News: SUNDERLAND EMPIRE STAFF AND PATRONS RAISE OVER £11,800 FOR LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

 SUNDERLAND EMPIRE STAFF AND PATRONS RAISE OVER £11,800 FOR LOCAL MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Marie Nixon, Theatre Director at Sunderland Empire with the Washington Mind team.

Sunderland Empire is thrilled to announce that over £11,800 has been raised over the past year for their 2023 nominated charity Washington Mind thanks to the help of generous patrons and staff. 

The mental health charity was nominated by the theatre’s staff as a subject close to many of their hearts post lockdown. Washington Mind was selected for their commitment to supporting the local people of Wearside, promoting recovery, and improving mental health and wellbeing services.

Washington Mind’s vision is to create a society that understands and is active in improving mental health for all ages. The charity has provided Sunderland Empire’s staff with invaluable training and resources with the aim of breaking down the stigma of talking about mental health.   

The theatre’s charity panel, which launched back in 2022, organised a range of exciting fundraising events including a staff summer sports day, an intimate performance with soprano Lesley Garrett for patrons ahead of a performance of musical My Fair Lady, sponsored 10k walks, coffee mornings, a boxing day dip, as well as bucket collections at performances throughout the year and panto season. Three staff members also participated in the Great North Run for the charity. All events and donations from patrons at shows contributed to the final figure.

The charity’s vital services include therapeutic support for 11+, mental health and wellbeing activities and classes, social support, volunteering and training opportunities, and a range of information resources including the www.wellbeinginfo.org website.

Jacqui Reeves, CEO at Washington Mind said: “We cannot thank the team at the Empire enough for their fantastic support for Washington Mind over the last year. We were all thrilled when we were chosen as charity of the year, but could not have foreseen building such a pro-active, productive partnership. Our staff and service users have really enjoyed being involved in the fundraising activities and to raise such a phenomenal amount of money is truly overwhelming. The funding will help us to fulfill our mission, continuing to work with our community to improve mental health and wellbeing. Accessing services and support when it is needed most is crucial to making a full recovery and this funding will directly help local people. We wish the Empire all of the very best with their future fundraising endeavours and applaud them for their community spirit, we feel really privileged to have been a part of that".

Vicki Medhurst, Theatre Manager at Sunderland Empire said: “It has been such a pleasure collaborating and connecting with Washington Mind over the past year. The resources and training that they have provided have been, and continue to be, truly invaluable. It’s been a joy to see our staff come together for such a wonderful cause, and to see the donations from our generous patrons go directly back into our local community, keeping these wonderful services active. We thank everyone who has attended any of our fundraising events or who have kindly donated to this wonderful cause over the past 12 months.”

Sunderland Empire’s nominated charity for 2024 is to be announced soon.

REVIEW: Bonnie & Clyde at Sunderland Empire

Bonnie & Clyde

Sunderland Empire

Until Saturday 23 March 2024

The first ever UK & Ireland tour of Bonnie & Clyde the Musical has landed in Wearside this week. It has music by Frank Wildhorn, lyrics by Don Black and a book by Ivan Menchell. 

Alex James-Hatton as Clyde

We love new musicals and it is always great to see one that works well. This show has a great live band backing a talented cast. Interesting projections help set up the scene - clear use of shadows can state a lot and remove with need for extraneous exposition. The book is full of sweet and dark humour. So whilst the story starts at the end - thus pointing out that it is going to be a dark ending - it is a worthwhile journey for the audience getting there. 

Katie Tonkinson - Alex James-Hatton as Bonnie and Clyde 

The production states "Bonnie & Clyde The Musical is the story of two small-town kids from the middle of nowhere who became the biggest folk heroes in all America. They craved adventure - and each other. Fearless, shameless, and alluring, this is the electrifying story of love, adventure and crime that captured the attention of an entire nation."

Katie Tonkinson - Alex James-Hatton as Bonnie and Clyde 

We first meet the eponymous characters before they meet up. Bonnie (Katie Tonkinson) is a waitress who dreams of earning $30 a week as an actress in the movies. She is lucky to have a job in the depression era United States. Then we meet Clyde (Alex James- Hatton) who is aware that his parents are about to lose everything and dreaming of being like his hero Al Capone. A chance meeting as Bonnie is trying to fix a broken car whilst Clyde is on the run sees the pair immediately clicking as a couple. 

Katie Tonkinson - Alex James-Hatton as Bonnie and Clyde 

We also get to meet Clyde's brother, who is also on the run. Buck (Sam Ferriday) is already in a stable relationship and his wife Blanche is keen for him to hand himself in so that he completes his time and is no longer on the run.

