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: Last Night a DJ Saved My Life Sunderland Empire

David Hasselhoff To Tour UK 
In Brand New Musical

Last Night a DJ Saved My Life

Sunderland Empire

Wednesday 6^th – Saturday 9^th January 2016

The iconic David Hasselhoff is to tour more than 20  theatres and arenas across the UK with the brand new musical Last Night a DJ Saved My Life, calling at Sunderland Empire 6-9 January 2016.

From the makers of ‘Dreamboats and Petticoats’ and ‘Boogie Nights’ comes a heart- warming and hilarious story promising to be the party night of the year. The explosive new production opens with a World Premiere at the Blackpool Opera House on 16 October, 2015 ahead of a major UK tour which will see The Hoff play 68 nights at more than 20 venues over a 13-week tour between October 2015 and February 2016.

The Hoff plays an extrovert, party-going DJ and nightclub owner on Ibiza at the start of the 90s. His teenage daughter arrives to stay for the summer and he has to cope with being a single parent to a girl who wants to meet boys and live the party life. Suddenly his motto is “Do as I say, not as I did!”

Speaking about the exciting new role The Hoff said: “See it. Believe it.  Live it.  This is my motto and I am living it now. I can’t wait to bring something new and different to UK theatre audiences. I absolutely love live theatre and the interaction with the audience.  To play a character that I can relate to while celebrating an era of fantastic music is going to be Hofftastic.  Come party Hoffstyle! This is going to be a great production and I can’t wait to see the audience reaction. I guarantee you will be singing all night long!”

‘Ride on Time’, back to a ‘Saturday Night’ in the 90s ‘When Things Can Only Get Better’, and ‘The Only Way Was Up’. Girls wanted to ‘Spice Up Their Life’, Robbie Williams-types wanted to love these ‘Angels’ and friends promised ‘I’ll Be There For You’. A string of hits from Mariah Carey’s ‘Hero’ to M.C.Hammer’s ‘Can’t Touch This’, underscore a fast and funny story that will resonate with young and old when mobile phones were the size of bricks, Nintendo Gameboy was the ‘in’ thing and we discovered Windows 95! We watched Beverly Hills 90210, not to mention The Hoff in ‘Baywatch’. Titanic was in cinemas and youngsters loved Rugrats and Power Rangers; Michael Jackson married Lisa-Marie Presley, OJ took a drive and Monica Lewinsky and Lorena Bobbit hit the headlines!

Inspired by the smash hit compilation album, “Last Night a DJ Saved My Life” will tour the UK for 13 weeks ending at the Bradford Alhambra on February 13.

Tickets:

Tickets available in person at the Box Office, by calling 0844 871 3022* or booking online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland* plus a transaction fee applies.

Last Night A DJ Saved My Life – 2015/2016 UK TOUR DATES

16 October – 01 November  
Opera House, Blackpool Box Office:  0844 856 1111
Website: www.wintergardensblackpool.co.uk

03 November
De Montfort, Leicester Box Office: 0116 233 3111 
Website: http://www.demontforthall.co.uk/

04 – 07 November 
Derngate, Northampton Box Office: 01604 624811        
Website: http://www.royalandderngate.co.uk/

09 November                                                               

Hexagon, Reading     Box Office: 0118 9606060                    
Website: http://www.readingarts.com/thehexagon/

10 November     
Corn Exchange, Cambridge  Box Office: 01223 357851
Website: https://www.cambridgelivetrust.co.uk/cornex/

11 November     
Concert Hall, Nottingham    Box Office: 0115 989 5555  
Website: http://www.trch.co.uk/

12 November    
Concert Hall, Croydon   Box Office: 020 8688 9291
Website: https://www.fairfield.co.uk/ 

13 November 
Basingstoke, Anvil   Box Office: 01256 844244
Website: http://www.anvilarts.org.uk/

14 November 

Eastbourne      Box Office: 01323 412000
Website: http://www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk/

15 November  
O2 Indigo   Box Office: 020 8463 2700  
Website: http://www.theo2.co.uk/events

17 – 21 November  
Grand, Wolverhampton Box Office: 01902 429212   
Website: http://www.grandtheatre.co.uk/

23 – 28 November 
Civic Theatre, Darlington   Box Office: 01325 486555
Website: http://www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk/

06 – 09 January 2016    
Empire, Sunderland    Box Office: 0844 871 7615
Website: http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire/

12 January                                                                          
Llandudno  Box Office: 01492 872000    
Website: https://www.venuecymru.co.uk/

14 January    
Pavilions, Plymouth   Box Office: 0845 1461460    
Website: https://www.plymouthpavilions.com/

15 January       
Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff  Box Office: 0114 256 5656
Website: http://www.motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk/

16 January           
NIA, Birmingham  Box Office: 0844 338 8000
Website: http://www.barclaycardarena.co.uk/

19 – 23 January 
Liverpool Empire  Box Office: 0844 871 7615
Website: http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/liverpool-empire/

26 – 30 January  
New Theatre, Oxford   Box Office: 0844 871 7615    
Website: http://www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-theatre-oxford/

01 – 02 February    
Theatre Royal, Norwich     Box Office: 01603 630000
Website: https://secure.theatreroyalnorwich.co.uk/Online/

03 – 06 February   
Wimbledon    Box Office: 020 8174 0090
Website: http://www.rosetheatrekingston.org/welcome

09 – 13 February  
Bradford Alhambra   Box Office: 01274 432000
Website:http://www.bradford-theatres.co.uk/venues/the-alhambra-theatre

 

Preview: Doing It for the House at Customs House

Everyone’s favourite duo are back together!

