Theatre Review - THE CAT AND THE CANARY - DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

 

Photo Credit - Paul Coltas

SIX distant relatives meet in an old creaking mansion to discover who is about find out who will inherit the fortune from Cyrus West. The meeting has been called with strict instructions by the Lawyer, at midnight, 20 years after his death. There opens a night of murder, mystery, intrigue and suspense. The Cat and the Canary written by John Willard, adapted by Carl Grose has been directed by Roy Marsden with Bill Kenwright’s Classic Thriller Theatre Company.

Photo Credit - Paul Coltas

This cast certainly has star quality throughout. As the long-serving housekeeper, Mrs Pleasant, Brit Ekland, mutters about the evil in the house and talks to ghosts randomly as she welcomes the guests to the mansion. Crosby, the Lawyer, Eric Carte, takes charge of proceedings until he disappears. The main guests hoping for their fortune appear with Marti Webb as Susan, Ben Nealon as Charlie, Priyasasha Kumari as Cicily, Gary Webster as Harry, Tracy Shaw as Annabelle and Antony Costa as Paul. It is Tracy Shaw and Antony Costa who produce outstanding performances. Antony Costa, begins as a dithering clumsy fool, but he builds the character perfectly towards the conclusion. Tracy Shaw is just a delight to watch throughout.

Photo Credit - Paul Coltas

This may have been written almost 100 years ago, but it feels incredibly fresh. It kept me guessing right to the end.

With an incredible cast this mystery thriller is a perfect whodunnit.

Runs until Saturday 25th September at Darlington Hippodrome 01325 405405

Runs until Saturday 25th September at Darlington Hippodrome 01325 405405

Theatre Preview - ROAD - NORTHERN STAGE, NEWCASTLE 8th - 30th OCTOBER

 Cast and creative team announced for Natalie Ibu!s first show as Northern Stage Artistic Director

Director Natalie Ibu with the cast of Road in Blyth,
where her new production will be set

In the 35th anniversary of Jim Cartwright’s joyous and anarchic masterpiece, the residents of Road are relocated to the North East in the first show Artistic Director Natalie Ibu will direct for Northern Stage.

 “I’m excited to be working with a brilliant cast and creative team to explore the intersectionality between race, class and gender and bring Jim Cartwright’s vivid characters back to life, 2021 style.” - Natalie Ibu.

Cast members Ruby Crepin-Glyne and Nicole Sawyerr + Assistant Director
Natasha Haws meet the locals at The King's Arms in Blyth

Part of Northern Stage’s Housewarming season, audiences and artists will be welcomed back to the theatre’s main stage with a gritty, funny, riotous show about community and connection. Natalie says, “Road is the perfect post-pandemic celebration of community and resilience - the narrator introduces us to residents on the road, who then make their way out of their own houses to their local pub. In fact, all of our Housewarming season productions talk directly to the audience - breaking down the fourth wall to welcome people back, and re-connecting artists and audiences in a way that only live theatre can.

“It’s the dream play for me to direct as my first show for Northern Stage - I directed a scene when I was at university and it has really stayed with me for 17 years. It’s with Road that I found my vision as a director. It helped me articulate that I wanted to tell stories about the blood, sweat and tears it takes to live life, and that I wanted to fill stages with loud, vivid expressions of what it means to be alive.

Some of the Road cast on a research visit to Blyth
where Northern Stage's new production will be set

“Originally set in Lancashire, we’re relocating it to a North East working class community dealing with poverty, unemployment, disappointment and a desperation for change whilst also making the most of who and what they have. It’s about what it is to live, in all of its complexities - looking to the past to understand how we live now, telling forgotten stories about forgotten people. There’s an incredible resilience in this community, a charm; they’re a hoot to be around and I’m excited to be working with a brilliant cast and creative team to explore the intersectionality between race, class and gender and bring Jim Cartwright’s vivid characters back to life, 2021 style.”

