Preview: Steffen Peddie On tour

You Bring a Problem, He Supplies an Answer, and a Laugh Along the Way!

99 PROBLEMS ANDTHE CHIPS ARENT ONE

Steffen Peddie

On Tour

Steffen Peddie is undertaking his first tour this year, with a show that’s a step away from the normal Stand Up shows.

The show is entirely created from the audience’s suggestions and improvised on the night, so it’s a comedy tightrope walk as anything can be asked!

Photo: Andy Hollingworth

The show is called “99 Problems and the Chips Aren’t One”.

The audience write the questions (“Problems”) and Steffen has to solve them, making it a different show every time.

The show has been performed six times so far, and has managed to cover varying topics from

“Who picks up guide dog poo”

“Why don’t sheep shrink in the Rain”

“Why is my partner sleeping with my brother”

The last one turned the show rather serious as a relationship breakdown happened mid gig, proving that anything can happen on the night!

The tour is entirely self financed and is playing venues large and small, from large regional Theatres to Village Halls as well as some major Comedy Festivals along the way.

"He holds the audience's attention throughout and leaves the stagewith me wanting more." The Journal

Steffen Peddie is a Stand up comedian from Newcastle upon Tyne.  He told his first joke on stage at 13 in his local youth club and has continued doing so since.  After minor success on the fledgling comedy circuit and appearing as comedy support with Ross Noble on two different National Kids Saturday Morning TV Shows he took a break from Stand Up and turned his time to becoming a professional wrestler.

Ten years of bending bones, wearing lycra in public and various chair shots took its toll on Steffen and he decided that it was time to call it a day. After performing at the Café de Paris in London in front of a star studded audience as part of Viz Magazines 25th Anniversary party he decided to call it a day and retire from the world of grappling.

"His forays into audience participation are good-natured and demonstrate a sharp improvisational mind." The Skinny

After a conversation with other comedians he decided to try stand up again “for a few shows” to see if it would be fun. Ten years later he has not stopped and has matured as an act with his time away.

Success has come his way in the form of a roll in the main cast of Jason Cooks BBC sitcom “Hebburn”. The award winning show ran for two series and a Christmas Special, and is still much loved by the public, both in the UK and with large international success.

Acting has continued with a number of TV adverts and short films, including Alan Moore’s (writer of Watchmen, The League of Gentlemen, V for Vendetta) first film “His Heavy Heart” as well as hosting Metro Radio and TFMs “NIGHTOWLS” phone in show as the regular guest host when Alan Robson is away.

“Whatever was thrown his way, Peddie came back with a hilarious response and relatable stories from his own life that generated belly-aching laughter.” Shields Gazette

On top of this he is a proud member of The Geordie Rat Pack alongside Jason Cook, Glen Roughead and Neil Grainger. The four perform along with a fifteen piece band and play Swing classics in their own style. After selling out the Sage Gateshead earlier this year and selling out their next two shows, more are to be announced soon.

“The comic’s ability to think on his feet was phenomenal and he had his audience in stitches” Hartlepool Mail

 

On The Web:

Website = www.steffenpeddie.com

Facebook = www.facebook.com/pages/Steffen-Peddie

Twitter = @SteffenPeddie

Tour:

Wednesday 23^rd September 2015 Liverpool Comedy Festival (Hot Water Comedy Club) http://www.hotwatercomedy.co.uk/indiv_gigs/?id=371

Saturday 26^th September 2015 Hartlepool Flix Movie Café https://www.facebook.com/events/1495310754114381/

Monday 5^th October 2015 at Newcastle upon Tyne The Stand Comedy Club http://www.thestand.co.uk/show/26501/steffen_peddie_99_problems_and_the_chips_aint_one_

Sunday 11^th October 2015 Hull Fruit (under Giggles Live) https://www.hullboxoffice.co.uk/tickets/buy_ticket/676

