News: Little Theatre Grows As Studio Theatre Is Constructed

 Little Theatre Grows As Studio Theatre Is Constructed

Tucked away next to the Saltwell Park, the Progressive Players have been putting on the shows in Gateshead for 101 years. They had just launched their centenary year celebrations in 2020 when the epidemic led to the shutdown. Rather than doing nothing, they decided to build a studio theatre on top of their existing auditorium. The ambitious project which cost the Little Theatre, Progressive Players and grant providers just short of half a million pounds is now complete and we were given an opportunity to have a look around.

The group have historically been no strangers to making the most out of adversity. Back in 1939 they had been sent notice to quit their previous site and so Misses Hope, Ruth and Sylvia Dodds purchased the current site in order to build the current theatre. The result was the only permanent theatre opened during World War 2. Opening was complicated by a German bomb landing in the park opposite blowing out all of the windows, however the group opened the theatre as planned in October 1943. So perhaps history is repeating itself as the extension was constructed during a potential crisis.

Building another floor on a building constructed during a war is a massive leap of faith and it is fair to say that the construction team and trustees of the Little Theatre had a number of issues to deal  with. The final result fits in with the 1930s art deco elegance of the original building. As neighbours have already commented, it looks externally like the building always had the extra floor attached. This is thanks to, in part, the rendering and windows matching the original construction.

Internally the theatre group has picked up a valuable space, which is also available for private lettings.  Access to the studio is either via the spiral staircase that has been built from the first floor bar area or via a normal staircase through the adjoining house that is owned by the theatre. The latter has also had a stairlift installed in order to provide access and new toilets have been added off that landing.  The spiral staircase is lit by natural light during the day through the traditional style small windows that fit the art deco style of the building. At night a large lighting feature has been installed which stands out.

Going through the entry door, with its diamond shaped window, you enter a very useful space. Whilst it was designed with theatre in mind, it struck me that the venue would also suit spoken word events and small music shows. In fact, it makes a perfect space for intimate comedy shows. The room has sound and lighting systems to feed the speakers, projector and two lighting bars. Shape wise,  the fact that the room mirrors the shape of the main stage below it is no accident. This sound proofed room can be used for rehearsals of the next production whilst the current show is being performed in the main room.

The design features around the original theatre have been replicated in the internal style of the room. This includes curves rather than sharp corners at the performance area end of the room. The coving on the ceiling has also been chosen to be in keeping with the remainder of the building.

Now, our visit took place as the contractors were still sorting out the snags and so the room will change slightly in appearance by the time the room has its official opening in October 2021. One of the lighting bars has yet to be installed and it is planned to move the heat exchanger so it will be less prominent.   

The room is an exciting step forward for both the Little Theatre and the Progressive Players. It has already had a soft opening as it was used for a play reading but it will have a formal opening in October. The organisers need to be congratulated in ensuring that its appearance fits in with the original building both internally and externally. This historic small theatre now has an additional resource which will help it progress in the future.

Coming Events:

The main theatre reopens in October too. Lockdown in Little Grimley will be performed from Monday 11th - Saturday 16th Oct 2021. Details of forthcoming shows including a pantomime from the Bluebell Theatre Productions in December, can be found online at: https://www.littletheatregateshead.co.uk/whatson.html 

Words and Photography: Stephen Oliver

Preview: Top Hat at Sunderland Empire

CAST ANNOUNCED FOR TRIPLE OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL

Top Hat

Sunderland Empire

Wednesday 24 June – Saturday 4 July 2015

Top Hat, winner of three Olivier Awards, for ‘Best New Musical’, ‘Best Choreography’, ‘Best Costume Design’ from its seven nominations and winner of the Evening Standard Award for ‘Best Night Out’, is on an epic 47-week UK tour, visiting 24 theatres nationwide and returning to the North East to play Sunderland Empire from Wednesday 24^th June – Saturday 4^th July 2015.

The world premiere stage production of Top Hat opened in the West End at the Aldwych Theatre on 9 May 2012 where it played over 600 performances during its run of nearly two years. Prior to the West End, the production previously enjoyed a sell-out UK Tour in 2011.

Stepping into the shoes of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in the lead roles of Jerry Travers and Dale Tremont, are Alan Burkitt and Charlotte Gooch, who both return to Top Hat having previously performed these roles in the West End. They are joined by Clive Hayward who returns as Horace Hardwick, the role he played in the West End, Rebecca Thornhill as Madge Hardwick, Sebastien Torkia as Alberto Beddini and John Conroy as Horace’s valet Bates.

