Theatre Preview - HEY DUGGEE - THEATRE ROYAL, NEWCASTLE

 

OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING HEY DUGGEE SHOW DELIGHTS FANS ON DEBUT TOUR

 

Best Family Show – Olivier Award Winner 2023

 

Fans of the smash hit CBeebies series HEY DUGGEE are delighting in the Olivier Award-winning ‘joyous’ all-new interactive stage show now touring the UK.

 

Duggee, the Squirrels and some of their friends star in the musical play Hey Duggee The Live Theatre Show – named BEST FAMILY SHOW at the 2023 Olivier Awards – which is packed with non-stop fun, laughs, music, singing and dancing!

 

This is the first-ever stage adaptation of the hugely popular CBeebies series, which brings Duggee and friends to life through extraordinary puppetry and storytelling, with families able to see their TV heroes live in theatres across the UK until August 2023 and it’s coming to the Theatre Royal in Newcastle on Thursday to Sunday, May 18 to 21.

 

Tickets are available now at www.heyduggeelive.com and direct from the Theatre Royal.

 

Hey Duggee The Live Theatre Show has been adapted for the stage by Vikki Stone (#zoologicalsociety – Royal And Derngate, Romeo And Duet – ITV) and Matthew Xia (The Wiz ­– Hope Mill Theatre, artistic director Actors Touring Company). Matthew also directs the production and Vikki is musical supervisor and arranger.

 

Matthew said: “My daughter was born in 2014, the same year Hey Duggee started, so we’ve really grown up with the TV series, and it’s been an absolute treat to create this new stage show.

 

“Without any spoilers, the Squirrels have never been to a show before, and they set out to learn about all the things that go into making a show and earn the relevant badges, with some of our favourite Hey Duggee characters helping them along the way.

 

“And the children and families in the audience are very much part of the Squirrel gang with some important jobs to do!”

 

Vikki added: “Hey Duggee is such a special TV series in the realm of co-viewing, where adults are watching it with their children, not just putting it on to entertain them while they’re doing something else. And it is brilliant to see families come together in theatres on the tour to experience that same magic live on stage – and in many cases it’s the children’s first theatre experience.”

 

Since bursting onto TV screens in 2014, the BBC Studios and Studio AKA creation has won seven BAFTAs and is an international Emmy award-winning hit.

 

Hey Duggee was the most streamed children’s show on BBC iPlayer in 2022 for the third year in a row and is popular among both children and parents; with fans both young and old, up and down the country now able to join the much-loved character on tour.

 

HEY DUGGEE THE LIVE THEATRE SHOW is presented by award-winning theatre producer Kenny Wax and theatre and live entertainment promoters Cuffe and Taylor in association with Live Nation.

Theatre Review - THE COMMITMENTS - DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

 

RODDY Doyle’s The Commitments has given us a fantastic ending for The Coronation bank holiday weekend at Darlington Hippodrome. I’ve never seen the film, so although I knew the basis of the story, I had no idea what to expect. From the second the show began I was completely engrossed with a great mix of superb music, humorous script and great movement.

Set in Dublin during the 80’s, a group of working-class friends decide to create a soul band covering classics from the 50s and 60s. Which gives us a mix of part gig weaved with the story of the group setting up the band showing their development through music, arguments and relationships.

The music is non-stop and full of energy. The story merges in well with the music performed as rehearsal or performances, making it almost feel concert like, but this doesn’t detract from the story. The cast are outstanding throughout, from the range of singers, musicians and acting. Ben Morris as Deco was incredible, he is perfect for the role.

The set is incredibly impressive, designed by Tim Blazdell, with a mixture of levels, the various venues transform swiftly enhanced by the effective from lighting designer Jason Taylor.

As the show concludes The Commitments take centre stage as they take charge with a finale to get the audience on their feet, they all appeared disappointed when it finally ended.

Runs until Saturday 13^th May at Darlington Hippodrome.

Theatre Preview - NELL GWYNN - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 Join the People’s Theatre next week for a bawdy, 

witty romp celebrating an unlikely heroine!

 

1660, London. King Charles II has ascended to the throne with a love of all things extravagant and sexy. Over at Drury Lane, theatregoers are finding themselves stirred by young orange-seller turned actress Nell Gwynn. Praised for her comic performances, lively wit and good looks, Nell was a woman ahead of her time who became a celebrity figure and one of the first actresses on the English stage!

 

Sam as Charles II & Emma as Nell photo Paul Hood

“They’ve disgraced our trade. Ruined our art. They’ve put a woman on the stage.”

 

Described as Shakespeare In Love, meets Blackadder, meets My Fair Lady, meets the Carry On films, NELL GWYNN won the 2016 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy. It’s a riotous royal rom-com that sees Nell causing gleeful havoc in a traditionally male world. But at a time when women are second-class citizens, can her charm and spirit protect her from the dangers of the Court?

 

Rehearsals Sara Jo Harrison - Director

Directors Sara Jo Harrison and Tracey Lucas comment: “We are so delighted to be able to present this joyful celebration of theatre and the story of one of the finest actresses to have graced the stage, the inimitable Nell Gwynn.  Famed for being Charles II mistress, but revered for her comedic talent, she is one heck of a leading lady. This is a timely production, featuring England’s last King Charles while the next one is being crowned! It’s a modern take on a 17^th Century story and it offers a thoughtful and vital consideration of how far women have really come in the last 400 years. The play is bursting with music, dance and comedy, and we can’t wait to give audiences a hugely entertaining night out – of the kind Charles II himself would have greatly approved!”

 

NELL GWYNN by Jessica Swale opens on Tuesday 16^th May. Tickets are available from the People’s Theatre Box Office on 0191 265 5020 (option 2) and online at www.peoplestheatre.co.uk