Preview: The Last Tango at Darlington Civic Theatre

THEIR FINAL EVER TOUR

The Last Tango

Darlington Civic Theatre

Monday 16 to Saturday 21 May, 2016

Britain’s best-loved dance duo to perform together in theatres for the last time. 

Fresh from their sell-out hit shows Midnight Tango and Dance ’Til Dawn, Strictly superstars Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace have created their most moving production yet as the pair prepare to dance in their final ever theatre show. The Last Tango opens in September 2015 and will visit Darlington Civic Theatre in May 2016.

Twenty years of dancing together has seen them become Strictly Come Dancing favorites, World Argentine Tango Champions, and create and star in their own Olivier Award nominated West End productions – but now, as the nation’s favorite dancers prepare to take on new projects, it is time for Vincent and Flavia to say goodbye to audiences across the UK in a brand new, thrilling live performance.

Flavia said; “We have had such a fantastic time creating and dancing in Midnight Tango and Dance ’Til Dawn. It’s an incredible experience to perform live in front of our wonderful audience night after night, but all good things must come to an end, so we’re creating our final ever theatre show. It’s going to be intimate, intense and full of our award-winning Argentine tango. The Last Tango is going to showcase our best work and most beautiful dance moves before we finally say farewell to theatre.”

Vincent said “The last few years have been amazing – we’ve loved it. It may be our final theatre tour but we’re going to go out with a bang! This is going to be our best show yet!"

Don’t miss your last ever chance to see this dynamic duo do what they do best live - in an intimate, passionate and explosive experience. It’s time for The Last Tango.

The Last Tango is directed by Olivier Award winning choreographer and director Karen Bruce and produced by Adam Spiegel Productions (The Producers, Dance ‘Til Dawn, Midnight Tango, Love Me Tender).

Tickets:

The Last Tango is at Darlington Civic Theatre from Monday May 16 to Saturday May 21, 2016. Tickets* are priced from £21 - £36

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk    

*All ticket prices include a £1 restoration levy

Preview: The Man and the Donkey at The Customs House

The Man and the Donkey Returns Home

The Man and the Donkey

South Shields Customs House

Tuesday 19^thMay to Saturday 23^rd May 2015.

The tale of a North East war hero will be brought to life to commemorate the centenary of his death. John Simpson Kirkpatrick is known to millions on the other side of the world but few know his story of courage on his home shores. The Customs House in South Shields will chronicle his heroic tale in the critically-acclaimed play The Man and the Donkey.

Director Jackie Fielding said: “This is a fantastic, poignant and fascinating piece of theatre with a lot of laughs.  It's a story which everyone can enjoy. We are thrilled that most of the original cast and production team are back together and cannot wait for rehearsals to get started again.”

The play was first performed in 2011 and is returning to mark the 100th Anniversary of Kirkpatrick’s death will run at the Mill Dam theatre from May 19 to 23. Valerie Laws’ much-loved play follows John as he joins the Merchant Navy at 17 and heads off to Australia, from there he enlists to serve with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (Anzacs) as a stretcher bearer in World War I. There, with the help of his trusty donkey Duffy, and under fire, he helped to rescue wounded soldiers on the shores of Gallipoli until his death on May 19, 1915. He is now remembered as one of Australia’s best-loved war heroes.

Customs House Executive Director Ray Spencer said: “When this production was first put on in 2011 everybody loved it.  We decided to bring it back this year to commemorate the 100 anniversary of John Simpson Kirkpatrick's death and we are sure it will once again be loved by all who see it. It's a very moving, yet funny play. Kirkpatrick was a real character and the wonderful script, written by Valerie Laws, and fantastic direction by Jackie Fielding really do bring his and Duffy's story to life.

“In Australia his story is known by everyone and we wanted to remember him in this very special year.  Kirkpatrick was a true hero – as it says on his gravestone – he gave his life that others may live. Anzac Day on Saturday (April 25) marks 100 years since the Gallipoli landings and I’m sure the people of South Tynesidewill take a moment to think of Kirkpatrick, who remains one of South Shields’ greatest heroes.”

Customs House regular Jamie Brown, who will take on the lead of Kirkpatrick, added: “The story of Kirkpatrick is just incredible and it is an honour to bring it to life.”

Joining him in the cast will be Viktoria Kay, Gary Kitching, James Hedley, Jacqueline Phillips and Dean Logan.

