Preview: Project Godie at Newcastle All Saints' Church

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'Dance of darkness' sheds light on

Anglo-Japanese heritage

Project Godie

Newcastle All Saints' Church

Friday 12^thand Saturday 13^th August 2016

A new project is drawing on global influences to bring to life the shared industrial, military and cultural heritage of the North East and Japan.

Nicole Vivien Watson

Project Godie is a multi platform heritage programme that will take audiences on a journey through Anglo-Japanese history, celebrating the North East's strong links with Japan through dance, music, film and literature.

The programme will launch in Newcastle on Friday 12 August with a performance that places the dark Japanese art of butoh at its heart - which is why producers went straight to the heart of butoh to inform their work.

Vangeline

Commissioning critically-acclaimed butoh artist, Vangeline ("Captivating" New York Times), and having had the opportunity to spend time with late butoh co-founder, Kazuo Ohno, Nicole Vivien Watson, Creative Director of Newcastle-based Surface Area Dance Theatre Company (SADTC) has prepared a solid training ground for her company's first butoh performance.

Alongside co-producer Adam Denton (who will also be providing the audio aspect through sonic performance duo Trans/Human), Nicole is giving focus to the political dimension of butoh. Originally inspired by the Hiroshima tragedy that made the 'unimaginable imaginable', butoh will now be used as a vehicle to delve into a forgotten chapter of industrial history on Tyneside and its contribution to international military action.

Nicole said: "It is widely acknowledged that the region has experienced cultural and commercial exchanges with Japan, the beginnings of which can be found geographically on the banks of the River Tyne in Elswick through its shipbuilding heritage. And the legacy we see today is the region's strong business relations with Japan".

In fact, as Nicole and Adam discovered, the Japanese legacy is also captured in stone - as the graves of five Japanese nationals still lie today in St John's cemetery in Newcastle.

Nicole continued: "Through our research, we also discovered that it wasn't just those working in the shipbuilding industry who experienced life in the region during that time. Tannaker's Japanese was an acrobatic troupe who brought their version of Japanese culture to the North East in the 1870s - so these cultural, industrial and military exchanges were happening simultaneously, which is why we wanted to bring that history to life through performance."

Tannaker's Japanese and their tour of the North East was in fact the inspiration for the project's name. 'Little Godie', the baby son of two of the performers who sadly passed away aged just 15 months, is buried just over ten miles away from the five Newcastle graves in neighbouring Sunderland."

Adam said: "The fact that there was so much cultural exchange taking place is something we want to share with audiences today, investigating a heritage that is relevant but sadly long-forgotten."

Little exists about Tannaker's Japanese and their tour of the region. Adam added: "We feel there is so much more to discover and our research activities will continue beyond the project's launch and into the autumn, culminating with a presence within The Discovery Museum's permanent exhibition space in Newcastle."

Funded by Heritage Lottery Fund, Project Godie will take a multi-disciplinary approach, opening with a butoh performance, improv sonic performance, archive exhibits, writing and an interactive website to encourage community engagement. Additionally, community groups Search and St James Culture and Heritage Centre in the Elswick area of Newcastle will also take part in a range of events including writing and movement workshops, and activities at the local Scotswood Natural Community Garden.

Tickets:

The performances will take place on Friday 12^th and Saturday 13^th August at All Saints' Church on Lower Pilgrim Street in Newcastle. Tickets cost £8 (full) and £6 (concession). For further information and details of how to book, visit http://projectgodie.eventbrite.co.uk

News: Disabled artist residency at ARC

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Disabled artist residency at ARC

A disabled performance poet and theatre maker has been chosen to benefit from ARC’s disabled artist residency.

The disabled residency opportunity has been made possible by Cultural Shift, a funded programme of arts activity based at ARC for disabled people.

The residency offers a unique and valuable opportunity for disabled theatre makers to have a dedicated and stimulating space to work, write and rehearse a brand new piece of theatre.

Rowan James will be spending time at the Stockton venue from Monday 15th August to develop some ideas for a brand new play, which will incorporate a mix of poetry and physical performance. It will also explore how poetry, sign language and dance can all come together to form something incredible.

