so he signs a pact with the devil to improve the situation. He ends up in a café with an overenthusiastic fan serving him. Everything he writes starts to happen in real life. The comedy element comes from the characters such as the old couple choosing their order, a kleptomaniac who keeps taking the evidence and a pair of nuns who randomly walk into the café. The young cast have produced a delightful farce.

Book13  Photo: Chris Auld

The evening finished with a post show chat with some of the cast and creatives, along with Jeff Brown from the BBC, who gave a clear message that persistence pays off. The festival has started with performances of high quality and showing the talent and potential of the next generation of actors in our region.

Book13  Photo: Chris Auld

The festival continues and was previewed on our blog: http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/preview-right-here-right-now-youth.html

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 https://www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo 

Tickets:
Live Theatre celebrates the 15th annual Youth Theatre Festival from Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 August.

Tickets for Right Here, Right Now events are £8, £6 concession, £3 Youth Theatre members for each performance. 

Tickets can be booked by contacting Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or online at www.live.org.uk.

Online

Twitter: Find out more about Right Here, Right Now via our Twitter https://twitter.com/LiveTheatre using the hashtag #LYTFest14.

Follow Your Aunt Fanny, all girls’ sketch group, on https://twitter.com/YourAuntFanny

Facebook: www.facebook.com/livetheatre

Remaining Event Details


Friday 8 August, 7.30pm 

Your Aunt Fanny

Your Aunt Fanny is a sketch group formed by some of the most talented female members of Live's Youth Theatre.

From the absurd to the downright ridiculous the girls celebrate everything that is funny and inappropriate. Their hilarious collection of original and new sketches have been written especially for them by two of the region's most exciting writers Laura Lindow (Wishbone and Sawdust & Stardust) and Lee Mattinson (Never Forget, Chalet Lines and Donna Disco). 

Part of Live Theatre's Youth Theatre Festival, Right Here Right Now, in which young people from the Youth Theatre take over Live Theatre for two weeks to create three evenings of entertainment based around the theme of current affairs. 

Follow Your Aunt Fanny, girls’ sketch group, on @yourauntfanny

DATES: Friday 8 August, 7.30pm

LOCATION: Main Theatre
DURATION: Approx 1hr

SUITABILITY: 14+
TICKETS: £8, £6 concs, £3 Youth Theatre member

Saturday 9 August, 7.30pm
#MouthingOff

Join the Youth Theatre comedy coalition for a new panel show in which they take a satirical look at our current affairs and the people that make them. A politically theme game show in which leaders of tomorrow point out what's wrong with the ones we have today. #MouthingOff will feature very special guest Davey Hopper from Durham Miners Union.

Part of Live Theatre's Youth Theatre Festival Right Here Right Now. Young people from the Youth Theatre take over Live Theatre for two weeks to create three evenings of entertainment based around the theme of current affairs. This is Live Theatre's fifteenth annual Youth Theatre Festival and is produced and facilitated by Live Theatre's Education and Participation Team. 

DATES: Saturday 9 August, 7.30pm

LOCATION: Main Theatre
DURATION: Approx. 2 hours, including an interval

SUITABILITY: 11+
TICKETS: £8, £6 concs, £3 Youth Theatre member

Sunday 10 August, 7.30pm  
24/7

Seven 10 minute plays are performed after an adrenalin fuelled 24 hours. Seven writers each choose a director, two actors and a prop to inform their work and write, rehearse and perform their piece in a day.

Live Theatre is pleased to announce the writers are  Paddy Campbell (Wet House), Lee Mattinson (Chalet Lines), Ian Mclaughlin (Good Timin'), Louise Taylor (10 Minutes to...), Neil Armstrong (Adam's Family Tree - YTV) as well as recent Northumbria University graduates Nina Berry (10 Minutes to...) and Francesca Wright. They will be joined by directors Paul James and Kwabena Adjei, Jackie Fielding, Tracy Gillman, Rachel Glover, Lewis Gray, Philip Hoffmann and Dave Raynor.                    

                                                                                        
Part of Live Theatre's Youth Theatre Festival Right Here Right Now. Young people from the Youth Theatre take over Live Theatre for two weeks to create three evenings of entertainment based around the theme of current affairs. This is Live Theatre's fifteenth annual Youth Theatre Festival and is produced and facilitated by Live Theatre's Education and Participation Team.