Tickets:

The Man and the Donkey is on at The Customs House from May 19 to 23. Tickets are £15, £14 concession and £5 to schools and are available from the box office on (0191) 454 1234 or online at www.customshouse.co.uk

Breaking News is the new EP from North East band Peculiar Disco Moves. The new video is a portrayal of celebrity life, where red tops will sell their Granny to get a picture of a Z-lister parking his car one minute, then drop him or her like an anchor in the sea the next. 

See the new PDM video on this link here 

Follow Peculiar Disco Moves here

Preview: Freeze FRAME at Tyne Theatre

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Freeze FRAME: The Illustrated Cinemas of Newcastle

Newcastle Tyne Theatre

Monday 1^st June to Tuesday 30^th June

Newcastle’s glorious cinema heritage is being celebrated with a new collection of eight artworks. Heaton based artist and illustrator Ben Holland has been working on the series of drawings for the last two years and will exhibit the collection for the first time in one of Newcastle’s most historic cinema buildings.

The Tyne Theatre and Opera House, previously the Stoll Picture House on Westgate Road, first opened its doors as a cinema on 2^nd June 1919 with a screening of Tarzan of the Apes. 96 years on, the auditorium will once again be filled with memories of the silver screen as the collection, entitled Freeze FRAME, is displayed in the theatre, initially onstage (1^st & 2^nd June) and then throughout the remainder of the month in a public exhibition space.

“There’s something about old cinema buildings, a certain romanticism that I really like. These drawings try to encapsulate these eras, certainly with a hint of nostalgia but also with an undercurrent of edginess. Often these were the places that provided real talking points for their customers, from the news reel films of the 30’s through to controversial movies of the 70’s, into 90’s blockbusters and beyond.”

“It’s not a definitive collection of every Newcastle cinema by any means – there’s been more than eight for starters. Rather it’s a snapshot of some of Newcastle’s key buildings throughout the 20^th century. Some of those buildings, like the Tyne Theatre and Tyneside Cinema are very much still here today. Others, notably the Odeon on Pilgrim Street are, shamefully, derelict and further still the Pavilion and ABC have been pulled down altogether. These new artworks will hopefully both rekindle some memories as well as add to the debate about the regeneration of Newcastle’s city centre.”

All eight artworks have been researched by piecing together several library archive photographs. Each composition has then been painstakingly hand drawn in pen and pencil. All limited edition prints are hand coloured after printing – giving each print a unique touch of originality. 

Ben’s work – which has until now centred around the subject of Newcastle’s pubs and cafes – has previously been displayed in galleries and venues throughout the city. He has also previously been nominated as a finalist for The Biscuit Factory’s UK Young Artist of the Year Award. Freeze FRAME is his first major solo collection.

Tyne Theatre & Opera House are thrilled to be playing host to this event and using the stage space in a different way. Attendees are welcomed to join Ben and his work on stage on Monday 1^st June from 7pm to 9pm. Freeze FRAME will stay on stage on Tuesday 2^nd June from 10am to 3.30pm then moved to a gallery location within the Tyne Theatre & Opera House for the duration of June 2015.

FREE ENTRY. On Stage Exhibition: Mon 1st June from 7pm to 9pm, Tues 2nd June from 10am to 3.30pm. Gallery Exhibition: From Wed 3rd to Tues 30th June (Mon to Fri only) 10am to 3.30pm.

On The Web:

Website: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/tynetheatreandoperahouse

Twitter: twitter.com/tyneoperahouse

Theatre Address: 109 – 119 Westgate Road, Newcastle, NE1 4AG

Review: What Falls Apart at Newcastle Live Theatre

Ambition Can Ruin A Man

In A Political Game OF Chess

What Falls Apart
Newcastle Live Theatre

Until Saturday 16 May 2015

Live Theatre is a leader in the presentation of new writing. They are not afraid to tackle the tough subjects of what life is actually like head on. Amazing drama such as Faith And Cold Reading or Wet House (See Jowheretogo Review here) or political explorations such as A Walk On Part have had us recommend strongly that people should walk away from the television and give Live Theatre a try. Without exception, our recommendations have resulted in new fans for the Newcastle Quayside venue. What Falls Apart is another Live Theatre classic that reaches for the jugular.

In Torben Betts play we start in the 24 hour bar in a hotel with a Labour election candidate propping up the bar as the sole customer, supping his wine and musing on the day.

Campaigning has been met with indifference or hostility as the electorate still remember the illegal war. For Tom Savage this is a fairly new situation as he had not drunk until he was in his 40s and he had started to feel the effects of being in government.