The cast are Michael Hodgson (The Pitmen Painters/Live Theatre/National Theatre/West End/Broadway, Get Carter/Northern Stage); Ike Bennett (Curfew/Sky TV with Adrian Lester and Sean Bean); Rosie Stancliffe (Leaving by Paddy Campbell/Curious Monkey); Ryan Nolan (Hyem/Theatre 503, Ryan made his feature film debut as Private Malky in Sam Mendes' award winning 1917); Nicole Sawyerr (Those Who Trespass/Arts Ed & High Tide Festival, Boom/Theatre 503); Ruby Crepin-Glyne - making her professional theatre debut, Ruby graduated from The Oxford School of Drama in 2019 where she performed at the Sam Wanamaker Festival/The Globe, and The Royal Court in Mark Ravenhill’s Pool No Water; Rohit Gokani (Silver Street/BBC Asian Network, A Living Myth/English National Opera, TV credits include Wire in the Blood with Robson Green); Shahbaaz Khan (a recent graduate from Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts returning to his home region to make his professional stage debut, credits include Shakespeare in Love/Mountview and Looted/AmazonTV); Philip Harrison (recent credits include The Duke with Jim Broadbent, and Jekyll & Hyde/Northumberland Theatre Company); and Patricia Jones (West End Girls/Live Theatre, film credits include I, Daniel Blake).

The creative team are Set & Costume Designer Amelia Jane Hankin (One Under/Graeae, Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads/Chichester Festival Theatre); Lighting Designer Zoe Spurr (Emilia/West End, Wuthering Heights/ Royal Exchange Theatre); Sound Designer Jon McLeod (Macbeth/Shakespeare’s Globe, Collapsible/Bush Theatre); Assistant Director Natasha Haws (Familiar/Alphabetti Theatre); Movement Director Nadia Iftkhar who has made and collaborated on over 20 works at venues including Sadler’s Wells, Tramway Glasgow. Dance City Newcastle and Konzerthaus Wien; Intimacy Directors Yarit Dor (Death of a Salesman/Young Vic) and Enric Ortuno; Dialect Coaches Yvonne Morley-Chisholm (associate with the National Theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Company and Shakespeare’s Globe) and Tim Charrington (theatre credits include the West End, Old Vic, Donmar, Royal Court, Manchester Royal Exchange, West Yorkshire Playhouse and Sheffield Crucible, TV credits include 24); and Casting Director Nadine Rennie CDG (Olivier nominated Ivan and the Dogs by Hattie Naylor, God’s Property by Arinze Kene).

As well as opening up the theatre to audiences, Artistic Director Natalie Ibu is creating more opportunities for more artists and creatives to work with Northern Stage, including open calls for casting and freelance roles on the creative team and new ways for local theatre makers to engage, such as open rehearsals and workshops. Natalie says, “Nadine Rennie has a wealth of experience, having worked with the likes of Roxana Silbert, Indhu Rubasingham, Rufus Norris and Roy Williams to name just a few, and has helped us to find a hugely talented and diverse cast; 10 actors play 37 roles, so getting the casting right was essential and I’m so excited to start work with them in rehearsals. The show has real moments of joy and celebration but also tackles more challenging topics and so I’m really pleased to be working with intimacy directors, Yarit Dor and Enric Ortuno, to empower actors and help create a process that is more conscious of boundaries, consent and self-care.”

Northern Stage is committed to making its work as accessible as possible. As well as performances with BSL, closed captions and audio description, the company continues to offer socially distanced shows and Northern Stage at Home allows audiences who aren’t yet ready or able to come to the theatre to watch Northern Stage productions online.

Road is at Northern Stage from 8 - 30 October. Tickets start from £10, book online at northernstage.co.uk or call the box office on 0191 230 5151.

Theatre Review - MY MOTHER SAID I NEVER SHOULD - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE 14th - 18th SEPTEMBER

 

My Mother Said I Never Should…

AnnaDobson (Margaret) & EmmaRobson (Jackie)) photo Dianne Edwards

If you’re looking for something a little different, or you just enjoy a good story well crafted, then this show is worth your time.

My Mother Said I Never Should is a play written by Charlotte Keatley that focuses on four women of successive generations in one family. It explores the different generations’ hopes, expectations and regrets as they move through life.

Emma Robson (Jackie) & TheusDe'Ath (Rosie) photo Dianne Edwards

This interesting tale, in the skilful hands of director Mark Burden, will leave you wanting more as the curtain falls. The show hops swiftly back and forth through time, looking at the childhood-to-womanhood of these interesting people, capably aided by the simple but effective set, sound effects and lighting all designed by Tim Swinton. With a variety of decades to span, with a range of ages costume designer Dianne Edwards rose to the challenge, setting a perfect tone for each character and their time in the sun.

