Preview: Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates at Seaton Delaval Arts Centre

Panto to set sail this Christmas, oh yes it is!

Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates

Seaton Delaval Arts Centre

Friday 4^th to Saturday 12^th December 2020

Despite the stormy waters of 2020, pantomime will take to the stage in Seaton Delaval once again with a swashbuckling production of Robinson Crusoe and the Pirates. The show is set to be Seaton Delaval Pantomime Society’s 48^th annual production in the village. Special arrangements have been put in place to allow the show to go ahead, including reduced audience numbers and additional safety procedures.

 

Young Robinson Crusoe has always had an appetite for adventure! Living with his old mother Dame Crystal Crusoe, his washed up Father Captain Crusoe and his silly billy brother Sprat, Robinson has no desire to take over the family Fish ‘n Chip shop. Meanwhile, the high seas are terrorised by the evil Captain Blacktashe in his search for the lost temple of treasure on Skull Island. But the map where X marks the spot has been lost for years… Will Robinson ever find his treasure? Will Dame Crusoe end up battered? And what is that mysterious writing on the back of the chip shop menu?

 

Tickets can now be booked for ‘Panto Pods’, which are a group of seats socially distanced from other audience members. Panto Pods are available for groups of 2, 4 and 6 and may only be occupied by groups of up to two households or support bubbles.

 

The Theatre Director Stu Bennett explained “This year has been difficult for everyone, and we can’t wait to spread a bit of festive cheer and bring some normality to what has otherwise been a very different time. The safety of our audience and volunteers is always our number one priority, and after months of planning we’re confident with these new arrangements that the show can go ahead safely. We can’t wait to see lots of happy smiling faces back in our theatre after being closed for so long.”

 

Director Lorna-Beth Pearson added “With many of the cast returning from last year’s hit show, it promises to be a spectacular colourful production for the whole family to enjoy, packed full of show-stopping songs, dazzling dance routines and hilarious knockabout comedy. Our traditional pantomime sticks to the story of the classic tale, but with a few modern twists added in along the way.”

 

The rib-tickling script is penned by local writer and actor Tom Whalley.

 

Photographs: Paul Cummings

 

Tickets:

The show runs from Friday 4^th to Saturday 12^th December at the Seaton Delaval Arts Centre. Tickets are available online at www.seatondelavalartscentre.com or from the Box Office on 0191 237 5460. With a much-reduced capacity to allow social distancing, tickets are expected to sell quickly.

Preview: A Portrait Without Borders at Northern Stage

 A Portrait Without Borders

 

Submit a selfie to have your picture drawn by a robot, 14-19 September at Northern Stage

 

A Portrait without Borders
Photo: Tom Arran

Although the theatre remains closed, audiences will have a chance to be at Northern Stage virtually from 14 September by having their picture drawn by robots inside the venue. 

 

At a time when we are distanced from each other, A Portrait Without Borders brings people together. Audiences can submit a selfie online to be drawn by robots who will create a massive mural of faces. Strangers next to each other, simultaneously present, together, and yet apart. There will be a live stream to watch the robots in action, and when it’s finished the mural will be featured to welcome everyone back to the theatre when it reopens.

 

A Portrait without Borders
Photo: Tom Arran

Northern Stage Executive Director Kate Denby said, “While nothing could replace the buzz of a live audience, we’re really excited to welcome a virtual audience to the theatre and to be bringing such impressive, innovative work to Newcastle for people to enjoy - not just this week, but for everyone to see when we can safely reopen the building.” 

 

A Portrait Without Borders is a Kaleider production commissioned by Freedom Festival in Hull where it opened in September 2020. Kaleider is an international production studio led by artist Seth Honnor. Playing on the edge of installation, live performance and digital Kaleider makes artworks for audiences all over the world and runs innovation programmes in art and creative technology for others to develop and produce work.

 

A Portrait Without Borders is at Northern Stage from 14-19 September and is free to take part in. Submit a selfie or watch the robots at work between 12-9pm each day at portraitwithoutborders.com/newcastle 

 

Preview: Carl Hutchinson is Allowed to Play Out Again at Newcastle Tyne Theatre

Tyne Theatre & Opera House announce a socially distanced show for October 2020

Carl Hutchinson is Allowed to Play Out Again

Newcastle Tyne Theatre and Opera House

Saturday 10^th October 2020

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

The Tyne Theatre and Opera House have announced their first show with an audience since before lockdown. Comedian Carl Hutchinson will be taking to the Tyne Theatre stage on Saturday 10^th October 2020 for an hour of stand-up to a socially distanced audience.

