Preview: Rattle Snake 2018 UK tour

Award Winning Drama Returns

 

Open Clasp and Live Theatre present:

Rattle Snake 2018 UK tour

New play tackling coercive controlling domestic abuse from the makers of critically-acclaimed prison drama Key Change

A sharp, moving and unflinching play based on the real life stories of women who have faced and survived coercive controlling domestic abuse, Rattle Snake opens at Soho Theatre, 8-19 May before a national tour.

Photo Keith Pattison

The follow up to the critically-acclaimed Key Change, winner of the prestigious Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award, The Best New Writing Award from the North East Theatre Guide and a New York Times Critics’ Pick, Rattle Snake is written by Catrina McHugh MBE and directed by Charlotte Bennett, associate director at Soho Theatre.

Photo Keith Pattison

Coinciding with the change in UK law in 2015 making coercive control in relationships a crime, Rattle Snake was originally developed as part of a training programme for frontline police officers in Durham.

Durham Police, Crime & Victims’ Commissioner Ron Hogg said: “This play was an innovative approach to training here in Durham. It provided front-line officers with a unique opportunity to learn through theatre, so that they would further understand coercive control in domestic abuse, and the day-to-day incidents which victims suffer though this appalling crime.”

Photo Keith Pattison

As with Key Change which was created with women serving at HMP Low Newton in County Durham, Rattle Snake was inspired by the women who put their trust in Open Clasp to tell their stories. Writer and Artistic Director Catrina McHugh MBE explains, “Rattle Snake was created by Open Clasp to train frontline police officers in Co. Durham in better responding to sexual and domestic abuse, coinciding with the change in UK law in 2015 making coercive control in relationships a crime. Officers sat in bullet proof vests, daring us to make an impact and we did. During its premier in 2017, an audience member said they had never felt such a visceral response to a show before, a collective intake of breath, unable to turn away or to predict what was next. This play matters because we find ourselves in 2018, living in a world where some still feel a sense of entitlement to take away another person’s liberty, to control, threaten and annihilate. Live Theatre and Open Clasp will now take this show to audiences across the UK, with change at its heart.”

Photo Keith Pattison

As part of the tour, Open Clasp is urging audiences to take action by visiting their website (www.openclasp.org.uk) to download their Action Toolkit, suggesting ways to join the conversation and help to combat violence against women and girls.

Christina Berriman-Dawson will play Suzy. Christina was one of the cast of four in Open Clasp’s hitplay Key Change, and has also worked with Director Charlotte Bennett at Forward Theatre. Eilidh Talman, one of the original cast members in the police training sessions, will play Jen.

Photo Keith Pattison

Director Charlotte Bennett said, “Rattle Snake is a thrilling and unsettling show which highlights the impact of coercive control on victims who no longer want to be victims but who continue to be trapped by their circumstances. It gives these women a voice and opens up a conversation about an element of domestic abuse which is widely unrecognised and seemingly ‘invisible.’ I am incredibly proud of what this show evokes in our audiences; the frustration and injustice it often makes them feel and the potential this show has to create a genuine attitude change towards a complex and vital subject.”

Photo Keith Pattison

Graeme Thompson, Creative Producer, Live Theatre added, “Live Theatre is delighted to continue its long association with Open Clasp to bring back Rattle Snake, a brilliant and important play which shook audiences to their core on its tour in 2017. Based on the true stories of women who have suffered and survived controlling relationships, this play returns at a pivotal moment where vital conversations about how to challenge coercive control, harassment and abuse are happening worldwide. We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Open Clasp to present this beautiful piece of theatre, touring to Soho Theatre, London and reaching audiences (including police officers) nationally at community venues.”

Rattle Snake will open at Soho Theatre in London (8-19 May, 2018) before touring to venues including Theatre Deli, Sheffield (29 May), Gala Theatre, Durham (30 May) and Live Theatre, Newcastle (5-9 June), and to community venues, with more tour dates to be confirmed. For more information visit www.openclasp.org.uk.