Emma Robson (Jackie), Maggie Childs (Doris), Anna Dobson (Margaret)
& TheusDe'Ath (Rosie) photo Dianne Edwards

Theus De’Ath played Rosie, showing true depth in her portrayal of the younger generation trying its best to both pay attention to, and ignore, its elders. A remarkable actress who I suspect we will see a great deal more from in the future. Emma Jane Robson, who played Jackie, brought home the pain and inner conflict of choosing not to become a young mother. Anna Dobson is always a delight to watch on the stage, but playing the ‘too busy’ mother Margaret she excels in her performance, easily jumping back into the innocent child she once was. It is rare I am brought to tears in the theatre, but when Maggie Childs, as Doris, performs a monologue about her late husband, it really is an emotional ride. I would highly recommend this quirky, sorrowful and fun production to anyone who has missed live theatre.

My Mother Said I Never Should is showing at The People Theatre 14^th-18^th September.

Theatre Preview - THE CAT AND THE CANARY - DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

 

HOLLYWOOD GLAMOUR TREADING THE BOARDS AT DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

A chilling tale of murder, mystery and greed comes to Darlington with a stage adaptation of The Cat and The Canary starring Hollywood superstar Britt Ekland. The star of stage and screen tells us about her latest acting challenge.

 

Hi Britt. You’re starring in thriller The Cat and the Canary. What’s the play about?

It’s a story about a big, deserted mansion on the Bodmin Moor. The owner died 20 years earlier and he has instructed his solicitors to assemble all the possible heirs to go through the will. There’s an assortment of people from all over the world that come into this spooky house, and loads of surprises ensue from the start.

 

It is an interesting story with many twists and turns. It’s very much in the tradition of Agatha Christie and the type of thriller British audiences love. I think our audiences will get a big surprise and that’s all I’m going to say.

 

What made you want to be part of this production?

First, I’m always up for a challenge. I always have been. I have done almost everything you can think of in my career. This is definitely not a role I’m used to; this play is not a farce, for a start! It’s something a bit more challenging for me.

 

Fantastic. So, who are you playing?

I play the housekeeper. She has been in this house alone for 20 years before this midnight meeting with all the assembled heirs and the solicitor. She’s probably had quite a solitary life and had to find ways of surviving that solitude, the cold and the war. She hasn’t had any physical company, but she feels she has had spiritual company. She’s very stern. Her job is to guard this house until the heir takes it over and that’s what she’s done for 20 years.

 

What makes this such a challenge for you?

I haven’t been on stage since my last panto in 2013. And I was never a rep actor – I was a movie star. I finished school when I was 17 and went to drama school for two years, then toured with a variety show and did a film in Rome. The next thing I know, I have a contract with Twentieth Century Fox and I’m sent to London. That’s where I meet Peter Sellers and marry him. Although I wanted to be on stage, being a movie star didn’t hold the prestige of being a good stage actor – not in Sweden where I came from. I don’t have the background that most actors my age have, which is my main challenge on this tour.

 

You’ve been working for more than 60 years. How do you keep yourself fit enough to tour?

I’m very fortunate that I’ve always worked out. In March 2018, I did Strictly Come Dancing in Sweden as the oldest participant ever. But I don’t take anything for granted. You have to be alert and stay on top of everything. A lot of this is your own mental attitude to life as well, not just what you eat and how you move. You have to have a very mobile mental attitude.

 

That sounds like a fantastic philosophy.

As you get older and what you look like matters less, you’ve got to challenge yourself to stay relevant and continue working. I could just sit down with a cup of tea and biscuits and watch television… but I don’t do that!

 

 

The Cat and The Canary runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 September.

 

For more information or to book call 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Theatre Preview - THE CAT AND THE CANARY - DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

 

ANTONY COSTA TO JOIN THE CAST OF THE CAT AND THE CANARY

A chilling tale of murder, mystery and greed comes to Darlington Hippodrome later this month with a stage adaptation of The Cat and The Canary which will see singer-songwriter, actor and boy band super-star Antony Costa making his debut appearance at the Hippodrome.

 

Heading the stellar cast is silver screen and Bond-girl legend Britt Ekland, whose numerous films include The Man with The Golden Gun with Roger Moore, The Wicker Man with Christopher Lee, and Get Carter with Michael Caine.

