Directed by Amy Golding
Designed by Joanna Scotcher

Four women are trying to jump track. A new name, street and a settee mean a new start, a way out, and a past left behind. However a missing wheelie bin, a broken promise and mother’s day throw the women back on familiar ground, but this time they are on a collision course with a runaway train. Set against the back drop of regeneration and recession, Rattle & Roll is a story about chaos, the order behind it, and the strengths of those women trying to survive it.

Holly Williams, the granddaughter of country godhead Hank Williams, has paid her dues with five years of independent touring before signing her first record deal. Citing influences from Dolly Parton to Radiohead, she eloquently embraced her country heritage on 2009's widely-acclaimed sophomore release, Here With Me.                  

Get a taste of Holly's musical style by listening to this clip.                                                               

Jonny Kearney and Lucy Farrell mark the release of their debut mini-album with two special shows; home and away in Newcastle and London. The North Farm Sessions was recorded at the Northumberland home of Rachel Unthank and Adrian McNally from The Unthanks. Jonny Kearney is a young songwriter from Hexham way and Lucy Farrell is his Kentish accomplice. They met while studying in Newcastle and were soon spotted by The Unthanks, who invited Jonny and Lucy to open for them on their mammoth 40 date UK tour.

"Delicate, thoughtful and intimate" **** The Guardian

"Their songwriting is heartbreaking and magical, entralling and unexpected" Rachel Unthank
 

 

Extend your weekend and come along to the only Arts + Entertainment quiz in town on the first Monday of the month. The perfect excuse to get a group of friends (team mates) together over a drink and pit your wits against live's resident quiz master in the hope of winning a selection of fantastic prizes.

No booking necessary, simply turn up with your team on the night.

Celebreate the work of Newcastle-based singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams as she enters the new decade with the release of her eighth studio album The Quickening.  Plenty has changed in the years since she released her first record, Dog Leap Stairs (1999). Career highs have included an unexpected Mercury Music prize nomination for her self-released second album Little Black Numbers (2000).

Interested in reading plays or books by the writers and directors taking part in Different Stages?  Then visit the Blackwells stand at Live Theatre, situated in the atrium bar, where a selection of work by the festival participants will be available for sale.  The bookshop will be open before, during and after each event taking place during the festival.

To purchase copies of Live Theatre plays and books please visit the box office.

Come and hear Lee Hall (The Pitmen Painters, Billy Elliot) talk about the essential elements of writing a hit show. Drawing on work that has influenced him as a writer and discussing theories of drama, Lee illustrates how to create the well-made play.

Watch this short clip of Lee as he shares his tips on how to write a successful play.

Presented by Live's Youth Theatre in association with the National Theatre

Join members of Live’s youth theatre and five of the region’s finest writing talent as they present a weekend of Pitmen inspired dramas. Talented youngsters from 11 to 25 years of age have created ten exciting short pieces based on the key themes and issues raised in Lee Hall’s award-winning play The Pitmen Painters. 

Writers involved in the project include Beth Coverdale, Paddy Campbell, Paul Charlton, Lee Mattinson and Ellen Phethean.