Jaz Ellington - Preacher 

At this point I should point out that on opening night we had a fantastic performance from the cover Oonagh Cox as Blanche. Understudies rarely let the audience down and this was no exception. Apparently Catherine Tyldesley will be back in the role for the rest of the Sunderland run.

The music is a mixed bunch. We have gospel - Jaz Ellington, as the Preacher, gives a fantastic performance in God's Arms Are Always Open. We have pop - indeed the performance of Cox and Tonkinson in You Love Who You Love was reminiscent of Chess the musical. We have more contemporaneous music like James-Hatton and Ferriday's second act performance of Too Late To Turn Back which had some great moments from the band to add to the feel of the number. Where the musical slightly lets the show down was in the more rock based numbers that felt out of place in the feel of the piece about the depression.

This is a great musical with a decent story running through the core of it. Great central performances of the Bonnie & Clyde creating a dynamic that the audience can understand, even if they don't agree with their decisions.  The pace was even over the 130 minutes, plus interval - though I kept thinking we were about the get the interval a few times before we actually did in the first act. The singing performances lifted a set of songs, even though the songs themselves tend not to linger in the memory for very long afterwards.

I am glad I got to check out Bonnie & Clyde - it is definitely one of the better new musicals that I have seen recently.

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Richard Davenport

Tickets:

Bonnie & Clyde appears on the Sunderland Empire’s stage from Tuesday 19 – Saturday 23 March 2024. Tickets available from £13 at http://tinyurl.com/SUNDbonnieclydeTickets*A £3.65 transaction fee applies to online bookings. 

News: Emilie Robson and Connor Dorrian win the inaugural north east playwriting award at Live Theatre

 

Emilie Robson and Connor Dorrian win the inaugural north east playwriting award at Live Theatre

 

Winners of Live Theatre’s inaugural North East Playwriting Award were announced at a ceremony last Thursday night at Live Theatre. Newcastle writer Emilie Robson won the main prize for her play Dogs On The Metro with Sunderland writer Connor Dorrian winning the Under 26 Award for his play A Moving Still. Both will receive a commission fee for their plays with the intention of a full staging at Live Theatre.  

 

L-R Emilie Robson, Connor Dorrian & Pauline Trotry
at North East Playwriting Award

Laurie Ward also received a Research Award supported by Northumbria University for her play Real Mad World about the joys, heartbreaks and absurdities of trans life.  

 

Pauline Trotry’s Shards was named runner up for the main award with Wambui Hardcastle’s Up And Down The Tap Line named as runner up for the Under 26 award.  

 

The main award winning play, Dogs On The Metro, follows plucky teenagers Jen and Dean, over months, years and even alternate realities, as they travel back and forth on the Tyne and Wear Metro line, as what seems to begin as a coming of age tale slowly twists into a painful meditation on consent, toxic masculinity and conflicting ‘truths’ as they unpack their differing versions of the same, pivotal event that changes their lives forever.  
 
One of the play’s judges was playwright Shelagh Stephenson who said of it: “Half down page one I knew we’d found a new voice. Sharp, funny, true and precise. I’m thrilled it has won”. 

 

The winning writer Emilie Robson said: “I’m absolutely delighted to have won the Live Theatre North East Playwriting Award. I feel very privileged to be from the North East and to reflect the region in my work. I’m a huge admirer of Live Theatre and its commitment to great storytelling (I genuinely wrote Dogs On The Metro with them in mind!) and so any nod of approval from them is truly humbling.”  

  The Under 26 winning play A Moving Still is a North East coming of age story. With troubled young lad ‘Lucas’, trapped in a life of drug dealing at its centre. After his brother’s arrest he starts to explore his youth as newly presented options open up. One of the award judges Robson Green, himself a former Live Youth Theatre member, presented the Under 26 Award. He said that the play offered “a message of resilience, the potential for change, a story about the importance of supporting one another in the face of adversity.” 

 

The 22-year old winner Connor Dorrian said: “I can’t believe I won! I’m so thankful to Live Theatre for this opportunity and those who read my play and chose it to win. This will help me so much and project my career to a height I didn’t know was possible at this stage. It’s amazing we have the playwright awards to champion new writing in the region. Especially for early career artists such as myself. My play ‘A Moving Still’ means so much to me as a working class creative and I can’t wait to share it!” 

