REVIEW: Hair – The Musical at Sunderland Empire

Hair – The Musical

Sunderland Empire

Until Saturday 11th May 2019

Book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado

Music by Galt MacDermot

Tickets: http://bit.ly/HAIRSundrlnd #Ad

Hair is at the Sunderland Empire this week on its 50th anniversary tour of the UK. Full of hippy charm and late 60s attitude, this show will appeal to some.  The ensemble cast were 100% committed to the production and their warmth was felt by the second act.

I remember reading Tom Wolfe’s Kool Aid Acid Test about a hippy’s journey in the late 60s and, to be honest,  I couldn't make sense of some of it due to the hallucinogenic rambling and contemporary language. I'm not a summer of love 60s child. This tale of dropping out and dodging the draft to Vietnam left me in a similar state, particularly at the interval. The show was shocking back then, perhaps it still has that power now - only different things may shock.  The racism is perhaps more disturbing than the swearing, nudity, drug use, casual relationships or use of a flag nowadays.

The show starts with introductions and far out tales, some of the cast breaking the fourth wall to talk direct to the audience. This extended set of "who am I"s across the ensemble feel like the opening to a classic pantomime. Eventually we trip into their dreams and sub-consciousness. The reality often blurring at the edges.

The live band are up on the stage. Three of them on festival style platforms. It was a really tight band, under Musical Director Gareth Bretherton, and the music was generally a high point for me.

The rest of the set is surrounded by colourful strips that came into their own when the UV lamps were switched on in at 2.

Act 2 was less bewildering.  As Claude (Paul WIlkins) makes decisions whether or not to continue to drop out or join the army. At least now the hallucinations were clearly marked as such.

There were some real highlights in the score, with 3 great songs from my childhood, Aquarius in act 1 and Good Morning Starshine and Let The Sun Shine In in act 2 standing out.  The choreography, from William Whelton, and movement of the cast was interesting.

But, as nice as the cast were, did I like or identify with the characters? Probably not.  It left me thinking: how will people react to something like Irving Welsh's Trainspotting in 30 years time?

I wanted to see Hair. I read a number of accounts about it over the years. In that respect I'm glad I did. Now can I recommend it? It isn't universal. It still has an audience but you'll only find out if you see it I guess.

Review by Stephen Oliver

Photos: Johan Persson

Tickets: Tickets are available from the theatre box office and online from ATG Tickets: http://bit.ly/HAIRSundrlnd #Ad

Preview: Noughts & Crosses at Newcastle Northern Stage

“Why love, if losing hurts so much?”

Co-production with Derby Theatre, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Mercury Theatre Colchester and York Theatre Royal 

Pilot Theatre present 

Noughts & Crosses 

By Malorie Blackman

Newcastle Northern Stage

Tuesday 7^th – Saturday 11^th May 2019

Adapted by Sabrina Mahfouz

Directed by Esther Richardson

Following their critically acclaimed production earlier this year with Bryony Lavery’s adaptation of Graham Greene’s Brighton Rock, Pilot Theatre will premiere in February 2019 Sabrina Mahfouz’s exciting new adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s critically acclaimed young adult novel of first love in a dangerous fictional dystopia – Noughts & Crosses.  

Directed by Pilot Theatre’s Artistic Director Esther Richardson (Brighton Rock), the new adaptation will appearing in Newcastle this week until the 11 May.    

Noughts & Crosses will be the first co-production between Pilot Theatre, Derby Theatre, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Mercury Theatre, Colchester and York Theatre Royal who have recently formed a new partnership to develop theatre for younger audiences.  

Told from the perspectives of the two teenagers, Noughts & Crosses is a captivating love story set in a volatile, racially segregated society and explores the powerful themes of love, revolution and what it means to grow up in a divided world.   

Sabrina Mahfouz’s new adaptation is based on Malorie Blackman’s first book in the Noughts & Crosses series for young adults, which has won the Red House Children’s Book Award and the Fantastic Fiction Award among other accolades. A BBC adaptation of Noughts & Crosses is due to be screened in 2019.

Noughts & Crosses’ exciting young cast will be led by Heather Agyepong and Billy Harris playing the roles of Sephy and Callum. Heather Agyepong’s theatre credits include Girls (Talawa Theatre, High Tide & Martha Rose Wilson Prod.); So Many Reasons (Fuel Theatre & Ovalhouse Theatre) and Sankara (Next Up Talent; National Theatre Studio).  Heather is an acclaimed visual artist, actor and maker. Earlier this year she was nominated for the 2018 South Bank Sky Arts Breakthrough Award. Billy Harris’ theatre credits include Boots On The Ground (Tangled Feet) and 13 (Tobacco Factory Theatre).