Ensemble and swing members are Lucy Ashenden, Thomas Audibert, Caroline Bateson, Sophie Camble, Matthew Caputo, Kristy Cullen, Paul Farrell, Ian Goss, Carys Gray, Alyn Hawke, Rebecca Hodge, Samuel Humphreys, Thomas Inge, Thomas-Lee Kidd, Sarah-Marie Maxwell, David McKechnie, John McManus, George Olney, Ben Palmer, Holly Rostron, Maria Ward, Amy West and Monique Young.

Top Hat is directed by Matthew White and choreographed by Bill Deamer (Olivier Award winner for Best Choreography), set designs are by Hildegard Bechtler (Olivier Award nominee for Best Set Design), costume designs by Jon Morrell (Olivier Award winner for Best Costume Design), lighting design by Peter Mumford, sound by Gareth Owen (Olivier Award nominee for Best Sound Design), new orchestrations by Chris Walker and musical supervision by Richard Balcombe.

Jerry Travers (Alan Burkitt), the famous American tap dancer, arrives in London to appear in his first West End show. Travers meets the irresistible Dale Tremont (Charlotte Gooch), the girl of his dreams, and follows her across Europe in an attempt to win her heart. 

With music and lyrics by Irving Berlin and based on the RKO motion picture, the screenplay by Dwight Taylor and Allan Scott has been adapted for the stage by Matthew White and Howard Jacques and is presented by arrangement with RKO Pictures LLC, Warner Bros Theatre Ventures Inc. and the Irving Berlin Music Company. 

Nominated for four Academy Awards, RKO’s Top Hat was the most successful picture of the nine movies Astaire and Rogers made together. It premiered at the Radio City Music Hall in 1935 where it broke all box office records. Within a few weeks, all five songs from the film occupied the top five places on the American Hit Parade. It is still widely regarded as one of the greatest dance musicals of all time.

Performed by a cast of 29 and accompanied by 11 live musicians, this multi award-winning musical comedy includes Irving Berlin classics from the movie such as Cheek to Cheek, Isn’t It a Lovely Day to be Caught in the Rain and Top Hat, White Tie and Tails.  In addition, from Berlin’s 1200 strong back catalogue, a further ten numbers have been interpolated including well-loved favourites Let’s Face the Music and Dance and Puttin’ On the Ritz.

Alan Burkitt started his career winning the All England Tap Dancer of the Year award. A member of the original West End cast of Top Hat at the Aldwych Theatre, Burkitt understudied the lead role of Jerry Travers for both Tom Chambers and Gavin Lee. He received rave reviews when he stood in for Lee on press night, a success story documented by Channel 4 for the TV series ‘The Sound of Musicals’. Other recent stage credits include: Singin’ in the Rain, Andy Lee in 42^nd Street (Chichester Festival Theatre), the Prince in Adam Cooper’s Shall We Dance(Sadler’s Wells), Cats (German Tour) and We Will Rock You (Dominion Theatre).

Charlotte Gooch took over the lead role of Dale Tremont from Summer Strallen in the West End, performing alongside Tom Chambers as Jerry Travers. Gooch performed the lead role of Penny Johnson in Dirty Dancing in the West End at the Piccadilly Theatre and also in the original national tour. Other recent stage credits include: the lead role of Sandy in Grease (UK Tour), Cats (German Tour) and the workshop of Swing Time, dancing a duet with Anton du Beke.

Top Hat is produced by Kenny Wax, and his partners on the production are Stewart Lane and Bonnie Comley, Ted Hartley, Flora Suk-Hwa Yoon and Lee Menzies.

On The Web:

Website: www.tophatonstage.com

Tickets:

Tickets available in person at the Box Office or booking online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland* plus a transaction fee applies. Premium seats also available.

Booking Information:

Box Office: 0844 871 3022*

Groups 10+: 0844 871 3042

Online: www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland

*Booking fee applies

Preview: Mr Stink at Jesmond Dene

Heartbreak Productions returns to

Newcastle with its 24th Summer Tour

Mr Stink

Coleman’s Field, Jesmond Dene, Newcastle

Friday 19^th – Sunday 21^st June 2015.

Heartbreak Productions is returning to Coleman’s Field, Jesmond Dene on Friday 19^th– Sunday 21^st June with its family show, Mr Stink, an original adaptation of the successful David Walliams novel.

