Preview: Dolly Mixtures at South Shields Customs House

Actress Mina Anwar Set To Direct ‘The Dolly Mixtures’ As Celebrated Show Returns To The Customs House

The Dolly Mixtures

South Shields Customs House

Wednesday 21st  - Saturday 31st August 2019

The Customs House is bringing The Dolly Mixtures back to the stage as part of its 25^th anniversary celebrations.

The heart-warming musical about eight ordinary north east women, who toured the male-dominated social clubs of the 1970s and 1980s to raise money for Cancer Research UK, first opened at The Customs House in August 2016.

Written by Jarrow playwright Tom Kelly, with music by John Miles, it will be directed by TV and West End star Mina Anwar, who was assistant director and choreographer on the original production and is delighted to be involved once again.

Mina, who will direct and choreograph the show, said: “I am honoured to be at the helm of this special production of The Dolly Mixtures for the 25^th anniversary celebrations of The Customs House, a theatre that cares about creating great work that truly reflects and honours its surrounding communities on and off stage.  This musical celebrates the true and extraordinary story of these north east women who challenged the male-dominated environment of the working men’s clubs of the 1970s and 1980s in order to raise money to fund hospital facilities, ground- breaking research and give much needed hope for those fighting cancer.   It’s a musical tale of great courage, support and love that will make you belly laugh and cry your heart out. A rare gem of a musical with lines and melodies that will stay with you long after you have left the theatre.”

Mina trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and received her TV break playing PC Maggie Habib in The Thin Blue Line, going on to appear in Casualty, Doctors, The Bill, Coronation Street and Doctor Who.  Her extensive theatre credits include Hair, The Vagina Monologues and most recently, the West End smash-hit Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.  She has just been cast in the stage adaptation of The Life of Pi at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield in June/July and the world premiere of The Thunder Girls at the Lowry Theatre in Salford in September.

Ray Spencer, Executive Director of The Customs House, said: “Mina is certainly in high demand and we are lucky to have her on board. I can’t wait to see Mina bring this special show back to The Customs House stage.”

The Dolly Mixtures were Margaret Graham, Hilda Joyce, Doris Ashcroft, Sylvia Nichols, Jean Smith, Liz Errington, Joan Lumsdale and Betty Dickinson, who formed an unbreakable bond during their 14 years together.  They broke down barriers, raising smiles, eyebrows and £100,000 along the way, receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award from Cancer Research UK in 2016.

Photos of the 2016 production: Tim Richardson

Tickets:

The Dolly Mixtures will run from Wednesday 21st August - Saturday 31st August 2019. Tickets, priced from £16, are available from the box office on (0191) 454 1234 or online at www.customshouse.co.uk.

Preview: A Brave Face at Hexham Queen’s Hall

A Brave Face

Hexham Queen’s Hall

Saturday 13^th April 2019

Award-winning Vamos Theatre, the UK’s leading full mask theatre company, is bringing its new production, A Brave Face, to Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham.

A Brave Face tells the story of Ryan, serving in Afghanistan in 2009. He’s there to see the world, learn a trade, get a life.  Training is complete, combat is a buzz; he’s part of a team, and knows his job. But on one particular hot and desperate tour of duty, Ryan sees things he can’t talk about, to anyone. And then, when he returns home, the trouble really begins.

For over two years, award-winning Vamos Theatre has collaborated with Veterans, serving personnel, military families and health professionals to create A Brave Face. The result is an honest and hugely compelling piece of theatre inspired by the hidden stories and personal journeys of those affected by and connected with Post Traumatic Stress. 

Sometimes raw, often funny, always compassionate, A Brave Face explores life in the military, the impact PTS can have on even the closest of families, and the slow but steady search for hope. 

Vamos Theatre is praised by press and public alike for its engaging storytelling, emotional insight and accessibility. The company continues to involve and engage audiences across borders and boundaries, taking on challenging themes with humour and humanity. 

Artistic Director Rachael Savage has been at the forefront of the research, which has seen her meeting not only Veterans, but their families, serving personnel, and organisations and professionals who support those living with PTS. 

Rachael comments, “We want A Brave Face to show honestly what PTS is and can mean to soldiers and to their families, who often find themselves on the frontline in coping with the condition: they deal with the trauma, as well as instability, social isolation, loneliness - often with no support. The input of those who have helped us make the show has been invaluable - at every stage their generosity continues to be extraordinary, particularly those for whom discussing PTS can be in itself traumatic.”

Consultants on the production include veterans of Afghanistan, Iraq and Northern Ireland, as well as organisations at the forefront of PTS support, such as Help for Heroes, Veterans First and the pioneering Recovery Centre, Chavasse VC House, many of whom are leading the way in instigating new approaches to healing psychological injury

The production is suitable for audiences aged 12 years up and accessible to hearing and deaf audiences alike.

