Preview: Dial ‘M’ For Murder at Newcastle People’s Theatre

“I even thought of killing her,

and that seemed a far more sensible idea.”

Dial ‘M’ For Murder by Frederick Knott

Newcastle People’s Theatre

Tuesday 21 – Saturday 25 January 2020

Max (Robbie Close) & Margo (Alison Carr)

Fading tennis star Tony Wendice married his wife Margot for her money and now intends to murder her for the same reason. But can he get away with it?

Lesgate (Tony Sehgal) & Tony (Sean Burnside)

He thinks he’s planned the perfect crime, but things soon go horribly wrong in this gripping tale of greed, blackmail and deceit.

Tony (Sean Burnside) & Margo (Alison Carr)

Considered a classic example of a stage thriller it has been revived on stage a number of times, and while the stage version and film adaptation are very similar, our directors Matt Hope and Jack Thompson are keen to make this classic story from the 1950s relevant to a modern audience.

Lesgate (Tony Sehgal) & Margo (Alison Carr)

Matt comments “revenge, ambition and jealousy are, of course, timeless but we’re also really enjoying exploring the elements of coercive control and power dynamics between the sexes that are present in the script.” 

Lesgate (Tony Sehgal)

Our January thrillers are always popular with audiences, not least last year’s hugely successful Poirot whodunit Black Coffee by Agatha Christie. Dial ‘M’ For Murder promises to be another winter warmer for fans of suspense and intrigue.

 

Chief Inspector Hubbard (Emma Weetch)

Tony Wendice (Sean Burnside)

Tickets:     £14 (Concessions £11.50)
Box Office: 0191 265 5020 and www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

Designer Honoured For 10 Years Of Weaving Panto Magic At The Customs House

Designer Honoured For 10 Years Of Weaving Panto Magic At The Customs House

An award-winning designer has been honoured by The Customs House in recognition of a seamless panto partnership spanning the last decade.

Paul Shriek, of Newcastle-based Fox and Shriek, has worked with The Customs House on its annual pantomime production since 2010. He received a Great British Pantomime Award for Best Costume Design in 2018 for his work on The Lambton Worm and was nominated alongside creative partner Matt Fox for Best Staging and Set last year for Beauty and the Beast.

The duo once again weaved their magic on Snow White, which marked the tenth anniversary of Paul’s association with The Customs House.

Ray Spencer, Executive Director of The Customs House,
as Dame Bella, with Paul Shriek and John Hays.  

He has now been inducted as an Honorary Fellow of The Customs House Academy, receiving his award on the closing night of this year’s panto, taking to the stage amid applause from the sold-out auditorium. He was introduced by Ray Spencer, Executive Director of The Customs House, who writes, directs and stars in the annual panto, and presented with the award by John Hays, managing director of main panto sponsor Hays Travel and an honorary fellow himself.

Paul said: “It is a huge privilege to have been awarded this Honorary Fellowship. As an Ashington lad turned 'frock maker' I have been adopted into the community of South Shields and South Tyneside and hope that my involvement with the 'Little Panto with the Big Heart' has helped 10 years of audiences to enjoy a magical journey into pantomime that has created lasting family memories. I would like to thank Ray and The Customs House team for giving me the opportunity to create a visual spectacle through both set and costumes that has become integrated into the production of the award-winning Christmas pantomime.”

The Customs House Academy was established to recognise and honour the achievements of exceptional individuals, with a significant connection to South Tyneside, who have made a major contribution to the world of arts and entertainment.

Other Honorary fellows include singers Anne Marie-Owens, John Miles, Joe McElderry, Jade Thirlwall and Jamie Lambert, comedians Sarah Millican, Jason Cook and Chris Ramsey, dancer and choreographer, the late Lindsay Kemp, poet and playwright Tom Kelly, artist Bob Olley, writer Alex Ferguson, animator and illustrator Sheila Graber, actors George Irving and John Woodvine, Sandford Goudie, Richard Ord and Andy Bogle.

Ray said: “It was right that The Customs House recognised a decade of Paul’s inventiveness and creativity, which always manages to surprise, challenge and delight our audiences.”

Preview: Durham Gala Children's shows

Make memories that will last a lifetime at the Gala Theatre

Northern Ballet dancers perform
Red Riding Hood Credit: Drew Forsyth

There will be fun for all the family at a County Durham theatre this spring thanks to a variety of uplifting productions aimed at younger audiences.

From enchanting adaptations of popular children’s books, to fascinating science experiments – the Gala Theatre in Durham is the place to go for family-friendly entertainment.

Tickets are now on sale for all shows in the spring programme and the public is urged to book their tickets to avoid missing out.

Families who enjoyed the star-studded Christmas TV animation of The Tiger who Came to Tea can spend even more time with Sophie and her large stripy friend at the Gala Theatre. Direct from the West End, the Olivier Award nominated stage adaptation of Judith Kerr’s bestselling story will delight County Durham audiences on Saturday 29 February and Sunday 1 March.

