Preview: Astonishing Adventures of Kitty and Peg at Hipp @ Hullabaloo, Darlington

Pants and Popularity: Kitty and Peg give Jane Austen a run for her money

The Astonishing Adventures of Kitty and Peg

Hipp @ Hullabaloo, Darlington

Saturday 29th March 2025

In this 250th anniversary year of Jane Austen, check out her riotous real-life predecessors Kitty Clive and Peg Woffington, in a hilarious brand new play.

While Austen was a woman of letters, Kitty and Peg were women of action! This fast-paced comedy is for everyone who enjoys a fun night out, and laugh-out-loud historical comedies like Upstart Crow, Austentatious, or Blackadder. Written and performed by dynamic double act Trott and Jennings - packed with witty dialogue, as well as fights, tights, and workers rights, this play celebrates two bona fide Gorgeous Georgian ladies behave badly.

Off the back of a sell-out London run, The Astonishing Adventures of Kitty and Peg tours this spring at each venue for one night only - appearing at Hipp @ Hullabaloo, Darlington booking link

What is it?

Green room queens, Kitty and Peg, were self made women, who made their own money - unlike the Elizabeth Bennet’s of this world. Imagine Bridgerton with less romance, more finance, and more experienced cleavage

This is a cock and bull story of beloved stars, Kitty (England’s favourite singer) and Peg (Ireland’s favourite legs), battling to stay relevant in the cutthroat Drury Lane Theatre - Covent Garden in 1745, with the help of Charlotte ‘Mr Brown’ Charke, the actor-turned-butcher.

Like washed up sailors clinging to the wreck of their celebrity, watch the lengths these two go to, to hang onto fame and fortune. Media manipulation, brawls, poisoning, and wrestling - they risk deportation and death in their quest for infamy. Think Bette Davis and Joan Crawford, or Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy but with corsets.

No country for old women

How did it come about?

Writer performer team Trott and Jennings, discovered Kitty Clive (the Adele of her age) during research for their show Hendrix and Handel for Sky Arts, in which Kitty was a supporting character. They knew this resourceful woman had a bigger story. This show was made with support as resident artists at Morley College. The tour is made possible with support from Proteus Theatre, with whom they are associate artists for 2025.

Who are Trott and Jennings?

Trott and Jennings are Cara Jennings and Sophie Trott. They are writers and performers. Together they’ve written TV, theatre, and audio. They’ve written for Sky Arts, BBC, and LSE among many others. Their web series The Littlest Boho was selected for National and international film festivals, and was a Raindance Discovery Award recipient.

Cara’s written and produced radio plays for BBC Radio 4: How To Burn a Million Quid, Ready, Player Marx and The Poor Olympics and The Flying Housewife. Her Edinburgh Millie and Tillie shows were Funny Women Award Winners. She worked on the production team for Horrible Histories, and appeared in various sketches as wives, girlfriends and aviators. Her play Stray was shortlisted for the Papatango prize.

Sophie’s work as an actor includes shows at Shakespeare’s Globe, the National Theatre, and Northern Stage. Her TV and film appearances include various corsetted women: a writer, Charlotte Bronte (BBC), a princess in Victor and Abdul (Working Title), and a muse, in Raphael, A Mortal God (BBC).

Together, their work has been shortlisted by Comedy 50:50, UKTV script callout, The Female Pilot Club, and the Alpine Theatre Award. They’ve performed their shows on the London fringe, as well as at Proteus Theatre, Shunt Vaults, and Exeter’s Phoenix Theatre.

Photos of The Astonishing Adventures of Kitty and Peg, Hen and Chickens Production 2024 by David Langan featuring Kitty Clive (Cara Jennings) and Peg Woffington (Sophie Trott).