Creative Team:

Writer Catrina McHugh MBE

Director Charlotte Bennett

Designer Anna Reid

Sound designer Roma Yagnik

Lighting designer Ali Hunter

Cast:

Suzy: Christina Berriman Dawson

Jen: Eilidh Talman

Age Recommendation: 15+

Tour dates:

8-19 May, London Soho Theatre, https://sohotheatre.com/shows/rattle-snake

29 May, Sheffield Theatre Deli, https://www.theatredeli.co.uk/where-to-find-sheffield

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/rattle-snake-tickets-44594023926

30 May, Durham Gala Theatre, https://www.galadurham.co.uk/galapost/rattle-snake

1 June, Oldham Library https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rattle-snake-tickets-43847346594

5-9 June, Newcastle Live Theatre, https://www.live.org.uk/whats-on/rattle-snake-0

Plus community venues

Preview: Testosterone

Rhum and Clay Theatre Company and Kit Redstone present Testosterone

Testosterone

Thursday 3 May 2018 – Arts Centre Washington

Friday 4 May 2018 – The Witham, Barnard Castle

Saturday 5 May 2018 - Bishop Auckland Town Hall

Award-winning physical theatre company Rhum and Clay head to the North East soon after a critically acclaimed and award winning run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August 2017, where they were presented as part of the British Council Showcase, with their game-changing show Testosterone created as an exciting collaboration with darkly comic transgender theatre writer and director Kit Redstone.

What does it mean to be a man or a woman?

Is gender innate or is it nurtured?

Kit is in an amusing and unique position, having transitioned from female to male in his early thirties, he has experienced adult life on both sides of the gender fence, giving him the opportunity to notice what differences there are in how he is treated by society - what he gains and what he loses by becoming a man. He is also able to choose exactly what kind of man he wants to be without the usual influences of a gendered upbringing. With this refreshingly honest and irreverent physical theatre comedy by critically acclaimed company Rhum and Clay and darkly comic theatre writer and director Kit Redstone, Testosterone explores the sometimes toxic world of men and looks at the benefits and restraints Kit has observed whilst becoming a man.

What kind of 'man' are you?

Multi-layered and gripping physical theatre piece is much more than what Redstone wickedly satirises as another story about “brave little trans soldiers” which reminds us that transitioning is a beginning not an ending. - Lyn Gardner

Photo: Luke Forsythe

Part of the 2017 British Council Edinburgh Showcase this show combines storytelling, comedy and physical theatre – with the powerful writing and true story of transgender performer Kit Redstone – Testosterone offers an intimate, life-enhancing glimpse into Kit's unique perspective on life, love and laughs. It also tells a powerful story about gender itself, charting Kit's own experiences as a new man stepping for the first time into the world of masculinity.

The show's also sets a new benchmark in accessible theatre and inspiring others to take up the cause. At the forefront of the UK's transgender theatre movement, Kit's work is leading the way towards making more inclusive and respectful theatre.

For Rhum and Clay this show follows Edinburgh smash-hit 64 Squares, which received wide critical acclaim. They have also presented Hardboiled, The Man in the Moone and The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Lyn Gardner recently described how the company ‘Rhum and Clay have come of age’ and Broadway Baby says 'With Testosterone, Rhum and Clay have proven themselves to be one of the most exciting and engaging theatre companies currently working in Britain.'

Running Time 90 mins (no interval) 

Suitable for ages 16+

On The Web:

www.rhumandclay.com  

@rhumandclay

www.kitredstone.com

@KitRedstone

These performances are part of REACH, a project bringing new theatre to the North East managed by ARC Stockton and funded by Arts Council England.

