Preview: Gosforth Civic Theatre is marking Pride this year with three stand out events.

Gosforth Civic Theatre is marking Pride this year with three stand out events and performances from LGBTQ+ artists, writers, performers and members of the region's queer community.

Gosforth Civic Theatre aree delighted to be bringing a strong programme of events to GCT this year to celebrate Pride in the North East, collaborating with Curious Arts and Equal Arts to platform great work and voices from the LGBTQ+ artistic community in Gosforth and Newcastle.

The programme begins on Sunday 18th July with Handing on our Histories, a retro pride event with music, photography, and short films. It's the culmination of six months work where Equal Arts have been creating a cross-generational project which has supported students to capture the oral history of those who made the first North East Pride events, fought against discriminatory laws like Section 28 and campaigned for LGBT rights during the 1970s and 80s. Tickets are free, but are almost gone so move quick!

On Tuesday 20 July, the first piece of theatre performance in the Theatre since March 2020 is Jenny by Tom Marshman. Part of Curious Arts #CuriousSummer, and followed by a Q&A feedback session with the artist, Jenny is a work-in-progress scratch performance which gathers together research from historians at Newcastle archives, and academics at the University of Bristol, to raise questions of how to create a fully formed picture of someone from the past. Particularly when LGBTQ+ and working class lives are largely documented through their often brutal encounters with the state.

It's all tied together through collaborations with Canadian composer, singer, and musician Jenny Moore, who composed original music as part of the piece; and a writing collaboration with writer and performer Enxi Chang.

It'll be fascinating and a must for those with an interest in LGBTQIA+ history, true crime or just new progressive writing and performance. Tickets are free to book and it's pay as you feel on the evening.

The weeks ends with a bang and Curious Arts Fundraiser on Friday 23 July. Curious Arts is a Newcastle Gateshead based not-for-profit organisation championing and developing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual + arts, artists and audiences across the North East of England.

The evening is packed with LGBTQ+ talent and will be a fun-packed night of live music, drag, roller-skating, hula-hooping and dance, raising vital funds to support LGBTQIA+ artists and young people across the North East with all ticket sales going to Curious Arts to support the work they do.

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Featuring performances by Martha Hill, Jesse Salaman & Toi Guy and Symoné, the event will be hosted by Drag royalty Choriza May with a guest appearance from Gladys Duffy. Tickets are on sale now and start from £15.

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GCT is a community arts venue, ran by a disability arts charity, and we strive to be a place for everyone. We want to give people a voice and be somewhere they can feel safe coming together and being themselves. Openness and inclusivity are important to us. They form the basis of who we are - 20% of our staff team identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community - and we want to represent that in what we programme now and in the future, so watch this space for more LGBTQ+ community activities and performances.

Tickets:

Sunday 18 July - Handing on our Histories

Tuesday 20 July - Jenny by Tom Marshman

Friday 23 July - Curious Arts Fundraiser

For more information on all the performances mentioned and the rest of their programme, head to their What's On Page.

Preview: Cinderella at Darlington Hippodrome

 

DARLINGTON PANTOMIME FANS SHALL
GO TO THE BALL!

Cinderella

Darlington Hippodrome

Friday 10 to Friday 31 December 2021

Steps star Faye Tozer leads the cast of this year’s Fairy Godmother of all pantomimes, Cinderella, at Darlington Hippodrome in December.

Darlington Hippodrome has announced that much-loved singer and television personality Faye Tozer will headline this year’s Hippodrome pantomime, Cinderella, from Friday 10 December.

As one fifth of the multi award-winning pop band Steps for the last two decades, Faye and her band-mates released over twenty hit singles, five chart-topping studio albums and toured the nation nine times with their inimitable style of pop and famous dance routines, amassing record sales of over 20 million worldwide. After a brief hiatus the group reformed to celebrate their 20th anniversary, releasing new critically acclaimed material delighting existing fans and winning them legions of new ones. Most recently the group combined forces with Michelle Visage, releasing their celebrated hit Heartbreak in this City.

Outside of the Steps-phere, Faye has also enjoyed an extensive theatre career, starring in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s one-woman musical Tell Me On A Sunday to great critical acclaim, the UK tour of Love Shack, Saucy Jack and the Space Vixens in London’s West End, Me and My Girl and Over The Rainbow where she played the late Eva Cassidy as well as appearing in numerous pantomimes. In 2018 Faye took part in the sixteenth series of BBC1’s primetime show, Strictly Come Dancing. Coupled with Giovanni Pernice, the pair sashayed into the final and wowed audiences with their incredible footwork, only narrowly missing out on winning the coveted glitter ball trophy. Before she line-dances her way into Darlington, Faye will star in the hit musical Singin’ in the Rain at London’s Sadler’s Wells theatre.