Zog will return to the Gala on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March

The smash hit production of Julia Donaldson’s Zog will also return to the Gala on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March. Featuring new songs by Joe Stilgoe, families can join the enthusiastic, accident prone young hero as he bumps, burns and roars his way through his studies at Madam Dragon’s school.

From a 21^st century classic, to a story that has captivated children and adults alike for more than 100 years, a musical adaptation of the Wind in the Willows will entertain fans at the Gala Theatre from Thursday 30 January to Saturday 1 February. Presented by Durham High School for Girls, the production brings the adventures of Toad, Ratty and Mole to life through uplifting and joyous music.

Rhys Morgan, left, and Robert West
will blow minds with their
exciting science experiments
at the Gala Theatre in March

Those who like their entertainment more explosive will not want to miss the captivating chemistry, phenomenal physics and bonkers biology that make up Morgan and West’s Unbelievable Science! The science extravaganza is set to blow minds at the Gala on Sunday 15 February.

Rose and Robin, meanwhile, is a celebration of growing old and is the perfect play for children to enjoy with their grandparents. This uplifting piece of physical and largely non-verbal theatre comes to the Gala on Thursday 20 February.

Other highlights include Little Red Riding Hood, a child-friendly ballet presented by Northern Ballet on Wednesday 1 April, and Wolf!, on Thursday 9 April. This is a fun-filled puppet adventure that reveals what actually happens when Jack cries wolf.

Robin Byers, Gala Theatre manager, said: “Childhood trips to the theatre can create memories that last a lifetime, which is why we believe it’s so important to offer a variety of family shows each season. We are really excited about the productions coming up this spring and we can’t wait to share the magic with children and the young at heart.”

Tickets:

For more information and to book tickets, contact 03000 266 600 or visit www.galadurham.co.uk

Preview: Ordinary Days at Newcastle Northern Stage

Presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of R and H Theatricals. 

Ordinary Days

Newcastle Northern Stage

Wednesday 22^nd - Saturday 25^th January 2020

Oxi-Morons Theatre Company are bringing Ordinary Days to Northern Stage. This show will be their debut at Northern Stage with some honest story-telling through song in this critically-acclaimed and rarely performed musical from writer Adam Gwon, with musical direction from Ray Taylor.

Ordinary days is an original musical that will connect with anyone who struggles to enjoy the simple things in a complex, modern world. Follow 4 New Yorkers longing for meaningful connection and searching for answers. Explore how their ordinary lives connect in the most extraordinary ways in this snapshot 24 hours.

The Oxi-Morons are a North East based theatre collective dedicated to truthful storytelling through song.

Cast:

Jamie Brown - Jason

Melanie Carss - Claire 

Gram Cummings - Warren

Eilidh Talman - Deb 

Tickets:

£15 / £10 concession

Box Office: 0191 230 5151 or online at https://www.northernstage.co.uk/Event/ordinary-days

Access:

BSL signed performance      Saturday 25 January, 2pm

Preview: Francis Rossi: I Talk Too Much at Newcastle Tyne Theatre

Ad: Tickets are now available from our affiliate Eventim UK Tickets. This means we receive a small share of the sale. Clicking on these links helps us to cover the costs of producing the North East Theatre Guide free of charge to both our readers and theatres.

Francis Rossi: I Talk Too Much

Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera HouseNew Date: Monday 22nd March 2021

Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/francisROSSI #Ad

Covid-19 update:
A spokesman for the tour promoter said: “We have a duty of care to Francis Rossi’s audience, a number of whom fall into the high risk catogories identified by the Government. Therefore, we have been advised as of 17/03/2020 that the I Talk Too Much tour should be postponed with immediate effect.

“The show will be rescheduled to Monday 22nd March 2021. We request that fans retain their tickets, so that they can attend the rescheduled show.

“Francis Rossi continues to look forward to visiting all of the scheduled venues as soon as he is allowed to do so. We apologise for any disruption and inconvenience this causes and reiterate that the decision is based on the need to protect fans from the risk of infection.

“We are acting on the very latest advice of our health and safety advisor. Francis and everyone involved is bitterly disappointed but the advisor’s focus is on protecting the health of Francis (being in the 70 plus category), the crew on the tour, staff at venues and especially the fans attending.”

Refunds are available, if needed, from your point of purchase.

Legendary Status Quo lead singer Francis Rossi will share the extraordinary secrets of his 50-plus years in rock’n’roll when he takes to the Tyne Theatre & Opera House stage for an intimate evening of chat and music.

In Francis Rossi: I Talk Too Much, the founder, lead singer and lead guitarist of Status Quo will talk about his mishaps and adventures of life on the road with one of the biggest and most loved bands ever.

Francis is a true member of British Rock Royalty.  He sang the first words at Live Aid in 1985, survived the obligatory rock’n’roll brush with alcohol and drugs, was awarded an OBE in 2010 and has a BRIT for his Outstanding Contribution to Music. His band has sold more than 120 million records globally.

