Preview: We're Not Going Back at Durham Miners Gala

We’re Not Going Back

NATIONAL TOUR: 9 JULY 2014 – OCTOBER 2014

Written by Boff Whalley

Directed by Rod Dixon

New musical sees the miners’ strike through the eyes of three sisters.

Red Ladder Theatre Company opens a 2014 UK tour at the Durham Miners’ Gala (Miners Hall, Red Hill, Durham) on Wednesday 9 July, with a new musical comedy We’re Not Going Back, looking at the 1984/85 miners' strike through the eyes of three headstrong sisters in a South Yorkshire pit village.  

Written by ex-Chumbawamba guitarist and writer Boff Whalley, and directed by Red Ladder’s Artistic Director Rod Dixon, We’re Not Going Back is a musical commissioned by the North East, Yorkshire and Humberside regions of Unite the Union, and is performed by Victoria Brazier, Claire Marie Seddon and Stacey Sampson. 

We’re Not Going Back is about the 1984/85 miners’ strike. More or less. But in this hard-hitting musical comedy there are no miners. Instead, we follow the fortunes of three sisters –Olive, Mary and Isabel – hit hard by the Government’s war against the miners and determined to set up a branch of Women Against Pit Closures.

It’s February1984, and as the rumour mill stirs with developments of impending pit closures, the coal miners’ unions are drawn into a battle of attrition against an unbending government. Forced into poverty, miners and their families become part of a strike that will resonate through the coming decades.

But for many people, the war fought between politicians, police and pickets took a back seat to the fight to hold together families, friendships and community – fought on the battleground of living room and soup kitchen, meeting hall and social club. It was a battle fought with laughter and songs, with knees-ups, punch-ups and piss-ups.

With music, comedy and grit, the three sisters embrace the values of the ’84 strike and underline the empowerment; determination and vulnerability those communities were faced with in this war.

Writer Boff Whalley comments:

"30 years ago I was part of a miners' strike support group in Leeds. It was a strange time - there was a real sense of 'taking stock' of what my politics were. For me, the strongest part - the heart - of the miners' strike was the family support, specifically the women. Despite the strike's outcome, all the hardship and poverty, the main memory of that year for the women was of laughter, fun and surprise - a big adventure. How to take on the machinery of the capitalist state; and have a good time doing it. I knew this feeling had to be the underlying belly of the play."

Boff Whalley was a founder member of Chumbawamba. His past theatre writing credits for Red Ladder include Riot, Rebellion & Bloody Insurrection,  Sex & Docks & Rock n Roll, and Big Society(starring ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks’ panellist Phill Jupitus).

Rod Dixon became Artistic Director of Red Ladder in 2006. His past theatre director credits for Red Ladder include Where’s Vietnam?, Forgotten Things, Riot, Rebellion & Bloody Insurrection, UGLY, Sex & Docks & Rock n Roll , Big Society, and Playing The Joker.

Victoria Brazier trained at the Birmingham School of Speech and Drama. Theatre credits include: The Borrowers with West Yorkshire Playhouse, Hobsons Choicewith The Royal Exchange and A Great Warwith JB Shorts. Television credits include: Boy A with Channel 4, Land Girlswith BBC One and Doctors with BBC Television.

Claire-Marie Seddon trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in musical theatre and has extensive training in performing arts and musical theatre in various institutions in the UK. Theatre credits include: 162 Bars Out with The National Theatre of Scotland, The Key To A Quiet Life with Dead Earnest and War Of The Worlds along with various others at The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. Television credits include Children In Need and Tonight’s The Night With John Barrowman with BBC Television.

Stacey Sampson’s television credits include: This Is England ’88 with Warp Films and Channel 4, The Syndicate and Waking The Dead with BBC Television. Sampson’s theatre credits include: The History Boys with Sheffield Crucible, Watermarkat Belfast Waterfront Hall and a national tour of The Borrowers.

Red Ladder champions new writing, particularly that which challenges or agitates. It is a radical theatre company with 45 years of history; acknowledged as one of Britain’s leading national touring companies producing high quality theatre contributing to social change and global justice.