Cinderella will see pantomime make its long-awaited return to Darlington Hippodrome following the closure of the venue due to the Covid pandemic, brought to audiences by the critically-acclaimed production team behind the last twenty festive productions. The show will be packed full of the magical ingredients Darlington audiences have come to expect from their annual festive pantomime, including special effects, hilarious comedy and plenty of audience participation in a celebration of festive joy following such unprecedented times.

Chief Executive of Crossroads Pantomimes Michael Harrison said: “Faye is undoubtedly an absolute star, and a natural at pantomime, bringing all of her undeniable warmth, humour, fancy footwork and stunning vocals. We’re delighted to be able to team up with her once again and let her cast her spell over Darlington audiences and bring back the magic of pantomime now that we are able to do so.”

Heather Tarran-Jones, Programming and Development Director of Darlington Hippodrome said “We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Faye will be with us for Cinderella and I am sure she will be a great hit with audiences of all ages.”

Tickets:

Cinderella runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Friday 10 to Friday 31 December 2021. Tickets are on sale now, with early booking advised. For full details and to book visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk or call 01325 405405.

 

Preview Magic Mike The Arena Tour at Utilita Arena Newcastle

 

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Channing Tatum’s Magic Mike

Launches Spectacular New  Arena Tour

 

Magic Mike The Arena Tour

Utilita Arena Newcastle

Monday 23^rd May 2022

Tickets: https://ticketmaster-uk.tm7559.net/Aom3JD

Magic Mike The Arena Tour will come to Utilita Arena Newcastle on 23^rd May 2022.  With more dancers, bigger numbers and more spectacle than ever before, this will be the first time a live performance of Magic Mike has ever been staged outside of an intimate, cabaret-style space.  The Arena Tour will open in Belfast on 6 May, followed by Glasgow, Aberdeen, Leeds, Sheffield, Newcastle, Nottingham, Birmingham, Manchester and finishing in Liverpool.

Following two hugely successful films starring Channing Tatum and the hit Live show at the Theatre at the Hippodrome Casino in London, the show’s producers and creative team felt it was time to develop a new Magic Mike production to bring to people in other parts of the UK to celebrate the rebirth of live entertainment.

Magic Mike Live Co-Director Alison Faulk said, “This is not Magic Mike Live with more seats. Our arena tour is something totally different. After a year of isolation and frustration, we want to give women something that makes them feel alive again… a sort of celebratory revival that makes them want to stand on their chairs, dance with their friends and feel connected to each other. The show is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration of togetherness, sexuality and freedom that only an arena can hold. We want our guys to give our fans the best night of their lives with a party they’ll never forget.”

Conceived by Channing Tatum and co-directed by Channing Tatum and Alison Faulk, Magic Mike Live, which has already wowed over 200,000 people in London alone and almost 750,000 worldwide, is a large-scale, live production show based on the hit films Magic Mike and Magic Mike XXL, which opened at The Theatre at the Hippodrome Casino in London’s Leicester Square in November 2018. Magic Mike Live will be resuming its successful London run on 21 May 2021.

Magic Mike The Arena Tour is a new project that builds on the dance, spectacle and fun of the much-loved films and London show. It will be a complete evening of unparalleled entertainment for guests aged 18 and up. A group of extraordinary artists from around the world will perform a sultry dance and acrobatic spectacular on an incredible scale. Sexy dance routines intertwined with one-of-a-kind acts, will be presented by a diverse cast of performers from around the world.  The Arena Tour will feature an elaborate series of stages and runways spanning the length of the arena floor, punctuated by massive screens, incredible visual effects, a live DJ, and of course some of the hottest, most talented male dancers in the world. It’s a celebration of fun and freedom that will blow the roof off the arena. 

Magic Mike The Arena Tour will be directed by Magic Mike Live co-director Alison Faulk, with choreography by Alison Faulk and co-direction and choreography by Teresa Espinosa and Luke Broadlick. The scenic design is by Rob Bissinger and Anita LaScala (Arda Studio), with costume design by Marina Toybina, lighting design by Philip Gladwell and video design by Luke Halls. The musical supervisor and composer is Jack Rayner, with sound design by Nick Kourtides.  Dreya Weber is the aerial choreographer & aerial apparatus designer. Vincent Marini is Executive Producing.

