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).
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