Listening to his woes is barman Gary, who is a master of the bar quiz through his incredible memory. Tom cannot remember the previous night very well, and this includes a photo that Gary has now got on his phone which could be embarrassing for his political campaign. 

After offering money for the picture to be removed he decides he should retire for the night just as a young lady who claims to be a fan appears at the bar. Venetia Fitzpatrick offers the old campaigner a drink which he is reluctant to take. She knows a lot about him and she is quite insistent. As he eventually accepts the drink he starts rolling a series of events that will make this a memorable night.

Director Max Roberts has created a theatrical event in which the 2 hours flies past at some rate. The bar tender, Gary, is played by the wonderful Kevin Wathen who juggles both the bottles and the dialogue to great effect. Zannah Hodson is captivating as the temptress who seems rather too eager to have the company of a middle aged election candidate.

It was important that, given the bad press that members of Parliament have had in recent years, that Nigel Hastings plays Tom Savage as a man that the audience can empathise with. Nigel is convincing as the career politician.

Unusual for a Live Theatre production but there is a set change but each set is very cleverly designed to enable everyone in the audience gets a great view of the action.

This is a fabulous drama that deserves to be seen and enjoyed. It is a powerful exploration of issues that can form the back stories of ordinary people, be they working class or wanting to join the ruling class. Like all good theatre, it requires emotional engagement and leaves you pondering over the events as you leave.

Live Theatre is also running a number of events in the run up to the election which will include an opportunity for younger people to get involved in the debate. This includes a Young People’s Question Time and a discussion of politics as a profession with the writer of the diaries that A Walk On Part was based upon, former local Labour MP Chris Mullin. Further details of these events are given below.

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

Read the original JoWhereToGo Preview here

Tickets:

Wednesday 22 April to Saturday 16 May
What Falls Apart
Written by Torben Betts - Directed by Max Roberts - Design by Isla Shaw

PERFORMANCES: Tues to Sat, 7.30pm
MATINEES: Sat 2 & 16 May 2pm, Thurs 7 May, 2pm & Sun 10 May, 4pm

Tickets for What Falls Apart cost £22 to £10, over 60s concessions £22 to £10 and other concessions £15 to £5.  Tickets can be purchased by contacting Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or online by visiting www.live.org.uk  

SUITABILITY: 14+, contains strong language
 
ASSISTED PERFORMANCES:
Tuesday 12 May, 7.30pm - British SignLanguage Interpreted
Wednesday 13 May, 7.30pm – Captioned
Thursday 14 May, 6.15pm – Touch Tour
Thursday 14 May, 7.30pm – Audio Described

Associated Events

Thursday 30 April, after the show
Meet the Team
Join writer Torben Betts, director Max Roberts and the cast as they talk about the process of bringing the show from page to stage.

LOCATION: Main Theatre

DURATION: Approx. 30mins

SUITABILITY: 14+

TICKETS: Free, booking essential

Friday 1 May, 8pm

Exclusive Screening of Downhill

Torben Betts wrote the screenplay for the British independent feature film Downhill a story about four old school friends who reunite to attempt the epic coast to coast walk, across the United Kingdom.

As their journey unfolds, this comically incompatible foursome walk full tilt into their mid-life crises.

Join us for an exclusive screening of this film, which was released in cinemas in May 2014, then listen to Torben talk with Max Roberts about the differences between writing for the stage and the screen. This is followed by a Q&A.

LOCATION: Studio Theatre

DURATION: Approx. 2hrs 15mins, including an interval

SUITABILITY: 15+

TICKETS: £8, £6 concs

Sunday 3 May, 4pm

#GetOnYourSoapbox &

Young People’s Question Time

To mark the beginning of Election Week this is a chance to enjoy a piece of theatre devised by young people as they get their voices heard in #GetOnYourSoapbox.

Then join Young People’s Question Time – a chance for local young people to challenge the decision makers who shape the issues that impact on oureveryday lives.

LOCATION: Studio Theatre

DURATION: Approx. 2hrs, including an interval

SUITABILITY: 14+

TICKETS: Free, booking essential

Sunday 3 May, 7.30pm

In Defence of Politics

At a time of unprecedented cynicism about politics and politicians, former Labour minister and best-selling diarist Chris Mullin makes a welcome return to Live Theatre, this time to argue that, for all its imperfections, British politics is an honourable profession. Join Chris as he sets out what he believes is the great political challenge facing future generations.

A 40 minute talk followed by 50 minutes of Q&A.