 

Britt and Antony will star alongside Tracy Shaw, best known for her long-running role as Maxine Peacock in Coronation Street. They are joined by West End leading lady Marti Webb, whose credits include Evita and Tell Me on A Sunday; Gary Webster, who played Gary Costello in Family Affairs and Ray Daley opposite George Cole in ITV’s Minder; Classic Thriller Theatre Company veteran Ben Nealon, who played Lt. Forsythe in the drama series Soldier Soldier, and Eric Carte, who played Geoff Roberts in two series of Bouquet of Barbed Wire. The cast is completed by Priyasasha Kumari, Martin Carroll, Jack Taylor and Clara Darcy.

 

Twenty years after the death of Mr. West, his descendants gather to learn who will inherit his vast wealth and the hidden family jewels. Within moments, the heritage hunters turn into prey. Walls crack open, shadows loom, and dark secrets are revealed.

 

Who is The Cat? His movements soundless, unnoticeable, and his vengeance swift! Who will feel his horrible grasp next?

 

The Cat and The Canary runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Tuesday 21 to Saturday 25 September.

For more information or to book call 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk

Theatre Preview - MY MOTHER SAID I NEVER SHOULD - PEOPLE'S THEATRE - NEWCASTLE

 People’s Theatre back on stage with award-winning drama

We are absolutely delighted to be welcoming audiences back in to the People’s Theatre this month with Charlotte Keatley’s highly-acclaimed MY MOTHER SAID I NEVER SHOULD, a warm and poignant exploration of womanhood set against the huge social changes of the twentieth century.

Years pass in emotional rather than chronological order as four generations of a family - Doris, Margaret, Jackie, and Rosie - encounter and struggle with motherhood, marriage, and work.

Keatley’s powerful and funny drama is a classic study of mothers and daughters, of growing up and independence, and provides a stark reminder of the tough choices and compromises faced by women.

Like so many productions over the last eighteen months, MY MOTHER SAID I NEVER SHOULD’s road to the stage hasn’t been a usual one. Originally slated to be filmed for online broadcast, the decision was then made to bring it live to the stage. There have been stops and starts along the way due to the challenges of COVID, but at last we are here thanks to the hard work, dedication and tenacity of the team.

Director Mark Burden comments “when we were given the opportunity to be the first play of our re-opening, we had no hesitation in agreeing. Rehearsing over Zoom is no replacement for being in a room together, and we have been able to explore and discover the play so much more deeply. We’re so excited to be back to our passion of making fantastic theatre”.

When we announced our re-opening last month, we received so many messages of support and excitement about our return. As a venue that receives no public funding, the majority of our revenue comes from ticket sales. As we re-open we need audience support more than ever to help us get back on our feet and carry on in to the future. We have a hugely loyal audience who we’re excited to welcome back, but if you’re yet to try us out – now is the time!

To help audiences return with confidence we have included some socially-distanced performances, and as well as MY MOTHER SAID I NEVER SHOULD we’ve also got legendary BBC comedy BLACKADDER II coming up, along with hilarious spoof THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES and heart-warming festive fun in THE FLINT STREET NATIVITY. And, of course, our Panto SLEEPING BEAUTY! All details are on our website www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

LISTINGS INFORMATION:

MY MOTHER SAID I NEVER SHOULD by Charlotte Keatley

Date: Tuesday 14 - Saturday 18 September 2021

Time: 7.30pm

Tickets: £15 (Conc. £13)

Venue: People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5QF

Box Office: 0191 265 5020

Website: www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

Theatre Preview - THE BALLAD OF JOHNNY LONGSTAFF - NORTHERN STAGE

A theatrical version of The Ballad of Johnny Longstaf performed by three-time BBC Radio 2 Folk Award Winners, The Young’uns returns to Northern Stage from 7-18 September as part of the theatre’s Housewarming season under new Artistic Director, Natalie Ibu.

Directed by former Northern Stage Artistic Director Lorne Campbell (who directed Sting’s The Last Ship), The Young’uns, Northern Stage and Harbourfront Centre Toronto present a musical celebration of northern working class activism, with songs from the original album alongside new material and stunning animation.

It is the true story of one man’s journey from poverty and unemployment in Stockton on Tees, through the Hunger Marches of the 1930s, the mass trespass movement and the Battle of Cable Street, to fighting fascism in the Spanish Civil War. In a timely, touching and hilarious musical adventure, the production follows the footsteps of a working class hero who chose not to look the other way when the world needed his help, and took part in some of the momentous events of the 1930s.