On the casting of the roles of Sephy and Callum director Esther Richardson said: “We were amazed and honoured to receive over 400 audition videos from those who wanted to put themselves forward for the roles of Sephy and Callum. It was like receiving a 33-hour long digital love letter to the original book. We had videos from everyone from teenagers who had never done any performing before to established actors, and many people in between.

By working in this way, we were able to consider far more actors than would have otherwise been possible. We wanted to find fresh talent and authenticity, and we’ve been brought into contact with some extraordinary young actors who were completely unknown to us’

We are thrilled that Heather and Billy are taking on the roles of Sephy and Callum in Malorie’s much-loved novel and we can’t wait to work with both of them.”

Malorie Blackman has written over 60 books for children and young adults, including the Noughts & Crosses series, Thief and most recently her science fiction thriller Chasing the Stars. Her work has also been adapted for TV with the 6-part adaptation of Pig-Heart Boy winning a BAFTA and Noughts and Crosses currently in production for the BBC. In 2005, Malorie was honoured the Eleanor Farjeon Award in recognition of her distinguished contribution to the world of children’s books, in 2008 she received an OBE for her services to children’s literature and, between 2013 and 2015, she was the Children’s Laureate. Malorie is currently writing for the new Doctor Who series on BBC One and the fifth novel in her Noughts & Crosses sequence, Crossfire, will be published by Penguin Random House Children's in summer 2019.    

Malorie Blackman said about the production: "I'm thrilled that Noughts & Crosses is being adapted for the stage by Sabrina and produced by Pilot Theatre and a talented consortium of theatre makers whose aim it is to develop theatre for younger audiences."  

Sabrina Mahfouz is a British Egyptian poet, playwright, performer and writer from South London, England. Her recent plays have included Offside (co-written with Hollie McNish); With a little bit of luck (Paines Plough) and published work includes poetry, plays and contributions to several anthologies.   Sabrina Mahfouz said about her new adaptation: 'As a young adult, Noughts & Crosses showed me the power storytelling can have in highlighting injustice in the world, so it is a complete honour to now be adapting the legendary Malorie Blackman's words for the stage, alongside the bold vision of Pilot Theatre and partners.’  

Noughts & Crosses will be the first co-production between Pilot Theatre, Derby Theatre, Belgrade Theatre Coventry, Mercury Theatre, Colchester and York Theatre Royal. From 2019-2022 the consortium will commission and co-produce an original mid-scale production each year. Each production will play in all the consortium venues as well as touring nationally.

Photos: Robert Day

Performance times - 7.30pm; Wed 8 & Sat 11 May, 2pm; Thu 9 May, 6pm

Running Time - 2hr 20mins (including interval)

Recommended Age - 13+

Post-show Discussion - Thu 9 May

Tickets:

From £10.

https://www.northernstage.co.uk/Event/noughts-and-crosses or 0191 230 5151

Preview: Voltemand And Corelius Are Joyfully Returned at Newcastle People’s Theatre

The People’s Play Award, our new writing competition to find exciting Northern plays and playwrights, is back!

Voltemand And Corelius Are Joyfully Returned

by Paul Vates

Newcastle People’s Theatre

Tuesday 7 – Saturday 11 May 2019

Laura Brown - The Sleeper

Chosen from nearly 100 entries, this year’s winner is Voltemand And Cornelius Are Joyfully Returned by Leeds-born actor and writer Paul Vates.

The two central characters are minor characters from Shakespeare’s Hamlet – or are they? And where are they? They don’t have a clue. What they do have is each other. But is that enough?

This fast and funny black comedy explores the nature of reality, the chaos of war, and the impact of conflict on people’s perception of themselves.

 

Paul Vates

Pete McAndrew - Doctor

Writer Paul Vates says:  “Voltemand and Cornelius have been in my head since A-Level Theatre Studies, when we looked at Hamlet, Stoppard and Beckett. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern have a better look-in than Voltemand and Cornelius and I always felt sorry for them. They rattled around in my head for years because I never quite knew 'where' they were, until I had a chat with a Professor friend (and WW1 expert) who suggested they were in no-man's land. That was in 2013. The first draft wrote itself. The draft I entered for the People’s Play competition was version 6.”