On the web: 

https://trottandjennings.com

https://www.instagram.com/trottandjennings/

Tickets:

https://www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk/whats-on/The-Astonishing-Adventures-of-Kitty-and-Peg 

Preview: Dear England Newcastle Theatre Royal

The National Theatre Smash-Hit Production Dear England To Play Newcastle Theatre Royal 

Dear England

Newcastle Theatre Royal 

Tuesday 11 – Saturday 15 November 2025

Following a record-breaking run in London’s West End, the National Theatre has announced a highly anticipated tour of its smash-hit production, Dear England.  The 2024 Olivier Award-winning ‘Best New Play’ will visit Newcastle Theatre Royal in a co-production with Josh Andrews and Stuart Galbraith of JAS Theatricals. 

 

Written by the multi-award-winning stage and screen writer, James Graham (Sherwood, BBC One; Quiz, ITV) and directed by the Almeida Theatre’s Artistic Director Rupert Goold (Patriots, King Charles III), Dear England, tells the uplifting, at times heartbreaking, and ultimately inspiring story of Gareth Southgate’s revolutionary tenure as England manager in this gripping examination of nation and game.   

Playwright James Graham said: "I am beyond delighted and grateful that Dear England is heading out on a nation-wide tour across England.  To put the National Game on the stage of the National Theatre and then in the West End back in 2023 was an utter dream. Now, to head out on a nation-wide tour feels like winning the treble.  As someone from a community that had limited access to culture growing up, I'm especially aware of how vital it is to share work of such a scale beyond the capital.  And as a lifelong theatre and England fan, the chance to tell a story about the beautiful game and through the prism of Gareth Southgate's transformative term has been a privilege."

 

Kate Varah, Executive Director & Co-Chief Executive of the National Theatre, said: “Dear England by James Graham is our award winning, brilliant play that takes the much-loved topic of football and opens up a lens on so much more: English identity, masculinity and what it means to be a leader.  We had a tremendous reaction to Dear England when it was with us on the Southbank, and in the West End.  Director Rupert Goold has crafted such a wonderful production that will leave you wanting to sing and smile in the stalls and gasp at the penalty shoot-outs.  We are delighted to be working with JAS Theatricals and our partner venues across England to deliver this important nationwide tour so that more people will have access to this incredible show.  Whether you are a football fan or not, Dear England will bring you joy and hope for all we can achieve in this country.”

 

It’s time to change the game. The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. The England men’s team has the worst track record for penalties in the world, and manager Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt to take team and country back to the promised land. 

 

Goold is joined by set designer, Es Devlin; costume designer, Evie Gurney; lighting designer, Jon Clark; co-movement directors, Ellen Kane and Hannes Langolf; video designer, Ash J Woodward; co-sound designers, Dan Balfour and Tom Gibbons with additional music by Max Perryment.

Dear England was originally commissioned by the National Theatre and developed with the theatre’s New Work department.  Its world premiere was on 20 Jun 2023 in the Olivier Theatre. Following a sold-out run, Dear England transferred to the Prince Edward Theatre, in London’s West End, where it broke box office records.  

The production was subsequently released to cinemas through National Theatre Live in January 2024 and has since been screened almost 2,500 times across the UK.  In February 2024, the BBC announced it had commissioned a four-part drama of Dear England based on the stage production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.  

Photos: Marc Brenner

 

Tickets:

The 2025/2026 national tour of Dear England is a co-production between National Theatre Productions and JAS Theatricals.  Casting to be announced.

Dear England plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Tue 11 – Sat 15 Nov 2025. Tickets on sale soon.

Booking Dates:

Friends plus: Monday 24 March, 10am

Friends: Friday 28 March, 10am

Flexi priority pass, groups and schools: Tuesday 1 April, 10am

Public booking: Friday 4 April, 10am

REVIEW: Champion at Newcastle Live Theatre

Champion 

Newcastle Live Theatre 

Until Saturday 8 March 2025

The new year begins at Live Theatre with punchy new writing about our region's past. This is tight well paced drama featuring three talented actors and a vacuum cleaner. The ability to focus on the people has turned this from a kitchen sink drama into a boxing ring drama.