Sean Cooney from Teesside folk trio The Young’uns said, “When Duncan Longstaff told us the incredible story of his Dad’s life we knew we had been given something very special. Deciding how best to share this remarkable gift might be a life’s work. Five years on from our meeting with Duncan this new fully staged theatre version of The Ballad of Johnny Longstaf is the culmination of our journey together and our big chance to share Johnny with the world he fought so hard to raise at the time it needs him most.” Johnny Longstaff’s son, Duncan adds, “The success of The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff has been truly remarkable, more than anything I could have imagined when I first made contact with The Young’uns. I wish mum and dad could have seen the show, as it is a real tribute to Johnny.”

It was the last production Lorne Campbell directed at Northern Stage before taking us his new role as Artistic Director of National Theatre Wales. Lorne said, “The Young’uns have created something both traditional and utterly contemporary with The Ballad of Johnny Longstaf. This story of a young man from the north east forced to leave his home town to find work and undergoing a profound political awakening as he fights for social justice, opposes fascism, racism and the vested interests of a global capitalist system run amok, could as easily be set today as in the run up to the second world war. Johnny’s story reminds us emphatically that change always rises up from ordinary people.” The creative team also includes designer Kai Fischer, best known for his long-standing relationship with Vanishing Point and work with National Theatre Scotland; animation by Scott Turnbull (Where Do All the Dead Pigeons Go?/ Northern Stage at Summerhall) and Aaron Brady; and sound design by composer, performer, DJ and improviser Mariam Rezaei.

Tickets start at £10 from northernstage.co.uk or call the box office on 0191 230 5151. After its run in Newcastle, the show will tour to Hull Truck Theatre (22-25 Sept), Oxford Playhouse (28-30 Sept) and York Theatre Royal (28-30 Oct).

Theatre Preview - HEATHERS THE MUSICAL - THEATRE ROYAL, NEWCASTLE

 

‘DEAR DIARY, DID YOU HEAR?’

SMASH-HIT MUSICAL HEATHERS COMES TO NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL

 

Greetings and salutations! Heathers the Musical (WhatsOnStage 2019 award for Best New Musical) is making its North East debut at Newcastle Theatre Royal (Tue 7 – Sat 11 Sep 2021) on its first ever tour of the UK and Ireland.

 

Produced by Bill Kenwright and Paul Taylor-Mills, this high-octane black-comedy rock musical, based on one of the greatest cult teen films of all time, starring Winona Ryder and Christian Slater, embarks on its first national tour.

 

The 2021 touring Class of Westerberg High includes Rebecca Wickes (Veronica Sawyer), Simon Gordon (JD), Maddison Firth (Heather Chandler), Merryl Ansah (Heather Duke), Lizzy Parker (Heather McNamara), Georgina Hagen (Ms. Fleming/Veronica’s Mom), Mhairi Angus (Martha Dunnstock), Liam Doyle (Kurt Kelly), Rory Phelan (Ram Sweeney), Andy Brady (Kurt’s Dad/Veronica’s Dad/Principle Gowan) and Kurt Kansley (Ram’s Dad/Big Bud Dean/Coach Ripper). Completing the cast in the ensemble is Callum Connolly, Rhiane Drummond, Bayley Hart, Benjamin Karren, Sam Stones, May Tether and Daisy Twells.

 

Westerberg High’s Veronica Sawyer is just another nobody dreaming of a better day. But when she joins the beautiful and impossibly cruel Heathers, her dreams of popularity may finally come true. Mysterious teen rebel JD teaches her that it might kill to be a nobody, but it is murder being a somebody.

 

The award-winning writing team, Laurence O’Keefe and Kevin Murphy’s hit musical adaptation enjoyed successful runs in Los Angeles and New York; the UK productions are directed by acclaimed its original off-Broadway director, Andy Fickman. Choreography is by Thriller Live’s Gary Lloyd, design by David Shields, lighting by Ben Cracknell and sound by Dan Samson.

 

Heathers the Musical previously enjoyed two record-breaking seasons, launching at London’s The Other Palace and transferring to the Theatre Royal Haymarket in 2018.

 

In conjunction and running in parallel to the touring production, the hit show has also made its return to the West End’s Theatre Royal Haymarket for a strictly limited 12-week run, running until 11 September 2021.

 

Heathers the Musical plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tue 7 – Sat 11 Sep 2021. Tickets are priced from £15.00 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge).