Preview: ‘Love Songs’ by Tom Kelly touring to 5 new venues

‘Love Songs’ by Tom Kelly touring to 5 new venues

Baby Love Productions are touring a new play with classic songs by celebrated North East writer, Tom Kelly, to 5 new venues in the region and beyond.

Tom Kelly is well-known throughout the North East for both plays and musicals, including ‘Tom and Catherine’ and ‘Geordie The Musical’. His latest play ‘Bobby Robson Saved My Life’ has been playing to standing ovations from South Shields all the way to Ipswich and his much-loved musical, ‘The Dolly Mixtures’ is to be revived from 21 August at The Customs House South Shields.

Tom Kelly with Helen Cash and Jonathan Cash

(Photograph by Victoria Lamb)

Baby Love Productions is a small theatre company based in Blaydon that has been touring the region since 2016. They first toured ‘Love Songs’ in October 2018 to a very positive response. Ray Spencer MBE, Executive Director of The Customs House South Shields said of the tour, ‘Thank goodness for @Babyloveprod who have joined a growing army of self financing new writing production companies. Two planks & passion ensure writers like @tomkelly60 can gain a showcase for new work. “Love Songs” is ambitious, bold & clearly heartfelt. Dark yet amusing & honest.’

British Theatre Guide said, “It’s very Tom Kelly, a gentle story full of understanding and empathy….The songs are great; …. from the yearning of "Somewhere" from West Side Story … to the sadness / happiness of "Twenty Four Hours from Tulsa", and the cast get the balance right, getting some of the mannerisms (vocal and physical) of the singers they are paying tribute to but not attempting to mimic them….an enjoyable evening’s theatre with just enough of the dark side to make us stop and think.”

Helen Cash

North East Theatre Guide said, “On stage the 2 actors have wonderful voices that recreate the great hits by the likes of the Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly, Elvis and Dusty Springfield. The highlight of the evening for me, however, was Bridge Over Troubled Water which combined the emotion of the original song with the impact of the drama’s storyline. “

Baby Love Productions are excited to be touring the play to 5 venues from 21 September to 17 October 2019. The tour starts at the Art Deco treasure that is the Majestic Theatre in Darlington then takes in the lovely Queens Hall Arts Centre in Hexham. Next is the intimate Seven Arts Centre in Leeds and the cosy Dovecote Centre in Amble. The tour finishes with two performances in the state-of-the-art new studio at the People’s Theatre in Heaton, Newcastle.  

The new play features an array of classic songs, such as Bridge Over Troubled Water, Somewhere, True Love Ways, Love Me Tender & Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow. These songs are performed by the two protagonists as part of a 60s tribute tour. 

The play deals with themes of mental health and domestic abuse as the two lead characters face up to their own demons to have a chance at building a life together. Meanwhile the play features the quirky characters that people the tribute tour, some of them unable to separate themselves from the icons they portray, with often comical consequences.

Jonathan Cash

Tom wrote the play for his friends, and next-door neighbours, real-life married couple, Helen and Jonathan Cash, after initially working with them on a revival of his play, Baby Love.  Jonathan, who both directs and acts in the play, explained, “We had a great time working with Tom on Baby Love and had the joy of experiencing at first hand the emotional impact his writing has on audiences. It’s the authenticity of his characters and the depth of feeling he brings to his writing that makes his work so satisfying, both to watch and to perform. It’s a privilege to have a play written for us by one of the region’s foremost playwrights. We’re just extremely lucky he happens to be our friend. Also living just next door makes it really easy to get together for rehearsals.”

Jonathan admits the play has its challenges, “We have to perform songs made famous by the greatest singers of the 60s, including Dusty Springfield, Elvis, Gene Pitney and Marvin Gaye, plus we’re taking on the notoriously challenging Bridge Over Troubled Water.  No small task, but really rewarding. It’s the mix of the powerful script and these terrific songs that I think will make the show so satisfying for audiences. We also get to play some lovely comic characters along the way.”