Tickets:

A Brave Face will be at the Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham on Saturday 13 April at 7.30pm. Tickets are £10.00, and £7.50 for students, and available from the Box Office 01434 652477 or online at www.queenshall.co.uk/events/brave-face.

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Preview: Floorboards at Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

EXCITING NEW CO-PRODUCTION COMING TO ALPHABETTI

Floorboards

Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

Tuesday 7^th - Saturday 18^th May 2019

Two of the region's most exciting theatre companies are joining forces to bring a brand new dark comedy to Alphabetti Theatre this spring!

Both ODDMANOUT Theatre Company and The Worriers are coming together to present 'Floorboards', a new play about how far someone is willing to be pushed before they break.

If enough people walk over a floorboard, one day it will crack.

The play written by Steve Byron, writer of Walter and co-writer of recent success Bacon Knees and Sausage Fingers explores those who walk over others and those who are walked over. Those that have a big voice and little to say and those who have so much to say but little or no voice to say it with. Those that push buttons and those who’s buttons are pushed.

Floorboard’s tells the story of James, a kind soul who offered a spare room to Nellist, an old school friend for a few days. That was two years ago and Nellist is still there, bringing his chaotic and sometime dangerous life to James door. Near to breaking point, James dreams of his quiet life back but Nellist, one of life’s leeches has tapped into James vein and has no intention of letting go till there’s nothing left.

We’re just two lost souls swimming in a fish bowl, year after year. Pink Floyd

James was such a nice man, a quiet man. Would do anything for anyone. A bit of a worrier though. Always worried what other people thought. The other one? He was far from a quiet. Only looked out for No. 1 and never gave a damn what anyone else thought. I didn’t care for that one at all. I am shocked by what happened, but not surprised       A Neighbour

Tickets:

Floorboards opens at Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre Tuesday 7^th May 2019 and runs until Saturday 18^th May (with no shows Sunday and Monday 12th/13th)

Show Begins: 7:30pm
Tickets: Pay What You Feel
Age Recommendation:14+
Running Time: 1 hour 30 mins, including interval

Theatre details: www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk  

Tickets are Pay what you Feel and are available from: TICKET LINK

Previe: Annie at Newcastle Theatre Royal

SMASH HIT MUSICAL ANNIE RETURNS TO NEWCASTLE STARRING ANITA DOBSON

Annie

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Monday 8^th – Saturday 13^th April 2019

The smash hit production of the musical Annie returns to Newcastle Theatre Royal this month due to popular demand, with EastEnders star Anita Dobson as the tyrannical ‘Miss Hannigan’.  You can bet your bottom dollar it’ll be spectacular! Monday 8^th – Saturday 13^th April 2019.

Produced by Newcastle’s own Michael Harrison Annie proved a Box Office smash when it debuted at the Theatre Royal back in 2015.  The show then went on to complete a sell-out tour of the UK and Ireland in 2015/16 followed by a blockbuster season in Toronto and an extended season in the West End.

More spectacular than ever before, this new tour features an all new cast led by Anita Dobson and includes Alex Bourne as ‘Oliver Warbucks’, Richard Meek as ‘Rooster’, Jenny Gayner as ‘Lily’ and Carolyn Maitland as ‘Grace Farrell’. The title role of ‘Annie’ is shared by Faye Katsande, Ava Smith and Freya Yates. They are joined by three teams of young performers who play the girls in Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. 

As Angie Watts in EastEnders, Anita Dobson created one of the most popular characters in television winning numerous awards. Her West End theatre credits include ‘Madame Morrible’ in Wicked, ‘Mama Morton’ in Chicago, ‘Mrs Meers’ in Thoroughly Modern Mille, ‘Chris’ in Calendar Girls, ‘Joan Crawford’ in Bette and Joan and ‘Nancy’ in Frozen at the National Theatre for which she was nominated for an Olivier, Evening Standard and London Critics Award. Her film credits include London Road.

Alex Bourne reprises his performance as ‘Oliver Warbucks’ after playing the role in this production of Annie in the West End, Toronto and on the 2015/16 tour. His many other West End credits include ‘Danny’ in Grease, ‘The Beast’ in Beauty and the Beast, ‘Billy Flynn’ in Chicago, ‘Khashoggi’ in We Will Rock You and Fred/Petruchio in Kiss Me, Kate for which he received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical.

Set in 1930s New York during The Great Depression, brave young Annie is forced to live a life of misery and torment at Miss Hannigan’s orphanage. Determined to find her real parents, her luck changes when she is chosen to spend Christmas at the residence of famous billionaire, Oliver Warbucks. Spiteful Miss Hannigan has other ideas and hatches a plan to spoil Annie’s search…

With its award-winning book and score, this stunning new production includes the unforgettable songs it’s the Hard Knock Life, Easy Street, I Don’t Need Anything But You and Tomorrow.