On the Web: http://www.redladder.co.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/redladdertheatr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Red-Ladder-Theatre-Company/203114893059559?ref=hl

Actor Stacey Sampson is writing a blog about being the main ‘bread winner’ in her home following returning to work after having a baby – as well as writing about the rehearsal process.  http://winningthebread.wordpress.com

Photos: Tim Smith 

Tour dates:

Wed 9 – Fri 11 July
Durham Gala - Miners Hall, Red Hill, Durham

03000 266600

Thurs 11 – Fri 12 September

Duncairn Cultural Arts Centre

028 9074 7114

Mon 15 September

Fruit, Hull

01482 221113

Thurs 18 – Sat 20 September

The Civic, Barnsley

01226 327 000

Sun 21 September

Hebden Bridge Trades Club

01422 845 265

Mon 22 – Tues 23 September

Oldham Coliseum

0161 624 2829

Wed 24 – Thurs 25 September

CAST, Doncaster

01302 303 959

Fri 26 September

Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield

01484 430528

Thurs 2 October

The Welfare, Swansea

01639 843163

Fri 3 October
Cwmaman Theatre, Aberdare

01685 887100

Sat 4 October

The Savoy Theatre, Tonyrefall

01443 670250

Mon 6 – Tues 7 October

Congress Theatre, Cwmbran

01633 868 239

Wed 8 October

The Royalty, Sunderland

0191 567 2669

Thurs 9 October

Arts Centre Washington

0191 219 3455

Fri 10 October

The Witham, Barnard Castle

01833 631 107

Sat 11 October

Queens Hall Arts Centre, Hexham

01343 652 477

Wed 15 October

Regal Theatre, Bathgate

01506 632 558

Fri 17 October

Seaton Delaval (venue TBC)

Sat 18 October

Hemsworth Miner’s Welfare

Preview: Autumn '14/Spring '15 season at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Exciting Season Ahead at Newcastle's Theatre Royal

The chief executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal has announced a dazzling new autumn ‘14 / spring ‘15 season full of nail-biting drama, high-octane musicals and breathtaking dance, comedy and opera. Once again the Theatre Royal is bringing the world’s very finest theatre to the heart of the North East.

To kill a Mockingbird

Four major new dramas will visit in the Spring. Direct from the West End comes a critically acclaimed new stage adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To kill a Mockingbird (20-25 April 2015). An utterly enchanting and enthralling production from the award-winning Regent’s Park Theatre, it captures all the warmth and poignancy of this best-loved classic.

Also adapted from a bestselling book comes Dead Simple (26 - 30 May ‘15), based on the work of International bestselling crime thriller novelist PeterJames.  Directed by Olivier award-winner Ian Talbot and adapted by award-winning writer Shaun McKenna, this gripping, chilling, thriller is full of James’ trademark suspense, twists and turns. In addition, before it heads to the West End, Theatre Royal is honoured to host Oscar Wilde’s much loved masterpiece The Importance of Being Earnest (8 – 13 June ‘15) starring none other than Emmy-award winning David Suchet as Lady Bracknell.  One of the funniest plays in the English language, Wilde’s superb satire on Victorian manners is full of delightful repartee and hilarious pomposity. 

 

Dreamboats and Miniskirts

Following the huge success of nostalgic musical Dreamboats and Petticoats, the same team are back with another big hitter, the sequel: Dreamboats and Miniskirts (20 – 24 Jan ‘15).  Set this time in 1963, we meet up again with Norman and Sue and Bobby and Laura and see how their lives are developing against the swinging backdrop of the Beatles and Merseyside sound.  Like it’s predecessor, the show is packed with the biggest hits of the era including A Picture of You; It’s In His Kiss; and Hippy Hippy Shake. 

Musical lovers will also delight in the return of a true classic – Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! (23 - 27 June ’15).  As refreshing and thrilling as the day it was written, this sunny show celebrates the vigour of America’s pioneering spirit and overflows with well-known songs and boot-stomping dances.   It is a brand new production from Music & Lyrics, the award-winning producers of The King & I and Fiddler on the Roof.

 

La Traviata

Opera North are back with an enticing new programme which draws works from each of the last four centuries and balances the comic with the serious, and the famous with the little-known.  Alessandro Talevi directs a youthful international cast in the company’s first new staging in 15 years of possibly the most popular opera of all time, Verdi's profoundly moving La Traviata (12 & 14 Nov ’14; 4 & 6 March ’15). Meanwhile, Jo Davies brings a fresh approach to Mozart’s effervescent comedy The Marriage of Figaro (5 & 7 March ‘15).

The Company's first ever production of The Coronation of Poppea (15 Nov ’14) is a stylish take on Monteverdi's revenge tragedy, performed in his own translation, and conducted by pre-eminent early music specialist Laurence Cummings. Revivals of Smetana’s irresistible The Bartered Bride (11 & 13 Nov 14) and Falla’s exuberant La Vida Breve (3 March ‘15) offer a wonderful celebration of folk-inspired melodies in two very different forms, one beautifully comic and the other tragic and moving. The latter is presented in a double-bill with a new staging of Gianni Schicchi (3 March ‘15), directed by Christopher Alden, Opera North’s first production of Puccini's only comic opera in 25 years.