Tom Kelly said, “After the success of Baby Love’s tour, I wanted to write something to capitalise on the talents of Helen and Jonathan and, as they are both singers as well as actors, it seemed a shame not to use that. Also, I love these songs and tribute tours are the bread and butter of many of our local theatres nowadays. It seemed very current to use that as a background to address subjects like mental health and the impact of domestic abuse in a believable and ultimately positive way. Audiences have clearly responded to that.”

On The Web:

babyloveproductions.co.uk

www.facebook.com/BabyLoveProductions

Tickets:

Darlington Majestic Theatre on Saturday 21 September. http://www.majestictheatre-lee.com/box-office.html

Hexham Queens Hall Arts Centre on Friday 27 September https://www.queenshall.co.uk/whats-on

Leeds Seven Arts Centre on Saturday 5 October

www.sevenleeds.co.uk

Amble Dovecote Centre on Saturday 12 October.

Tel: 01665 713655

Newcastle People’s Theatre (Studio) in Heaton on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 October.

https://www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

Preview: Women Warriors at North Shields Exchange

Newcastle-based Theatre Company receive Arts Council Funding to produce 'Women Warriors' - a production about empowering female veterans.

Women Warriors

North Shields Exchange

Wednesday 9^th October 2019

Directed by Rosa Stourac McCreery. 

Written by JoJo Kirtley, Juliana Mensah, Olivia Hannah and Rebecca Glendenning-Laycock. 

On Wednesday 9^th October at The Exchange Venue, North Shields 7pm, Workie Ticket Theatre CIC will be performing their latest production 'Women Warriors'. 

Women Warriors tells the untold story of women who have served in the military and the conflict surrounding their rehabilitation into “Civvie Life.” Based on real lived experiences. This one-off performance of Women Warriors explores the themes of PTSD, social isolation, gender identity and friendships formed whilst serving. Devised in response to Forum theatre workshops delivered to local female veterans who are ready for their voices to finally be heard.  It is without a doubt, a bold, challenging and inspiring piece of theatre. 

Workie Ticket Theatre CIC is a North Tyneside based female-led theatre company, producing work in the North East region that reflects current social issues. Led by Artistic Director, Lindsay Nicholson and founder, JoJo Kirtley, Workie Ticket aims are to be a launchpad for new talent, celebrate theatre created by women, promote diversity, work towards making theatre accessible for all audiences with a focus on real women’s stories. A commitment to creating real, tangible social impact through theatre is at the very heart of the theatre Workie Ticket produce.  

Women Warriors is produced, written, directed and performed by Tyneside women. With a fantastic cast including Jane Holman, Ashlea Sanderson, Patricia Jones, Lindsay Nicholson and Kathryn Debbage taking on different female veteran roles.

Workie Ticket's previous sell-out production Hear Her Roar was voted one of The Guardian Readers' Favourite Theatre of 2017 and NARC magazine wrote,  “It’s clear that Hear Her Roar is an important and unquestionable success.”

Workshops were supported by North East grant giving organisations such as the Greggs Foundation, The Joicey Trust, Sir James Knott and Hospital of God. Most notably, they were awarded the Newcastle Social Fund from Newcastle University and have worked with a researcher, Dr Alice Cree who is also writing about the methodology used by Workie Ticket to engage community veteran groups to tell their stories.

It is the first time anything like this has ever been created in the UK with just women which makes it a true and raw account of real-life stories, told to empower female veterans.  

On The Web:

https://www.workietickettheatre.com/

https://twitter.com/workietickettc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXZgvmX9UjY

Tickets:

Tickets are available from the venue and also at www.attheexchange.info 

REVIEW: The Dolly Mixtures at South Shields Customs House

The Dolly Mixtures

South Shields Customs House

Until Saturday 31^st August 2019

Music: John Miles

Book & Lyrics: Tom Kelly.