The publicity said "Summer 1977. South Shields. Muhammad Ali is coming to town. Set during the great boxer’s now legendary visit to The North East this searing new drama shows the effect that such a major event has on a mixed race family in South Shields. Written by one of contemporary theatre’s most regarded writers Ishy Din, this epic offering stirs up questions of identity, community and what each of us are truly fighting for."

With a set that clearly represents a boxing ring, the widower and mother of two Sheila has clearly had to fight for her family. Christina Berriman Dawson brings the matriarch to life and gives a performance which is as much about how the mother physically acts to situations rather than just the dialogue. Here is a mother who chose her life partner over her family. In an era when racism was not just commonplace but often seen as acceptable by many, for it is 1977. The focus of the play is on an Irish-Pakistani family that face racism on a regular basis. However, for two days things change in South Shields as the legendary boxer pays a visit on the day after the Queen's Silver Jubilee tour lands. With Ali we have a man who even the racists will agree is one of the greats.

Sheila's two sons are both the centre of her world and the cause of much internal friction. Daniel Zareie appears as Azeem, a bright lad with the capacity to stay on at school to do A levels. One has to remember that in '77 this was unusual amongst working class families as "the posh kids" tended to be ones who were encouraged to carry on with their education after their O levels. His older brother Billy considers himself to be less bright but that has much to do with opportunity as capacity. Fresh from Gerry & Sewell, Jack Robertson provides another powerful performance against the other two family members who are struggling with their lot.

Daniel Zareie is going to be a young actor to watch. He was able to reflect the restlessness of one's teenage years, that confidence of youth that makes decisions without fully understanding the consequences. However, thanks to the actors ability, good quality script and careful direction from Jack McNamara, Azeem doesn't become overly precious. The audience still care about him as he plots a course in life against his mother's wishes.

As is often the case at Live, it is easy to overlook the sound design (Matthew Tuckey)  as it copes with the sound of the vacuum whilst the radio is on and and the lighting (Drummond Orr) as it picks off the action and helps convey emotion. The standard is up to the venues usual high standard.

As the family prepare for the Queen, and King, to arrive the audience are put through the emotional rollercoaster. Ishy Din using his own experience of being brought up in an industrial North East town to bring the experiences to the stage. Whilst the show is set in '77, the themes of acceptance, racism and survival resonate with the current uncertain times. So rather than Waiting For Godot, we have Waiting For Ali.

The vibrant centre of new writing, Live Theatre, has once again created an emotive drama that reflects the region. 2025 is shaping up to be another great year for our local theatre.

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Von Fox Promotions

Tickets:

Champion by Ishy Din plays until Saturday 8 March 2025 with tickets priced from £10 to £30.  For more information and to book tickets go to www.live.org.uk

Approx 1hr 30mins including interval

Recommended for ages 14+

Please note: Contains strong language, violence and racist language/slurs.

News: The Customs House in South Shields receives vital support for The Takeover 2025 from Hays Travel Foundation

The Customs House in South Shields receives vital support for The Takeover 2025 from Hays Travel Foundation

The Customs House in South Shields is set to take its award-winning Takeover Festival 2025 to new heights after receiving crucial funding from the Hays Travel Foundation. The Foundation, renowned for supporting local causes and registered charities focused on helping young people thrive in sport, health, the arts, and education, has awarded the Festival funding to support its ambitious 2025 programme.

DEMONS

The funding will enable The Customs House to provide an exceptional platform for young artists and performers, including workshops, live performances, and hands-on experience in festival management. This will also allow the Festival to further expand its diversity and inclusivity efforts, giving a voice to young people across the region to showcase their talents and develop their skills in a professional setting.

The Takeover Festival, produced and delivered by 13-18-year-olds, is known for its unique and dynamic approach to youth engagement in the arts. In 2024, the Festival featured a variety of events, including the popular BreakOver Youth Breaking Jam, a debut play from the Young Writer in Residence, and an Esports tournament with a Nintendo Switch on a massive 220-inch cinema screen.