Doing It for the House

South Shields Customs House

Thursday 4^th June 2015

Ray Spencer and Bob Stott will be joined on stage by a whole host of friends to raise cash for The Customs House Trust this week.

The pair, who delighted panto fans for almost 40 years, will perform this hilarious variety show for one day only at The Customs House in Mill Dam, South Shields.

Customs House Executive Director Ray Spencer, MBE, said: “I can’t wait to be back on stage with Bob. We did panto together for 37 years and had such a laugh. Bob is the quickest and sharpest ad-libber I know. This show is going to be packed with laughs, fun and a few surprises. We’ll be back together for just one day so make sure you grab your tickets now.”

The show called Doing It for the House is on at The Customs House on Thursday, June 4 at 2.30pm and 7.45pm and will raise funds for The Customs House Trust which provides art and cultural activities for the people of South Tyneside.

The pair are known to thousands as the loveable panto mother and son duo Dame Dotty and Tommy.

Bob and Ray began their partnership at The Westovians at the Pier Pavilion Theatre in South Shieldsin 1975 and became Dotty and Tommy when Ray began writing summer Tommy the Trumpeter pantomimes in 1990. Bob hung up his panto wig and frock two years ago following a record-breaking Dick Whittington show.

Bob added: “I’m looking forward to being back on The Customs House stage. Doing It for the House promises to be lots of Ray and Bob fun and silliness.”

Tickets for Ray & Bob & Friends are £15, £14 concessions and there is a meal deal available, grab your meal and the show all for £26.

Tickets are available from the box office on 0191 454 1234 or online at www.customshouse.co.uk. 

 

 Here is a link to the event page to the Simma gig at The Bridge Hotel in Newcastle

Review: Stand Up And Rock at Darlington Civic Theatre

Birmingham Blues

Stand Up And Rock

Darlington Civic Theatre

2^nd June 2015.

Midlands heroes Jasper Carrott and Bev Bevan combine to produce a night of stand up comedy and rock classics.

Jasper Carrott has not been on tour since 1998 but he was far from rusty as he kicked off proceedings in Darlington. The funny lines were flying out with comedy timing much to the delight of the audience. His set was both modern, representing life in 2015, and it was reflective, as Jasper pondered on the changes that come with old age.  After sharing the mysteries of women and the delights of hot curries, Jasper handed over to the live band.

Bev Bevan has been in classic bands such as The Move, ELO and Black Sabbath. He was joined by Rockin' Berries lead singer Geoff Turton, celtic rock band Quills lead singer Joy Strachan-Brain. The band included Tony Kelsey on guitar who has played with Robert Plant & Steve Winwood and Phil Tree on bass, who was in Wizzard, and Abby Brant on keyboards.  Taking turns with vocal duties they worked through a number of popular songs by the likes of The Beatles, Tina Turner, Paul Carrack and The Moody Blues.

After the interval Carrott returned for another entertaining set of comedy gold before picking up a guitar and singing short numbers about topics like acne. When the band returns we hear Jasper Carrott’s hit Funky Moped along with hits made famous by the likes of Roy Orbison and Status Quo. Whilst the band are hugely talented it seems a shame to hearing them playing other peoples hits rather than their own. It was therefore a delight when they launched into ELO’s Mr Blue Sky and Don’t Bring Me Down.  Along with the encore of The Move’s Blackberry Way, the band left the best to last.

Jasper Carrott is one of Britain’s most loved comedians for a reason and he hasn’t lost his comedic touch. He is well worth seeing live and there is every opportunity to do so as he plans to do lots of dates through 2015. Bev Bevan and his band have more talent in their finger nails than the average BGT contestant has in total and they had the crowd clapping along. All in all, a thoroughly entertaining variety night.