Magic Mike Live has become an international sensation since opening in Las Vegas in April 2017.  In addition to breaking box office records and performing to sold-out audiences in Las Vegas and London, the show premiered in Berlin in 2020 and the Australia national tour opened in Sydney in December 2020.

Magic Mike The Arena Tour is produced by Channing Tatum, Steven Soderbergh, Reid Carolin, Greg Jacobs, Peter Kiernan and Nick Wechsler in association with Vincent Marini and presented by David Ian Productions and Phil McIntyre Entertainments.

 

Tickets are available online from our affiliates Ticketmaster UK: https://ticketmaster-uk.tm7559.net/Aom3JD

 

 

Preview: Rock Of Ages at Darlington Hippodrome

 

Rock Of Ages Cast Announced For Darlington Hippodrome Dates

Rock Of Ages

Darlington Hippodrome

Tuesday 23 - Saturday 27 November 2021

Following a sell-out tour in 2018/2019, the producers of the smash-hit musical Rock Of Ages are delighted to announce the cast for the UK tour which comes to Darlington Hippodrome for a week-long run in November.

 

Photo: Richard Davenport

The producers said today, ‘We are thrilled to welcome back many returning cast members from the last tour and a new rising star Joe Gash who will be playing the iconic role of Lonny. We can’t wait to be back and to give audiences (and fans) the best party night out of the summer’.

Luke Walsh

The full cast for the Rock Of Ages tour includes Luke Walsh who first played the lead role of Drew in the 2018/2019 tour, and he is back to reprise the role in 2021. Luke is a singer/songwriter and his theatre credits include ‘Chess’ (Umeda Arts Theatre, Osaka) and ‘Boybands Forever’ (Germany Tour).

Rhiannon Chesterman

Rhiannon Chesterman played Regina on the previous tour and is returning in the role of Sherrie. Rhiannon’s previous theatre credits include UK and Ireland tour of ‘Grease’ and ‘Mrs Henderson Presents’ at Noel Coward Theatre, West End. 

 

Joe Gash will play the iconic role of Lonny. Joe will be making his theatre debut in the role.

 

Ross Dawes will play Dennis Dupree, his previous West End theatre credits include ‘Phantom of the Opera’, ‘Girl from the North Country’, ’Charlie & the Chocolate Factory’ and ’Shrek the Musical’.

 

Gabriella Williams will play Regina and her previous credits include Sophie in ‘Mamma Mia!’ in the West End at the Novello Theatre and ‘Carrie; The Musical’ at Southwark Playhouse.

 

Jenny Fitzpatrick will play Justice. Jenny previously played the alternate Tina Turner in ‘TINA, The Tina Musical’ in London’s West End at the Aldwych theatre.

 

Vas Constanti, Andrew Carthy, Erin Bell will also be returning in their roles from the 2018/2019 tour as Hertz Klinemann, Franz Klinenmann and Constance. They are also joined by returning cast members Adam Strong and Joshua Dever.

 

They are joined by Scott Hayward, Sam Turrell, Phoebe Samuel-Gray, Siobhan James, Morgan Scott and Janine Somcio.

Photo - Richard Davenport

Rock Of Ages is the hilarious musical comedy lavished with over 25 classic rock anthems, including ‘Don’t Stop Believin’, ‘We Built This City’, ‘The Final Countdown’, ‘Wanted Dead or Alive’, ‘Here I Go Again’, ‘Can’t Fight this Feeling’ and ‘I Want To Know What Love Is’, played loud and proud by an awesome live band. Leave it all behind and lose yourself in a city and a time where the dreams are as big as the hair, and yes, they can come true!

 

Now a global smash with hit seasons on Broadway, London’s West End and Las Vegas and a star-studded Hollywood movie version this show promises you the best party night out around.

 

Tickets:

Rock Of Ages  runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Tuesday 23 to Saturday 27 November 2021. Tickets are on sale now. For more information or to book call 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

News: Sunderland Empire: Shining Bright for Ghostlight Sessions

 

Sunderland Empire:

Shining Bright for Ghostlight Sessions

 

Thursday 1st July marks the 114^th Birthday for Sunderland Empire and as the venue prepares to turn off the ghost light, the theatre will play host to a special series of virtual gigs which will play homage to the iconic and spectacular spaces within the Grade 2 listed theatre. 

The Ghostlight Sessions throughout July will showcase a hotbed of musical talent from Sunderland with the Futureheads, Big Fat Big, Faye Fantarrow, Picnic, Field Music and The Lake Poets streaming at 8pm on Mondays and Thursdays across the Sunderland Empire social channels. 