Annie has Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Martin Charnin and a Book by Thomas Meehan. Annie is directed by Nikolai Foster with set and costume design by Colin Richmond, choreography by Nick Winston, lighting by Ben Cracknell and sound design by Richard Brooker. Annie is produced by Michael Harrison and David Ian.

Tickets:

Annie comes to Newcastle Theatre Royal between Monday 8 and Saturday 13 April 2019 playing evenings at 7.30pm and matinees Thu 2pm and Sat 2.30pm. Tickets from £21 can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge) or book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Preview: Forgotten Broadway 2 at South Shields Customs House

 Charities Set To Benefit From Fundraising Show

Forgotten Broadway 2

South Shields Customs House

Sunday 26^th May 2019

Two charities are set to benefit from a show celebrating the lesser-known hits of much-loved Broadway musicals.

Forgotten Broadway 2 comes to The Customs House at 7.30pm on Sunday 26^th May following the success of the smash-hit original production in 2017.

Angie Comerford, team leader and chairperson at 

Hebburn Helps, with volunteer Jean Marriott 

and Gareth Hunter.

The show is being put together by Gareth Hunter, of Ion Productions, in aid of Hebburn Helps Community Food Bank and Crisis Response Team and The Customs House Trust, which is the charity behind The Customs House.

Gareth said: “The last Forgotten Broadway was a sell-out two years ago and tickets for Forgotten Broadway 2 are expected to be snapped up very quickly.  This is a whole new show of forgotten or lesser-known numbers from Broadway musicals and features a fantastic line-up of singers and dancers.”

Gareth said he was keen for the charities supported by the show to be local to the north east, so the money and support stayed in the area.  He added: “Hebburn Helps is a fantastic volunteer-led charity that is helping local people through some of the hardest times, providing not only essential food supplies, but also support to these families.  The Customs House is a fantastic venue that has provided so many people, including myself, with fantastic opportunities over the years. It not only nurtures local talent, but also works hard to provide entertainment and engagement with its audience.”

Jo Durkin, founder and team leader at Hebburn Helps, which is based in Campbell Park Road, Hebburn, said: “Hebburn Helps is thrilled to have been chosen as beneficiaries of Forgotten Broadway 2 at The Customs House.  Without the support of local people within our community and local businesses, Hebburn Helps Community Food Bank and Crisis Response Team would not be able to operate.”

Ray Spencer, Executive Director of The Customs House, said: “We are honoured that Gareth has chosen to support The Customs House Trust. The last event was a great success and I’m sure audience members will love this show too.”

Tickets:

Tickets for Forgotten Broadway 2 are priced from £15 and are available from the box office on (0191) 454 1234 or online at www.customshouse.co.uk.

News: The Foundry

Forging Links For A New Community Theatre Company

Darlington Hippodrome is to team up with ODDMANOUT Theatre Company to create a dynamic new community theatre company called The Foundry.

Darlington Hippodrome is to strengthen links with local theatre production company ODDMANOUT to create a dynamic new community theatre company to be called The Foundry.

During the 18 month restoration of the Hippodrome the theatre and ODDMANOUT worked closely together on two major projects alongside performers from the local community creating a full-scale production of the Charles Dickens classic ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ and an immersive theatre experience titled ‘Anywhere’ which took place around the new Hippodrome building taking audiences on a 50 minute tour of the new venue and introducing characters that shaped the history of the theatre.

Following a successful bid to Arts Council England and support from Creative Darlington, The Foundry will build upon the desire shown by local performers who were involved in the two previous projects. The Foundry will open it's doors in 2019 to regional performers to embark on a 36 week programme of professional training and workshops across a range of dynamic contemporary theatre practice developed by ODDMANOUT through it's work across the globe over the last five years.

Scott Young from ODDMANOUT Theatre Company said “We are thrilled to be working with Darlington Hippodrome to offer a bespoke new training opportunity to local talent at The Foundry. It has always been our ambition to make the company's work as open and accessible as possible, The Foundry is the next phase of our work in achieving this. We want to be part of emerging artists' journey as they forge their careers and grow as theatre makers, and to be able to do this in our home town of Darlington is an exciting time in our organisations growth.”

The Foundry will meet on Tuesday evenings at the Hippodrome for three 12 week terms. To find out more about The Foundry and how to get involved please visit the Hippodrome website www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Preview: The Shape of the Pain at Newcastle Northern Stage

China Plate presents: The Shape of the Pain Newcastle Northern Stage Friday 5th April 2019 Developed by Rachel Bagshaw and Chris Thorpe Written by Chris Thorpe Directed by Rachel Bagshaw With an original score by Melanie Wilson Chris Thorpe and Rachel Bagshaw’s Fringe First award-winning show about a love affair seen through the eyes of someone with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome returns for UK tour.