Tickets for ‘Carl Hutchinson is Allowed to Play Out Again’, which went on sale on Monday 7^th September, are being sold in social bubbles of two and four – and are selling fast. In addition to the socially distanced seating, the theatre is taking numerous other precautions to ensure the safety of their staff and audiences including the compulsory wearing of masks and temperatures being taken on arrival.

The Tyne Theatre hosted a series of free live stream shows over the summer including numerous comedy streams hosted by Carl Hutchinson. These shows were part of the theatre’s ‘Be Our Ghost Light’ campaign, to raise donations in support of the venue facing a dramatic loss of income.

Theatre Director Joanne Johnson has said “our LIVE from the Tyne events were a great way for us to continue to entertain even when we couldn’t have people in the auditorium. However, there is nothing that can match the joy and atmosphere of live entertainment, with an audience right there in the room. We can’t wait to reopen our doors and safely welcome back our patrons for this significant and special show.”

Tyne Theatre and Opera House is known for having a strong comedy programme with names such as Sarah Millican, Chris Ramsey, Romesh Ranganathan,  Vic and Bob, Dylan Moran, Katherine Ryan, Ed Byrne, Count Arthur Strong, Ben Elton and James Acaster all having taken to the Tyne Theatre stage in the last five years. It seems only fitting that the venue reopens with a celebration of comedy.

Carl Hutchinson has said “The Tyne Theatre is such an important venue to me. It was the first big venue in Newcastle I sold out under my own name. There’s something about that room that’s just perfect for comedy. I was proud to be the guy leading the way with the LIVE from the Tyne comedy streams and am absolutely thrilled to be the first person playing it post-lockdown. I’m a massive fan of comedy and I hope people can see that in the show. Bring it on!”

As an independent venue, the Tyne Theatre and Opera House relies entirely on ticket sales and donations to survive and keep the theatre’s 150+ year heritage alive. In addition to buying tickets for upcoming shows, you can also support the theatre directly by donating, joining their Friends’ Club or naming a seat.

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

Safety Information During COVID-19 (read before booking) – please note this information is only valid for this show and will be reviewed and updated if necessary

Bookings

·        Tickets can only be booked in social bubbles of 2 or 4 seats. All ticket sales are online, the box office is currently closed. The theatre capacity has significantly reduced to ensure social distancing is adhered to for your safety. We are unable to remove seating and seats which are to be unoccupied will be clearly marked.

·        Accessible Booking can be made by emailing info@tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk.  Please note wheelchair bays are limited and will be on a first come first served basis.

·        Details taken during booking will be used for track and trace purposes.

·        Tickets are ‘Print at Home’ only – these can be shown on a phone or tablet and don’t need to be printed.

·        All tickets must be bought in advance, we will not be selling tickets at the venue on the night of the show.

What we would like you to do before coming to the theatre

·        Please ensure no members of your party have been displaying symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.

·        Please ensure no members of your party’s respective households or social circles have been around those displaying symptoms of COVID-19.

·        Please do not arrive at the Theatre too early, doors to seats will be open 45 minutes before the performance.

·        Ensure all of your party have face masks, face masks are available for those who forget however we will ask for a £2.00 donation.

What to expect when you arrive at the theatre

·        We are using separate entry points into the Theatre on Westgate Road, please ensure you know which entry point is yours. Look out for the signs as you approach.

·        All patrons will have their temperature taken on entry (contactless)

·        Please have your printed tickets or tickets on your phone ready for contactless scanning with the bar code face up, held away from you.

·        Drinks & snacks will be available with service at your seats. Contactless/card payment only, no cash can be taken.

What to do when you’re at the theatre

·        Please be mindful of other patrons and social distance at all times.

·        Use the hand sanitisers which are located throughout the building.

·        Move around the building staying to the left hand side of stairs and corridors.

·        Wear your mask at all times unless you are eating or drinking.

·        Please remain in your allocated seat, seating has been blocked off for your safety.

·        When the show is finished we ask all patrons to remain seated until directed by staff. Staggered exit is in place to ensure social distancing is adhered to.

·        Please be patient with our staff and new procedures as we work hard to ensure everyone’s safety.

What the theatre is doing to ensure patron and staff safety

·        We will ensure all staff have not been displaying symptoms of COVID-19 in the last 14 days

·        We will ensure all staffs respective households or social circles have not been around those displaying symptoms of COVID-19

·        Each staff member will have their temperature taken prior to starting work

·        All staff will be wearing face protection & gloves at all times

·        Prior to each performance the auditorium is fully disinfected

·        Increased and enhanced cleaning schedules are in place in advance and during all events.

