Preview: BEYOND THE END OF THE ROAD

BEYOND THE END OF THE ROAD –

A BRAND NEW MUSICAL FOR NORTHUMBERLAND

Friday 23^rd June 2017        Shilbottle Village Hall       

Sunday 25^th June 2017     Bardon Mill Village Hall  

Tuesday 27^th June 2017    Sage Gateshead, Sage Two

Friday 30^th June 2017        Whalton Village Hall        

Saturday 1^st July 2017       Crossman Village Hall, part of Holy Island Festival

When the city meets the Northumberland countryside, all is not what it seems… what is the news ‘Beyond the End of the Road’?

Seven Northumberland villages, a livestock auction mart, Sage Gateshead and Holy Island are all venues for Beyond the End of the Road, a new musical that explores the lives and stories that make up rural life in Northumberland, in collaboration with Highlights Rural Touring Scheme.

Beyond the End of the Road is written by Laura Lindow, with music and lyrics composed by Katie Doherty, who has taken her inspiration from folk and traditional Northumbrian music. The musical is directed by November Club’s Cinzia Hardy and the result is an exciting and inclusive musical, exploring rural life in an engaging and innovative way.

Beyond the End of the Road has been produced by Morpeth based, performing arts company November Club. The story and songs for Beyond the End of the Roadhave been woven together using ideas and contributions distinctive to each community with whom they have been working. The November Club creative team has travelled the county talking to villagers, collecting local tales and stories, and invited groups of singers to perform at each show.

Katie lives on a farm where her husband, Stephen, runs a flock of 1000 Swaledale sheep and a herd of 30 Aberdeen Angus cattle, which he sells at Hexham Auction Mart. She gives some background to the story:

“There is a very long road leading up to the farm, and each day when I returned home from work in the city, Stephen would ask me “what’s the news beyond the end of the road?” hence the title ‘Beyond the End of the Road,’ was born.”

At the end of the show, the audience is invited to take part in a ceilidh courtesy of renowned Northumbrian Concertina player Alistair Anderson, who will close the performance in style.

Artistic Director of November Club, Cinzia Hardy, added:  “‘Beyond the End of the Road’ is the most ambitious project we have ever undertaken.

“It is as much the villagers’ show as it is ours.  This is a great opportunity for talented locals to be part of a performance which is not only highly relevant to them, but also explores the real dynamics of life in rural Northumberland. It is a real discovery of the county ”

A professional cast of 10 actors and musicians will weave their midsummer tale about the residents of a village called PLACE, its people, and its stories. Each village will also have special appearances from local talent including a choir, the part of a 12-year-old girl and a couple of additional roles to help bring the musical to life.  

The Beyond the End of the Road Tour started Friday 2^nd June at Hexham Auction Mart and concludes on Saturday 1^stJuly at The Crossman Village Hall, Holy Island, with an additional  show now scheduled for Sage Gateshead on Tuesday 27th June. For ticket information visit www.novemberclub.org.uk/musical 

The production of ‘Beyond the End of the Road’ is possible by an £85,000 strategic touring grant from Arts Council England, with additional support from the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, together with The Joicey Trust, Northumberland County Council, Northumberland National Park and the Community Foundation for Tyne and Wear. In collaboration with Highlights Rural Touring Scheme, supported by Queen’s Hall Arts and Hexham and Northern Marts.

Beyond the End of the Road – A brand new musical about Northumberland, its people and their stories.

Website: www.novemberclub.org.uk/musical

Produced by:          November Club, a Northumberland based performing arts company, in collaboration with Highlights Rural Touring Scheme.

Music and Lyrics by:          Katie Doherty, Music Associate, November Club

Written by:                Laura Lindow

Directed By:             Cinzia Hardy – Artistic Director, November Club.

Supporters:               Public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England, Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, The Joicey Trust, Northumberland County Council, Northumberland National Park and the Community Foundation for Tyne and Wear.

