News: Customs House to receive £125,000 from second round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund

 

The Customs House to receive £125,000 from second round of the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund

The Customs House in South Shields has received a grant of £125,000 from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund to help the organisation recover and reopen.

More than £300 million has been awarded to thousands of cultural organisations across the country including The Customs House in the latest round of support from the Culture Recovery Fund, the Culture Secretary announced today.

The Customs House is a charity and every penny of its profit is reinvested to help support the local community, deliver education projects, nurture new creative talent and maintain the Grade II listed building it’s situated in

This grant will help sustain The Customs House’s future post-Covid, programme new work and make repair to the building including new roof and boiler.

The second round of awards made today will help organisations to look ahead to the spring and summer and plan for reopening and recovery. After months of closures and cancellations to contain the virus and save lives, this funding will be a much-needed helping hand for organisations transitioning back to normal in the months ahead.

 Customs House Executive Director Ray Spencer said: “We are incredibly grateful for this grant which will allow us to open the house to all the community to take part, watch and create great art.”

Customs House Fellows have also offered their congratulations.

Little Mix star Jade Thirlwall said: “The Customs House has a special place in my heart so I'm really delighted this grant will help secure its future. It's so important for South Tyneside and it’s wonderful to see our arts centres being able to work towards opening again.”

Comedian and presenter Chris Ramsey said: “I’m delighted to see The Customs House has received government support to help them re-open after the pandemic. We all need theatre in our life. I look forward to performing live to full houses again soon.”

Once the Road to Recovery dates were announced stand-up comedian, script-writer and one of The Customs House Academy’s first fellows Jason Cook was first in line to put shows on sale. The popular comedy club sees The Customs House sell out twice a month, every month. He added: “This will help boost the return of participation, not only by those who like a giggle but to those who want to get out and get involve in the arts, sharing with others in our fantastic venues, including my personal favourite The Customs House.”

Sir Nicholas Serota, Chair, Arts Council England, said: “Investing in a thriving cultural sector at the heart of communities is a vital part of helping the whole country to recover from the pandemic. These grants will help to re-open theatres, concert halls, and museums and will give artists and companies the opportunity to begin making new work. 

“We are grateful to the Government for this support and for recognising the paramount importance of culture to our sense of belonging and identity as individuals and as a society.”

The funding awarded today is from a £400 million pot which was held back last year to ensure the Culture Recovery Fund could continue to help organisations in need as the public health picture changed. The funding has been awarded by Arts Council England, as well as Historic England and National Lottery Heritage Fund and the British Film Institute. 

Preview: Hal Cruttenden - It’s Best You Hear It From Me at Newcastle Tyne Theatre

Comedian Hal Cruttenden brings new show to Newcastle

 

Hal Cruttenden - It’s Best You Hear It From Me

Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Friday 9^th September January 2022

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

Hal Cruttenden will be bringing his new show, ‘It’s Best You Hear It From Me’, to the Tyne Theatre.

You may know Hal Cruttenden from his appearances on Live at the Apollo, Bake Off: Extra Slice, Have I Got News For You, Mock The Week and The Royal Variety Performance. Now he’s going back on the road with a brand-new show, doing what he does best – reminding us of how much we love stand-up comedy, and God do we need it!

Hal’s previous sell-out tour ‘Chubster’ was extended four times and has only added to Hal’s uncontrollable ego, but it does mean that it’s always good to book early!

Theatre Director Joanne Johnson says: “Hal Cruttenden is another fantastic addition to our upcoming comedy programme. We’re all craving some laughter after the last year and Hal is the perfect comic to provide it!”

