Theatre Preview - THE SORCERER'S APPRENTICE - NORTHERN STAGE, NEWCASTLE

Cast and creative team announced for The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

27 November - 31 December

Northern Stage will produce a magical new adaptation of family favourite The Sorcerer’s Apprentice this Christmas (27 November - 31 December). Set in the streets of Newcastle but not quite as we know it, audiences will be treated to live music, puppetry, magic and illusion as they follow the adventures of Hatty Rabbit and her friends after a mysterious letter arrives inviting Hatty to an interview for a sorcerer’s apprentice…

Maria Crocker will direct her first main stage show for Northern Stage. Maria trained on the theatre’s first NORTH programme in 2013 where she met her fellow founders of The Letter Room, and has performed in several Christmas productions at the Newcastle theatre including The Wonderful Wizard of Oz adapted by Caroline Bird. An associate artist at Headlong, Maria’s credits include associate director on the Tony Award-winning Hadestown for the National Theatre and Local Hero for The Lyceum. She says, “It’s thrilling to be making a show for the epic space, having trained on Northern Stage’s NORTH scheme in 2013. This Christmas is all about making the normal feel magical. We have a fantastic team of creative wizards working tremendously hard to bring this Newcastle story to life in the most enchanting, sparkly way, and to spread some much needed festive joy.”

Adapted by Laura Lindow (The Snow Queen/Northern Stage, Key Change/Open Clasp), The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is designed by Amanda Mascarenhas (Run It Back/Talawa Theatre Company, Cuttin’ It/Royal Exchange Theatre), with lighting design by Jai Morjaria (Wuthering Heights/National Theatre & Bristol Old Vic), sound design by Matthew Tuckey (Wolf!/Kitchen Zoo, Repeat Signal/November Club), movement direction by Gavin Coward - a performer, member and collaborator with balletLORENT, and original music by Katie Doherty who has created music for the Royal Shakespeare Company, five family Christmas productions for Northern Stage and the award-winning musical Beyond the End of the Road. Molly Barrett-Manasseh will design and make the puppets, with puppetry direction by Thomas Walton, and associate director is North East dramaturg and director Rachael Walsh - one of two recipients of the 2021 JMK Victoria Wood Bursary.

Magic is a key part of the production, so Dr Will Houstoun has been enlisted as illusion designer and director. As well as numerous theatre credits with the Royal Shakespeare Company, West End shows, Northern Ballet and the Royal Opera House, he has worked on film and TV shows including Martin Scorsese’s Hugo, award-winning BBC drama series Wolf Hall starring Mark Rylance, and Chiwetel Ejiofor’s The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind for Netflix. He says, “I’ve missed theatre enormously during the pandemic, so I can’t wait to be back using magic to help share astonishing moments in magical stories. And The Sorcerer’s Apprentice is full of magic, so I can’t imagine any illusionist who wouldn’t want to try and bring some of that to life on stage!”

Beth Crame from Newcastle will play Hatty Rabbit, the little girl who has a big job to do after she receives a mysterious letter inviting her to an interview for a Sorcerer’s Apprentice. Beth said, “I grew up in the North East and went to Newcastle College to study Musical Theatre so it really is a dream to perform at Northern Stage! Hatty Rabbit can find the positive in every situation, even if things aren’t going her way which I think is a magical power of hers.”

She is joined by Talia Nyathi - a South African born Zimbabwean native, Talia is making her stage debut having trained at Manchester School of Theatre where she won a Laurence Olivier Bursary and was nominated to be a Spotlight Prize finalist in 2020; Nick Figgis (War Horse/West End) who played Scrooge in Northern Stage’s 2019 production of A Christmas Carol; Jessica Johnson - most recently seen starring in the 40th anniversary tour of Educating Rita with Stephen Tompkinson, Jess first appeared at Northern Stage in 2007 while studying at Newcastle College in a Christmas show directed by Erica Whyman; Hong Kong born, British-Thai Patrick Munday (West Side Story/BBC Proms); Heather Dutton (Treasure Island/National Theatre, Primetime/Royal Court); and Alice Blundell (The Winter’s Tale/Royal Shakespeare Company, The Wizard of Oz/Northern Stage).

The show will be filmed by award-winning North East filmmakers Meerkat Films for Northern Stage at Home enabling audiences to watch online, and there will be BSL, captioned, relaxed and audio described performances.

Writer Laura Lindow says, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice has made 2021 a really magical year for me already; Christmas is a chance to make dreams come true right in front of us. To tell stories that can really enchant. To create characters who can really live. Adventures that can really play out. It’s an honour and a privilege to play a part in so many peoples’ Christmases and hopefully offer even more festive sparkle to take away.”