Bizet’s popular opera Carmen is the inspiration for Matthew Bourne’s internationally acclaimed dance thriller The Car Man (28 April – 9 May ‘15). First seen in 2000, and winning the Evening Standard Award for ‘Musical Event of the Year’, the show features Bizet’s powerful and instantly recognisable score, but transferred to 1960s America  where Lez Brotherston’s epic design, Chris Davey’s evocative lighting and of course Matthew Bourne’s vivid storytelling make for an incredible production.

Scotland’s national dance company Scottish Ballet are returning to the Theatre to take audiences on a journey back into Clara’s magical dream world with Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece The Nutcracker (11-14 Feb ‘15).  Originally devised in 1973 by the Company’s founding artistic director, PeterDarrell, this production presents a sumptuous world of plush Victoriana full of festive fare and childhood charm.

 

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Several of the season’s new shows have been released for sale early due to anticipated high demand. They include the National Theatre’s multi award-winning production of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, set to visit 26 Jan – 7 Feb ’15on its first UK tour.  Simon Stephens’ adaptation of Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel received seven Olivier Awards in 2013 including Best New Play, Best Director, Best Lighting Design and Best Sound Design.  It also won the South Bank Sky Arts Award for Theatre and has been seen by over 200,000 people during its run in the West End.

 

The Bodyguard

One of the year’s most hotly anticipated shows, the multi award winning West End musical The Bodyguard (Wed 1 – Sat 18 April ‘15) will visit next Spring on its first ever UK tour.  Booking opened in April in order to accommodate heavy early demand.  Produced by the North East’s own Michael Harrison and David Ian and based on Lawrence Kasdan’s 1992 Oscar nominated Warner Bros. film, it opened to rave reviews in London’s West Endin December 2012, where it continues to play to packed houses and standing ovations. It has since been nominated for four Laurence Olivier Awards including Best New Musical and Best Set Design, and is 2015’s ‘Must See’.

Two leading lights from the world of comedy will be bringing their unique brands of humour to the theatre for the new season.  David Baddiel (1 Dec ‘14) is back with his first full show for fifteen years, critically acclaimed on the West End circuit and originator of a social media storm.   Al Murray (8 Feb ‘15), aka ‘The Pub Landlord’ is celebrating twenty years as Britain’s favourite publican and bringing his brand new show One Man, One Guvnor  to wow North East audiences in the new year. Tickets are already on sale for both.  The comedians join Dave Gorman on the line-up, here with his brand new show on Sunday 9 November.

Drama already on sale at the Theatre includes Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee (14-19 July) starring Jason Durr as Hercule Poirot as well as the longest running show in the history of British Theatre, Christie’s masterpiece the brilliant The Mousetrap (Mon 1 – Sat 6 Sept). The National Theatre’s award-winning comedy One Man, Two Guvnors is back for the second time 28 July – 2 August following a sell-out first visit here, and of course the esteemed Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) will return this autumn following a hugely successful season last year. The 2014 season features an enthralling trio of new productions – Henry IV, Part I (25 September – 4 October) and Henry IV, Part II (26 Sept – 4 Oct) and The Two Gentlemen of Verona (7 - 11 October) – which are on sale now.   

Jeeves and Wooster

Forthcoming hit West Endcomedy Perfect Nonsense (Tue 14 – Sat 18 Oct) follows hot on the RSC’s heels, featuring P.G. Wodehouse’s iconic double act Jeeves and Wooster and starring James Lance and John Gordon Sinclair in the title roles.  Following a sold-out 2013 tour, Fascinating Aïda are here with their terrific new show Charm Offensive for one night only on Sunday 19 October, and last but not least, drop everything forThe Full Monty (Mon 27 Oct – Sat 1 Nov), the hilarious stage show straight from the West End based on the much loved 1997 film.

 

Cinderella

Dance already on sale includes Northern Ballet’s enchanting new adaptation of the classic fairy-tale Cinderella set in imperial Russia (Tue 21 – Sat 25 Oct)  and running concurrently their 35 minute performance  for little ones Three Little Pigs (Fri 24 Oct). 

Lord of the Flies

 In November, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventuresdancers will unite with young talent from the North East in an extraordinary adaptation of William Golding’s classic novel, Lord of the Flies (Wed 5 – Sat 8 Nov).

Shrek The Musical

Three shows already on sale which will appeal to younger audiences are Peppa Pig’s Big Splash (Sat 30 – Sun 31 Aug) – the new show from everyone’s favourite little piggy; Dinosaur Zoo (Thu 30 Oct – Sat 1 Nov) bringing the legendary prehistoric creatures to life on stage;, and not forgetting Spring blockbuster Shrek The Musical (Wed 11 – Sun 29 Mar ‘15), based on the award-winning DreamWorks animation film.