Friday 23^rd October 2015 Stockton on Tees Arc (under Ten Feet Tall) http://arconline.co.uk/whats-on/comedy/steffen-peddie-99-problems-and-the-chips-ain%E2%80%99t-one

Saturday 14^th November 2015 Nottingham Comedy Festival at Navigation (6 Wilford St, Nottingham NG2 1AA) http://www.nottscomedyfestival.co.uk/calendar_156039.html

 

Preview: Together Northeast at Customs House

TOGETHER NORTH EAST: FIRST FESTIVAL IN THE REGION DESIGNED BY, PEOPLE WITH A LEARNING DISABILITY

Together Northeast

South Shields Customs House

Saturday 27th June 2015

Together Northeast is the first ever large scale festival in the region designed by people with learning disabilities, and there is quite a buzz about it.   The festival is on Saturday 27th June 2015 2-10pm.  It is taking place at the Customs House in South Shields and is open to everyone free of charge. The festival has been supported by Awards and of all as well as Local Councils, Health trusts and Clinical Commissioning Groups.

What are the biggest issues for people with learning disabilities? Welfare reform, hate crime and equal rights to employment often hit the headlines. An issue often unaddressed is the right to party!

With the conviction that together everyone achieves more, the event will showcase the achievements of people with learning disabilities, including regional theatre groups, musicians and social enterprises. An inclusive fashion show, supported by Sunderland University, will see models strutting their stuff on the stage- declaring their position as visible, current, and worthy of a flashbulb or two! A film festival will screen original work by regional film-makers, whilst the outside space will play host to Bollywood dancing, street

theatre, live music, and a Latin American Party.

"I'm really excited about the Together North East festival. It's a real chance to show what people with a learning disability can achieve together. It's about bringing everyone together with or without a disability to show what having a good life means" (Jodie Williams, festival steering group member and co-chair of the Northeast Learning Disability Partnership).

Inclusion North is a not-for-profit organisation that promotes the inclusion of people with learning disabilities and their families and carers.  It works throughout the Yorkshire, Humber and North East Region to support people in getting the lives they want. You can find out more here:  http://inclusionnorth.org/projects/what-we-are-doing-now/north-east-learning-disability-partnership/together-north-east-festival/

https://www.facebook.com/TogetherNorthEastfestival 

Preview: Jabberwocky Market Festival in Darlington

Festival of Theatre

Returns to Darlington

Jabberwocky Market Festival

Darlington

Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 October 2014

It’s one of the biggest dates in Darlington’s cultural calendar and this year promises to be its best yet.

Jabberwocky Market makes a welcome return to venues in and around Darlington from Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 October 2014for another four days of performances, workshops, talks and fun activities for audiences of all ages. 

Presenting cutting edge, world-class theatre rarely performed in the North East, Jabberwocky Market also features performances from local artists and musicians. The festival showcases an amazing array of talent, including some very close to home. 

The festival hub will open at Darlington’s Covered Market from Thursday 18 September and will feature performances and events leading up to the official start of Jabberwocky Market on Thursday 2 October.

Solas Fae

Local dancer-choreographer Debbie Waistell opens this year’s festival with the premiere of her latest show for children and families, Solas Fae (Thursday 2 October - Cattle Market).  A story of love, loss and Christmas and inspired by traditional legends, this captivating performance takes place at the Cattle Market.    

Photo: Josh Hawkins Photography UK

of the gracefool collective

Jabberwocky Market’s popular Scratch night returns to Darlington’s Voodoo Café for one night only (Friday 3 October - Voodoo Cafe). This informal and sociable evening of theatre invites audiences to enjoy excerpts of five new shows. Those that want to are welcome to give feedback and chat to the creators and actors after the performance. 