The Sorcerer’s Apprentice runs from 27 November – 31 December. Tickets start from £10. Book online at www.northernstage.co.uk or call the box office on 0191 230 5151.

Theatre Review - A TRIO OF ONE ACT PLAYS BY ALAN BENNETT - THE WITHAM, BARNARD CASTLE

 

Cast Photo
Photo Credit Helen Brown

A number of years ago The Castle Players created a ‘new director initiative’ to challenge and develop members of the group to take their first steps in directing. This year there are three first time directors taking on the triple bill of Alan Bennett’s one act plays – from Office Suite, Green Forms directed by Adele Tyler and A Visit from Miss Prothero directed by Phil Sculthorpe. Concluding the evening with Say Something Happened directed by Keith Irons.

Doreen, Janie Cladbeck
Photo Credit Helen Brown

Doris, Sarah Fells
Photo Credit Helen Brown

Alan Bennett is well known for taking mundane situations and transforming them into the hilarious then poignant almost tragic moments, through the brilliance of his word play. In Green Forms, we see the laborious form filling office work, at the time of the late 1970s, with the threat of redundancy due to computerisation. Doreen and Doris are played by Janie Caldbeck and Sarah Fells, as they create perfect panic and fear at the possibility of redundancy. They try to correct and outperform each other, as they complete a form, then read a newspaper, make cups of coffee and gossip. The collection of the forms are to be delivered around the departments by Frank Lomax and Mr Boswell played by Ben Pearson and Scott Edwards. Ben’s monologue is sheer perfection. The office is then upset by the possible arrival of Dorothy Binns, Heather Armstrong, where the pace increases as Doreen and Doris investigate just who she is, until finally she arrives.

Miss Prothero and Mr Dodsworth,
Bunny Forsyth and Peter Firby
Photo Credit Helen Brown

This is followed by A visit from Miss Prothero, Mr Dodsworth, played by Peter Firby, has settled into his life of retirement, where he spends his time between the bowling, Rotary, cooking and pottery classes. After the death of his wife, he has his budgie to keep him company. His peace is disturbed by the impromptu visit from Miss Prothero, played by Bunny Forsyth. She updates him on his previous work where he spent three decades and he begins to question his whole existence. Bunny Forsyth clearly relishes her role with her new found power. Peter Firby is very gentle as he’s continually in a state of ambush.

June, Libby Harding
Photo Credit
Helen Brown

Mam and Dad, Heather Armstrong
 and Mike Steinbock
Photo Credit Helen Brown

Finally, with Say Something Happened an elderly couple, the Mam and Dad played by Heather Armstrong and Mike Steinbock, have an unexpected visitor from a young social worker, June played by Libby Harding, wanting to register the elderly in the area. June tentatively quotes her manager as she explains that she’s never done this before. While the elderly couple bicker and banter showing great chemistry between them. The couples most tender moments define their isolation and what the future holds for them. Libby Harding’s portrayal captures an almost childlike performance, endearing and completely believable.

The three directors have had an exceptional cast for their first productions and I’m sure they’ll be back to direct again soon.

Runs at The Witham, Barnard Castle until Saturday 13^th November.

Theatre Preview - A TRIO OF ONE ACT PLAYS BY ALAN BENNETT

 

Actors set to take audiences back to the 1970s in a trio of classic Alan Bennett

 

The Castle Players have been putting the final touches to their three Alan Bennett plays in readiness for performing at The Witham from Thursday 11^th to Saturday 13^th November.

 

Each of the three one act plays has a small cast so, although they are short, the actors have a lot of lines to learn. The importance of getting the lines exactly right isn’t lost on them.

 

Sarah Fells, who plays frumpy office worker Doris in Green Forms, said “It has been great fun. The musicality of the lines is beautiful, and really gives you the motivation to get it right. Every line is perfectly placed.”

 

Bunny Forsyth (pictured), who plays the title character in ‘A Visit from Miss Prothero’ said "Working on Miss Prothero has been a mixture of hilarious and perplexing as she is such a complex and, in many ways, unpleasant character - she takes passive aggression to a new dimension! Yet that is Bennett at his finest and the dialogue is just a joy to experiment with.”

 

Although the plays are set in everyday situations, Bennett has the skill of getting under the skin of the characters and revealing a lot about their personalities, bringing out quirks and foibles others may not observe.