 

The ceremony was attended by many special guests including David Byrne, the new Artistic Director of the Royal Court, who gave the ceremony’s opening address about the importance of having a thriving new writing scene. This first Award is supported by the Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust and aims to be a biannual event for the region. 

 

Photos: Mark Savage

 

 

Preview: Beauty & the Beast at Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House

 

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Steps’ star Lee Latchford-Evans & more join the cast of Tyne Theatre’s Beauty & the Beast Easter panto

Beauty & the Beast

Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Saturday 30^th – Sunday 31^st March 2024

Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/TYNEEasterpantoTckets

The Tyne Theatre & Opera House are proud to once again host an exciting pantomime to celebrate the Easter weekend, performing across Saturday 30^th March and Sunday 31^st March 2024. From the same team as The Wizard of Oz and Rapunzel, Beauty & the Beast will be a fun-filled adventure that families won’t want to miss.

This year, guests are in for an eggcellent time, as the cast is bigger and better than ever! Lee Latchford-Evans will be starring as the Prince/Beast; he’s best known as one fifth of Steps, but this will be his 12^th professional pantomime! CBBC (Bear Behaving Badly) and Blue Peter star Barney Harwood is Gaston. After 25 years in the business, becoming a staple to children’s TV as a natural comedy actor, the BAFTA winner will play the villain.

The Britain’s Got Talent 2020-star Steve Royle stars as Silly Billy. Steve came third on BGT, and his excitable stage presence is perfect for a panto! The Dumping Ground’s Carma Hylton will play Good Fairy and the talented Ellena Bacon tells the tale as old as time as Belle, after previously being the star of 2023’s Rapunzel. Also returning to the Tyne Theatre & Opera House is panto favourite Lewis Denny, returning as Dame Betty Baguette, so fans won’t want to miss out!

With a star-studded cast, plenty of jokes, songs and audience participation, families will love Beauty & the Beast. The spellbinding story tells the tale of Belle who longs for romance and adventure, and a Prince who has been transformed into a Beast to learn the error of his ways.

Make some cracking plans this Easter holiday and put a spring in your step with Enchanted Entertainment’s Beauty & the Beast.

Theatre Director Joanne Johnson states, “Our pantomimes with Enchanted Entertainment are always popular, and we’re thrilled to be hosting another pantomime for families to enjoy. We love to be a part of people’s traditions, whether that’s at Christmas or at Easter. Making memories in a theatre is a great family activity, and we’re thrilled about the exciting cast that’ll be spending the weekend with us!”

Tickets:

Tickets are £22 for adults, £20 for children and concessions or £79 for a family ticket plus fees. Group offers are also available, and tickets can be purchased from: https://tinyurl.com/TYNEEasterpantoTckets

 

Preview: Here You Come Again at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 West End Star joins cast of Here You Come Again

Here You Come Again,

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 18 – Saturday 22 June 2024

West End star Steven Webb (Oliver!, Book of Mormon), will star as Kevin, a 40-year-old, has-been-who-never-was comedian in Here You Come Again, a rollicking and joyful new musical, fully authorised by Dolly Parton herself, when it visits Newcastle Theatre Royal.

Steven Webb began his career 30 years ago as the titular character in Sam Mendes’ production of Oliver! (London Palladium). Since then, he has appeared in a wide range of film, television and theatre. Steven played Elder McKinley in the West End run of The Book of Mormon, and his other theatre credits include The History Boys; I Want My Hat Back; On the Shore of the Wide World (National Theatre) and As Is (Trafalgar Studios). He also has many television credits, having previously played roles in the much beloved BBC series Miranda and E4’s The Inbetweeners.

Steven Webb

Kevin has just separated from his long-time boyfriend, Jeremy, an investment banker, and is in quarantine in the attic bedroom of his childhood home in Yorkshire. Surrounded by precious belongings from his youth, he is reunited with a much-loved old record player and his cherished Dolly albums.

“I’m beyond excited to be bringing Kevin to life here in the UK. I grew up listening to Dolly and other country music as my dad was a big fan. Twenty years ago, I was in a similar state to Kevin. I was down, a relationship had come clattering to a halt and I felt aimless.” Steven Webb says.

“Then Dolly Parton played one night at the Hammersmith Apollo in London. So, I grabbed a ticket and took myself down there. Just like Kevin, I was inspired, galvanised and uplifted by Dolly and her message of love and perseverance. It was practically life changing. And that’s why she means so much to so many people. It’s no coincidence that the hashtag #WhatWouldDollyDo became a life motto for so many. Getting to sing and hear her biggest hits (and watch Tricia embody Dolly) every night is going to be the greatest gift a show could ever give.” He adds.