Supported by:                     Queen’s Hall Arts, Hexham and Hexham and Northern Marts  

In Collaboration with:       Highlights Rural Touring Scheme          

TOUR DATES:                        

Friday 23^rd June 7:00pm   Shilbottle Village Hall        (£4.00 - £7.50)

                                                Box Office: 01665 575196 www.highlightsnorth.co.uk

Sunday 25^th June 6:30pm            Bardon Mill Village Hall   (£6.00 - £24.00)       

                                                Box Office: 01434 344424 www.highlightsnorth.co.uk

Tuesday 27^th June 7.30pm          Sage Gateshead, Sage Two (£13.10 - £15.30)

                                                Box Office: 0191 443 4661 www.sagegateshead.com

Friday 30^th June 7:30pm   Whalton Village Hall         (£3.00 - £7.00)

                                                Box Office: 01670 775411

Saturday 1^st July 4.00pm  Crossman Village Hall, part of Holy IslandFestival (£10.00)                      Box Office: www.holyislandfestival.org

 

Preview: The 2cc Music & Laughter Show at Newcastle Tyne Theatre

The 2cc Music & Laughter Show

Charity Show

Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House
Sunday 3^rd September 2017 at 1:00pm

It’s music and laughter all the way as we celebrate 50 years of Byker Masonic Hall, 150 years of the Tyne Theatre and 300 years of Freemasonry in 2017. A smorgasbord of established and up-and-coming acts will be treating us to a fun-filled, feel-good afternoon of entertainment – all in support of two inspirational local causes.

Organised by Byker Masonic Hall’s 2CC initiative, this year’s musicians and comic are going all-out to help raise funds towards two incredible local organizations: namely the Northumberland Masonic Charities Association (NMCA) which supports various charities and initiatives throughout Northumberland as well as supporting our very own Tyne Theatre & Opera House Preservation Trust who aim to preserve the architectural and theatrical heritage of the building. True to this spirit, the event will be recalling the good old-fashioned variety shows of yesteryear. There will truly be something for all ages – from ‘50’s & 60s to the latest chart hits along with a good slice of humour!

Tom Jobes

Our compare for the day Tom Jobes will also be kicking off the afternoon. This true gent will deliver songs from The Eagles to David Bowie, a great voice not to be missed.

 

Pete Peverley as Bobby Thompson

We are also proud to announce that (subject to scheduling) Pete Peverley has kindly agreed to perform for us his famous Bobby Thompson routine, a big hit to local audiences and sure to bring both laughter and memories back to all.

 

Lee & Faine

New to this year’s line up we are please to announce Lee & Faine. This lovely duo are part of local band Tainted Rose and are sure to impress with their unique and quality sound.

 

The Moonstones

Finishing off the first section will be the brilliant North East-based The Moonstones. It’s a pleasure to have these lads back, whose soul and funk will have you boogying in the aisles

Our second band of the day will be The North, an exciting new act for us, full of energy with a great range from Bryan Adams to Pink Floyd, a real treat.

Another new addition to our line-up is prominent Tyneside guitarist and singer Colin Ibitson as well as the ever popular PeterDowling who will both be performing barnstorming sets.

Nikki Simm

Rebecca Mackett

As well as all the listed great talent, two fantastic singers, a great dancer and a father & son comic act have just been added to the show. Both Nikki Simm & Rebecca Mackett will impress with their beautiful voices, Mary Proud will wow you with her amazing dance skills and the 2 Martins (who are flying in from Spain) are sure to have you bursting with laughter. 

The Baldy Holly Band

Rounding the programme off, its a delight to have back the North East’s finest Rock ‘n’ rollers The Baldy Holly Band, fresh from their USAtour, to provide a spectacular finale to the show.

At only £10 a ticket this is not only a value for money afternoon, packed of top entertainment but once again, promises to be a fantastic toe-tapping treat, set against the incredible backdrop of one of the North East’s best-loved entertainment venues, not to mention the oldest working Victorian theatre in the world.

Tickets:

For tickets visit the Tyne Theatre Box office
(Mon -Fri 10am till 3.30pm)
or click on the below link: 
Tickets from our afilliate Eventim 

Preview: Flashdance - The Musical Sunderland Empire

JOANNE CLIFTON AND BEN ADAMS TO STAR IN UK TOUR OF

FLASHDANCE – THE MUSICAL

Presented by Selladoor Productions and Runaway Entertainment

Flashdance - The Musical

Sunderland Empire

Monday 11^th - Saturday 16^thSeptember 2017

Flashdance – The Musical returns to the UK for the first time since 2011 starring Strictly favourite Joanne Clifton and singer-songwriter Ben Adams, and will arrive at Sunderland Empire for one week only from 11-16 September 2017 as part of an extensive UK tour.