 

Peter Firby (pictured with Bunny Forsyth in ‘A Visit from Miss Prothero’) likens the play to “sitting back in your gran's best armchair. The dry humour and one-line quips feel so reassuringly 1970's”.

 

New director Adele Tyler said “His plays are a joy to work on and a real test for both director and actors alike to get right. I don’t know why The Castle Players hasn’t done any Alan Bennett before. People coming to see the three one act plays are in for a treat.”

 

Alan Bennett is one of the UK’s most popular playwrights, known for film adaptations like The Lady in the Van, and The History Boys. His short plays, like the series of Talking Heads shorts, are also much loved.

 

Chair of The Castle Players Laurence Sach said "Alan Bennett has such an insight into the lives of ordinary people. His plays are rooted in genuine, recognisable characters and his perceptive dialogue, full of humour, tells you all you need to know about the lives they lead."

 

You can still get tickets for the Trio of One Act Plays by Alan Bennett from The Witham box office or online - £12 (£10 concession)

Performed at The Witham, Barnard Castle - 01833 631107 – www.thewitham.org.uk

 

Thursday 11 November to Saturday 13 November at 7.30 pm and Saturday 13 November at 2.30pm.

 

Theatre Review - THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES - PEOPLE'S THEATRE, NEWCASTLE

 

One of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s most famous stories is perfectly lampooned by this ‘barking’ production of The Hound of the Baskervilles, adapted by Steven Canny and John Nicholson. Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson investigate the family curse linked to a hound that roams Dartmoor. Far from the serious Basil Rathbone version of Sherlock, we find our selves in a zany, farcical and fast paced production - bursting with gags and laughter.

Moira Valentine, Roger Liddle photo Mark Burden

Directed by Anna Dobson, the show runs in and out of reality with joyful ease, with actors speaking directly about the parts they are playing. The show is a little slow in places, but makes up for it by speeding headlong in others. With only three actors playing the array of parts, never have props, lighting and sound been more crucial to a show! Sarah Pearson on Costume and Chloe Parrack, Costume Assistant, clothed characters perfectly - some costumes needed to be (and were) removed seamlessly. Much applause must go to Tim Swinton on Lighting and Sound for setting the scene and keeping perfect comic timing with each noise created. The set, by Alan Potts and Tim Swinton, was simple and effective - with many of the larger creations being brought on and off centre stage by the actors, as scenes called for them. I confess I feel the ‘bed’ was done a disservice by not being used more, as it was ingeniously made. Kay Worswick and Sheila Bone fulfilled the daunting prospect of supplying the many props for this show, keeping the laughter flowing with fake bodies and bags of lamb.

Moira Valentine, Roger Liddle, Steve Robertson
photo Mark Burden

With such a small cast, all three must be commended for keeping the energy of the show going and remembering who they were at any one time. Moira Valentine played Yokel and Dr Watson; Steve Robertson was Sir Charles Baskerville, Mortimer, Sir Henry Baskerville, Cabbie, Yokel and Wise Yokel; and Roger Liddle was Sherlock Holmes, Guard, Old Woman, Mad Yokel, Stapelton, Cecile, Barrymore and Mrs Barrymore. Steve Robertson had me in stitches with his west-country accents and costume-impaired Sir Henry. However, I was particularly impressed by Roger Liddle - not just for a flawless Sherlock, but also for managing to keep his breath as two of his other characters wrestled with each other between appearances of Sherlock in the final Act.

Moira Valentine, Steve Robertson, Roger Liddle
photo Mark Burden

This show is a lot of fun, if you liked the recent version of ‘The 39 Steps’ you’ll love this. Should you see it? Why, that’s elementary my dear reader!

Hound of the Baskervilles in on at the Peoples Theatre, runs until Saturday 30^th October.

Theatre Preview - JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT - NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL

 

STELLAR CAST ANNOUNCED FOR JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT

 

Casting is announced for the sensational brand-new production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which is set to light up the stage at Newcastle Theatre Royal Tue 24 May – Sat 2 Jun 2022 direct from two triumphant seasons at The London Palladium.

 

Linzi Hateley - Joseph’s original, Olivier Award-Nominated Narrator - will be sharing the stage once again with Jason Donovan who will reprise his role as Pharaoh and Jac Yarrow as he prepares to don the famous coat in the titular role on tour.

 

Linzi Hateley is an Olivier Award nominee and Theatre World Award winner who has starred on Broadway, in the West End, with the RSC, and at the National Theatre. She now returns to the role of the Narrator, having first starred in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in 1991 opposite Jason Donovan and Phillip Schofield at the London Palladium – for which she received an Olivier Award nomination for Best Actress in a Musical.

