Preview: Here You Come Again at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Dolly Parton’s biggest hits to feature in one helluva musical

Here You Come Again

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 June 2024

Here You Come Again, a rollicking and joyful new musical, fully authorised by Dolly Parton herself, bringing together all of her biggest hits for the first time ever, is visiting Newcastle Theatre Royal on its premiere UK tour.

Packed with the iconic songs Jolene, 9 to 5, Islands in the Stream, I Will Always Love You, Here You Come Again and more, this lively and touching new musical makes its North East debut at the iconic Grey Street venue and tells the story of a diehard fan whose imagined version of international icon Dolly Parton gets him through trying times.

Having enjoyed several successful performances across the United States, Here You Come Again was originally written by multi-Emmy award-winning comedy and songwriter Bruce Vilanch with Gabriel Barre (who also directs) and writer and actor Tricia Paoluccio (who co-writes and stars as Dolly). It has now been adapted by acclaimed British screen and theatre writer Jonathan Harvey who has written hundreds of episodes of the popular soap Coronation Street as well as television sitcoms Gimme, Gimme, Gimme and Beautiful People.

Director Gabriel Barre said: “We are so excited to bring this gem of a show to the UK, following its successful regional tour in America. Setting it in the UK with a brilliant new British actor playing the lead role of Kevin, along with a creative UK design team, gives us a chance to take a fresh approach to a story that features all of Dolly’s biggest hits, along with her wit and wisdom, which the world needs today, more than ever.”

With her wit, humour and charm, Dolly teaches her biggest fan a whole lot about life, love and how to pull yourself up by your bootstraps…even if your bootstraps don’t have rhinestones!

Full casting still to be announced.

Tickets:

Here You Come Again, a musical that is sure to make you smile, plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Tue 18 – Sat 22 Jun. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

Preview: Night Classes at ARC, Stockton

Groundbreaking immersive new show from the award-winning theatre company the Guardian calls ‘thrillingly talented’

Night Classes 

ARC, Stockton

Wednesday 20 - Thursday 21 March 2024, 7pm

Night Classes cast l-r Alex Elliott EJ Ryamond
and Harrison Rowley-Lynn

• Premiere at  in March then touring autumn 2024

• Performed in British Sign Language and spoken word

Inspired by profound insights from deaf and disabled people, Unfolding Theatre’s Night Classes is a playful, immersive theatre experience that challenges society’s goal of independence and asks the game-changing question: what if we celebrated interdependence instead?

Performed in British Sign Language and spoken word, Night Classes brings together an award-winning creative team of co-writers Lisette Auton and Becci Sharrock, director Annie Rigby, and is designed by disabled artist and drag king Lady Kitt. The idea for Night Classes came out of a conversation between disabled author, poet, activist and performer Lisette Auton and Director Annie Rigby. Lisette says "I've always struggled with asking for help. When I became disabled I suddenly needed to, but I didn't know how. Lots of this was wrapped up in shame and guilt and how our society, government, policies and systems prize independence. What happens when you can't be independent? What happens when you don't want to be? How can we value messy, fragile, glorious, beneficial interdependence instead? These are some of the questions I've had the pleasure of asking and unravelling with Unfolding Theatre.”

l-r Alex Elliott Annie Rigby EJ Raymond Lady Kitt & Harrison Rowley-Lynn

Director Annie Rigby adds, “Lisette’s words really resonated with me. I thought about the guilt I feel when I ask for help with childcare. How we often live in separate little units, disconnected and unaware of the people around us. Unfolding Theatre’s work is about bringing people together. We talk about making big-hearted theatre, and so much of that comes from the joyfulness of different people sharing a space. I’m really excited to be creating a theatre experience that forges connections and celebrates inter-dependence. It feels like exactly what the world needs right now.”