Strictly Come Dancing Champion Joanne Clifton is no stranger to being at the top, as she is also a World & European Champion ballroom dancer, and is one of very few pro dancers to have won both the main Strictly glitter ball with Ore Oduba last year and the Christmas Special in 2015 with Harry Judd.

Joanne made her musical theatre debut in the role of Streetwalker in the UK premiere of the Irving Berlin musical Face The Music, for which she was nominated for an Off West End Award.  She followed this up with a turn as Marilyn Monroe in the Norma Jeane Musical and then tread the boards as Millie Dillmount in the No. 1 UK Tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie for which she garnered rave reviews.

 

Joanne Clifton

She is now excited to take on her latest starring role as Alex Owens in the UK Tour of Flashdance. Joanne says, “This is just another dream come true! I think everyone in the world whether dancer or non-dancer, as soon as they hear 'What a Feeling', remember that iconic scene at the end of the film and I'm so incredibly lucky that I get to do that every night in a UK TOUR along with fabulous numbers like "She's a Maniac." I'm over the moon! It's another amazing opportunity in my musical theatre career and I can once again sing and act alongside dancing! I just hope the water's not too cold when it falls on me!’

Ben Adams who will join Joanne on stage as Nick Hurley has been singing and performing since the age of 8. His career started as head chorister at St. Margaret's, Westminster Abbey, singing at royal weddings, touring all over Europe, recording 2 classical albums and frequently singing for the likes of the queen and the pope. At 16, he became the lead singer of the band a1, who racked up 10 million record sales, 2 UK number ones, 5 studio albums and toured throughout the world, winning a Brit award among many others.

Ben Adams

When the band split, Ben took to the studio and is now a successful song writer and producer, working with the likes of Robin Thicke, Craig David, JLS, Ward Thomas, Sam Bailey, Boyzone and Alexandra Burke to name but a few. He also reached the final of Celebrity Big Brother, the Norwegian version of Strictly Come Dancing, and Master Chef in Denmark. As well as writing for other artists, he went straight to number 1 in the itunes charts with his classical album titled One Beautiful Mourning. His first solo album 1981 will be launched early 2018.

In 2010, a1 reformed and having successfully completed stadium tours in Asia and 68 sold out arena concerts across Europe, they starred in The Big Reunion on ITV2 and played arenas across the country.  They continue to tour throughout the world.

Ben has also written a brand-new musical called 'EUGENIUS!' Which after a sold-out London Palladium performance, is set to hit the West End stage next year.

Ben says of taking to the stage in Flashdance: “It's amazing to be part of such an iconic story, and as an 80’s child I was brought up on this music so I couldn’t be happier playing Nick in the theatre production of Flashdance. Whilst I continue with my own music career and touring with a1, Musical Theatre has always been a real passion of mine, so to be asked to play this role, and to be working with such an amazing cast and crew is a real honour. I look forward to seeing you all out on the road in the coming months”

Additional cast includes: Colin, Kiyani, Rikki Chamberlain, Garry Lee Netley, Carol Ball, Sia Dauda, Hillie Ann Lowe, Simeon Beckett, Rhodri Watkins, Demmileigh Foster, Emily Kenwright, Ameila Rose Fielding, Alex Christian, Matt Concannon

Joanne Clifton

Flashdance - The Musical tells the inspiring and unforgettable story of 18-year-old Alex, a welder by day and ‘flashdancer’ by night, who dreams of going to the prestigious Shipley Dance Academy and becoming a professional dancer.  When a romance complicates her ambitions, she harnesses it to drive her dream.

Prepare to be blown away with an astonishing musical spectacle and phenomenal choreography to this iconic score, including the smash hits Maniac, Manhunt, Gloria, I Love Rock & Roll and the award-winning title track Flashdance - What a Feeling.