Booking is also already open for Cameron Mackintosh and Michael Harrison’s exhilarating musical Barnum (Tue 17 – Sat 28 Feb ‘15) which celebrates the irrepressible imagination and dreams of America’s Greatest Showman and stars Brian Conley in the title role.

Top Hat

For those who can’t wait til the new year for their musical kicks, Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s epic musical CATS has arrived this week (Tue 1 – Sat 12 Jul), followed in quick succession by rock and roll sensation The Buddy Holly Story (4 – 9 Aug) and Irving Berlin’s Top Hat (Tue 9 – Sat 20 Sept), which visits Newcastle for the very first time and is packed full of the King of Swing’s greatest hits.

 

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

With 60,000 tickets already sold for our famous 14/15 Pantomime Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (25 Nov ’14 -18 Jan ‘15), and it set to become our best and fastest selling panto of all time, fans better be quick if they want to see Clive, Danny Chris and the gang in another spectacular production jam-packed with fun, adventure and comedy.

Friends of the Theatre Royal can book new season shows on Monday 30 June, before the general public on Friday 4 July, and receive 20% off tickets, as well as discounts on drinks at our bars, exclusive ticket exchange, reduced booking fees and Friends’ prices will never change. To become a Friend and book early, please contact the Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or sign up online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk.

Tickets for all new shows in the autumn‘14 / spring’15 season go on public sale on Friday 4 July.  Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Preview: This is Music Hall at Darlington Civic Theatre

Variety is the Spice of Life!

           

         

This is Music Hall – The Best of British Variety

Wednesday 23 July 2pm & 7:30pm

Darlington Civic Theatre

     

Britain’s biggest Music Hall show is back on the road and is calling into Darlington as part of its tour.

Starring veteran comedian Roy Hudd, who is joined by 60’s acting and singing icon Jess Conrad, multi-instrumentalist and variety entertainer Andy Eastwood, versatile singer Maggie O’Hara, multi-talented illusionist Van Buren and his lovely assistant  Allyson, considerably skilled instrumentalist Pete Lindup, and with Duggie Chapman as your worthy chairman.

Join Roy and Company for this special revival of the Great British Music Hall tradition!

Performance times: 2pm & 7.30pm

Tickets* 2pm all seats £10.50; 7.30pm £13 & £15, discounts available

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

*plus £1 per ticket restoration levy

Review: Too Much, Too Young at Washington Arts Centre

“It Ain’t Very Comfortable Mr Gove”

Too Much, Too Young

WashingtonArts Centre

3 July 2014.

Written & Performed by Jack Bennett

Artistic support Chris Thorpe and Daniel Bye

Produced by ARC, Stockton

Everyone had to make decisions at school. Some of those decisions still affect us in adult life. So why do impulsive teenagers get told to make important decisions such as GCSE choices whilst struggling with the mental battles that come with puberty? Jack Bennett too had a run in with his geography teacher: Keep going to those Band Practices that Mr Cope ran or rehearse for a non-speaking part in a local play. 

Too Much, Too Young is a one man show about education and all that’s wrong with it.  The show starts with a combination of some modern teaching pedagogy as the audience is told the show will be visual, auditory and kinaesthetic. To make a point the handy torches that were distributed at the start are used to make a memory of a stranger sat nearby.

The show explores the reasons behind why education is in the state it is from the 1880s when it was first made compulsory, through the Butler Act of the 1940s, New Labour and the current direction under Michael Gove. The trouble with education is that it is preparing kids for a future that is very uncertain. Whether it is driverless cars or nanobots being inserted in our brains to enable to play games or live in a virtual world – we simply don’t know what the future holds for our kids.  Essentially the questions need to be “who is education for & is it fit for that purpose?”

Jack Bennett engages the audience with torches, Twister and an array of mini-whiteboards. His passion for an education that never ends effervesces across. This is another engaging play at the Arts Centre that makes you think & question your reality. Just like 2012s “Best In The World” the show is well worth seeing for that very reason.

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR. Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/JackGeoffActor

Website: www.jackbennett.co.uk

Tour dates:

2nd July      7pm             ARC, Stockton

3rd July       7.30pm        Arts Centre Washington

6th July       5pm             The HUB, Leeds

8th July       7.30pm        Camden People's Theatre, London

9th July       7.30pm        Camden People's Theatre, London

11th July      8pm            The Maltings, Berwick-upon-Tweed

Spring 2015                     UK Tour