Robbie Close - Cornelius

This is the first play that Chris Heckels has directed for the new Studio Theatre. This intimate four-hander is a far cry from the Peoples’ huge, multi-media production of Heaton! that Chris directed on their Main Stage in July, but one of the joys of the People’s is the variety it offers their members as well as our audiences!

Stephen Sharkey - Voltemand

The new Studio Theatre is part of the Peoples’ £1.6 redevelopment and opened earlier this year with a sold-out production of Jez Butterworth’s The River.

Previous People’s Play Award winners include Peter Straughan (BAFTA winner, Best Adapted Screenplay for Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy), Alison Carr (Iris, Live Theatre; Fat Alice, Traverse Theatre), stage and television writer Carina Rodney and Mike Yeaman whose Lucky Numbers has since been performed in New Zealand, Finland and Estonia!

Photo: Jules Dash

Tickets:     £14 (Concessions £11.50)
Box Office\; 0191 265 5020 or online at www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

Preview: Teechers at Durham Gala Theatre

Meet the cast set to take audiences back to school

Teechers

Durham Gala Theatre

Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May 2019

A trio of north east actors are preparing to take audiences back to school laughing.

The Gala Theatre’s Teechers is sure to bring back old school memories as it introduces three school leavers who decide to perform an end of school tribute about their time in secondary school. Their play revolves around an idealistic new teacher, whose passion, enthusiasm and belief rubs off onto his pupils.

Mahsa Hammat Bahary, Sarah Boulter, Louis Roberts
as school pupils in upcoming play, Teechers. 

Written by John Godber, the third most performed playwright in the UK after William Shakespeare and Alan Ayckbourn, Teechers promises fast-paced, well-crafted comedy.          

                 

Bringing this dose of nostalgia to life are three local actors, who will portray a number of identifiable characters between them, including the school bully, an array of teachers and the three drama pupils, around which the wider play hinges.

Sarah Boulter is thrilled to be returning to the Gala again, after spending a sparkling festive season as Miranda the Mirror in Snow White and even more recently as Mrs Linde in the Ibsen classic, A Doll’s House.

She said: “Teechers is a play we can all relate to in some way or another. School is a huge part of our lives, when we develop our identities and often our career paths. This was certainly true in my case as it is where I found my love of drama and it shaped where I am today. 

“School can be the best (or in some cases worst) times of our life. But the characters are so identifiable and I think that’s what makes this play so relatable and so humorous. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

“I love playing multiple roles and I’m really looking forward to working with director Tom Wright and the cast to bring these characters to life. I can’t wait to go back to school, this time, not only as a student, but as a teacher and a caretaker too.” 

Mahsa Hammat Bahary trained at Project A, an intensive acting course at Newcastle's Theatre Royal. During the course, she appeared as Michelle Russell in Herons, as well as various parts in Bluebird, Debris and Much Ado About Nothing.

Since graduation last year she has appeared as the lead role of Farida in regional short film Falling and has been a part of a Theatre in Education tour throughout the north east.

Mahsa said: ““I’m very excited to be a part of Teechers. I think it has a great message, it’s important to show people the importance of drama in school. I’m also so looking forward to working with the cast and our director and can’t wait to get started.” 

After recently finishing a Christmas tour, Louis Roberts has been training under Gillian Hambleton at Northumberland Theatre Company as Associate Director, but when the opportunity to audition for Teechers came along, he jumped at the chance. Previous shows include Apples and Peter Pan by Northern Stage, The Machine Gunners by Customs House, Dracula the Travesty, Beauty and the Beast and The Comedy of Errors by the NTC.

Tom Wright returns to direct this witty drama, building on previous success of the Gala's recent production, Two.

Tickets:

Performances will be held at 7.30pm from Monday 6 May to Saturday 11 May, apart from on Wednesday when the evening show starts at 6pm. Additional performances will also take place at 1pm on Tuesday and Thursday.

Tickets are priced from £10 to £16, available at https://www.galadurham.co.uk/galapost/teechers/ or by calling the box office 03000 266 600.

REVIEW: Shine at Newcastle Live Theatre

Our kid has done alright…

A Live Theatre Production.
World Premiere

Shine

Newcastle Live Theatre

Until Saturday 11 May 2019

Script, music and lyrics written and performed by Kema Sikazwe

Directed by Graeme Thompson

Designed by Emma Bailey

Movement Direction by Alicia Meehan

Lighting Design by Nick Rogerson

Sound Design by Craig Spence

“The music is always present, you just have to hear it.”