Mr Stink unfolds at a birthday party for Annabelle Crumb, the spoiled sister of the book’s heroine, Chloe. With the audience members as party guests, this interactive, outdoor adaptation of the story focuses on themes of bullying, acceptance, and tricky family dynamics as Chloe’s new friendship with the homeless Mr Stink threatens to derail her mother’s political and social ambitions.

Jane Austen’s Emma

Later in the summer, Heartbreak will also be offering the Newcastle audiences Jane Austen’s Emma and Shakespeare’s Love’s Labours Lost.

Mr Stink

Heartbreak Productions aims to tell stories that inspire, entertain, and

challenge, and this summer, the stories also carry a common theme centred on young people. With that in mind, Heartbreak is offering a 2 for 1 discount to audience members aged 16-24 at its Saturday matinees. These special offer tickets can be purchased at the venue on the day of the performance. Limited availability.

Mr Stink and Chloe

Peter Mimmack, Artistic Director of Heartbreak Productions explained “The hero of the piece Chloe is going through the trauma of hormonal teenage years with an unsympathetic and controlling mother. Her impetuosity of housing the local tramp Mr Stink lead her family to the brink of breaking up.

This is a story about a young girl growing up, the fragility of family life and how emotional support can come from the most unlikely of sources.”

Tickets:

Mr Stink will be performed at Coleman’s Field, Jesmond Dene:

·        Friday, June 19th 6.30pm

·        Saturday, June 20th 2pmand 6.30pm

·        Sunday, June 21st 6.30pm

The entrance is at Pet's Corner at Jesmond Dene and the box office opens one hour before the show starts.
Covered and uncovered seating is available. Ticket prices for covered seating (includes a chair under a tent):  Adult £16.50, Child £12.50, Concession £14.

Ticket prices for uncovered seating (bring your own chair/rug) :  Adult £13.50, Child £9.50, Concession £11. Family tickets are available for uncovered seats £45 (2 adults, 3 children). Uncovered under 5s and carers go free.

Tickets available via www.heartbreakproductions.co.uk

  Buskers Event: https://www.facebook.com/AcousticCircus

 Link to Hanzel Und Gretal gig event page

Preview: Swan Lake at Whitley Bay Playhouse

Moscow Ballet La Classique presents - Swan Lake

Whitley Bay Playhouse

Tuesday 20th October 2015

The PLAYHOUSE Whitley Bay is delighted to announce that Moscow Ballet La Classique will be returning to the coast, with their latest production of Swan Lake in October.

Swan Lake has been celebrated for over 100 years, becoming the most popular ballet of all. The world-renowned Moscow Ballet - La Classique demonstrate their continued quality of dance and performance in a dramatic production of this timeless favourite set to Tchaikovsky's superb score.

The famous Moscow Ballet of Classical Choreography - "La Classique" was founded in 1990, utilising ballet dancers from the leading theatres of the CIS Countries and the Bolshoi, Kirov and Ballet Theatres of Kiev and Odessa.

Moscow Ballet - La Classique has thrilled ballet lovers during hugely successful tours of Egypt, Morocco, France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Norway, Israel, Thailand, Taiwan, China, Japan, Australia and New Zealand as well as the UK and this world famous company have gained vast international acclaim.

Some of the male dancers in this talented company have themselves achieved star status in their own country. World-renowned soloists Nadezda Ivanova, Andrey Shalin, Andrey Lyapin, and Dmitry Smirnov lead the Moscow Ballet Company under the direction of Elik Melikov. The company of Moscow Ballet – La Classique prepare to once more, dance themselves into the dreams that legends are made of in yet another world class production of Swan Lake.

The ballet is a favourite of ballerinas and audiences alike; all leading dancers dream to dance in Swan Lake whilst audiences dream to witness, the ultimate fairy tale ballet.

Music: Piotr Ilyich Tchiakovsky, Librettto: Vladimir Begichev & Vasily Geltser, Choreography: Marius Petipa & Lev Ivanov

Swan Lake – A Synopsis: Prince Siegfried is celebrating his coming of age in the garden of his ancestral palace. His mother observes that it's time to consider marriage and that tomorrow at the formal celebration of his 21st birthday, the court ball, he should select his future wife from the lovely ladies in attendance.

But, tomorrow is another day and for today Siegfried prefers to go hunting. Alone, by a lake, he sees Odette, Queen of the Swans, who appears to be both swan and woman. She explains that an evil sorcerer, Von Rothbart, has cast a spell on her and she must remain a swan, except between midnight and dawn, unless she is saved by true love. 