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 Newcastle Theatre Royal 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 will reprise her celebrated role as ‘Dolly’ following US acclaim). 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.

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!

Tickets:

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

Preview: Riverdance 30 – The New Generation at Stockton Globe

 

Riverdance - 30th Anniversary Celebrations

UK Tour On Sale: Friday 22nd March - 10am

 

Riverdance 30 – The New Generation

Stockton Globe

Tuesday 21^st – Wednesday 22nd October 2025.

Since Riverdance first emerged onto the world stage, its fusion of Irish and international dance and music has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. The Grammy award-winning music and the infectious energy of its mesmerising choreography and breathtaking performances has left audiences in awe and established Riverdance as a global cultural sensation. To celebrate this incredible 30th year milestone, Riverdance will embark on a special anniversary tour in 2025, bringing its magic to audiences around the world. From August to December 2025, the show will visit 30 UK venues - one for each year of its history and in October it will make a stop in Teesside! Stockton Globe will welcome Riverdance 30 – The New Generation to its iconic stage. Tickets will go on sale at 10am on Friday 22^nd March 2024 via Ticket link.

This spectacular production rejuvenates the much-loved original show with new innovative choreography and costumes and state of the art lighting, projection and motion graphics. And for the first time Riverdance welcomes ‘The New Generation’ of performers, all of whom were not born when the show began 30 years ago.

John McColgan, Director of Riverdance said “It is both a privilege and a delight to celebrate 30 years of Riverdance and the unique journey it has taken us on. In those 30 years the show has transformed from a spectacle into a global cultural phenomenon – continuously evolving yet remaining true to its Irish roots. On this upcoming tour we look forward to welcoming ‘The New Generation’ of artists while paying tribute to the talented performers, creators, dedicated crew, and the millions of fans who have made Riverdance a worldwide celebration of music and dance.”

Audiences will enjoy a unique and memorable performance which blends the traditional and the contemporary, showcasing the skill and passion of the world-class of dancers, musicians and singers in the Riverdance ensemble.

Composed by Bill Whelan. Produced by Moya Doherty. Directed by John McColgan.

Tickets are available on pre-sale at 10am on Thursday 21^st March 2024, you can subscribe to the Stockton Globe e-newsletter for access to pre-sale tickets via https://www.atgtickets.com/campaigns/sign-up/riverdance-stockton-globe/

Tickets are available on general sale from 10am on Friday 22^nd March 2024 via https://prf.hn/l/XZje11y.

News: Tyne Theatre & Opera House volunteers receive Heritage Heroes Award

 Tyne Theatre & Opera House volunteers receive Heritage Heroes Award

TT&OH Project Administrator Rachel Snape and volunteer Charmian Marshall receive the Heritage Heroes Award from Dr Ingrid Samuel OBE, Acting Chair of Heritage Alliance

 

Photo: The Heritage Alliance, Heritage Day 2024

A group of research volunteers at Grade I listed Newcastle theatre, Tyne Theatre & Opera House, have been nationally recognised for their service to the UK’s heritage sector.

The Heritage Heroes Awards are the Heritage Alliance’s celebration of the outstanding contribution Britain’s heritage volunteers make to society.

Over a 12-month period, a team of community volunteers from Tyne Theatre & Opera House gathered and reviewed over 23,000 images of newspaper adverts, programmes and day-bills to create a performance database covering 52 years from the theatre’s opening in 1867 to its conversion to a cinema in 1919.

Volunteer Charmian Marshall and TT&OH Project Administrator Rachel Snape received the Heritage Heroes award on behalf of the volunteer team at the Heritage Alliance’s conference in London on Thursday 7 March.

Project Administrator, Rachel Snape, said “We are delighted that our volunteers have been recognised for their work on Tyne Theatre & Opera House’s performance calendar. Between them, they have dedicated over 1200 hours of research, and in turn brought to light decades of our theatre’s rich and varied history. We are so very grateful to them for their commitment to this project.”

The searchable database is a valuable resource for academics, theatre historians and genealogists, and can be found at: https://www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/about/performance-calendar-database/

The research work was part of a one-year heritage project funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund which included restoration of the theatre’s Victorian stage machinery and initial investigations into further ambitious restoration plans.

Tyne Theatre & Opera House is a Grade I listed, independent theatre in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, offering a varied programme of theatre, comedy, music, in conversation events and more. As a non-profit organisation, all funds raised through the theatre’s operations and from the generous support of the community go directly to supporting the maintenance and restoration of the historic venue.