“Go and see Hal Cruttenden, he’s got something to say and he’ll make you laugh a lot!” ***** Daily Mirror

“Reminded me how much I love stand up” **** The Times

“An Absolute joy to watch” **** The Scotsman

“The funniest he’s ever been” **** The Sunday Times

Tickets for Hal Cruttenden – It’s Best you Hear It From Me are now on sale and can be purchased from our affiliates Eventim UK: https://tinyurl.com/TyneHalTix #Ad

Preview: Justin Live – The Big Tour! at Newcastle Tyne Theatre

 

Justin Fletcher brings Family Fun to Newcastle

 

Justin Live – The Big Tour!

Newcastle Tyne Theatre and Opera House

Thursday 21^st October 2021

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

Children’s television megastar Justin Fletcher is heading out on the road in 2021/22 with his all singing and dancing show 'Justin Live – The Big Tour!’ which comes to the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle upon Tyne for two shows on Thursday 21^st October 2021.

 

Justin is a familiar face in households across the country. He stars in many CBeebies smash hit television shows including Gigglebiz, Gigglequiz, Something Special, Jollywobbles and Justin’s House. In addition, he has provided character voices for Tweenies, Boo, Toddworld, Shaun the Sheep and recently provided the voice for Shaun the Sheep in the hit Aardman movie Farmageddon. He has been the recipient of numerous children’s BAFTA’s for his work and in 2008 was awarded an MBE for his services to television and to charity organisations. In the eyes of a whole generation, he truly is a superstar.

Justin Live – The Big Tour! is a show written and performed by Justin himself. He promises lots of songs, laughter and bags of fun for all the family. Justin cannot wait for the tour to begin and says “I am very excited about coming to Newcastle and getting to meet so many new friends. The support and warm welcome I receive from audiences across the UK is just wonderful. I look forward to seeing you all soon!”

Producer Steve Boden from Imagine Theatre who are bringing the show to Newcastle upon Tyne explains how the show came about: “Following the enormous success of Justin’s last UK tour in 2017, we were very keen to revisit all corners of the United Kingdom with a brand-new show to give more children their first experience of a live theatrical experience. The 2021/22 tour will be our biggest tour to date and will give families of the North East an opportunity to experience Justin Live!. It is a fabulous, fun, action packed, interactive show which gets everyone involved, and the children absolutely love it!”

Steve goes on to say, “From previous tour experience the show has sold-out, so we do recommend booking tickets as early as possible to avoid disappointment.”

Tickets for Justin Live – The Big Tour! are now on sale from our affiliates Eventim UK:  https://tinyurl.com/JustinComesToNewcastle #ad

News: Artwork Promoting Togetherness is 6m high on the South Shields Customs House

 

Artwork Promoting Togetherness is 6m high on the South Shields Customs House

 

Stunning artwork chosen by the people of South Tyneside has been unveiled at The Customs House. The design created by artist Kylie Ann Ford is 6m high and will be on display for the next three months for people to come and see.

The arts venue and charity in South Tyneside asked the community to fill their building banner with ‘what togetherness means to you’. Dozens of entries were whittled down to four and then it was handed over to the public to vote. And, it was Kylie’s design, ‘Connected By Our Roots’, which was triumphant.

Kylie, from South Shields, who has recently started a new business called Coco SoShi Art, selling clothing with her designs on them, said: “This building means so much to me, it is one of the main reasons I was able to explore my creativity from an early age and without it I would not have had the same career or made the same lifelong friends that I have today. So, it fills my heart with an enormous amount of joy that my artwork will be displayed on the side of it...like a little (or to be fair, massive!) jacket of love to keep it warm until we're allowed back in to play!

“I was born and raised in South Shields and the connection that people from South Tyneside - and the North East in general - have to the area always feels incredibly strong, no matter how far away they venture. I know my own will never break. We are a community and, whether we were grown here from the beginning, or whether we've been freshly planted, we are all Connected By Our Roots. A million thanks to everyone who voted for my piece.”

More than 1400 votes were made through an online poll. Kylie’s artwork will not only be on display on the side of the building but hers and the other shortlisted artworks by Joanne Cocklin, Elissa Kinnersley and Arts 4 Wellbeing will appear on an online gallery.