North East Tour Dates:

Thursday 3 May 2018, 7.30pm – Arts Centre Washington

0191 561 3455 / www.artscentrewashington.co.uk

Friday 4 May 2018, 8pm – The Witham, Barnard Castle

01833 631107 / www.thewitham.org.uk

Saturday 5 May 2018, 7.30pm - Bishop Auckland Town Hall

03000 269524 / www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk

Preview: Customs House’s new season includes two world premieres

Customs House’s new season includes two world premieres

Peter Mitchell,  Andrew Finnigan & 

Ray Spencer launch Customs House new season

The Customs House in South Shields is delighted to announce news of its exciting forthcoming season of events.  From Strictly Come Dancing stars Pasha and Giovanni, music legend Tony Christie and One Woman Sex and the City - to Stuart Maconie telling his tale of retracing the steps of the Jarrow March, Seriously Dead starring Crissy Rock and Tommy Cannon as well as regular Jason Cook with his ever popular Comedy Club - there is sure to be something to please every taste.

The Customs House has also revealed details of a World Premiere that is launching there in August - the stage version of the iconic hit TV show When the Boat Comes In that has been turned into a play by Peter Mitchell, the son of the original writer James Mitchell.

Andrew Finnigan as Lecky in My Uncle Freddie

As well as this, organisers are thrilled to bring a comedy play based on the hit Radio 4 series, My Uncle Freddie to the stage for the first time, that will star local lad Andrew Finnigan alongside Pitmen Painters star Chris Connel.

To celebrate the centenary of the ending of the Great War, The Customs House has specially commissioned the first ever stage adaptation of the iconic television drama series, When The Boat Comes In that will run from 16 - 25 August.

The landmark and much loved series, created by writer and novelist James Mitchell, was the first mainstream TV drama to be set in the North East and at its peak achieved 15 million viewers, won national acclaim, and found a permanent place in the hearts of hundreds of thousands of northerners everywhere.

When The Boat Comes In has been generously supported by Colmans of South Shields.

Set in 1930s Jarrow My Uncle Freddie will run 17 – 21 July and follows the adventures of 10 year old Lecky and his family including his imaginative Uncle Freddie. Written by acclaimed writer and Customs house Academy Fellow Alex Ferguson, the play celebrates the human spirit, humour and community of the North East.

Chris Connel and Andrew Finnigan play Uncle Freddie and Lecky. Chris was in The Pitman Painters which had great success on Broadway and Andrew started his acting career at the Customs House Youth Theatre. His next job, written by Broken Biscuits writer Tom Wells, also toured and sold out at The Customs House. He now comes full circle, performing in his first Customs House Production.

Executive Director of The Customs House, Ray Spencer, says “I am truly thrilled to bring recently inducted Customs House Fellow, Alex Ferguson’s radio series My Uncle Freddie to the stage for the first time in July. And, if that’s not enough, hit TV show When the Boat Comes In is being turned into a play by Peter Mitchell, the son of original writer James Mitchell for its premiere in August.”

Preview: Joan Collins: Unscripted at Newcastle Tyne Theatre

Joan Collins: Unscripted

Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Sunday 16^th September 2018

Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre & Opera House are delighted to announce that global superstar Dame Joan Collins will bring her one-woman show, Unscripted, to their stage on Sunday 16th September.

Joan Collins Unscripted will see audiences enthralled and titillated as Dame Joan reveals some of the exciting stories and secrets from her life long career. This ageless beauty, with dry wit and a wry, knowing smile, who became a household name during the 80’s on the long running US soap Dynasty will present an intimate first person narrative, of a behind the scenes tell all on her life, loves and Hollywood, delivered with her usual healthy cynicism and fun outlook.

As an author and actress, Joan’s own delightful tales can easily compete with the most salacious of storylines. Her show will include an audience question and answer session. This show provides fans with a once in a lifetime opportunity to spend an entertaining and unforgettable evening in the company of a true legend of stage and screen.

Originally RADA trained, British born Dame Joan first appeared on the big screen in 1950’s Hollywood, where her classical stage training prepared her for some major movie roles. In the late 70’s she appeared as a sexy siren in The Bitch and The Stud, written by her sister, the award winning novelist Jackie Collins. Moving from big screen to TV in the early 80’s, Joan joined the cast of Dynasty with a lead role in the show that earned her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a Golden Globe Award. 