Kema Sikazwe, who performs his music as Kema Kay, writes and performs in a really moving one-man musical about his childhood. Combining his modern music styles, some R&B, some rap, with a vulnerable story about self-belief and acceptance, Kema held the Live Theatre audience in the palm of his hand for the entire 70 minute show. This is another example of why Live Theatre is so important to the region, presenting a real story of life in the North East.

Whilst the story is of a lad moving from his native Zambia to the west-end of Newcastle, when his Dad gets the opportunity to study at Newcastle University, it is much more universal than that. In the Zambia, Kema notes, education is highly prized. It is seen as the passport to greater prosperity. A way out of the trap of the gig economy and the labour exchange. This is in stark contrast to what he witnessed was the attitude of some of his Newcastle classmates who saw less value in learning.

Kema is very engaging. I remember how well he came across as the neighbour to Dave John’s character in Ken Loach’s film I, Daniel Blake. That familiar approachability makes it very easy for the audience to want to hear his story. Surrounded by a set made up of lighting bars, that reminded me of the sets that Gary Numan used on his tours in the 1980s, 2 microphones and a small raised platform, the show is reliant on Kema’s ability to tell a story. No props are used to distract the audience and therefore you find yourself hanging on his every word. This leads to a powerful commitment by the audience in following the story.

The story is very personal to Kema, giving the narrative credibility. He doesn’t use tired clichés to describe his Newcastle neighbours and classmates. The very recognisable greetings and tribal groupings of the people at school led to the lighter moments in the show. The fact that he was able to integrate their music to the story helped the comedy-side along.

Kema also expressed a passion for family. The blood link that ties him to his parents and his older brother is strongly illustrated throughout the performance.

This is a really passionate show but it never preaches to the audience. Director Graeme Thompson has helped develop a well paced, free flowing show that pragmatically says how it is in the 21^st century for a young lad arriving in the area. The sound design worked well, enabling the spoken parts to be heard between the louder music. The lighting conveyed the emotion of the piece.

2019 has been a great year for North East theatre and Shine is another example of the incredible stories about our region that our local producing theatres are currently producing. Live Theatre has always prided itself on nurturing and developing local talent to tell their story in a dramatic form. It is not afraid to deviate from the usual dramatic formats – this is like no other show I have seen at the venue. I am really pleased I spent my Saturday evening watching Shine. I will also keep an eye on what Kema does next, he has an exciting future ahead of him.

Highly recommended.

Review by Stephen Oliver

Photos by Richard Kenworthy

Tickets:

£10-£14, concs from £6

Approx. 1hr 10mins, no interval 

WARNING: Strobe lights are used in this production.

Thursday 2 – Saturday 11 May, 7.30pm

Matinees Thursday 9 & Saturday 11 May, 2pm

Suitable for ages 11+, contains some strong language

Tickets available online from https://www.live.org.uk/whats-on/shine or call Live Theatre’s Box Office on (0191) 232 1232. 

Events:

Shine premieres at Live Theatre, Newcastle from Thursday 2 to Saturday 11 May. There is the opportunity to meet writer and performer Kema Sikazwe in a free Post Show Talk after the 7.30pm performance on Tuesday 7 May. Two free pre-show events at 6pm on Saturday 11 May showcase work by local musicians and performers. The talk and showcase are free for ticket holders for the show on the same day.

Preview: Rapunzel at Whitley Bay Playhouse

Eastenders and X Factor stars to appear in Whitley Bay Summer Panto

Rapunzel

Whitley Bay Playhouse

Wednesday 31^st July - Sunday 4^th August 2019

Tickets: https://ticketmaster-uk.tm7559.net/QEa49 #Ad

This Summer at the Playhouse Whitley Bay, there’s a feast of fun for all the family. Television legend Cheryl Fergison, better known as Eastenders “Heather Trott”, will be headlining the region’s glitziest summer panto – Rapunzel.

Cheryl won the hearts of the nation in the ongoing BBC soap opera, winning the Best Comedy Performance Award in 2008. But this summer will see Cheryl’s loveable persona flipping to the dark side as the evil sorceress Deadly Nightshade.

Following the story of the Princess with magic hair; there’s sure to be adventure, magic and mirth at the North-East seaside resort.

Sharing the limelight will be X Factor Finalist and Celebrity Big Brother star Christopher Maloney playing the dashing Prince. The singer and entertainer, who was under the mentorship of Gary Barlow, returns to the North East following a number of sell-out performances in the region.