Siegfried, in love at first sight, swears his undying love,

promises to marry her and never to love another, but the wicked magician who disguises his own daughter, Odile, as the Swan-maiden, tricks him. Siegfried asks for her hand in marriage and swears an oath of fidelity to Odile. Suddenly Von Rothbart and Odile stand before him in a triumph of self-revelation as the pathetic figure of Odette, sobbing helplessly is seen at a distance. Siegfried collapses in an agony of guilt and despair. 

Heartbroken, he returns to thelakeside to beg Odette's forgiveness and declares his infinite love for her. Against all odds, the power of true love eventually overcomes the evil spell. The swan-maidens are restored to human form and Odette and Siegfried are reunited in eternal happiness.

Tickets

Moscow Ballet La Classique presents - Swan Lake at the Whitley Bay Playhouse on Tuesday 20th October 2015 at 7.30 pm

Tickets are on sale now and are priced at £23.50, £21.50 conc.

Tickets are available from the Box Office open Monday – Friday 10am – 4pm,

Saturday 10.30am -2.30pm plus until show start on event days. Tickets can also be purchased on the booking hotline 0844 248 1588 or online at www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk.

Tour: Darlington Civic Theatre

TAKE A LOOK BEHIND THE SCENES AT

DARLINGTON CIVIC THEATRE

On Monday June 22 Darlington Civic Theatre is opening the doors for an exciting and informative look behind the scenes with a special Heritage Tour.

Theatres are amazing spaces, especially old ones. As soon as you walk in to any auditorium you feel the warmth and history of the hundreds or thousands of stars who have appeared on the stage, you can almost hear the echo of applause ringing around the building, the atmosphere of anticipation of the production you are about to see is almost tangible.

Imagine, then, the opportunity to get a glimpse behind the scenes - the areas you never get to see as a member of the audience. Stand in the wings and imagine your next big entrance in front of a sell-out audience, get the view of the theatre every actor gets when they walk on stage for the first time, see the technical areas and offices. Add to that the history of secret apartments, the dressing rooms (some of which are known to be haunted) and you have an exciting and informative tour of one of Darlington’s most wonderful and historic buildings.

See Darlington Civic theatre as you have never seen it before.

Tickets:

The Darlington Civic Theatre Heritage Tour will take place on Monday 22 June at 7pm. Tickets are priced £5

Summer Preview at South Shields Customs House

Theatre Season is Red Hot  

Even if the Weather Isn’t

Summer Preview

South Shields Customs House

The return of one of the region’s most loved duos, a world-class musician and a new musical are all coming to The Customs House stage this summer. The Mill Dam venue in South Shields has an exciting summer season lined up. Even if the weather doesn’t always heat up the theatre certainly has all the hottest acts.

Customs House Executive Director Ray Spencer said: “Once again we have a full and interesting line-up with something that everybody can not only enjoy but plenty of things that people can try for the first time. This season sees us bring the vision of ex-pat Andy Bogle to life in Geordie The Musical, bring live cinema events to The Customs House for the first time and so much more. We have everything from the opportunity for cellists to have their cello played live on stage by the best in the world to a sing along to the country’s all-time favourite musical. Pick up a brochure today!”

Waiting for Gateaux

Waiting for Gateaux, from the writers of Dirty Dusting, will have you rolling in the aisle with a tale about chips, chocolate, weight loss and friendship from June 10 to 13.

Aladdin

Ballet Theatre UK, who last year brought The Little Mermaid to the theatre, will present Aladdin in a stunning new show on June 19.

Live Cinema events are kicking off this summer with Andre Rieu live from Maastricht in July and The National Theatre’s Hamlet will be beamed into the cinema in October.

This August Geordie The Musical will hit The Customs House stage. Step back to 1890 as The Customs House presents the premiere of this brand new musical which combines traditional Northumbrian songs and music with the award-winning storytelling skills of Tom Kelly, from a story from Andy Bogle.

Jive Aces

You won’t be short for things for the kids to do this summer. The venue boast a cinema which shows plenty of children’s films including Minions. Also in the theatre there’s Only One Direction in July and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Silly Simon the Sailor in August.

Top-notch music includes crooner Joe Longthorne in June and Britain’s Got Talent’s Jive Aces in August. July sees a free comedy show from Lewis Scheffer and August will see a 50^th anniversary celebration with Sing-a-long-a Sound of Music.

Andre Rieu

The venue has some of the best tribute bands around gracing the stage including The Blues Brothers Experience, Abba The Show and Magic, A Kind of Queen in June, The Robbie Williams Experience and The Billy Fury Years in July, and Beatlemania will be on stage in August.