LOCATION: Main Theatre

DURATION: Approx. 1hr 30mins

SUITABILITY: 14+

TICKETS: £12, £10 concs

See the latest video for North East Singer Songwriter Alex Dobson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxPyR6hAuDw

His new single Taking You Under is available for pre-order on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/id983292129

Review: The Devil Wears Primark at The Customs House

The Sparks Are Flying

At The Customs House.

The Devil Wears Primark
South Shields: The Customs House
Wednesday 22nd April - Thursday 23rd April 2015.

It’s a simple fact of life. One cannot choose their family.  We also fall in love with people whose family may not get on with us. Throw in some international tension and we have the makings of the latest offering from writer, director, producer and star Kathleen Ruddy, The Devil Wears Primark.

Kathleen plays the Greek Cypriot matriarch Aunt Athy who is the sex therapist on the radio. Her advice is not PC and follows the mantra that a man is there to be pleased and his lady is there to look after his needs. This brings on the wrath of the feminists. Her long suffering husband Nikos, played by Mark McDonnell, enjoys a spot of cross dressing whilst watching the birds in the garden.

The story centres around Athy’s trip to meet The Queen to receive an honour. This results in a return home for her children. First to arrive was Maria (Dawn Chandler) who works as an assistant to a headteacher. She wears and talks to her 2 sock puppets in order to make sense of her world. Her Mum winds her up about her appetite for cake and she is the butt of a number of jokes.

Her son Aris appears with her new girlfriend, the recently widowed Mina. John Ritchie’s character struggles against the domineering mother who doesn’t approve of her son’s slightly older Turkish circus performer girlfriend.  It seems that the effect of the 1974 invasion of Cyprus by the Turks is still a sore point.  Penni Tovey gets opportunity to show off her circus tricks, as the headstrong Mina, with spectacular effect.  The interaction between these two strong female characters is never that pleasant as mother makes her feelings clear.

Many of the jokes at the start are related to Aunt Athy’s role as a sex therapist and hence the show is neither family viewing nor very politically correct.  Kathleen Ruddy’s delightful script shows the complexities of the family set up and the resultant dread of introducing your other half to potentially disapproving mothers. Chuck in circus tricks with fire and with an angle grinder and the end result is a different, entertaining evening.

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

Read the original Jowheretogo Preview here

Tickets

Rubber Ear Productions presents The Devil Wears Primark by Kathleen Ruddy comes to The Customs House in South Shields Wednesday 22nd April - Thursday 23rd April 2015.
Price: £15 / £14 Conc.
Box Office: 0191 454 1234
Website: www.customshouse.co.uk

Review: To Kill A Mockingbird at Newcastle Theatre Royal

A return to our Theatre Blog... Victoria Ling, from 137 Imaging (www.facebook.com/137imaging)  is guest reviewer:

To Kill A Mockingbird

NewcastleTheatre Royal

Until Saturday 25^th April 2015

I have seen movies transferred to the theatre and nine times out of ten heard that the book is better than the movie.  Tonight I was seeing my ‘all time’ favourite book come to life on stage. How would this adaptation from Christopher Sergel plan out? Amazing would be my answer to that.

I was sat at the middle of the highest row possible.  Before the show I was disappointed at this, as I like to be as close to the action as possible.  However, after the opening lines of Scouts account of this particular summer is read out, I think I had one of the best seats in the house.

With lights still on, the cast come from the audience onto the stage each taking turns reading from various different covers of the book itself, to set the scene of small town Maycombe of America’s 1930s Deep South. And then we really begin, as the whole cast draw the neighbourhood map on the floor with chalk to add to the tree with the tyre-swing already there. A brilliant concept from designer Jon Bauser.

What I love about this production is that when in narrative mode, the actors are reading in their own accents, then when they get into character this Southern drawl comes out. Another credit to Sergel.

Everything about this production is amazing. The castings of Scout (Jemima Bennett), Jem (Harry Bennett) and Dill (Leo Heller) allow us to see things through innocent child eyes, as the book also does very well.  What I did not know beforehand is that real-life brother and sister play Scout and Jem.  However, I do not think this would have made any difference to their delivery. 

The children made me remember how it was to be a child in playing freely and making up stories about the boogieman. In this case Boo Radley.  Who at the end nearly had me in tears.  The story is very much set around the black-white divide but with Boo Radley the social element of how people fit for ‘being different is very much here. Although we have the characters of Calpurnia and Maudie Atkinson to help us with this it is Atticus Finch (Daniel Betts) that makes us “climb into ‘someone’s’ skin and walk around in it."  Betts is everything you could want in Atticus.