Directed by Mina Anwar

The Dolly Mixtures is being revived at The Customs House as part of their 25th Anniversary celebrations. Originally performed in 2016 The Dolly Mixtures is a musical telling the extraordinary story of eight ordinary North East women. These eight women toured the male dominated social clubs throughout the 70’s and 80’s as a variety group. The girls formed when Margaret’s husband Ken was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 32. The girls had one goal, to make his time in hospital more comfortable, a dart board, maybe even a pool table. This little gesture grew into something spectacular resulting in their variety act raising £100,000 for cancer research. 

This is a big show. A full scale musical. In all honesty the sort of musical you’d expect to see produced by a theatre much bigger than The Customs House. Yet here it is and it’s an absolute joy. The show has been penned by North East playwright Tom Kelly who has teamed up with music icon John Miles. It’s not the first time the pair have worked together having already created the hugely popular musicals Tom & Catherine, Dan Dare and The Machine Gunners.

The show this time is directed and choreographed by West End and Television star Mina Anwar and it is all the better for her direction. Mina has brought an authenticity to the fast paced show and remarkably this is her directorial debut, although you’d never tell. The show is full of charm but ultimately it’s the songs here that really shine. John Miles’ music makes these songs feel like we’ve known them forever despite 15 of the shows 17 songs being written for this show. The band sound fantastic here under the musical direction of Dave Bintley. The cast of nine work incredibly hard to entertain us practically never leaving the stage but look like they are having a great time. Their choreography is tight, their harmonies stunning and their comic timing impeccable.

The comedy scenes are a particular highlight in this show for me, when the females actors play the misogynistic club men it is hilarious, there is a Hylda Baker and Cynthia scene from Patricia L. Whale and Christina Berryman-Dawson that had me in hysterics and the audience joining in on the punchlines. Songs Squark, Rattle and Shake and The Pheasant Plücker’s Song are also side splittingly funny. The show has some really tender moments too particularly between Margaret (Sarah Boulter) and Ken (Steven Lee Hamilton)  whose duets are stunning. On stage it’s a real ensemble piece with no weak links.

Both the sound and light deserve a mention too. Jordan Embleton on sound ensures it is crisp and clear at all times while John Rainsforth’s lighting really enhances the show. Elevating the mood of the scenes and effortlessly taking the action to various locations through lighting changes. 

This is a show that will have you in tears through laughter and sadness but ultimately have you bursting with pride.

I can think of 100,000 reasons why you should see Dolly Mixtures but I’d be hard pushed to think of a single reason why you shouldn’t.

This is a North East show about 8 incredible North East women performed by 8 incredible performers! 

The Dolly Mixtures much like the women the show is based on is an absolute triumph and I highly recommend you go see it! If you missed it last time around, now is your chance. If you did see it last time I’m sure you’ll already want to see it again and please do because it is much improved and worth every penny of the ticket price. 

The Dolly Mixtures is on at The Customs House in South Shields until 31st August.

Review by Stephen Sullivan

Photos: Chris J. Allan - Wycombe 89 Media

Tickets:

Tickets available from www.customshouse.co.uk

REVIEW: Les Misérables at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Les Misérables

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Until Saturday 5^th October 2019

Victor Hugo’s 19^th century tale of the journey of convict 24601 Jean Valjean continues to fill theatres round the world decades after its first performance as a musical. It has arrived in Newcastle for a run which lasts until October.

Brian James Leys 'The Bishop' and
Killian Donnelly 'Jean Valjean'
Photo Matthew Murphy

The show opens in 1805 with slaves working in unison, keeping their heads down. After working in the chain gang, a guard announces the prisoner 24601 (Killian Donnelly) can leave after 19 years imprisonment for stealing a bread loaf to feed his sister’s starving son. He is expected to keep a yellow card as part of his parole that states he is a thief.  This makes it difficult to get work and so he takes advantage of the Bishop Of Digne (Brian James Leys) who offers him food and shelter. The Bishop forgives him and helps him.   The show then follows his life as he becomes successful. However the law, in the shape of Javert (Nic Greenshields), hunting him down for breaking his parole conditions.