For musical lovers Customs House favourites Encore are back, South Shields Gilbert and Sullivan Society are performing the A- Z of Musicals, Reavley Theatre School are producing Seussical Jr and Starset Theatre are performing Hairspray.

Only One Direction

The venue’s latest What’s On guide also looks ahead to the next season with acts including comedian Chris Ramsey, Catherine Cookson’s The Cinder Path and An Audience with The Original Stig. And, of course, the pantomime Alice in Wonderland is on sale now.

The What’s On guide can be picked up from The Customs House, local libraries and tourist information centres.

Tickets:

To book tickets or for more information on the season visit www.customshouse.co.uk or call the box office on 0191 455 1234.

Preview: Sunset Boulevard at Durham Gala Theatre

Durham Musical Theatre Company Chosen to Present the Northern Amateur Premiere of Stunning Andrew Lloyd Webber Musical Sunset Boulevard

Sunset Boulevard

Durham Gala Theatre

Tuesday 23rd – Saturday 27th June 2015.

The Really Useful Group, which controls all of the Lloyd Webber musicals has released Sunset Boulevard for amateur performance for one year only and Durham Musical Theatre Company will be presenting the northern amateur premiere of this superb, hit musical at the Gala Theatre, Durham from Tuesday 23rd – Saturday 27th June.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sensational musical Sunset Boulevard is based on Billy Wilder's Academy Award-winning 1950 film of the same title. The show has one of Lloyd Webber’s most memorable and haunting scores and has played to standing ovations as well as winning critical acclaim across the globe. Opening first in London in July 1993, Sunset Boulevard starred Patti LuPone and Kevin Anderson in the two lead roles.

The role of Norma Desmond was later played by Betty Buckley, Rita Moreno, Elaine Paige and Petula Clark, while that of the young Joe Gillis was played by John Barrowman. The show received its American premiere in December 1993 in Los Angeles starring Glenn Close (Norma Desmond), Alan Campbell (Joe Gillis), Judy Kuhn (Betty Schaefer) and George Hearn (Max von Mayerling), with Close, Campbell and Hearn going on to recreate their roles for the show’s November 1994 Broadway opening. Numerous international

productions followed.

Sunset Boulevard weaves a magnificent tale of faded glory and unfulfilled ambition. Reclusive silent movie star Norma Desmond is living in the past in her decaying Hollywood mansion. She longs for a return to the big screen, having been discarded by tinsel town with the advent of the talkies. Her glamour has faded in all but her mind. When young, struggling Hollywood screenwriter Joe Gillis accidentally crosses her path, she sees in him an opportunity to make her comeback to the big screen. Their subsequent passionate and volatile relationship leads to an unforeseen and tragic conclusion.

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Sunset Boulevard is filled with romantic grandeur, radiance and melodrama heightened by one of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most sweeping and melodious scores. It includes the hit songs “With One Look”, “The Greatest Star of All”, “Too Much in Love to Care”, “As If We Never Said Goodbye”, the title song “Sunset Boulevard” and the number one hit “The Perfect Year”.

Lloyd Webber has said of the show: “Sunset is, I think, the most complete musical I have written, in the sense that the book and music and everything came together in a way that I think some of the others don’t.”

Other critical response includes:

“One of the biggest musical successes of all time” – Daily Mirror

“A masterpiece” – Evening Standard

“A rip-roaring hit” – Sunday Times

“In terms of hit shows – this is massive” – Today

“Lloyd Weber has not, I think, written a richer, more powerful score” – Times

The Durham production of Sunset Boulevard will be directed by well-known Durham based director Fred Wharton, who will be celebrating the 50th anniversary of his directing debut in 1965 with this production. Steven Hood is in charge of the music and Kathleen Knox the choreography. The main roles of Norma Desmond and Joe Gillis are taken by northeast favourites Eileen Glenton and Graeme Walton. Anthony Smith appears as Max Von Mayerling and Katy Walton is Betty Schaefer. With a cast of 50 and a 17 pieceorchestra, Sunset Boulevard promises to be the cultural highlight of June.

Tickets

Sunset Boulevard appears at GALA Theatre, Durham from 23rd – 27th June, evenings @ 7.15 pm, Wednesday & Saturday matinées at 2.15 pm.

Tickets are now available from the GALA Theatre Box Office; telephone: 03000 266600 or on line at: www.galadurham.co.uk 

 

CLICK HERE for the link the the Be My Enemy & AlterRed event page 

 

CLICK HERE for the acoustic night at Staiths Cafe in Dunston, Gateshead