DATES: Sunday 10 August, 7.30pm 

LOCATION: Main Theatre
DURATION: Approx 1 hr 30mins

SUITABILITY: 11+
TICKETS: £8, £6 concs, £3 Youth Theatre member

Preview: Right Here, Right Now Youth Theatre Festival at Newcastle Live Theatre

Live Theatre celebrates its 

15^th annual Youth Theatre Festival

 
Right Here, Right Now Youth Theatre Festival

NewcastleLive Theatre

Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 August 2014

Rehearsals for Live Theatre’s 15^thannual Youth Theatre Festival, Right Here, Right Now, began this week. From Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 August, young people from Live's Youth Theatre will present four evenings of entertainment based around the theme of current affairs. Right Here, Right Now showcases new work by Live Theatre's exceptionally talented home-grown Youth Theatre.

Plays for Today kicks off the Birthday celebrations on Thursday 7 August at 7.30pm in Live Theatre’s Main Theatre. Live’s Youth Theatre presents a selection of exciting new short theatre pieces devised by groups of young people from across the region with support from some of the region’s leading freelance theatre makers. The pieces, devised over ten days, are inspired by recent stories, headlines and pictures from the news. 

For anyone interested in finding out more about journalism then join BBC Look North’s Jeff Brown as he and some of the team involved in Plays for Today talk about the process of devising plays as well as the impact of news of the youth of today at 8.45pm following the Plays for Today performances.

 

Your Aunt Fanny Group: Brogan Gilbert, Katie Powell, Lydia Brickland, Lauren Waine, Jackie Edwards, Matilda Neill

On Friday 8 August celebrate the first anniversary of the all girls sketch group Your Aunt Fanny.  Working with two of the region’s most exciting writers, Laura Lindow and Lee Mattinson, Your Aunt Fanny provides a comedy platform for some of the most talented members of Live’s Youth Theatre. The girls celebrate everything that is funny, ridiculous and inappropriate in a collection of original sketches.

Join the Youth Theatre comedy coalition for a new panel show called #MouthingOffon Saturday 9 August at 7.30pm. Hosted by top North East comedian John Scott #MouthingOff takes inspiration from John’s popular panel show, presented at The Stand comedy club, Sod the Tories (And Have a Nice Week). In this politically themed game the leaders of tomorrow point out what’s wrong with the ones we have today.

As John Scott explains; ‘In recent times I’ve focused my comedy a lot more on politics and social satire. I’ve been running a panel show for the past year at The Stand comedy club that takes a fairly biting look at the great and the good. Now, with the support of Live Theatre I’ve decided to develop a ‘youth’ version of the show, which will take a look at our current affairs and hopefully tackle issues affecting young adults today’.

The #MouthingOff panellists will be joined by Davey Hopper who is secretary of the Durham Miners. Davey was a major figure during the miners’ strike, which celebrates its 30^th Anniversary this year.

Don’t miss the Festival’s final show 24/7 on Sunday 10 August at 7.30pm in Live Theatre’s Main Theatre. Seven 10 minute plays are performed after an adrenalin-fuelled 24 hours. Seven writers each choose a director, two actors and a prop to inform their work and write, rehearse and perform their piece in a day.

As Nina Berry, one of the 24/7 writers, explains ‘I’m incredibly excited about the challenge and I’m very much looking forward to working alongside a new crop of writing, performing and directing talent at Live Theatre. I could not be more thrilled about having the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful project, which provides a platform for so many young people, whilst giving them the opportunity to showcase their talents and increase their confidence. I cannot wait for this year’s Youth Theatre Festival fun to unfold right here, right now!’

Plus, look out for additional performances, curated by young people to showcase young talent, around Live Theatre's building, before and during the intervals of the Festival shows. 

Tickets:
Help Live Theatre celebrate the 15th annual Youth Theatre Festival from Thursday 7 to Sunday 10 August.

Tickets for Right Here, Right Now events are £8, £6 concession, £3 Youth Theatre members for each performance. 

Tickets can be booked by contacting Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or online at www.live.org.uk.

Online

Twitter

Find out more about Right Here, Right Now via our Twitter https://twitter.com/LiveTheatre using the hashtag #LYTFest14.

Follow Your Aunt Fanny, all girls’ sketch group, on https://twitter.com/YourAuntFanny

Facebook: www.facebook.com/livetheatre

 

Event Details

Thursday 7 August, 7.30pm 
Plays for Today  

 

A selection of pieces inspired by recent stories, headlines and pictures from the news. Devised over ten days by groups of young people with support from some of the region's leading freelance theatre makers.  

Following the performances join the Plays for Today creative team and some of the Youth Theatre participants for a Post Show Chat about the process of devising shows inspired by recent news headlines. They’ll be joined by BBC Look North broadcaster Jeff Brown to discuss the broader aspects of journalism, current affairs and the impact of news on the youth of today. Phil Hoffman, from Live Theatre's Education & Participation team, will be chairing the discussion.

Part of Live Theatre's Youth Theatre Festival, Right Here Right Now, in which young people from the Youth Theatre take over Live Theatre for two weeks to create three evenings of entertainment based around the theme of current affairs. 