Based on the Paramount Pictures film (Screenplay by Tom Hedley and Joe Eszterhas, story by Tom Hedley) Flashdance is an inspiring musical about the power of holding onto your dreams and love against all odds. Flashdance proved a hit with audiences, and remained in the Top 10 Box Office in the States for 15 weeks after release. The original score also proved hugely popular, with the soundtrack album selling 700,000 copies within two weeks of release. The platinum selling hit title track Flashdance – What A Feeling won both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe in 1983, with the soundtrack winning the Grammy Award for Best Album of Original Score Written for a Motion Picture or a Television Special in 1984.

Presented by Selladoor Productions - producers of producers of Footloose (NETG Review), Avenue Q (NETG Review)  and American Idiot (NETG Review)  – and Runaway Entertainment producers of In The Heights, Guys and Dolls and Lazarus, Flashdance - The Musical is not to be missed!

Take your passion and make it happen!

Tickets now on sale!

Tickets available from the Box Office on High Street West, via the ticket centre 0844 871 3022* or www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland*calls cost up to 7p per minute plus standard network charges. Booking and transaction fees may apply to telephone and online bookings.

News: Live Theatre’s Live Works development wins RIBA National Award

Live Theatre’s Live Works development wins RIBA National Award 2017

Live Works, Live Theatre’s quayside development in Newcastle upon Tyne, designed by Flanagan Lawrence has been honoured with a prestigious RIBA National Award announced this morning.

Photo: Jill Tate

Live Works was developed by Live Theatre as part of a continuing diversification of the Live Theatre business model and designed by lead architects Flanagan Lawrence to complete the ‘missing gap’ in the façade of Newcastle’s Quayside, with its simple iconic addition complementing the grandeur of its neighbouring buildings and respecting the historic setting. 

Photo: Jill Tate

Live Works comprises of a new office building to provide an exciting place of workwith 14,920 sq ft of highly desirable premium office space over four storeys with superb river views and distinctive interior styles, finishes and lighting.  Single occupancy of the landmark Live Works office building was taken by pioneering North East visualisation specialist ZeroLight who deliver in-store and online visualisation solutions for automotive brands in August 2016 adding their innovative digital talent to the cultural and creative community growing around Live Theatre

The additional commercial income stream from its letting enables Live Theatre to grow and sustain its work in the production of new plays, developing creative talent, education and participation and rental income funds at least one play and education project each year for Live Theatre.

The scheme also includes renovation of a converted Grade 2 listed almshouse as Live Tales, the first creative writing centre of its type for children in the region,  and Live Gardena vibrant, public ‘pocket park’, which reopens and revitalises the only remaining Georgian courtyard in the city. 

The RIBA describes how the project “…secures the commercial future of a nationally significant theatre company in an impressively controlled and coherent mixed use city centre development. It preserves the historic quayside grain while providing a new type of engaging, informal and inhabited public space.”

Photo: Jill Tate

Jim Beirne, Chief Executive, Live Theatre, said: “We were delighted to work with Flanagan Lawrence to bring our ambitious Live Works project to fruition and delighted that it was recognised with three RIBA North East Awards for the building, for our approach to conservation, and for being a ‘committed passionate and visionary client’. Gaining national recognition is brilliant and compliments the national recognition we achieve with our work nurturing new writers and bringing their work to the stage.” 

Jason Flanagan, Creative Director at Flanagan Lawrence, added: “The Live Works project has provided us with a remarkable architectural opportunity to create a new courtyard for Live Theatre with the Children’s Writing Centre and a new outdoor performance space for Live Theatre. The new building links the Quayside and the public garden with an arcade along Trinity Chare. The sandstone façade completes the gap in the river frontage which has been empty for more than a hundred years.”

Live Works also recently won three RIBA North East Regional Awards; a RIBA North East Regional Award, the RIBA North East Conservation Award and the RIBA North East Client of the Year Award. It was a Civic Trust Awards National Winner in March and has been nominated for a British Construction Industry Award 2017. The project was also shortlisted for the World Architecture Festival, RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Awards North East, and Constructing Excellence North East.

Live Theatre is one of the UK’s leading new writing theatres. In additional to plays produced at its Newcastle theatre, its Olivier Award winning Best Comedy Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour, originally co-produced by Live Theatre and National Theatre of Scotland is currently on in London’s West End following a successful national and international tour.