Ballad of the Burning Star

Audiences in Darlington will have the opportunity to enjoy the politically charged, Ballad of the Burning Star (Saturday 4 October - Liddiard Theatre at Polam School) as part of Jabberwocky Market. This semi-autobiographical and timely production tells the story of an Israeli man brought up in a Jewish settlement build on occupied Palestinian territories. Told with biting wit and passion, this cabaret performance featuring drag, original songs and physical storytelling was heralded a success on its debut and has since gone on to win universal acclaim. The Observer called it ‘Brilliant… Breathlessly inventive’.

Photo: Selma Dimitrijevic

Darlington-born actor and playwright Gary Kitching brings his brand new show to Jabberwocky Market after a successful season at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Dead to Me (Saturday 4 October – Voodoo Café), is a dark, yet funny tale of a man named Steven and his visit to a local psychic. He quickly discovers, sometimes the dead can be easier to deal with. 

 

The Incredible Book Eating Boy

Children aged 4+ will have the opportunity to enjoy a live adaptation of Oliver Jeffers award- winning book, The Incredible Book Eating Boy.  Performed for just two people at a time, this intimate performance of the much-loved book transports audiences inside the bedroom of Henry, The Incredible Book Eating Boy. Watch as Henry discovers there’s a downside to his never-ending appetite for eating books.

 

Another event for families and children aged 8+ is Fish/Girl, a brand new adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Little Mermaid. On a stormy night in a seaside town, a local girl finds a stranded Mer Prince and helps him back into the water. Her feelings so strong for the creature, she follows it into the unknown. Audiences are invited to provide feedback on this unfinished work when it appears at Jabberwocky Market.

Folk in a Box

A music performance like no other, Folk in a Box (Saturday 4 October - Market Place) is just that – a one on one folk music venue in a wooden box. Created by Emily Barker and Dom Coyote, audience members enter, one at a time, through a small door to experience one song, from one musician. Its simplicity makes it so special. Having travelled across the world and back again, it’s now coming to Darlington as part of Jabberwocky Market and will feature local folk musicians.

 
Another exciting element of this year’s Jabberwocky Market is the appearance of a pop-up Fun Palace (Saturday 4 October - Market Place).  A global celebration of arts, science and learning, more than 100 Fun Palaces will appear across the UK and the world on Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 October in celebration of theatre director Joan Littlewood’s centenary, who together with architect Cedric Price, devised Fun Palaces.  These pop-up spaces can be anything the public wants them to be. It’s a fun environment for the people of Darlington to get creative.

Theatre Ad Infinitum –

Ballad of the Burning Star

Photo: Alex Brenner

In addition to all the live performances and workshops, Jabberwocky Market will also be hosting a panel discussion looking at ‘How social conflict affects the development of theatre’. Stella Hall, artistic director of Darlington’s Festival of Thrift, will chair the discussion with panel members including Nir Paldi, artistic director of Theatre Ad Infinitum (Ballad of a Burning Star). Additional panelists from across the world will join the discussion via Skpe.

Created especially for the people of Darlington, Jabberwocky Market is designed and run by theatre producers from the town, in partnership with internationally acclaimed partners and performances. The festival hub will open from Thursday 18 September with performances taking place everyday.

Jabberwocky Market is part of the Collaborative Touring Network, seven producers from across the UK coming together to present inspiring performances from Battersea Arts Centre and local producers to a new generation of theatre-goers. Jabberwocky Market is also supported by Creative Darlington, Darlington Borough Council, Darlington for Culture and local people and businesses. 

On the web

Website:        www.jabberwockymarket.org.uk

Twitter:           www.twitter.com/JabbMarket   

Facebook:   www.facebook.com/JabberwockyMarket

Tickets:
This autumn’s Jabberwocky Market runs from Thursday 2 – Sunday 5 October. For details of all the events and performances at this year’s festival, and to book tickets, please visit www.jabberwockymarket.org.uk.

Pay it forward tickets will be returning this year. Simply purchase an additional ticket and the ‘PAY IT FORWARD’ ticket will be made available to someone that couldn’t otherwise attend. Audiences will also be invited to ‘pay what you can’ at select performances throughout the festival. 

 

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