Expect laughter, revelations, tales involving some of the giants of music, exclusive video clips, snatches of classic tunes and a great night out.

Rossi will be joined on stage by award-winning writer and broadcaster Mick Wall, who has sold more than 1 million books.

Tickets

Super VIP - £75* - Includes best seats, pre-show meet & greet and merch bag. (Ticket holders will be able to have 1 photo taken with their phone or camera and 1 item of memorabilia signed)
VIP - £40* - next best seats and merch bag.
Standard - £30*

*Booking fees may apply to telephone and online bookings.

Tickets are available from the Tyne Theatre box office and online from our affiliate Eventim UK: https://tinyurl.com/francisROSSI #Ad

Preview: Cathy at Durham Gala Theatre

Theatre presents poignant retelling of iconic 1960s drama

Cathy

Durham Gala Theatre

Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 May 2020

The emotional tale of a mother and daughter who fall on hard times is the latest in-house production at a County Durham theatre.

Tickets are now on sale for Cathy, which runs the at Gala Theatre in Durham City from Tuesday 5 to Saturday 9 May.

Cathy was first performed by theatre company Carboard Citizens in 2016 

The play, by award-winning playwright Ali Taylor, was inspired by Ken Loach's 1966 television drama, Cathy Come Home, and follows Cathy and her teenage daughter Danielle, who are forced out of their flat by spiralling living costs.

The powerful story looks at the consequences for the family when they struggle to find a suitable home. Reluctant to move away, Cathy seeks help from the local housing office, only to find herself falling through cracks in the system, with no one willing or able to stop her descent.

Originally produced in 2016, to mark the 50th anniversary of Ken Loach's seminal film, Cathy is a powerful and timely reflection on the lives of those at the sharp end of economic austerity and opened to great critical acclaim.

Ali wrote the poignant play for theatre company Cardboard Citizens, who make theatre with and for homeless people. As part of her research, Ali interviewed a host of people with first-hand experience at the sharp-end of homelessness, as well as council housing staff, weaving elements of their tales of hardship into the story.

Since its first performance in 2016, the hard-hitting production has played in theatres, prisons, hostels and even the House of Lords, exploring what a nowadays Cathy would look like and giving audiences a chance to see what has changed since the premiere of Ken Loach’s seminal film. The Scottish Mail on Sunday described it as “essential, gripping, soul-wrenching stuff.”

Robin Byers, manager of Gala Theatre and Cinema, said: “We are proud to be producing Ali Taylor’s moving play, Cathy at Gala Theatre. Cathy Come Home broke new ground when it was released, and this updated story remains a powerful and important statement about community and humanity.”

Cathy is the latest in a run of in-house productions at Gala, following past successes including classic comedy Educating Rita, light-hearted school-based play Teechers and clever barroom drama Two. Cast and crew appointments for the production are still to be announced but the whole play will be produced, designed and directed in County Durham, continuing the Gala’s reputation for nurturing and showcasing local talent.

Tickets cost between £10 and £16 with under 25s tickets just £5 and can be booked by calling the Gala Theatre Box Office on 03000 266 600 or online at www.galadurham.co.uk

News: Double The Laughs At Jason Cook’s Comedy Club In 2020

Double The Laughs At Jason Cook’s Comedy Club In 2020  

Comedy fans are in for a treat as Jason Cook’s Comedy Club at The Customs House in South Shields goes twice-monthly in 2020.

The stand-up comedian and writer launched his comedy night at the theatre in October 2015 and it originally took place every other month, before going monthly.  Due to huge demand, there will now be two shows a month for the majority of next year.

Jason Cook

Jason said: “I'm so excited this year that we are expanding the Comedy Club to both Fridays and Saturdays.  We've sold out the Saturdays for years now, so I decided it was time to take the plunge and take over The Customs House for the whole weekend!  The good thing about his is it lets me book higher profile acts and make the shows even better!”

Hebburn-born Jason’s stand-up career started in 2005 and he is now a highly sought-after comedian and writer, whose television credits include Hebburn, Murder on the Blackpool Express, Death on the Tyne and most recently, Dial M for Middlesbrough. 

He ushered in the new decade with a sold-out New Year’s Eve Comedy Club at The Customs House on December 31, featuring Canadian comedian Phil Nichol, Jarrow’s Carl Hutchinson and singer and musician Glen Roughead.

Jason Cook’s Comedy Club will then return on Friday 31^st January and Saturday 1^st February with Kiri Pritchard-McLean, Raymond Timpkins, Glen Roughead and a yet to be announced “very special guest”.

Spring dates are Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7, Friday, April 3 and Saturday, April 4, and Saturday, May 2 and Sunday, May 3.

Tickets, priced £11.50, are available from the box office in person, on (0191) 454 1234 or online at www.customshouse.co.uk.