I really thought we were going to get a play attending this production.  But we were drawn into a simple spectacle. It was not only the clever production of staging and lighting in each scene but also the added musical elements that bring it altogether.  Musician Luke Potter with guitar and toe tapping who also acts as narrator and character Link Deas cleverly does this.  So many scenes were acted amazingly. I could give a list but I will stick with this: The ‘ham’ scene. Get a ticket and you will see what I mean.

I honestly cannot fault this production. From being a huge fan of the book I was going to read it again before seeing it on stage but I decided not to.  This was a good decision as now I am so excited to read it all over again feeling the same sense of Summer in Maycomb through the eyes of Scout and listen to the mockingbird sing.

To Kill A Mockingbird at the Theatre Royal runs until Saturday 25^thApril to a sell-out audience. You will be lucky to get a single ticket or returns but please try your luck.

This review was written by Victoria Ling  for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Victoria on twitter @LilVik or follow her photography on Facebook (www.facebook.com/137imaging)

Victoria Ling – http://137imaging.co.uk

Tickets:

Theatre Royal Box Office can be contacted on 08448 11 21 21 or select your own seat and book online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

See the latest video for North East Singer Songwriter Alex Dobson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxPyR6hAuDw

His new single Taking You Under is available for pre-order on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/id983292129

 

Review: Yes, Prime Minister at Newcastle People’s Theatre

Some Things Never Change

Yes, Prime Minister

Newcastle People’s Theatre

Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 April 2015

The writers behind the original much loved TV series, Antony Jay and Jonathan Lynn, have returned with an updated parable of political scheming.   In the run up to the next general election it is a fascinating reminder of may be happening behind closed doors.  Prime Minister Jim Hacker has austerity problems at home and, as president of the Council of the European Union, he also has diplomatic issues abroad.

There is also a potential problem with taking on a well known television programme, such as Fawlty Towers, Dad’s Army, or this sitcom, that the audience have to adjust to the different cast playing familiar characters. Roger Liddle received two sets of applause for his fabulous delivery of two of Sir Humphrey Appleby’s more verbose replies to a straightforward question. Simply saying “yes” or “no” seemed too crude to the former Classics graduate.

Sean Burnside comfortably filled the shoes of the pedantic Principal Private Secretary Bernard Woolley. Perhaps the role which differed the most from the tv series was that of Prime Minister Jim Hacker, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.  If the programme hadn’t existed then there would be an immediate celebration in the engaging manner of the modern politician but it is human nature to put that comparison there.  Steve Hewitt has the familiar feel of the current crop of politicians and his Jim Hacker is suitably more street-wise than Paul Eddington’s interpretation was.

The People’s Theatre set is the refined set of the study at Chequers. The action, under Eileen Davidson’direction, is allowed to flow and takes advantage of the single set. The show isn’t slowed down by the stop-start of regularly changing scenes.

There is a smaller supporting cast than many shows at the Peoples and each one has a vital role to play. The special adviser Claire Sutton is instrumental to the story and Geffen Yoeli-Rimmer is much less irritating than the original SPAD Frank Weisel.

The story involves the diplomatic backroom manoeuvring as a result of the visit of the Foreign Secretary and Ambassador of Kumranistan.  Andrew De’Ath plays the confident Ambassador that is at the centre of the diplomatic nightmare for the Prime Minister.

The egotistical self-importance of both the politicians, their advisors and the civil service helped ensure regular ripples of laughter from the audience.  The overall result is a timely look at how important decisions can be made as the result of dodgy backroom dealing. The story is updated from the series that was produced from 1979 until 1988 and yet it understands the qualities that made the original so entertaining. May Roger Liddle’s Sir Humphrey Appleby continue to never give a straight answer to a simple question.

This review was written by Stephen Oliver for Jowheretogo PR (www.jowheretogo.com). Follow Jo on twitter @jowheretogo, Stephen @panic_c_button or like Jowheretogo on Facebook www.facebook.com/Jowheretogo

Photos: Paula Smart https://www.facebook.com/wildheartsphoto

Tickets:

Yes, Prime Minister by  Antony Jay & Jonathan Lynn runs from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 April 2015, 7.30pm at The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne,  NE6 5QF.

Tickets are: £13.50 (Concessions £11) – To book: 0191 265 5020 or online at their website: www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

See the latest video for North East Singer Songwriter Alex Dobson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxPyR6hAuDw

His new single Taking You Under is available for pre-order on iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/id983292129