Customs House Executive Director Ray Spencer said: “It was lovely that so many people took their time to send in so many brilliant posters. They were all winners! It was great that then so many more took part in choosing the final piece to grace our building and it sums up our community, wherever we go, whatever we do, we’ll be joined by our roots.”

 

Preview: Nish Kumar at Newcastle Tyne Theatre

 

Nish Kumar, host of the Mash Report, brings new show to Newcastle’s Tyne Theatre

 

Nish Kumar

Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Saturday 19^th March 2022

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

Photo: Matt Stronge

The Tyne Theatre and Opera House have announced that critically acclaimed comic, internationally famed meme & wonderfully nice gentleman Nish Kumar, will return to their stage with his brand-new show, Control.

Nish says: “It has been a period of upheaval and uncertainty with COVID and the political situation. You will be amazed by my capacity to somehow take all these things personally…”

Nish Kumar is the host of BBC2 show The Mash Report and one of the Guardian’s ‘Top Fifty Comedians of the 21st Century’.

Nish has achieved huge success on the stand-up circuit with five rave reviewed solo stand-up shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, two of which have been nominated for the prestigious Comedy Award for Best Show in both 2015 & 2016.

He is also known for his appearances on Live at the Apollo, Taskmaster, Netflix’s Comedians of the World, QI, Conan, The News, Joel and Nish vs The World and more.

In 2020, during the Coronavirus pandemic, Nish created and starred in a new series 'Hello America' for the short lived American streaming platform Quibi.

Theatre Director Joanne Johnson says: “We can’t wait to welcome Nish Kumar back to our stage next year. He’s one of the most important and entertaining voices in comedy currently and a really exciting addition to our 2022 comedy programme.”

Tickets for Nish Kumar - Control are now on sale from our affiliates Eventim UK: https://tinyurl.com/NIshKUMARtynetheatre #Ad

News: Jim Beirne hands over the reins to Live Theatre

 Jim Beirne, MBE hands over the reins to Live Theatre

Jim Beirne, MBE marks a 21 year career milestone as he steps down as Chief Executive of Live Theatre.  Jim has made an incredible contribution to the cultural regeneration and life of Newcastle, overseeing the development of one of the leading new writing theatres in the UK and directing multi million pound capital projects.  

Since joining Live Theatre back in 2000, Jim has brought his vision to life, creating a ground-breaking social enterprise model that includes a cultural hub of award winning buildings and hospitality venues. Alongside the creative team which has included Max Roberts, until recently Emeritus Artistic Director and Joe Douglas (with a new Artistic Director appointment to come shortly), Jim has overseen an outstanding programme of work that celebrates and is dedicated to presenting new stories with a strong social and political focus.  

Lucy Winskell OBE, Chair of the Board, Live Theatre said: “Jim has been a truly inspirational leader, driving forward the organisation and transforming it into one of the UK’s most enterprising and cultural institutions and giving Live Theatre international reach too. The quality of the creative programme has garnered prestigious accolades including an Olivier Award for 'Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour.' We wish Jim success and happiness as he moves on to new projects and thank him for his incredible service to Live Theatre and the development of the arts and cultural landscape in Newcastle and much wider.” 

Live Theatre is committed to youth theatre and talent development and is renowned as a ‘crucible of ideas’ with many internationally successful productions and careers having been launched at the Tyneside venue. The programme reflects the society in which we live with new writing and new voices a cornerstone. During Jim’s time at Live Theatre there have been many very successful and critically acclaimed productions including  'Wet House', 'Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour', 'The Red Lion',  'Harriet Martineau Dreams of Dancing', 'Iris' and 'Shine'. 