Rapunzel marks the return of local Producer Reece Sibbald; who is promising this year’s summer panto is set to be bigger and better than ever before.

Returning from last years critically acclaimed The Wizard of Oz to complete the stellar line-up are: Local Legend and resident panto villain at the Theatre Royal Newcastle, Steve Arnott playing Nurse Gertie; 

Britain’s Got Talent funny man and impressionist extraordinaire, Cal Halbert as the Henchman; the North-East’s very own Angel of the North, 

Pippa Smith as the Good Fairy; 

 Producer/Comedian Reece Sibbald as Muddles.

Playing the title role is Whitley Bay’s own Emma Deborah Ward as Rapunzel.

Go on – let your hair down!

Images © Reece Sibbald Productions 2019

Tickets for this summer-time treat are available now online from https://ticketmaster-uk.tm7559.net/QEa49 #Ad

Preview: Bobby Robson Saved My Life at Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Brand new play inspired by legacy of Sir Bobby Robson comes to Tyne Theatre

Bobby Robson Saved My Life

Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Friday 2^nd – Sunday 4^th August 2019 
Tickets: http://bit.ly/BobbyRobsonSML #Ad
 

A hat-trick of partners are helping to bring the story of football legend and former Newcastle United and England manager Sir Bobby Robson to life on stage.

Recently-formed Quayside Productions has joined The Customs House and Ion Productions to bring Bobby Robson Saved My Life to The Customs House in South Shields and Tyne Theatre & Opera House in Newcastle, ahead of a national tour.

The play, written by Jarrow-born poet and playwright Tom Kelly, focuses on the late Sir Bobby’s legacy and explores the ability of one person to have a dramatic effect on the life of another, without ever knowing it.

Focusing on three very different individuals and the ups and downs life throws at them, it promises to be a heart-warming, inspirational and uplifting piece that celebrates not only Sir Bobby’s life, but the impact he had on so many.

Charlie Richmond, Director of Newcastle-based Quayside Productions, explained “Quayside Productions are delighted to be co-producing Bobby Robson Saved My Life alongside Ion Productions and The Customs House. Our mission is to develop ideas and produce opportunities in the North East. Just like Sir Bobby, we want to create a lasting legacy that will inspire generations for years to come.  As an actor often known for my comedy roles within Panto at the Tyne Theatre I’m excited to explore my more serious side as the character Mark in Bobby Robson Saved My Life.”

Gareth Hunter, of Ion Productions in South Shields added “We are delighted to have teamed up with both The Customs House and Quayside Productions to bring what we all believe to be a fantastic piece of theatre that celebrates not only Sir Bobby, but the human spirit and the legacy we can all leave behind.  This link between the three companies will allow us to bring not only a great piece of theatre to The Customs House and Tyne Theatre, but also act as a springboard for the national tour next year.”

Ray Spencer, Executive Director of The Customs House, said: “Bobby Robson Saved My Life will be directed by Jamie Brown, who has previously worked with Tom on Geordie The Musical at The Customs House and Tyne Theatre and appeared alongside Charlie in When the Boat Comes In at The Customs House. Gareth also worked alongside Charlie in My Uncle Freddie at The Customs House last summer.”

Joanne Johnson, Director of Tyne Theatre & Opera House said: “I’m thrilled that the team behind ‘Bobby Robson Saved My Life’ have chosen to bring the play to our stage, as it’s an honour to be part of something that celebrates a local legend whilst supporting local production companies like Quayside and Ion. We’ve previously teamed up with The Customs House to bring Geordie The Musical to the Tyne Theatre stage, so it’s wonderful to link up with them again.”

As part of the play’s development, people are being asked to upload a video to social media, of themselves describing Sir Bobby in three words, using the hashtag #3wordsforBobby. A number of famous faces have already done so.

Sir Bobby, who was born in Sacriston, County Durham, and played for Fulham, West Bromwich Albion and England, going on to also manage the national team, died in July 2009, aged 76, after a long battle with cancer.

Bobby Robson Saved My Life runs at Tyne Theatre from Friday 2^nd to Sunday 4^th August 2019.  Each performance will raise funds for the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, to help find more effective ways to detect and treat cancer.

Tickets are on general sale now. 

Tickets will be available from the theatre and online from Eventim tickets – LINK: http://bit.ly/BobbyRobsonSML #Ad