Harry Apps 'Marius', Tegan Bannister 'Eponine'
and Bronwen Hanson 'Cosette'.
Photo Helen Maybanks

The show is more than the journey of one convict. It is also a study of poverty for both men and women, and how circumstances force people into awful situations. It looks at the moral compass of the protagonists and of society at large. Rumbling in the background you also have the build up to the 1832 June rebellion in Paris. The show is sung through, so you do need to listen carefully to the lyrics in order to work out what is happening as a lot of exposition is given, especially at the start.

Killian Donnelly 'Jean Valjean'.
Photo Johann Persson

Killian Donnelly was both a fabulous singer and a great central star as Jean Valjean. There are some really fast costume changes in this show and Killian was able to quickly transform from scruffy slave to handsome wealthy mayor very quickly.

Katie Hall 'Fantine'.
Photo Helen Maybanks

This is a show that many fans love for its songs. Boublil and Schönberg’s magnificent score fills the theatre with a splendid sound.  The audience witness some exquisite solo performances from Killian Donnelly (Who am I?), Katie Hall (I Dreamed A Dream), Tegan Bannister (On My Own), Pheenie Markham (Castle On A Cloud) and Nic Greenshields (Soliloquy).

The show has some fun numbers and comedy. The comedy pairing of Martin Ball and Sophie-Louise Dann as Innkeeper Thénardier and his wife added a number of chuckles to proceedings.

Martin Ball 'Thenardier' and Company.
Photo Helen Maybanks

Memorable big chorus numbers are, of course, a big feature of this show too and these include Do You Hear The People Sing with Will Richardson and the ensemble – or Drink With Me To Days Gone By led by Ruben Van Keer. These were great crowd pleasers.

Photo Helen Maybanks

Les Misérables is a major spectacle. Not only do we have a large and very fine cast, which had no weak links, but also have an impressive production surrounding them. They started installing the show last Sunday and they were still putting in the final touches on Thursday. The numbers are impressive: a team of 89 members of cast, crew and musicians entertain. 

Photo Matthew Murphy

The orchestra pit has a team of 14 under MD Ben Atkinson playing 31 instruments. The cast quickly change through 392 costumes. The action segues from one scene into another seamlessly – behind the scenes, thanks to the crew, barricades, ships, factories and bars appear and disappear without any fuss or break in the action. Cast leave as unkempt slaves and reappear quickly as nobility.

Thénardier's - Photo by Michael Le Poer Trench

The sound design by Mick Potter was the best I’ve heard for such a long time. We could hear both the loud and quiet parts clearly and it made me realise how much poor sound I have put up with in some other shows in the past year. The orchestra and singer volume levels stopped one drowning out of the other.

The set design from Matt Kinley kept the pace flowing and still had the ability to create a few wow moments too – but I don’t plan to give any spoilers. The lighting design from Paule Constable was both setting the mood and picking out the action perfectly.

Matin Ball 'Thernardier', Sophie Louise Dann 'Madam Thenardier'.
Photo Helen Maybanks

Now a word of warning… This is close to three hour show and the interval is just 15 minutes, so a tip is to order your interval drinks before the show starts as time is tight. The reason for the shorter interval is to allow the children to be a part of the show…and they are worth it. Joseph Sheppard appears as young Gavroche and he was so full of charisma as he performed during the barricade scenes meanwhile Little Cosette (Pheenie Markham) and Young Eponine (Harley Hills) were both charming. All three were strong actors who added to the overall show.

Nic Greenshields 'Javert'.
Photo Helen Maybanks

It is easy to overlook the ensemble and both their movement and their contribution to the sound. This was typified by the complicated way in which they entered the stage at the end of Act One. The larger ensemble had a big role to play with both the action and the overall sound.

Directors Laurence Connor and James Powell, along with producer Cameron Mackintosh, have created a memorable version of the well loved musical. I doubt that I’ll see a better musical this year. If I do, then 2019 was an amazing year for this art form in the region.