BreakOver Jam
Photo: Benjamin Michael Smith

‘We are absolutely thrilled to have received this funding from the Hays Travel Foundation,’ said Fiona Martin, Deputy Director of The Customs House. ‘This support will allow us to provide an exceptional, visible platform for young artists from across the region. It will also help offer valuable professional credits and opportunities that will have a long-term, positive impact on their careers and personal development.’

The Takeover Festival continues to be a springboard for young people in the region, providing them with a unique opportunity to engage in all aspects of the arts, from performance to event production. With the generous support of the Hays Travel Foundation, The Customs House is looking forward to delivering a memorable and exciting week. 

Director of DEMONS (Young Writer in Residence Play)

Toni Gibson, Head of Sales Operations and Community Initiatives at Hays Travel, said: ‘We are delighted to be able to support The Customs House and its Takeover Festival 2025. Supporting the wellbeing and opportunities of young people is at the heart of what we do, and we’re proud to help provide this incredible platform for young creatives to showcase their talents and gain vital experience. We look forward to seeing the impact of this funding on the festival and the young people involved.’

Preview: Fluff Newcastle at Alphabetti Theatre

It’s time for Fluff to do the ultimate puzzle... her life.

Fluff

Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre 

Friday 14 - Saturday 15 March 2025

Written by Tayla Kenyon and James Piercy

But Fluff hates puzzles; especially word searches. She can never find the words and doesn’t understand why there’s a half eaten birthday cake and a woman who keeps visiting her room. As she navigates her way through her most treasured and darkest memories, Fluff desperately needs to piece together her life; story by story, person by person. This darkly comedic play explores memories and the choices we make in life.

Winner of the Best Theatre Production at the Buxton Fringe 2024, alongside awards for Best Performance and Best New Piece at the Birmingham Fringe 2023. The non-linear plot line allows the audience to feel, first hand, the devastating affects of dementia, through joining Fluff in her journey to uncover her life’s memories.

Fluff, is proud to be supported by the Arts Council England, W3RT, Alzheimer’s Society, Trauma Breakthrough UK and Herts Musical Memories.

Previous praise for FLUFF:

“A thoughtful piece of theatre that bounces between past and present seemingly effortlessly, it held

my attention from beginning to end” ★★★★ LondonTheatre1

“A stirring narrative that’ll keep you hooked” ★★★★ Theatre & Tonic

“Tayla Kenyon is compelling” ★★★★ The Upcoming

“Not just a fluff piece – this show has grit” ★★★★★ Bum On A Seat

Cast and creatives

Written by Tayla Kenyon and James Piercy

Performed by Tayla Kenyon

Directed by Danäe Cambrook

Lighting Design by Alex Teixido Blouna

Sound Design by Markos Beebe

Graphic and Video Design by Douglas Baker

Produced by Teepee Productions and Joe Brown

Tickets:

Box office - https://www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk/fluff

Running Times 75 minutes (no interval)

News: Sunderland Empire raises £21K for charity Macmillan Cancer Support

Sunderland Empire raises £21K for charity Macmillan Cancer Support  

Sunderland Empire is delighted to announce that £21,075.40 has been raised over the past 12 months for their 2024 nominated charity, Macmillan Cancer Support, thanks to the dedication and hard work of generous staff and patrons.

 

The cancer support charity was nominated by the theatre’s staff, a cause that has been close to many of their hearts and has been paramount in supporting staff members and their families through cancer. The theatre have collaborated with the charity alongside Sunderland Hospital, ensuring that a percentage of the money raised would go directly to the fantastic local Macmillan services which have positively impacted and touched the lives of staff members and the local community. At least 109,200 people are living with cancer in the North East, a number which is set to rise. 

 

Macmillan provide physical, financial, and emotional support to people living with cancer. This includes expert nurses, information and support services, an online community, support line, welfare advice as well as Macmillan grants.

 

The theatre’s charity panel, which launched back in 2022, organised a range of exciting and challenging fundraising events including walking the mighty Yorkshire 3 Peaks, Boxing Day dips, wreath making workshops, handmade Christmas decoration sales, Macmillan coffee mornings, staff socials, sponsored walks and more. In addition, bucket collections and QR code donations from giving patrons throughout 2024 and Panto season have contributed generous amounts to the final figure.