Over fifteen years, Unfolding Theatre has built a reputation for bringing together all  sorts of people from different walks of life to make theatre with a wild sense of humour and strength of character. The Guardian described Putting the Band Back Together as “Fantastic - funny, big-hearted, moving and truthful.” when it premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe, and A Street Like This won Best Performance at the 2023 North East Culture Awards. As with all the company’s work, participation drives the creative process. Night Classes has been shaped by the experience of the creative team and collaboration with local people, including a community group at ARC Stockton who shared insights into learning, asking for help and interdependence. 

Writer Becci Sharrock explains, “What I love about being a Creative Associate with Unfolding Theatre is the way they empower everyone within their process creative; whether that's a professional artist, a participant or a whole community. It seems apt then that the central idea of Night Classes is exploring what we as individuals and society can gain from working together, from drawing on our collective experiences, from celebrating shared success over competition. I can't wait to share this very special piece with our audiences, an opportunity to invite everyone in to be part of that journey.”

Designer Lady Kitt says, “I have a very emotional connection to the themes of this project - as a disabled person I spend a lot of time navigating ideas around, and practicalities of, interdependence in my life. I find the almost fetishistic obsession humans have with achieving independence pretty destructive; there is often a lot of pressure, especially for young people, to become independent in prescribed ways and at specific times, so it's great to be involved in a project which is creating space to gently challenge assumptions.” 

The cast includes EJ Raymond - a graduate of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, EJ is an actor and writer who runs North East Deaf Youth Theatre with Annie Rigby, wrote and performed a short film as part of Deafinitely Theatre’s Talking Hands series, and founded Turtléar - an organisation that supports the deaf community to have greater access to the arts. Harrison Rowley-Lynn - a queer actor and facilitator who graduated from Newcastle Theatre Royal’s Project A actor training in 2022, Harrison’s recent stage credits include critically acclaimed one-woman show, Soapbox Racer (Alphabetti Theatre) and Big Girls Don’t Cry (Blowin’ A Hooley). And Alex Elliott - a founder member of Northern Stage Ensemble (1998-2005), Alex has performed in several Unfolding Theatre shows including Putting the Band Back Together, Hold On, Let Go and A Street Like This, and is Artistic Director of Operating Theatre, creating thought-provoking theatre and film on health and social issues.

Following the premiere at ARC Stockton in March, Night Classes will tour in the autumn, dates will be announced soon. For more details or to book tickets see www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk/whats-on 

Cast and creatives

Director: Annie Rigby

Writers: Lisette Auton & Becci Sharrock

Designer: Lady Kitt

Cast: Alex Elliott, EJ Raymond and Harrison Rowley-Lynn

Photos: Mark Savage

Recommended age: 14+

Tickets: https://arconline.co.uk/whats-on/night-classes/ Pay What You Decide

Preview: The Mousetrap at Sunderland Empire

 

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Gwyneth Strong Joins Todd Carty In The 70^th Anniversary Tour Of

The Mousetrap

The World’s Longest Running Play

 

 

 

New casting is announced as Agatha Christie’s iconic thriller continues to tour the UK and Ireland

 

The Mousetrap

Sunderland Empire

Tuesday 30 January – Saturday 3 February 2024

Tickets: http://tinyurl.com/Mousetrap70Sund

 

New casting is announced for the 70^th Anniversary tour of The Mousetrap, the longest running play in the world, which continues to enthral audiences throughout the UK and Ireland, visiting Sunderland Empire from Tuesday 30 January – Saturday 3 February 2024.

 

From 15 May 2023, the cast of the iconic murder-mystery on tour will include Todd Carty (EastEnders, Grange Hill, Dancing on Ice) who continues to play Major Metcalf and Gwyneth Strong (known for playing Cassandra in Only Fools and Horses and EastEnders) as Mrs. Boyle.

They will be joined by Rachel Dawson (The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at the Gillian Lynn Theatre) as Mollie Ralston, Michael Lyle (Amedeus at National Theatre and RSC’s A Christmas Carol) as Giles Ralston, Shaun McCourt (The Railyway Children at Kings Cross Theatre and War Horse at the National Theatre), as Christopher Wren, Leigh Lothian (Lovely Bones at Birmingham Rep and Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at Aldwych Theatre and on tour) as Miss Casewell, Steven Elliot (The Ladykillers UK tour and Associate Artist of Theatre Clwyd) as Mr. Paravicini, and Garyn Williams (The Corn is Green at the National Theatre) as Detective Sgt. Trotter. 