In 2015 Collins was made a Dame. In the years that have followed Joan has toured her ‘Audience With’ shows, returned to stage and screen, including playing the fictitious Queen Mother in the E! spoof soap The Royals. She is the patron of numerous charitable activities including campaigns for Unicef and has her own Timeless Beauty cosmetics range. 2018 will see Dame Joan join the cast of American Horror Story.

Theatre Director Joanne Johnson says: “Wow, what an honour it is to welcome Hollywood icon Dame Joan Collins to our stage! She is an incredible woman and this show will be an unforgettable experience. We have another screen legend, Brian Blessed with us in September for ‘An Evening With’ so it’s looking to be a very exciting month! I’m so glad we can bring these shows to our stage so that the people of Newcastle can enjoy an evening in the company of their heroes in our beautiful, intimate theatre.”

Tickets are priced £45.50, £43 & £39

Tickets are available now to members of the Tyne Theatre’s Friend’s Club via pre-sale. More information about the Friends Club can be found at www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk

Tickets on general sale Wednesday 2^nd May at 10am.

The Tyne Theatre & Opera House Box Office is open 10am-3:30pm Monday to Friday and event days.  Booking and Information Line: 0844 2491 000 (10am – 6pm Monday to Friday).

Tickets will be available online from our affiliate Eventim UK using the following link: http://bit.ly/JoanCollinsTyne.

Preview: The Last Five Years at Newcastle Alphabetti

Alphabetti’s First Musical - The Last Five Years

The Oxi Morons presents The Last Five Years – A Musical and a Masterclass

The Last Five Years – The Musical

Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

Tuesday 8^th - Saturday 12^th May 2018

The Off-Broadway musical that ingeniously chronicles the modern-day five-year life of a marriage comes to #Alphabetti’s stage! Simultaneously fall in and out of love with Cathy and Jamie throughout an intimate evening of stripped-back song and story-telling.

“The Last Five Years” was an easy choice for the Oxi Morons first North East production, as it’s a show full of contradictions: are either of the two ill-fated lovers ever really in the right or in the wrong? Whose truth is the reality? Cathy and Jamie will share snapshot memories from within this timeline, proving that fault or blame can sometimes be more difficult to place than it first seems.

Written and composed by Jason Robert Brown

Originally produced for the New York Stage by Arielle Tepper and Marty Bell

Originally produced by Northlight Theatre, Chicago, USA

Performed by arrangement with MTI Europe ltd.  

Tickets:

Show begins: 7.30pm

Tickets: £8.00 https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/235546  

Age recommendation: 14+

The Last Five Years - Musical Theatre Masterclass

Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

Wednesday 9^th - Friday 11^th May 2018

Join the team behind the hugely anticipated The Last 5 Years (the first musical at Alphabetti!) in this musical theatre Masterclass.

The Masterclass will cover how to prepare for auditions and showcases, incorporating acting into a musical performance with professional guidance and advice.

There will also be the opportunity to perform that very evening! After watching the performance of The Last 5 Years, you will then take to the stage presenting what you worked on during the Masterclass. Bring your friends and family along to the show to see you in action!

Tickets: Masterclass begins: 11.00am - 3.30pm

Tickets: £10.00 *includes ticket to show* https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/event/237280  

Age recommendation: All

*Please prepare a song or speech*

News: Poetry and Music Create “Bridges” between Newcastle and Warsaw

Poetry and Music Create “Bridges” between Newcastle and Warsaw

Dennis Westgate, 81, is a composer and writer of musicals. During his time at Breeze Creatives in Market Street, he has met poets Adam Siemieńczyk and Grażyna Winniczuk who became very interested in his music.

Dennis & Grażyna 

Dennis was overwhelmed to be invited to a launch of Adam’s and Grażyna’s book of poetry Mosty (Bridges) in Poland. The Premiere was to be on World Poetry Day at Dom Literatury (Literary House) in Warsaw. He played his music to accompany the reading of the poetry at the Premiere.

During the visit, Dennis was given a whistle-stop tour of community centres, and an Orthodox church, helped with a poetry workshop in Białystok, visited Bialowieża National Park, played piano at a book reading with crafts in Książnica Podlask (a library in Bialystok),  and visited  Podlasie Opera and Philharmonic. This was a lot for the 81 year old to experience in a short visit but he enjoyed every moment, except perhaps the sauerkraut!