As the lead artist on the project, Rowan will be working with a team performers who specialise in creating theatre for disabled people, and their own experiences will help shape the performance.

Rowan said: “The piece of work I would like to produce is an innovative piece of physical theatre aimed at unifying the language around Disability. I’ll be collaborating as a spoken word artist with a deaf MC, a wheelchair dancer and an as-yet-unknown fourth physical performer. The piece will deliver a unifying message about the language of Disability and the effects of being labelled disabled or deaf, incorporating each performer's own history and experience.

“Audiences should expect an inclusive and absorbing production full of energy and passion, cleverly delivering an important message about the nature of society and humanity's perception of ‘the other’.”

Last year, Rowan’s show, Easy for You to Say, formed part of the Integrated Fringe (IF) Platform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Preview: Dolly Mixtures at South Shields Customs House

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Theatre Needs Your Help

Dolly Mixtures

South Shields Customs House

Wednesday 24^th August - Saturday 3^rd September 2016

Theatre fans are being called upon to help bring the true story of a group of extraordinary women to life this summer.

The Customs House has launched its first Crowdfunder campaign, hoping to raise £15,000 to bring The Dolly Mixtures story to the stage.   

This new musical is the story of eight incredible women who set up a variety act when one of their husbands' was diagnosed with cancer – later going on to raise £100,000.

It is written by the dream team of Tom Kelly and John Miles, who were behind hit shows Tom & Catherine, The Machine Gunners and Dan Dare at the arts venue.

The Dolly Mixtures then...

Customs House executive director Ray Spencer, who is also directing The Dolly Mixtures, said: “They overcame amorous committee men, transport troubles and difficult audiences to raise £100,000 across the North East for Cancer Research.  These women really were the North East’s very own Calendar Girls and we’re hoping the people will help bring this fantastic story to life.”

...and now.

These women formed an unbreakable bond - touring the male dominated social clubs, breaking down barriers and raising smiles, eyebrows and much needed funds along the way.  The fabulous, funny and cheeky Dolly Mixtures donned crazy wigs and costumes, sang their hearts out and generally made fun of themselves all for an amazing cause.  The girls took to the road, while juggling kids and full time jobs, to do something truly special.

The Dolly Mixtures runs from Wednesday 24^th August to Saturday 3^rd September and follows last summer’s smash hit Geordie the Musical, also written by Tom Kelly.

If you would like to help with the Crowdfunder campaign visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-dolly-mixtures-musicalfor exclusive perks from meets and greets to signed memorabilia.

Tickets:

Tickets are from £15 and for more information or to book tickets, go to www.customshouse.co.ukor call the box office on 0191 454 1234.

Review: David Callaghan & Carl Hutchinson at Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

Web link: Carliol Photography 

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David Callaghan & Carl Hutchinson

Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

27^th July 2016

Two Edinburgh Fringe previews at Newcastle’s fabulous Alphabetti Theatre on a Pay What You Feel basis: what’s not to like?

David Callaghan

First up was David Callaghan with his show “Let's Get This Partly Started”. Two large screens a pair of £20 curved shop security mirrors and a laptop provide a near planetarium experience. Oscillating between the two screens is David dressed in all white overalls.

The show moves from knowledge about spiders and space, blaming old English people for the Brexit mess through to celebrity endorsements. The show ties in the various projections with astute observations.  It isn’t political, relying more on the nature of society.

David has a fast-paced, friendly delivery. You don’t need to worry about sitting at the front and getting picked on. This is a reflective tale that includes good old Ivor The Engine and the family dog.

After a quick reorganisation of the furniture we were entertained by Carl Hutchinson previewing his solo show “The Fixer”.

Carl Hutchinson

Carl starts the show by posing the question: “If you were MP for the day, which law would you pass?” After a few suggestions from the flow Carl has some of his own.

Now Carl is a friendly, approachable sort of chap who doesn’t appear to be out to embarrass the audience when they help the show to flow with their ideas. The audience ideas will amaze the other members of the audience as much as they do Carl if tonight is anything to go by. Tonight’s suggestions range from bringing back the death penalty and the totally sensible suggestion to ban Audi drivers from the road. Carl contradicts himself, by the same token, by suggesting we should ban reminiscences by staging a show that relies on many such moments.