·        Please note the Theatre has male and female staff cleaning toilets

·        There are screened off areas for staff to work in safely, please do not enter these areas

News: Pandemic Sees Job Losses at South Shields Customs House Arts Centre

Pandemic Sees Job Losses at South Shields Customs House Arts Centre

Following a period of consultation, The Customs House is making 27 posts redundant.

Nine full-time and 18 part-time members of staff have been served with their notice from the charity and arts centre in South Shields. Eighteen staff have been retained in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Customs House Executive Director Ray Spencer said: “It is an incredibly difficult decision to have so many staff leave The Customs House.  “We have tried hard to trade but the current social distancing guidelines which reduce our opportunities to earn income, which represents 92% of our turnover, our lack of reserves, together with the constant threat of local lockdown and/or a second wave makes it impossible for the trust to support our current level of staff beyond the end of furlough.  We sincerely wish our colleagues well in these incredibly difficult times.”

The venue in Mill Dam closed its doors on March 16 for five months due to the pandemic before reopening last month with the cinema and restaurant functioning on reduced capacities.  The theatre’s first performance back was its Thank You Variety Show, which was free to NHS and Key Workers on August 28. It has since seen reduced audiences return for Arbuthnot Goes Back to School and Jason Cook’s Comedy Club last week.

Theatre audiences are reduced from a capacity of 439 to between 102 to 172 depending on bubble sizes, Cinema from 140 to a maximum of 42 and the restaurant from 70 to a maximum of 42.

Mr Spencer added: “The whole sector continues to suffer. Our survey of 1400 regular users clearly showed that until a vaccine is found audiences will be hesitant to return to cinema & theatre in pre-Covid numbers and it will be a long road to recovery.”

A small number of events programmed throughout the rest of the year will go ahead, with the rest of the shows being transferred to 2021. To find out more, or make a donation to the charity, visit www.customshouse.co.uk

News: Playhouse Announce Panto Postponement

Playhouse Announce Panto Postponement 

Photo: Stephen Oliver - Carliol Photography

Whitley Bay's Playhouse Theatre have announced that this years highly anticipated Christmas Panto has now been postponed.

Gary Telfer, Production Producer and Managing Director at Blue Genie Entertainment said:
“We have looked at several alternative options over recent months but due to ongoing restrictions and uncertainty about the months ahead, it is with huge sadness that we must reschedule this year’s pantomime production. This would have been my 12th consecutive season at The Playhouse and I will greatly miss being in Whitley Bay at Christmas. I assure everyone we will be back next year, with the biggest and best pantomime yet! Thank you all for your continued support during these extraordinary times, please take care, and I look forward to seeing everyone in 2021.”

Phil Smith, Theatre Director for The Playhouse Whitley Bay explained: “The ongoing uncertainties associated with our industry as a result of COVID-19 have, despite our
best efforts, made it impossible to proceed with our much loved panto this year. The decision to postpone and reschedule to December 2021 is not one we have taken lightly and the team here at the Playhouse have worked hard with our partners at Blue Genie to try providing an alternative.
Unfortunately, the current restrictions mean this was not possible. I echo Gary’s comments that we will be back, bigger and better next year.”

All bookings will be transferred to 2021 to the equivalent times and dates of this year’s original performance schedule. Right now, customers do not need to do anything, just hang on to existing tickets. Either the Playhouse Box Office team or Ticketmaster will contact them in due course to arrange new tickets for Next year’s Pantomime.

Alternatively, if customers would like a refund, they can request one from their point of purchase.

News: Live Theatre launch Live Wire and 10 Minutes to…

Live Theatre

Getting back to Live with Live Wire

and 10 Minutes to…Call Home

Live Theatre announced today its exciting new programme Live Wired which will see new work created and produced for online viewing. The first offering in the Live Wired series will be 10 Minutes to…Call Home, a thrilling series of ten minute plays by the hottest new writing talent.

Since the theatre closed its doors in March 2020 and were forced to cancel their planned programme, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Live Theatre has taken time to reflect on its creative and learning programme and practices whilst continuing its dedication to promoting and championing lesser heard and diverse voices as the only new writing theatre outside of London, in England.

Committed to investment and developing theatre projects, Live Theatre extended the time period for open call outs for writers for 10 Minutes To…, Bursary applications and unsolicited full-length script submissions.