Dennis Westgate - Photo: Carliol Photography

Dennis had the opportunity to meet with publishers, directors and performers during his visit. He said, “The Polish love their poetry, it was an honour to be involved with this occasion and it seems there will more opportunities to collaborate with artists in Poland. “

Dennis is the head of Tyne Music Ltd at Breeze Creatives, where he has a recording studio and a team working to get his musicals on stage.

News: Bravo 22 Company Unspoken set to tour venues across the UK.

PIONEERING THEATRE PROJECT HEADS OUT ON UK TOUR FOLLOWING SUCCESS AT NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL

Following the success of Bravo 22 Company’s performance of Unspoken at Newcastle Theatre Royal as part of last year’s Remembrance Day celebrations, the emotional production is now set to tour venues across the UK.

Bravo 22 Company - an award-winning recovery through the arts programme made possible by The Royal British Legion and The Drive Project – will be performing Unspoken at the Pleasance Beyond as part of the Edinburgh Festival from Tuesday 21^st – Monday 27^th August before heading to Birmingham Hippodrome’s Patrick Studio on Monday 8^th – Tuesday 9^th October 2018. Unspoken will then have the honour of being the last performance at the House of Commons on Tuesday 16^th October before closing the tour in London with further dates to be announced.

Directed by Newcastle Theatre Royal’s Phil Hoffmann and written by Gary Kitching, Unspoken features a courageous cast of Veterans and their families that worked with the theatre’s creative production team and The Drive Project. The production has recently been shortlisted for an Arts Culture Award at The Journal Culture Awards with the winner to be announced at a glittering ceremony on 24 May at Hexham Abbey.

Based upon the company’s real life memories and experiences, Unspoken is a hilarious, yet heart wrenching tale of love, loss, and hope and will see Bravo 22 Company return to the Edinburgh Festival where it previously performed The Two Worlds of Charlie F.

The cast of Unspoken includes Dave Shaw, David Griffin, Debbie Evans, Ian Rudge, Jez Sarrett, Ken Belringer, Larraine Smith, Linda Shaw, Luke Delahunty, Matt Wightman, Mick Carroll, Micky Goble, Simon Graham, Steve Shaw and Tip Cullen. Since Tips’ initial debut with Bravo 22 Company, he has started working as a professional actor and has been cast in several Hollywood films. Larraine Smith was part of Gareth Malone’s Military Wives Choir. Luke Delahunty recently won The People’s Choice prize at the 2018 Soldiering on Awards hosted in April.

Long term member of the Bravo 22 Company, Steve Shaw says: “Performing in Edinburgh with Charlie F was an amazing experience. We sold out the Pleasance Beyond venue and had standing ovations for every show so it’s great to be going back with Unspoken. Being part of the Bravo 22 Company for the last six years has given me so many opportunities, it's built up my confidence, taught me new skills and introduced me to new people. I can’t wait to go back to the Festival”.

Bravo 22 Company delivers arts projects across the country with regional theatres and has built up a proud history of creating high quality pieces of theatre which have provided a platform for the wounded, injured and sick Service personnel voices to be heard, providing a safe and encouraging environment to share their stories.

Actor Ray Winstone is The Drive Project and Bravo 22 Company’s Ambassador. He said: “Bravo 22 Company is a project I have been involved with since it began in 2011 and saw the success of its original production, The Two Worlds of Charlie F. I am delighted that due to this success it now delivers theatre and arts projects around the country to benefit the recovery of wounded, injured and sick service personnel, veterans, reservists and their families.”

Tickets:

Unspoken is playing at Pleasance Beyond Tuesday 21 – Monday 27 August 2018 – for tickets visit www.pleasance.co.uk or call 0207 609 1800 – and Patrick Studio, Birmingham Hippodrome Theatre Monday 8 – Tuesday 9 October 2018 – for tickets visit www.birminghamhippodrome.com or call 0844 338 5000.