“a smart, funny and far from disconsolate inquiry into the knowability of someone else’s experience” **** Sunday Times

This Spring, writer Chris Thorpe and director Rachel Bagshaw’s Fringe First award-winning show about trying to communicate something unknowable returns for a UK tour, interweaving Rachel’s personal experiences of living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) with a fictional narrative about a love affair.

With an original score from Melanie Wilson (When We Have Sufficiently Tortured Each Other) and video design from Joshua Pharo (nominated for a 2019 Offie Award), alongside fully integrated captioning and audio description, The Shape of the Pain attempts to explain what Rachel’s chronic pain sounds like, looks like and feels like. Performed by Hannah McPake, The Shape of the Pain explores the concept of never-ending pain and the unexpected joy that can be found whilst living with it.

The Shape of the Pain follows a woman who attempts to express the physical pain that she lives with day in and day out. When she meets someone new, they have to learn how to navigate life, love and the pain together. Pain is notoriously tricky for doctors to analyse, requiring patients to give subjective reports of what they feel, and how much; The Shape of the Pain asks whether others can ever really understand our pain. The production was made in consultation with Rachel’s doctor, a consultant in pain at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, as well as other clinical professionals. The show premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2017 before performances at Battersea Arts Centre in early 2018 and will be embarking on its first UK tour this Spring, opening at Wilton’s Music Hall.

Rachel Bagshaw said: “The Shape of the Pain is a unique experience for an audience, as they gradually become immersed in the extra-sensory world which I experience with my condition. The show feels hugely important as we endeavour to engage with how we talk about pain, and how the shadows it can create also let in colour and light. Using creative access as part of the aesthetic also opens the show up to all audiences”. 

Rachel Bagshaw makes innovative theatre which uses sound to tell stories. Directing credits include: Augmented (Sophie Woolley/Ovalhouse), Icons (WOW Festival Hull), Hamlet, (Young Vic), Resonance at the Still Point of Change (Unlimited Festival, South Bank Centre), The Rhinestone Rollers, Just Me, Bell (Graeae), Rachel is Associate Director at the Unicorn Theatre and an Associate Artist at the Bush Theatre and Wilton’s, and Director of Access to Acting.at RADA. Also in development: Disappear in collaboration with Verity Standen, with text by Lulu Raczka (China Plate). 

Chris Thorpe is an award-winning playwright and theatre maker. He is Associate Artist at the Royal Exchange, Manchester - work for them includes There Has Possibly Been An Incident and The Mysteries. Other theatre work includes Victory Condition and The Milk of Human Kindness for the Royal Court and Beowulf for the Unicorn. He also has ongoing collaborations with Lucy Ellinson (TORYCORE), mala voadora (Overdrama/House-Garden/Dead End/Your Best Guess) and Hannah Jane Walker (The Oh Fuck Moment/I Wish I Was Lonely). Chris was a founder member of Unlimited Theatre and is an Associate of Live Art/ Theatre company Third Angel. This March Chris’ one-man show Status, produced by China Plate and developed with and directed by Rachel Chavkin, will tour the UK from 20^th March – 5^th June.

China Plate is an independent theatre studio launched in 2006 that works with artists, venues, festivals and funders to challenge the way performance is made, who it’s made by and who gets to experience it. The company are also Associate Producers at Warwick Arts Centre where they develop and commission new work, Artistic Associates at the New Wolsey Theatre where they are Directors of PULSE Festival, Programmers of New Directions (the NRTF showcase), and producers of innovative development programmes including The Darkroom, The Optimists (producer training) and The First Bite and Bite Size Festivals and partners with The Place, The NRTF and Take Art on the Rural Touring Dance Initiative.

On The Web:

@youroldchina

@rachel_bagshaw

@piglungs

www.chinaplatetheatre.com

Creatives:

Developed by Rachel Bagshaw and Chris Thorpe

Directed by Rachel Bagshaw                                                    

Written by Chris Thorpe
Original score by Melanie Wilson                                            

 Designed by Madeleine Girling             

Video and Lighting Design by Joshua Pharo                           

Movement by Raquel Meseguer
Access/Audio Description Consulting by Michael Achtman 

Produced by China Plate

Cast: Hannah McPake

Tickets:

5 April at Newcastle  Northern Stage  7.45pm

£15.50 - £10

www.northernstage.co.uk

Box Office: 0191 230 5151

Running Time: 70 minutes

Suitable for ages 14+

Accessibility: Captioning and audio description are integrated into the show