The first of these creative opportunities to go forward is 10 Minutes To…, for which there was an incredible response to the call out, with over 300 scripts submitted. The quality of writing was extremely high but after much deliberation the final nine were selected. With the gradual lifting of lockdown restrictions, but still unable to welcome audiences to the theatre at normal capacity levels, 10 Minutes To… will be presented in a new way - the selected scripts will be rehearsed and performed behind closed doors at Live Theatre and recorded to be shared across digital platforms. The plays will have the outstanding performance and production quality that theatre goers have come to expect from Live Theatre shows.
Badged Live Wired, the innovative digital programme will see Live Theatre invest in a greater number of artists and creatives, supporting the freelance sector and opening up new work to much wider and diverse audiences.

Graeme Thompson, Creative Producer at Live Theatre said: “Being able to re-open Live Theatre’s creative activity with the 10 Minutes to… project is really exciting. Of course, it will be different. This time we are filming as opposed to performing live but there is always such a buzz when we do this show and we are certain we can recreate that this time round. We have nine brilliant scripts from a huge range of writers. Some of the writers are new to Live and some we know. For some this will be their first piece of writing put on stage. Because of the opportunities that 10 Minutes to… provides, it’s such an important and vital part of what we do at Live Theatre. Also, it just feels fantastic to be getting some new theatre back out to our audiences.”

Ellen McNally, whose script Off Peak was one of the final nine selected commented: “I’m dead excited to be selected for this project. Apart from being in the best city in the world, Live Theatre is a small-but-mighty powerhouse for producing creative talent in the North East. This year’s theme resonates with me; I was part of Live’s Youth Theatre when I was younger so having my first script produced here really feels special. Writing fiction is a pretty solitary venture. Theatre, however, is a uniquely collaborative art form, shaped by both its production and reception. I’m excited to see how this new digital format influences the story, and to receive input from talented North East creatives.”

The nine pieces present writing that is bold, gritty, poetic, hilarious and fizzing with emotion on a mix of themes including loss of identity, moving on and letting go, journey and escape and intergenerational differences.

The creative teams behind 10 Minutes To… will be rehearsing, performing and recording at Live Theatre over the next few weeks and the performances will be screened FREE to view across digital channels from 29 September.

Live Wired, Live Theatre's exciting new online programme launches September 2020 with 10 Minutes To...This innovative digital programme will allow theatre productions, readings and courses to be shared digitally investing in a greater number of artists and creatives, supporting the freelance sector and opening up new work to much wider and diverse audiences.

Look out for the next thrilling chapter in the Live Wired season and discover more at www.live.org.uk

News: Northern Stage to enter redundancy consultations

Northern Stage to enter redundancy consultations 

• 10-12 roles expected to be made redundant
• 75% of permanent workforce to be retained

Northern Stage is to enter redundancy consultations after a significant loss of income due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

A statement to be issued today, Wednesday 2 September, reads:

"Our brilliant team are what make Northern Stage special so we are very sad to announce that we are entering into redundancy consultations.

While we have been able to carry on with our work in the local community and have moved some of our artist support programme online, we still don’t know when we will be able to reopen without social distancing. So, despite our best efforts to avoid it, redundancies are now needed to ensure the long term future of Northern Stage.

Northern Stage currently has 45 permanent staff and a further 34 casual staff who have been working or on furlough for the last five months. We are committed to everyone currently on furlough receiving pay until at least the end of October. At that point, staff employed on a casual basis, such as ushers and stage crew, will revert to their normal contract and be called for paid work when available. Of the staff on permanent contracts, we expect to lose 10-12 posts, retaining around 75% of our permanent workforce to enable Northern Stage to continue to create and showcase work, welcome audiences and serve our community.

Like the rest of our industry and many others, Northern Stage has suffered a significant loss of earned income due to Covid-19. Our performance and trading activity, which accounts for 43% of our annual income, has been on hold since March. We expect some activity to resume later this year, but we anticipate it will take at least 12-18 months to rebuild to February 2020 levels.

This means that we need to radically re-think what we do and how we do it. More than ever, we need to connect with audiences and collaborate with artists to reimagine the future of Northern Stage. With the appointment of Natalie Ibu as our new Artistic Director, who joins us in November, we will be better equipped to take the bold creative decisions needed to adapt and survive the coming months and years."

Kate Denby, Executive Director, said: “We know this will have a huge impact on the many dedicated staff who have been desperate to return to work throughout this incredibly difficult period. We will do everything we can to support them going forward and hope that there will be some point in the future when we can welcome them back to Northern Stage.”

We want to thank our team for their commitment to Northern Stage, their hard work and their resilience in the most difficult of circumstances."