Genre-defining murder mystery The Mousetrap, written by Agatha Christie, the world’s best-selling novelist of all time, premiered at Theatre Royal Nottingham in 1952 and toured the UK before opening in the West End where it continues its record-breaking engagement at the St Martin’s Theatre, 70 years on. The iconic thriller’s 70^th Anniversary tour also opened in Nottingham in September 2022, and continues to travel throughout the UK and Ireland, marking its milestone anniversary by visiting over 70 theatres, including all cities to which it originally played 70 years ago, plus many more.

As news spreads of a murder in London, a group of seven strangers find themselves snowed in at Monkswell Manor, a remote countryside guesthouse. When a police sergeant arrives, the guests discover – to their horror – that a killer is in their midst. One by one, the suspicious characters reveal their sordid pasts. Which one is the murderer? Who will be their next victim?

 

The Mousetrap is produced by Adam Spiegel with Direction by Ian Talbot OBE and Denise Silvey.

 

Tickets:

Tickets from £13 available online at http://tinyurl.com/Mousetrap70Sund

*A £3.65 transaction fee applies to online bookings.

News: Chilling, real-life stories of the supernatural at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 

Chilling, real-life stories of the supernatural at Newcastle Theatre Royal

The UK’s most popular live paranormal tour - Uncanny: I Know What I Saw - is to visit Newcastle Theatre Royal for one night only on Saturday 6 July 2024 and will see creator Danny Robins make his debut at his hometown theatre.

The Newcastle born writer of 2:22 – A Ghost Story and creator of hit BBC podcast and TV series Uncanny is bringing the smash hit, sell-out stage show to Newcastle Theatre Royal as part of its UK tour following unprecedented popular demand last year.

In 2023, Danny asked the questions – do ghosts exist? And if not, why do people see them? 25,000 people joined him in theatres across the country, including Northern Stage, in a bid to try and find answers, turning the show into the biggest live investigation into the paranormal ever.

Uncanny: I Know What I Saw is an experience unlike any other stage show. It features chilling, real-life contemporary stories of supernatural encounters experienced by ordinary people in ordinary places, brought to life on stage with thrilling theatrical invention and exquisite sound, projections, and video design.

Danny Robins said ‘Taking Uncanny on the road in 2023 and meeting thousands of Uncanny fans, was thrilling to me. So thrilling in fact, that we are hitting the road again to visit towns and cities we didn’t reach in the Autumn and return to some places that sold out a bit too quickly first time around!

‘Whether you are a Team Sceptic or Team Believer, if you love ghost stories and want to try and make sense of these strange mysteries, we can promise you a fun, thought-provoking, scare-filled night out as we bring some intriguing cases - never featured on TV or the podcast - to life. If you saw the show in 2023, we can promise you some brand new evidence and new witnesses this time around!’

Well-known resident experts from Team Believer and Team Sceptic, parapsychologists Evelyn Hollow, Deborah Hyde, Ciaran O’Keeffe and Chris French return to analyse and debate these strange, inexplicable, chilling events with Danny. There will be opportunities for audience members to interact and join the debate, as well as sharing their own ghostly experiences.

Recommended age limit is 10+ and parental discretion is advised.

Photos: Kieran Vyas

Tickets:

Uncanny: I Know What I Saw plays Newcastle Theatre Royal on Saturday 6 July 2024. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

 

Booking dates...

Friends: Wed 24 Jan 10am

Advantage, Groups & Uncanny Community Pre-Sale: Thu 25 Jan 10am

Public: Fri 26 Jan 10am

News: Julie Hesmondhalgh brings her one-woman show to Live Theatre

Julie Hesmondhalgh brings her one-woman show to Live Theatre  

These I Love will play for a limited run in March  

One of Britain’s finest actors, Julie Hesmondhalgh will present a special intimate performance of her auto-biographical one-woman show at Newcastle’s Live Theatre for a limited run in March 2024. 