Carl has a really engaging and friendly manner which means he quickly gets his audience on board.  He keeps the show light hearted and a good laugh. He offers a common sense solution to a number of social problems. This is a happy show which finishes with a fabulous moment off Middlesbrough’s Transport Bridge.

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.

Edinburgh Fringe Tickets:

David Callaghan: Let's Get This Partly Started at  Just the Tonic at The Mash House (Venue 288) @11:50 – Details: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/david-callaghan-let-s-get-this-partly-started

Carl Hutchinson: The Fixer at The Stand Comedy Club 5 & 6 (Venue 319) @ 9pm – Details: https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/carl-hutchinson-the-fixer

 

News: Dynamix Performance as Action Workshops

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Dynamix Performance as Action Workshops: A Butterfly in the Head Project

On Wednesday evenings Gateshead’s Dynamix Skatepark & Performance Centre is opening up their space to host a skills development, ideas testing and creation session. 

These sessions will develop theatre performance skills with a physical emphasis, skills in physical disciplines such as aerial circus, wall-trampoline, ground-based acrobatics & balance, dance, as well as music and song skills, digital art/film, and develop a performance language which is the voice of an activist mind-set.

The 2 main aims of the sessions are;

·      To bridge the gap between theatre/music performers and people coming from intensely physical practices like circus skills, dance, parkour, skate/bmx and dance, so that we can create a performance language which combines physical skills with story and meaning.  There are actors who have not had the opportunity to develop their physical skills and the opportunities for performance that they offer.  There are people who practice physical skills who might not have considered how these could be used in a performance setting, and might not have the performance skills or experience.

·      To develop a performance language which emerges out of consciousness and understanding of some of the issues which face us today, inspired social justice, activism, and telling the stories and amplifying the voices which often go unheard.

Engaging with audiences who are not ‘typical’ theatre goers.

Who is it for?

·         

     People with some training, background, and experience of performance           OR

·        People who have dedicated themselves to developing physical skills such as Aerial Circus, acrobatics, breakdance, parkour, capoeira, dance, martial arts, skate, bmx etc  OR

·        People who are from a music, digital art or film background

·        People who are curious about how theatre and performance can be used as a tool in social justice, challenging, questioning, proposing, inspiring, creating change..

The details: Sessions run from 6-9pm on Wednesdays 3 times a month.  The venue is Dynamix Indoor Skatepark and Performance Centre, Albany Rd Junction, A184, Gateshead, NE8 3AT (watch out, the post code often sends people past our building into the industrial estate when put into a sat nav).  Sessions cost £10 per person, (people who are unwaged, or might otherwise have difficulty paying this can pay £3 or what they can afford to contribute). 

Contact: Rosa Stourac McCreery on Tel: 07964212929 rosa@dynamixskatepark.com

You can see more details on the following facebook pages:

Dynamix skate park (Gateshead)   https://www.facebook.com/dynamixgateshead/?fref=ts

The New Tools or Art as a Weapon of Mass Construction https://www.facebook.com/groups/445042519003955/

What do you get? Professional Development Training in Performance skills with a physical approach.  This is drawn from influences such as: the teaching of Jacques Lecoq, neutral mask, mime, ensemble working, Commedia dell’arte, theatrical-clown, buffon, forum theatre and theatre of the oppressed techniques.

Skills training in the following areas:

·      Aerial Circus

·      Wall Trampoline

·      Ground-based balance, movement and acrobatics

·      Dance

·      Music, rhythm and song-writing

You can choose to specialise in one or a few of these various skills, or try all of them.

The session will usually follow this structure:

1 hour of performance skills training

1 hour of skills training (from the list above)

1 hour of inspiration and development: drawing on the research and inspiration of other examples of art as activism, resistance movements, people’s champions, freedom fighters.  An opportunity to start developing material and performance ideas, collaborate with others, test out ideas and work that you are developing with an audience of ‘critical friends’.

Who is involved?