 

Jason Donovan will return in the role of Pharaoh. He was originally in the show when he made his defining stage performance as the title character of Joseph in the 1990s, in a sold-out 18-month run which produced a No.1 single and best-selling soundtrack album. Jason raised the roof of the London Palladium during the show’s 2019 and 2021 engagements as Pharaoh, who rocks ‘Song of the King’ in the musical.

 

Jac Yarrow caused a sensation when he made his professional stage debut playing Joseph, following in the footsteps of a line of stars who have previously played the title character. His portrayal of Joseph won him unanimous acclaim and an Olivier Award nomination, with his rendition of ‘Close Every Door To Me’ regularly stopping the show with standing ovations.

 

Producer Michael Harrison said: “After two sensational runs at The London Palladium, I am delighted to bring this joyous show to the Newcastle Theatre Royal next year as Joseph prepares to unite audiences and spread happiness across the UK. Our ‘dream team’ casting will enchant newcomers and longstanding fans alike; Jac Yarrow has wowed audiences and critics with his spectacular debut and attendees should be prepared for the roof to be raised when Jason Donovan steps on stage. Linzi Hateley is confirmed to return to her role as Narrator when we perform in Newcastle having delivered a delightful dose of nostalgia to audiences at special performances of Joseph at the London Palladium this summer. GO! GO! GO! JOSEPH!"

 

Audiences and critics were unanimous in their acclaim for the legendary musical - the first major collaboration by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber – when it returned to the London Palladium in 2019 and again in 2021.

 

Released as a concept album in 1969, the stage version of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat has become one of the world’s most beloved family musicals. The multi-award-winning show, which began life as a small-scale school concert, has been performed hundreds of thousands of times including multiple runs in the West End and on Broadway, international number one tours, and productions in over 80 countries as far afield as Austria and Zimbabwe and from Israel to Peru! The show features songs that have gone on to become pop and musical theatre standards, including Any Dream Will Do, Close Every Door To Me, Jacob and Sons, There’s One More Angel In Heaven and Go Go Go Joseph.

 

Told entirely through song with the help of the Narrator, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat follows the story of Jacob’s favourite son Joseph and his eleven brothers. After being sold into hardship by the brothers, he ingratiates himself with Egyptian noble Potiphar, but ends up in jail after refusing the advances of Potiphar’s wife. While imprisoned, Joseph discovers his ability to interpret dreams, and he soon finds himself in front of the mighty but troubled showman, the Pharaoh. As Joseph strives to resolve Egypt’s famine, he becomes Pharaoh’s right-hand man and eventually reunites with his family.

 

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is directed by Laurence Connor. Laurence’s credits include the acclaimed London production of School of Rock and the Tony-Award nominated production on Broadway, the recent London productions of Miss Saigon and Chess, the international arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar and he is also the Co-Director of the new version of Les Misérables which has enjoyed worldwide success including Broadway, UK and US tours. He is the director of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new production of Cinderella at the Gillian Lynne Theatre.

 

JoAnn M Hunter (who has 20 Broadway shows to her credit, including School of Rock and On A Clear Day You Can See Forever) is the show’s choreographer, set and costume design are by the award-winning Morgan Large with Ben Cracknell as Lighting Designer and Gareth Owen as Sound Designer.

 

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is produced by Michael Harrison.

 

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tue 24 May – Sat 4 Jun 2022. Tickets are priced from £20.00 and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

Theatre Preview - HADDOCK AND CHIPS - GALA THEATRE, DURHAM

 

Durham City theatre serves up heart-warming drama

 

Audiences at Gala Durham theatre can look forward to a generous portion of local humour and community spirit at the end of this month, with a new play, inspired by and set in the north east.

There’ll be laughter, tears, and mushy peas on offer when the Durham County Council-run venue stages Janet Plater's Haddock and Chips, on Friday 29 October.

Set in a north east chippie, the uplifting play deals with a range of small-scale neighbourhood dramas, including an ill-fated relationship, a mysterious new arrival, and a missing child.

Join shop owner Bob, assistant Brenda and a host of colourful lads and lasses, as the town’s residents turn amateur detective, piecing together the events of the evening to help find a lost little girl.

Writer, Janet, said: “The original idea for Haddock and Chips came years ago when I was worrying about a child, as all parents do. I mentioned to a friend I had no extended family nearby and they countered ‘we’re all family nearby.’ A Geordie thing perhaps but particularly resonant in current times. I’m interested in the idea that every person carries with them their history and view of themselves. In ordinary moments these collide with others and, on this night, in this place, a child is missing. How would people react to that?”