Julie Hesmondhalgh

Currently on TV screens starring in the ITV drama, Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Julie swaps the small screen for the Live Theatre stage when she comes to Newcastle for just three performances on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 March. 

Returning to her roots, These I Love is a beautiful journey of discovery - a hymn to Julie’s own working-class childhood in Accrington, to her wonderful dad, and to the healing power of daftness. 

Julie is a passionate supporter of regional theatre and is generously contributing her show to support Live Theatre.  

The award-winning actor has had a distinguished and acclaimed career spanning over four decades. Julie starred as the beloved character Hayley Cropper in ITV’s Coronation Street for almost 10 years. Since then, she has appeared on some of the UK’s biggest TV shows including Happy Valley (BBC), Broadchurch (ITV), Doctor Who (BBC) and is currently receiving huge praise for her role in ITV’s Mr Bates vs The Post Office. 

Live’s Artistic Director, Jack McNamara added: “We welcomed Julie to Live Theatre for the first time last year for an impromptu Q and A, and audiences could not get enough of her. During that time, she mentioned to me a one woman show she wanted to one day do to celebrate her dad. I immediately asked her to please do it and bring it to Live Theatre and its testament to her generosity and courage that she has done just that. We are extremely honoured that she is going to bring this beautiful and deeply personal work to us, which for now is only showing at Live Theatre and Bolton Octagon. Audiences will be in for a rare treat.” 

Julie Hesmondhalgh said: “I’m over the moon to be coming to Live Theatre for this little run of These I Love. After having had such a warm and kind reception when I did a Q and A here last year, I’m thrilled to be able to share this little one-person show with a Newcastle audience.” 

Julie’s appearance kicks off a series of events at Live Theatre celebrating extraordinary women with Jenny Sealey performing her one woman show Self-Raising (4 & 5 March), a film screening of The Scar (6 March) with Charlie Hardwick to mark 40 years since the Miners’ Strike and a Live Encounter with the legendary Dame Sheila Hancock (7 March).  

Tickets:

These I Love comes to Live Theatre for three performances from Fri 1 (7.30pm) - Sat 2 March (2pm and 7.30pm). For more information and to book tickets go to www.live.org.uk 

REVIEW: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Until Saturday 20 January 2024

Following a record-breaking three-year West End residency, sold-out UK & Ireland Tour and Amazon studios award-winning film, the smash-hit and critically acclaimed musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie returns to the region this week.

The show is about a 16 year old lad from Sheffield who is about to finish school. In his final career lesson he wants to state that his dream job is to appear on stage as a drag queen but the career's teacher is keen to tell them to 'keep it real'. In other words to forget their dreams. 

Of course, being a 16 year old in school is not the easiest of places to be different in any way. This show is as much about how Jamie New deals with the prejudice from both teachers and fellow students as it is about whether or not he succeeds in his dreams.

This is a great musical and it is easy to see why it is still popular after constant touring in the past couple of years. The set and the props look deceptively simple but they all allow the action, and the tension, to flow. Over the top of this are a talented energetic cast that delivery a special night at the theatre.

At the centre of the action on opening night was understudy Finton Flynn who, like almost every understudy we have ever seen, established themselves as the star of the piece. If you were not prewarned that they were a cover then you would think it was the regular role played. Finton held the attention of the audience and the final standing ovation at the end showed how much the audience appreciated his performance.

Supported Jamie are Rebecca McKinnis and Shobna Gulati as his mother and family friend Ray respectively. They are both the source of the family tension and the light hearted moments in the tale. One of the highlights, for me, though was when Rebecca sang He's My Boy in the second act. A clever song in which a mother both sets out her stall and divulges her emotions. Powerful stuff.