Futureheads - Photo: David Wood

Sunderland Empire has seen some of the biggest names in entertainment take centre stage over the years from Charlie Chaplin to Laurel and Hardy, and from Kate Bush to The Beatles. Music was on the programme from day one when the theatre was officially opened on 1 July 1907 by music hall star Vesta Tilley, and thanks to funding received from the Cultural Recovery Fund music will finally make a triumphant return. 

Big Fat Big - Photo: David Wood

Anthony Hope, Creative Learning and Community Partnerships Manager, Sunderland Empire said “The funding received from the Cultural Recovery Fund has given us a unique opportunity to work closely with an array of highly talented Sunderland musicians. Usually, visiting productions would take to the stage only for performances but we are delighted to be able to utilise our breath-taking spaces within the theatre and to be able to stream across our social channels, enabling all to experience the power of music and tune into the Ghostlight Sessions for free. 

Faye Fantarrow - Photo: David Wood

The locally significant and highly engaging creative project would not have been possible without the funding received and we would like to extend our thanks to Arts Council England and DCMS for supporting this event through the Cultural Recovery Fund.” 

Picnic - Photo: David Wood

A ghost light is a small, single bulbed light, usually a floor lamp,  that shines on the dark stage throughout the night when the theatre is closed and unoccupied, hence the poignancy of the Ghostlight Sessions. Theatre lore is unclear on if the light is to encourage spirits of performers past or to ward them away. The theatre may currently be dark, but the funding from the Cultural Recovery Fund has supported an array of exciting and collaborative community projects which are coming to fruition in the coming weeks to support Sunderland Empire’s reopening plans. 

Field Music - Photo: David Wood

The Ghostlight Sessions, which have been recorded by Sunderland recording producers Motorhouse Studios, will see Faye Fantarrow perform in the unused Opera Box, Field Music takeover the iconic domed Tower entrance and Big Fat Big will rock the Dress Circle Bar. A trailer will be released on Thursday 1^st July, and popular post punk four-piece, The Futureheads will be the first set to be released on Thursday 8 July at 8pm across Sunderland Empire’s social pages, further sets from all bands will be streamed weekly thereafter and will be free to view. 

Futureheads - Photo:David Wood

Ross Millard, The Futureheads added “The Sunderland Empire is one of very few venues in the region that we haven’t performed in over the years, so we’re really looking forward to being involved in the Ghostlight Sessions.  

The Empire has been a formative part of all of our childhoods, our cultural upbringings, and is a legendary Sunderland venue. We’ll be performing an acoustic / a cappella set on the stage inside the auditorium, which feels very special for us.”

Marie Nixon, Theatre Director, Sunderland Empire, explained “We’re so pleased to have such incredible Sunderland artists at all stages of their careers playing live from our beautiful theatre. It’s so important to us to support the creative community in Sunderland and every artist who has worked on this project be they musicians or illustrators, filmmakers or technicians makes a huge contribution to our city’s creative life. We’re delighted to be sharing their work with all of our wonderful audiences this summer.”

Six-piece band Picnic, who were selected by Sunderland born Eurythmics star Dave Stewart to play his 65th birthday gig in 2017 will showcase their sound that blends indie with jazz, funk and pop. Indie rock trio Big Fat Big who’ve recently had airplay on BBC Radio 1 and BBC 6 Music, have had a glut of praise for their early releases including 2020 singles ‘So Bored’ and ‘Milk and Vinegar’ alongside an appearance at BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend.

Next in the line-up, iconic, Mercury Music Prize nominated Wearside band Field Music. Fronted by brothers Peter and David Brewis, Field Music will be rocking the theatre fresh from a recent return to Later with Jools Holland where they performed ‘No Pressure’ from their eighth studio album Flat White Moon. Then one to watch on the North East’s burgeoning indie scene is emerging singer Faye Fantarrow who has recently released her second single of 2021, 'Kola Kiss' - a dreamy folk-infused pop banger about breaking away from societal norms.

Last but not least, described as 'Quietly Devastating', 'Accomplished and Intelligent’, and 'Spellbinding and Heart-breaking’, The Lake Poets, led by singer-songwriter Marty Longstaff, whose song Shipyards featured on the opening sequence to the Sunderland AFC Netflix documentary Sunderland Til I Die, will be making an infectious and gripping appearance.

 

Go to https://prf.hn/l/rvg3e45 for full listings

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