A small but talented cast of just two actors will play the range of characters who pass through the shop’s doors, in an evening of playful banter, lively drama and light-hearted comedy. Phillippa Wilson and Joe Caffrey will be familiar faces to audiences, and both have a wealth of experience in TV and theatre.

Phillippa, who has worked in the industry for more than twenty years, was part of the original cast for the hugely successful production The Pitmen Painters and stayed with the show when it transferred to Broadway. She has also worked extensively for Live Theatre, Northern Stage, Manhattan Theatre Club and National Theatre, and has made TV appearances in Where the Heart Is and Heartbeat.

Joe, who trained at London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, has acted in TV shows including Vera, Holby City and Byker Grove, as well as films such as Victoria and Abdul, and Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason. His theatre credits include The Last Ship at Northern Stage, Much Ado About Nothing at Shakespeare’s Globe, Cabaret, Billy Elliott the Musical, and The Pitmen Painters.

Director, Jake Murray, said: “I'm very excited to be working on Haddock and Chips. It’s a beautiful play, funny, thought-provoking, moving and inspiring at the same time. New writing is always a thrill to work on as you are breaking new ground, presenting something no-one has seen before. It’s a bonus when the writing is as good as this. It’s a real north eastern play, unique to this area. It has a big heart, a shrewd eye for human character and a real community spirit. I can't wait."

Written by the north east’s own Janet, and produced by CaroleW Productions, a local theatre company with a passion for providing ‘a good night out’, Haddock and Chips is a performance which celebrates the region’s sense of community and highlights the hope that can be found in humanity, even in the hardest of times.

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, the council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “In what we hope is the wake of the covid pandemic, a funny, life-affirming drama such as Haddock and Chips is exactly what we need right now. Audiences will recognise themselves and people they know in the show’s characters, who will take them on an emotional and comical journey.

“The play also highlights what a source of inspiration our region can be to the arts, as well as the quality of creative talent it has nurtured. As a county bidding to become UK City of Culture 2025, we’re proud to be championing local writers, producers and actors.”

Tickets for Haddock and Chips, priced from £14 to £16, are available from Gala Durham, in person, over the phone on 03000 266 600 or online at www.galadurham.co.uk

Theatre Preview - THE NUTCRACKER RE-MICED - DURHAM'S GALA THEATRE AND BISHOP AUKLAND TOWN HALL

 

Christmas show takes young audiences on festive Durham adventure

Young audiences can help three mice save a little girl’s Christmas, as a children’s festive show takes to the stage in County Durham from next month.

Durham’s Gala Theatre and Bishop Auckland Town Hall will both be hosting a special production of The Nutcracker Re-Miced in the lead-up to Christmas.

Set in the clock tower of Durham Castle, three mice Spike, Cookie and Molly are preparing for Christmas when they become involved in a mysterious quest.

With the help of an intriguing toy which has been left behind at Durham Station, the mice take part in a festive adventure to save Christmas for a young girl.

Written by Laura Turner, who has created more than 40 original plays and adaptations, and directed by North East director Jake Smith, the Christmas show will take children and their grown-ups on a fantastic festive journey filled with music and excitement.

The show will also star all North East actors, including Benjamin Storey, Rebecca Tebbett and Jessica Brady playing the three mice, and will have original music composed by David J Barton.

In a twist on the classic Nutcracker story and the Hickory Dickory Dock nursery rhyme, young audiences aged three and over can enjoy this sparkling new, music-filled production at two venues in the county.

Cllr Elizabeth Scott, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said: “We are really excited to be showing this original Christmas production at not one, but two venues in the county. With a cast of fantastic actors, and written, composed, and directed by talented creators, The Nutcracker Re-Miced is a must-see event for children and their grown-ups full of live music and adventure.

“Set in Durham and featuring some of the city’s well-known locations, this show is very much a County Durham production created by local talent and demonstrates why the county is bidding for UK City of Culture 2025.”

The Nutcracker Re-Miced will be shown at Bishop Auckland Town Hall from 30 November to 5 December, before moving on to Gala from 7 December to 24 December.

At Gala, The Nutcracker Re-Miced will run alongside the theatre’s family Christmas panto Robin Hood, which will be on stage from 24 November to 9 January.

Tickets for The Nutcracker Re-Miced are priced at £8, or £7.50 for groups of ten or more, and family tickets are £30. British Sign Language performances will be held on 1 December at 1.30pm at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, and on 10 December at 1.30pm at Gala.

To book tickets for each venue, visit www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk and www.galadurham.co.uk