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for the North East Theatre Guide by Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

Read the original North East Theatre Guide preview here

On Tour:

5 Jun STOKE ON TRENT Victoria Hall 0844 871 7649

7 Jun BROMLEY Churchill 0844 871 7620

10 Jun CANTERBURY Marlowe 01227 787787

11 Jun FOLKESTONE Leas Cliff Hall 0844 871 3015

12 Jun SALISBURY City Hall 01722 434434

13 Jun BARNSTAPLE Queens Theatre 01271 324242

17 Jun Forum Theatre, Malvern 01684 892277

18 Jun Forum Theatre, Malvern SOLD OUT

19 Jun SWANSEA Grand Theatre 01792 475715

20 Jun SOUTHPORT Theatre 0844 871 3021

23 Jun Swindon Wyvern Theatre 01793 524481

30 Jul Gawsworth Hall, Macclesfield01260 223456

31 Jul Kilworth House, Leicestershire 01858 881939

4 Sep Shanklin Theatre, Isle Of Wight 01983 868000

6 Sep Guildhall, Southampton 02380 632601

7 Sep Beck Theatre, Hayes 0208 561 8371

10 Sep Town Hall, Cheltenham 0844 576 2210

11 Sep Dorking Halls, Dorking 01306 881717

12 Sep Central Theatre, Chatham 01634 338338

13 Sep Princes Theatre, Clacton 01255 686633

16 Sep Plaza, Stockport 0161 477 7779

17 Sep Assembly Hall, Worthing 01903 206206

18 Sep Congress, Eastbourne 01323 412000

19 Sep Regent, Ipswich 01473 433100

20 Sep Marina Theatre, Lowestoft 01502 533200

10 Nov Princes Hall, Aldershot 01252 329155

11 Nov Corn Exchange, Bedford 01234 718044

13 Nov Babbacombe Theatre, Torquay 01803 328385

15 Nov Sands Centre, Carlisle 01228 633766

16 Nov Royal Hall, Harrogate 01423 502116

17 Nov Auditorium, Grimsby 0844 871 3016

18 Nov Spa Grand Hall, Scarborough 01723 821888

20 Nov Charter Theatre, Preston01772 804444

23 Nov Alban Arena, St Albans 01727 844488

26 Nov Winter Gardens, Margate 01843 292795

28 Nov Glades Arena, Kidderminster01684 892277

Review: Freeze FRAME at Newcastle Tyne Theatre

Freeze FRAME: The Illustrated Cinemas of Newcastle

Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Monday 1^stJune to Tuesday 30^th June

Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre & Opera House has had a number of interesting events on since the preservation trust set up an operating company to look after the running of the historic theatre. June sees the arrival of an art exhibition covering both this building’s past and that of many other much loved buildings.

Ben Holland has been working hard over the last two years trying to capture the spirit of Newcastle’s cinema scene.  His research took him to the local history archive at Newcastle libraries. When he asked for photographs of Newcastle’s cinemas past and present he was taken back by how many there were. He has concentrated on some the popular city centre establishments which the people of the North East will have taken to their hearts.

The chosen venues will be places that many will have fond memories of though it is a shame a number of them no longer exist or, like the Odeon, cease to operate.  The pieces in this exhibition cover the entire 20th century from the Westgate Picture House (now the O₂ Academy) in the 1920's through to Pilgrim Street's Odeon in the 1990's. In between the collection takes in the Paramount, Tyneside News Reel Theatre, Queens Cinerama, Pavilion, ABC Haymarket and, of course, the very venue it shall be exhibited in – in its previous incarnation as The Stoll Picture Theatre.

Each pen and ink drawing has been painstakingly crafted by Ben. The high level of detail in order to pick out each brick is admirable. On a larger scale they capture the emotion of an evening at the flicks with the crowds lining up outside awaiting a chance to go in. The scenes often feature a notable film in the life of that cinema: its first film in cinemascope or the last film shown.

For the first week of the exhibition, the pictures are being displayed on the stage of the theatre with fabulous music for some of the biggest films of the 20^th century in the background. After Friday 5^th June they will move to a gallery space within the theatre for midweek daytime viewing. See the box below for viewing dates and times. Each scene is also available for sale as a limited edition print so you can take a memory home too.

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for the North East Theatre Guide by Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

Original North East Theatre Guide Preview:

http://nomorepanicbutton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/preview-freeze-frame-at-tyne-theatre.html

Ben Holland is on the web:

Website: http://lowmoonoverhightown.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lmoht

Facebook: www.facebook.com/lowmoonoverhightown

FREE ENTRY. On Stage Exhibition: Mon 1st June from 7pm to 9pm, Tues 2nd - Friday 5th June from 10am to 3.30pm. Gallery Exhibition: From Mon 8th to Tues 30th June (Mon to Fri only) 10am to 3.30pm.

Venue On The Web:

Website: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tynetheatreandoperahouse

Twitter: twitter.com/tyneoperahouse

Theatre Address: 109 – 119 Westgate Road, Newcastle, NE1 4AG

Forthcoming events at The Tyne Theatre & Opera House include:

Geordie Legends: Them Off The Viz 5/8/15 North East Theatre Guide preview link

Pirates of Penzance 22-26/9/15 North East Theatre Guide preview link

Swan Lake 18/11/16 North East Theatre Guide preview link

Legally Blonde 23-28/11/15 North East Theatre Guide preview link

Circus of Horrors 13/2/16 North East Theatre Guide preview link

Elvis Years 28/4/16 North East Theatre Guide preview link

Simon & Garfunkel Story 5/5/16 North East Theatre Guide preview link