The process has been conceived by, and will be facilitated by Rosa Stourac McCreery.  Rosa is a performer, facilitator and director, clown doctor, and co-director of Dynamix Extreme CIC.  She studied theatre at Jacques Lecoq International Theatre school, Paris, and has studied forum theatre in Paris and with Cardboard Citizens in London.  She has worked in Spain, Italy, France, Tunisia, South Africa, Malawi, Ghana, Senegal, Canada, Zimbabwe, Ireland, and around the UK.  She has used theatre and performance skills to work with some of the most marginalised people, from Street Children in Ghana, Senegal and Zimbabwe, to some of the most deprived communities in the UK.  She has been involved in developing Dynamix alongside Rico Jakk, since 2007: working without funding, with a social enterprise model, to involve local people in the transformation of derelict buildings and wasted resources, to create facilities and services which are not available elsewhere, and which serve to develop and support people who are under-represented and lacking in opportunities.

A number of other artists and practitioners will also contribute to the process, from musicians and song-writers, to aerialists and digital/film artists.

This is currently an un-funded project, supported by Dynamix Extreme CIC.  The first phase will serve as a pilot with the potential to seek further support and resources to enable the project to continue and develop.

Preview: Cats at Sunderland Empire

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LET THE MEMORY LIVE AGAIN

Cats

Sunderland Empire

Monday 19^th – Saturday 24^th September 2016

Photo: Alessandro Pinna

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking 2015 Olivier award nominated musical Catsreturns to Sunderland Empire direct from its sell-out seasons at the London Palladium, for one week only from Monday 19 – Saturday 24 September 2016.

Photo: Alessandro Pinna

Based on T. S. Eliot’s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Cats first returned to the West Endin December 2014 reuniting the original creative team - Director Trevor Nunn, Associate Director and Choreographer Gillian Lynne, Designer John Napier and Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Following a second season at the London Palladium this Christmas the production will embark on a new tour into 2017.

Photo: Alessandro Pinna

On just one special night of the year, all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball where Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, makes the Jellicle choice and announces which of them will go up to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.

Photo: Alessandro Pinna

Casting includes Marianne Benedict (Grizabella) Kevin Jones (Old Deutoronomy) Matt Krzan (Munkustrap) Marcquelle Jermaine Ward (Rum Tum Tugger) Shiv Rabheru (Quaxo/Mistoffelees) Greg Castiglioni (Bustopher Jones/ Asparagus/ Growl Tiger) Lee Greenaway (Skimbleshanks) Emily Langham (Rumpelteazer) Joe Henry (Mungojerrie) Celia Graham (Jellylorum/ Griddlebone) Megan Armstrong (Bombalurina) Helen Turner (Demeter) Lucinda Shaw (Jennyanydots) Sophia McAvoy (Victoria) Phoebe Lewis (Jemima) Danielle Cato (Cassandra) Gabrielle Cocca (Tantomile) Enric Marimon (Carbucketty) James Titchener (Coricopat) Javier Cid (Macavity/Admetus) Aaron Hunt (Bill Bailey) Josh Andrews (Rumpus/Alonzo) Grace Mckee, Alice Cornwall, Lucy Brushett, Oliver Ramsdale, Dane Quixall, Guy Salim (Swing) and Connor McAllister (Walking understudy).

Photo: Alessandro Pinna

Cats, one of the longest-running shows in West End and on Broadway, received its world premiere at the New London Theatre in 1981 where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances.  The production was the winner of the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical.  In 1983 the Broadway production became the recipient of seven Tony awards including Best Musical, and ran for eighteen years.  Since its world premiere, Cats has been presented in over 30 countries, has been translated into 10 languages and has been seen by over 50 million people world-wide.  Both the original Londonand Broadway cast recordings won Grammy Awards for Best Cast Album.  The classic Lloyd Webber score includes Memory which has been recorded by over 150 artists from Barbra Streisand and Johnny Mathis to Liberace and Barry Manilow.

Photo: Alessandro Pinna

The 2016/2017 tour of the Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Theatre production of CATS is again presented by David Ian.

Tickets:

Tickets available in person at the Box Office on High Street West, from the Ticket Centre on
0844 871 3022* or online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland*

*Calls cost up to 7p per minute plus your standard network charge. Booking fees may apply to telephone and online bookings