Jim said: “When I started at Live Theatre the company was very nearly insolvent, however 'Cooking with Elvis' was in the West End and Sean O’Brien’s play 'Laughter When We’re Dead' was at Live – two extraordinary plays. This gave me a creative confidence to shape a new model for the future of Live Theatre. My standout memories are the opening nights of 'The Pitmen Painters' at the National Theatre and on Broadway, 'Our Perpetual Ladies of Succour' at Live and in the West End, the shock of 'Wet House' on London audiences at Soho Theatre and a classic First Draft Production with Davie Whittaker (a founder member and stalwart of Live Theatre) and his competitor, fighting it out as two Subaru cars on a race track – written by a 10 year old, it is still one of the funniest things I’ve seen at Live.” 

In 2011, Jim received an honorary Doctor of Letters from Northumbria University and in 2012 he was awarded an MBE for his service to theatre. In 2018 Jim was appointed Chair of the pioneering Urban Green, Newcastle a charity responsible for the management and upkeep of the city’s parks, allotments and green spaces – he will continue in this role. 

In 2000, Live Theatre had a great reputation for supporting emerging productions and new writers but the financial future was precarious. Jim stepped in and took up the challenge to turn things around with a new vision, new direction and a new business model. What followed was a phased approach which saw the full refurbishment of Live Theatre completed in 2007, the opening of Caffe Vivo (now St Vincent’s) the next year and The Broad Chare in 2011.  Further developments included The Schoolhouse, Live Works, Live Tales and Live Garden, resulting in the establishment of the Live Quarter, a cultural and creative hub on a regenerated Newcastle Quayside. 

Jim added: “It has been a privilege to have played a role in the cultural regeneration of Newcastle, the North East and the Quayside. To see an ambitious vision for Live Theatre come to fruition and flourish including design and architecture awards such as a RIBA National Award. Live Theatre and its social enterprise model are recognised as one of the country’s most enterprising cultural institutions and our talent development, creative programme and productions have made an impact nationally and internationally. It has been fun, exciting, creative and challenging, but it has always been an honour to have led Live Theatre over these years, and I am grateful to all the people I’ve worked with past and present: the fantastic artists, staff, trustees and stakeholders without whom nothing would be achieved. I hand over the reins to a great new Executive Team and wish them continued success.” 

 

Live Theatre goes forward with a new leadership structure with two posts, Executive Director and Artistic Director working together as joint CEOs.  Jacqui Kell, took up the position of Executive Director/Joint CEO in March 2021 and will soon be joined by the yet to be appointed new Artistic Director.  

Felt Nowt Friday 2nd April 2021

The closest thing to being there! 

Local comedy will be live streamed on Friday 2nd April 2021 from a real stage. 

George Zach, Greek Comedian. 6:30 pm

George has well earned his place as a headliner and regular in the UK comedy industry and has had successful runs in Australia at the Adelaide and Perth Comedy festivals. George Zacharopoulos. A world travelling Greek Geordie George is doing his best in his second language. Trust us, he is doing his very best! From a real venue to your home! 

Tickets - https://feltnowt.co.uk/events/23/

Felt Nowt Fridays #6 8 pm

Featuring:

Matt Reed 

Seymour Mace 

Louise Young 

Deage Paxton 

MC Hal Branson 

Tickets. https://feltnowt.co.uk/events/34/

On the same night! Zoe: The Best Show 9:30 pm 

Nicola Mantalios brings us side splitting character comedy that really is one of a kind. The Best Show. Crime, dogs, sex. That sort of thing. 

Tickets. https://feltnowt.co.uk/events/27

Each individual show costs £5 per household and you can book all 3 for £12 using this link: https://feltnowt.co.uk/events/48/ 

These shows are presented by Felt Nowt, who are a not-for-profit organisation that has a goal to transform the North East comedy scene for audiences and comedians. It has been formed by a number of well known North East comedians, including Gavin Webster, Hal Branson, Lee Kyle and Lauren Pattison. As a Community Interest Company Felt Nowt will reinvest all of its profits back into the business with the long-term goal of taking comedy to communities which might not otherwise have access to it.