All national award winners will now be considered for the 2017 RIBA Stirling Prize, with the ceremony to be held at the RIBA headquarters in London later this year.

Details: www.live.org.uk

Preview: Dirty Dancing at Sunderland Empire

GET SET FOR THE TIME OF YOUR LIFE AT SUNDERLAND EMPIRE THIS SUMMER!

OPENS NEXT WEEK!

Dirty Dancing

Sunderland Empire

Monday 26^th June - Saturday 1^st July 2017

Katie Eccles as Baby and

Lewis Griffiths as Johnny

Photo: Alistair Muir

DIRTY DANCING IS BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!

Lewis Griffiths as Johnny

Photo: Alistair Muir

Exploding with heart-pounding music, breathtaking emotion and sensationally sexy dancing the smash-hit musical returns to Sunderland Empire for one week only, Monday 26 June – Saturday 1 July 2017, starring Lewis Griffiths as ‘Johnny Castle’, Katie Eccles as ‘Baby Houseman’ and Carlie Milner as ‘Penny Johnson’.

Photo: Alistair Muir

The classic story of Baby and Johnny, featuring the hit songs 'Hungry Eyes', ‘Hey! Baby’, ‘Do You Love Me?’ and the heart stopping ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’, returns to the UK, following two blockbuster West End runs, two hit UK tours, and various international productions.

Lizzie Ottley

Photo: Alistair Muir

Full of passion and romance, heart-pounding music and sensationally sexy dancing, this record-breaking all new concept of the show is directed by Federico Bellone, choreographed by Gillian Bruce with set design re-imagined by top Italian designer Roberto Comotti. It premiered in Milan in July 2015, subsequently packing out the 15,000 seat Roman Arena in Verona, and then played a season in Rome.

Lewis Griffiths as Johnny

Photo: Alistair Muir

It’s the summer of 1963, and 17 year- old Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman is about to learn some major lessons in life as well as a thing or two about dancing. On holiday in New York’s Catskill Mountains with her older sister and parents, she shows little interest in the resort activities, and instead discovers her own entertainment when she stumbles across an all-night dance party at the staff quarters. Mesmerised by the raunchy dance moves and the pounding rhythms, Baby can’t wait to be part of the scene, especially when she catches sight of Johnny Castle the resort dance instructor. Her life is about to change forever as she is thrown in at the deep end as Johnny’s leading lady both on-stage and off, and two fiercely independent young spirits from different worlds come together in what will be the most challenging and triumphant summer of their lives.

Katie Eccles as Baby and

Lewis Griffiths as Johnny

Photo: Alistair Muir

Dirty Dancing –The Classic Story On Stage originally opened at London’s Aldwych Theatre in 2006 with a record-breaking advance of £15 million, making it the fastest ever selling show in West End theatre history. The production became the longest running show in the history of the Aldwych Theatre and played to over 2 million people during its triumphant 5 year run.

Katie Eccles as Baby and

Lewis Griffiths as Johnny

Photo: Alistair Muir

Since its Australian debut in 2004, Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, has become a worldwide phenomenon, with productions staged in the USA, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore and throughout Europe, consistently breaking box office records. Recent sell out tours include France, Germany and Australia. The first ever UK tour of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage, launched in 2011 and then returned to the West End in 2013 playing at the Piccadilly Theatre in London, prior to launching a second UK and Ireland tour.

Katie Eccles as Baby

Photo: Alistair Muir

Produced by Karl Sydow, Joye Entertainment and Paul Elliott, in association with Lionsgate and Magic Hour Productions, and written by Eleanor Bergstein, script writer of the phenomenally successful 1987 film, the production features the much-loved characters and original dialogue from the iconic film, as well as exciting extra scenes added in. 

Katie Eccles as Baby and

Lewis Griffiths as Johnny

Photo: Alistair Muir

Website: www.dirtydancingontour.com

Tickets:

Tickets available from the Box Office on High Street West, via the ticket centre 0844 871 3022* or www.atgtickets.com/sunderland *calls cost up to 7p per minute plus standard network charges. Booking and transaction fees may apply to telephone and online bookings.