At school Jamie has Pritti has his best friend. Talia Palamathanan helps turn the wannabe Doctor from a fringe character into another person that the audience will care for. On Jamie's travel he comes across shopkeeper Hugo, wo is also a retired drag queen themselves under the name Loco Chanelle. John Partridge give a fine performance as someone who ends up mentoring Jamie to some extent.

In a challenging story like this one there will be characters that annoy the audience. Here is the thing, for me it isn't the school bully Dean( Jordan Ricketts), who is very much the product of his own circumstances. Rather, the one I always feel I need to have a serious word with is the teacher Miss Hedge (Giovanna Fletcher), a single teacher who is delivering a careers lesson one minute and then making disciplinary decisions about the prom the next. I guess it is possible that a head/head of year could also find themselves as a careers teacher but you wouldn't want you child to be taught by one who is so negative about the children in their care. With outdated attitudes, plus the lack of ambition and empathy for those they teach - you really would want your kids to attend this school.  I guess for Giovanna to register such strong emotions in me suggests it was a job well done.

In addition to the main protagonists are a supporting cast who sing, dance and sometimes behave really badly. The choreography in the opening school scenes makes full use of the space and sets up the energy levels for the rest of the show.

The set design has the band perched above the action, though sometimes hidden behind parts of the projection screen. Under musical director Danny Belton it is a tight unit that synchronises well with the action down below.

This is, in a nutshell, a great production of a great story. I like the way that the songs push on the emotions and exposition effectively and that the cast appear to enjoy the show as much as the audience.

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos:  Matt Crockett

Tickets:

Everybody’s Talking About Jamie plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Tue 16 – Sat 20 Jan 2024. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

REVIEW: Robin Hood - Rubbin' Wood at Newcastle Boulevard

Robin Hood - Rubbin' Wood

Newcastle Boulevard

Until Sunday 28 January 2024

It is back for the seventh time. The original Newcastle adult panto has landed. Robin Hood was a laugh. An adult panto that entertains. A cast that love to have a laugh with the audience. A great script too. What's not to like?

Definitely broad minded adults only. Whilst this show features a cast made up of many local favourite panto stars, this is a show in which the actors talk like adults. Very sweary adults. 

The show's host is, once again, is Miss Rory - fresh from a successful season at the Sunderland Empire panto. As the naughtiest fairy around, Rory likes to have fun during the frozen scenes with the rest of the cast. Rory doesn't break the fourth wall as much as smash it down. 

In the role of the comic, as well the show's writer and director, is Tom Whalley. Responsible for the fun script and entertaining direction, Tom has created a very funny show. His character is in sharp contrast to the family friendly front that he has when sharing the Sunderland stage with Miss Rory.  He encourages the audience to greet his stage arrivals with a sweary greeting. Dan Mawston's Dame Patsy plays the mother and Hazel Pude is the love interest Maid Marion.

The panto needs a hero, and Jacob Anderton is the man in tights with an aim to die for. With his merry men he tries to defeat the evil Sherriff. Yet again the Sherriff is performed by Stephen Sullivan, fresh from panto in Bolton, he uses his experience to make a likeable baddie to boo at. Here is the thing, the audience may be all adults but adult panto brings out the enthusiastic 7 year old in each member of the audience. 

The cast, including the dancers, work really well together. It is a tight ensemble who clearly know each other well. The  on stage chemistry is not something that can be manufactured.

This panto has become something of a birthday weekend tradition for us, picking up the cheap £10 tickets to stand in the pit and try to avoid the ire of Miss Rory. Thus it was a nice surprise to get a mention for the North East Theatre Guide from the pulpit. This guide may be a labour of love but the chance to enjoy shows like Robin Hood makes it all worth while.

We love this show. Simple as that. As fans of panto we love a show that entertains as much as this one. Yes, it is crude and vulgar but there is a place for that. Our happy band left with smiles on our faces and we look forward to next year's offering.

Review & photos: Stephen Oliver

Tickets and more details: https://www.boulevardnewcastle.co.uk/the-show