Review by Stephen Oliver

Tickets: Tickets for Les Misérables are still available by visiting https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/les-miserables

Darlington Hippodrome is looking to recruit a new Apprentice Marketing and Box Office Assistant

Hippodrome Putting The ‘A’ In Team

Darlington Hippodrome is looking to recruit a new Apprentice Marketing and Box Office Assistant.

Behind the glitz, glamour, jazz hands, make-up and costumes of any theatre there is a dedicated team of people working tirelessly to ensure the smooth running of the venue.

Many people are eager to experience the excitement and allure of working in theatre, but often this only goes as far as imagining themselves as actors, on stage in front of an audience every night. In reality, there are more jobs off the stage than on it and they can be every bit as rewarding as acting – and certainly more secure! Administration, finance, technical, marketing, front of house and box office are all skills required to staff every theatre regardless of size, offering opportunities to a vast range of individuals with different backgrounds, experiences and qualifications.

Rebecca Howarth, Sales and Marketing Manager at Darlington Hippodrome said “We are currently looking to recruit a new apprentice to work as part of the Marketing and Box Office teams in the beautifully restored theatre with the opportunity to work towards completing an NVQ Level 2/3 in Business administration. This is a fabulous opportunity for someone who is serious about working in theatre to begin a career in this rewarding and competitive industry.”

For full information about Darlington Hippodrome and the role of Apprentice, visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk/about-us/jobs.

Preview: Clear White Light at Newcastle Live Theatre

Cast confirmed for return of Clear White Light

Clear White Light

Newcastle Live Theatre

Thursday 19 September - Saturday 12 October 2019

Clear White Light, a modern Gothic story set at St. Nicholas’ hospital in Gosforth, featuring the songs of Lindisfarne, which was a sell out hit when it premiered at Live Theatre last year, returns to the Quayside based theatre from Thursday 19 September to Saturday 12 October.

Original cast members Charlie Hardwick, Joe Caffrey, Ray Laidlaw, Billy Mitchell, Phil Adèle, Alice Blundell and Dale Jewitt all reprise their roles in the hit show. Elizabeth Carter joins this year’s cast to take on the role of Alison.

The play follows Alison, a student mental health nurse, on her first night shift on an all-male, locked ward. As she joins Rod’s hard pressed nursing team and the patients that they are there to look after, it becomes a night shift to remember.

Set in the atmospheric surroundings of St. Nicholas’ Hospital in Gosforth, the play features the songs of Alan Hull of Lindisfarne – some of which were written at St. Nick’s when Alan was working as a nurse there. The music is played and sung live by the actors, including former members of Lindisfarne, Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell, and includes many of the band’s iconic hits including Winter Song, Lady Eleanor and Clear White Light.

Elizabeth Carter who joins the cast as Alison, previously appeared at Live Theatre ten years ago in The Moonlight Gem, and Garden of Dreams, a production for young people.

Elizabeth explains “Growing up in the North East, Live Theatre was where I would watch, study and be hugely inspired by new plays.  I’ve always been passionate about the development of new writing in the North East and it is an honour to be invited back here, to perform in Clear White Light.  It’s been 10 years since I last performed at Live Theatre and I am so excited to be returning home to this beautiful venue, to work with such a brilliant team and be part of such a fantastic show.  It really is an honour and I can’t wait!”

Clear White Light is a modern interpretation of Edgar Allan Poe’s short story The Fall of the House of Usher. First produced in 2018 to critical acclaim it was the first play at Live Theatre to be directed by its new Artistic Director, Joe Douglas with former Artistic Director Max Roberts and Joe working closely together to bring the play to life.

Artistic Director Joe Douglas

Artistic Director Joe Douglas is enthusiastic about the production’s return.  “I can’t wait to get back to work on Clear White Light, to hear the music performed live again and get back into the rehearsal room. Returning to a play is like meeting an old pal - you’ve both changed but you quickly remember why you liked each other in the first place. We might change a few aspects of the production and we’ll make sure the audience enjoy the show as much - or even more - than last year.”