 

Sarah Goldie, Local Relationship Fundraising Manager for Macmillan Cancer Support said, “We cannot thank the Sunderland Empire, staff, and customers enough for the incredibly kind donations and fundraising.  Everyone has gone over and above to help achieve and go beyond the amount that has been raised. 

 

With more people diagnosed and living with cancer, Macmillan has never been needed more. Cancer turns many people’s lives upside down, we want to ensure everyone with cancer has access to the support they need. From visiting one of our Macmillan Information Centres, to ringing our Support line and our Macmillan professionals offering specialised care. We do whatever it takes to get every person the best support today and spark a revolution in cancer care for the future. We can only continue this work with support from events like these, you are all amazing, well done Sunderland Empire!”

 

Marie Nixon, Theatre Director at Sunderland Empire said, “We are absolutely delighted with the incredible fundraising success we’ve achieved. It has been a brilliant partnership, and we are immensely grateful to our fabulous team and our wonderful patrons, whose energy and generosity have been truly inspiring. Their support and donations have made a real difference. We wish Macmillan every success in the future as we now turn our focus to supporting our soon to be announced charity for 2025."

 

Macmillan are going all out to support people every day, across the UK and the North East, but they rely almost entirely on donations to keep doing their fantastic work doing whatever it takes to give people living with cancer and their families the support they need.

 

For further information, support or just someone to talk to, call 0808 808 00 00 or visit macmillan.org.uk. 

To donate, volunteer, raise money or campaign, call 0300 1000 200 or visit macmillan.org.uk. 

Preview: Steam to Grin at Newcastle Discovery Museum

Discovery Museum’s first ever stand-up comedy night this February – ‘Steam to Grin’ 

 

Steam to Grin 

Newcastle Discovery Museum

Friday 28 February 2025  

 

Newcastle’s Discovery Museum is hosting its first ever stand-up comedy night in the magnificent Great Hall space called Steam to Grin on Friday 28 February.  

Discovery Museum - the Great Hall

 

The night will feature three main acts Bethany Black, Cal Halbert and Chris Kehoe with compere for the evening North East comedy stalwart Si Beckwith. 

 

Steam to Grin is the second ‘Discovery Nights’ after-hours event created purely for adults seeking something a bit different, and is part of the wider Steam to Green: A North East Energy Revolution event programme.  

 

Kylea Little, Keeper of History at Discovery Museum explains: “At Steam to Grin we want our adult visitors to kick back, have fun and maybe become inspired along the way – and most importantly – laugh! The Great Hall is a fabulous space to hold an event like this. Our first Discovery Nights event was popular so we’re hoping our first ever comedy night hits the spot.”  

 

Steam to Grin Compere - Si Beckwith
Photo: Jay Dawson

Si Beckwith, event producer and compere added: “We’re all so excited for this show, and it promises to be such a uniquely fun night out. The Discovery Museum holds a special place in my heart, and is home to some wonderfully accessible history and innovation. We’ll all be bringing something bespoke to the night, to make this a one-off show that you do not want to miss.'”  

 

More about the acts:  

 

The Guardian called Bethany Black 'dark tinged but magical'; 

Bethany Black

Simon Cowell said Cal Halbert is ‘very good'; 

Cal Halbert

Geoff Norcott said Chris Kehoe is ‘so funny he almost turned me left wing' and according to the BBC host Si Beckwith ‘delivers warm laughter from some hot topics'.

Chris Kehoe

    

The Steam to Green: A North East Energy Revolution event programme is Discovery Museum’s two year programme of family and adult events.  

 

Tickets:

Doors open at 6pm with the show starting at 7pm. It’s for over 18s only - there’ll be a bar and tickets cost £12 and can be booked here [https://discoverymuseum.org.uk/whats-on/steam-to-grin]  

Booking is essential.