DATES: Thursday 7 August, 7.30pm

LOCATION: Main Theatre
DURATION: Approx 1hr

SUITABILITY: 11+
TICKETS: £8, £6 concs, £3 Youth Theatre member

Thursday 7 August, 8.45pm
Plays for Today  Post Show Chat

Join the Plays for Today creative team and some of the Youth Theatre participants for a post show discussion about the process of devising shows inspired by recent news headlines. They’ll be joined by BBC Look North broadcaster Jeff Brown to discuss the broader aspects of journalism, current affairs and the impact of news on the youth of today. Phil Hoffman, from Live Theatre's Education & Participation team, will be chairing the discussion.  

Panellists  

Jackie Fielding (Plays for Today director)
Jeff Brown (BBC Look North broadcaster)
Chaired by Phil Hoffman (form Live Theatre's Education & Participation team) 

Plays for Today features a selection of pieces inspired by recent stories, headlines and pictures from the news. Devised over ten days by groups of young people with support from some of the region's leading freelance theatre makers. Plays for Today is presented in Live Theatre's Main Theatre on Thursday 7 August at 7.30pm.  

Part of Right Here, Right Now this year's Youth Theatre Festival.

DATES: Thursday 7 August, 8.45pm

LOCATION: Main Theatre
DURATION: Approx 20 minutes

SUITABILITY: n/a
TICKETS: Free, booking recommended

Friday 8 August, 7.30pm 

Your Aunt Fanny

Your Aunt Fanny is a sketch group formed by some of the most talented female members of Live's Youth Theatre.

From the absurd to the downright ridiculous the girls celebrate everything that is funny and inappropriate. Their hilarious collection of original and new sketches have been written especially for them by two of the region's most exciting writers Laura Lindow (Wishbone and Sawdust & Stardust) and Lee Mattinson (Never Forget, Chalet Lines and Donna Disco). 

Part of Live Theatre's Youth Theatre Festival, Right Here Right Now, in which young people from the Youth Theatre take over Live Theatre for two weeks to create three evenings of entertainment based around the theme of current affairs. 

Follow Your Aunt Fanny, girls’ sketch group, on @yourauntfanny

DATES: Friday 8 August, 7.30pm

LOCATION: Main Theatre
DURATION: Approx 1hr

SUITABILITY: 14+
TICKETS: £8, £6 concs, £3 Youth Theatre member

Saturday 9 August, 7.30pm
#MouthingOff

Join the Youth Theatre comedy coalition for a new panel show in which they take a satirical look at our current affairs and the people that make them. A politically theme game show in which leaders of tomorrow point out what's wrong with the ones we have today. #MouthingOff will feature very special guest Davey Hopper from Durham Miners Union.

Part of Live Theatre's Youth Theatre Festival Right Here Right Now. Young people from the Youth Theatre take over Live Theatre for two weeks to create three evenings of entertainment based around the theme of current affairs. This is Live Theatre's fifteenth annual Youth Theatre Festival and is produced and facilitated by Live Theatre's Education and Participation Team. 

DATES: Saturday 9 August, 7.30pm

LOCATION: Main Theatre
DURATION: Approx. 2 hours, including an interval

SUITABILITY: 11+
TICKETS: £8, £6 concs, £3 Youth Theatre member

Sunday 10 August, 7.30pm  
24/7

Seven 10 minute plays are performed after an adrenalin fuelled 24 hours. Seven writers each choose a director, two actors and a prop to inform their work and write, rehearse and perform their piece in a day.

Live Theatre is pleased to announce the writers are  Paddy Campbell (Wet House), Lee Mattinson (Chalet Lines), Ian Mclaughlin (Good Timin'), Louise Taylor (10 Minutes to...), Neil Armstrong (Adam's Family Tree - YTV) as well as recent Northumbria University graduates Nina Berry (10 Minutes to...) and Francesca Wright. They will be joined by directors Paul James and Kwabena Adjei, Jackie Fielding, Tracy Gillman, Rachel Glover, Lewis Gray, Philip Hoffmann and Dave Raynor.                    

                                                                                        
Part of Live Theatre's Youth Theatre Festival Right Here Right Now. Young people from the Youth Theatre take over Live Theatre for two weeks to create three evenings of entertainment based around the theme of current affairs. This is Live Theatre's fifteenth annual Youth Theatre Festival and is produced and facilitated by Live Theatre's Education and Participation Team.

DATES: Sunday 10 August, 7.30pm 

LOCATION: Main Theatre
DURATION: Approx 1 hr 30mins

SUITABILITY: 11+
TICKETS: £8, £6 concs, £3 Youth Theatre member