Charlie Hardwick

Charlie Hardwick added "Clear White Light was so brilliant last year, I'm utterly delighted to get the chance to do it all again.  So all of you who were gutted you couldn't see it last time because it sold out, get your tickets booked tout-de-suite!"

Ray Laidlaw

Original Lindisfarne member Ray Laidlaw who is musical director and performer in Clear White Light said: "Being involved with Live Theatre’s production of Clear White Light last year was a high point in my musical life. Placing those great songs in a context inspired by Alan Hull’s formative years gave the compositions an added dimension and the reaction from the audiences was unforgettable. Getting the opportunity to do it again in 2019 is an unexpected bonus and I’m really looking forward to it.  In addition, Billy Mitchell and I are bringing our two-man show The Lindisfarne Story to Live Theatre’s intimate space for a couple of exclusive performances. What a blast.”

A number of related events take place at Live Theatre linked to the show. Two exclusive performances of The Lindisfarne Story, a joyful, funny and emotional celebration of the band, take place on the Clear White Light stage, at 8pm on Sunday 29 September & Sunday 6 October (following 4pm Sunday matinees). Original Lindisfarne members Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell share personal stories, rare video, unseen photographs and acoustic performances of some of the band’s greatest hits.

In the first of a series of Live Icons Talks, at 4pm on Sunday 22 September, actor Charlie Hardwick joins Joe Douglas, Live Theatre’s Artistic Director, to discusses her relationship with Live Theatre and some of her favourite roles including current hit play Clear White Light, and as Emmerdale’s Val Pollard.

Free Post Show Talks include Meet The Creative Team after the 7.30pm show on Wednesday 25 September, Meet the Musical Directors Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell after the 4pm performance on Sunday 29 September and 7.30pm performance on Tuesday 8 October. In Gothic Echoes, after the 7.30pm show on Thursday 26 September, Dr Melanie Waters, Senior Lecturer in Modern and Contemporary Literature, Northumbria University, looks at Gothic locations, and themes and the relationship between music and madness. All talks are free for ticket holders for that performance and will be recorded and available to listen again at www.live.org.uk/talks.

Tickets:

Clear White Light is at Live Theatre from Thursday 19 September to Saturday 12 October.  For more information or to book tickets which are between £12 and £26, and concessions from £10 call Live Theatre’s Box Office on (0191) 232 1232 or see www.live.org.uk.

Preview: And She

Bonnie and The Bonnettes presents

And She

Newcastle Northern Stage - Friday 6^th - Saturday 7^th September 2019

Stockton ARC – Thursday 7^th November 2019 

After a national tour from Autumn 2017 - Autumn 2018 of their debut show, Drag Me to Love, and alongside their cabaret night The BonBons Cabaret, Bonnie and The Bonnettes return with their second show, And She. 

Advice taken and ignored, tellings off, pep talks, and tales of her past. We were always scared of sounding just like her but maybe she was right about some things.

Part gig. Part their Mums’ living rooms. Bonnie and The Bonnettes delve into motherhood, womanhood, and femininity through conversations with their Mums, armed with three microphones, music, and a bottle of prosecco.

They are a tribe of women that have shown us the way and it’s time to celebrate so put on a buffet and crack open the bubbly because they are our Mum’s and it’s about time we chant it.

Cast and Creatives:

Created and performed by Hattie Eason, Cameron Sharp, and Rebecca Glendenning

Sound Designer: MXYM

Technical Stage Manager and Lighting Designer: Sophie Teesdale 

Costume Design: Sam Fisher 

Creative Mentorship: RASHDASH and Tamsin Daisy Rees

Tickets:

Northern Stage - https://www.northernstage.co.uk/Event/and-she

Stockton ARC - http://arconline.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-dance/and-she

This performance will be BSL interpreted

Running time: 1hr 10mins

Recommended age: 14+