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WHAT'S ON

What's On tells you everything that's happening at Live Theatre over the coming months. If you're interested in new writing, comedy, live music or visiting theatre then why not browse through the categories above to find out more about what Live Theatre has on offer from January to April 2010.

Whatever takes your fancy, simply book now via Live’s secure online booking system or call the box office on (0191) 232 1232 where our team of box office staff will be happy to help.

JANUARY TO APRIL 2010

Rattle & Roll

By Catrina McHugh
Presented by Open Clasp

  • Wednesday 17 to Friday 19 February, 7.30pm
  • SEE ALL PERFORMANCES
  • LOCATION: Main Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 13+
  • TICKETS: £10; £7 concession
  • DURATION: 2 hours including interval
SOLD OUT
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 (USA) + Andrea Glass (England)

Presented by the Jumpin' Hot Club

  • Saturday 20 February, 8pm
  • LOCATION: Studio Theatre
  • SUITABILITY:
  • TICKETS: £12
  • DURATION:
SOLD OUT
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.                                                               

Beating Berlusconi!

By John Graham Davies
Presented by Turf Love

  • Tuesday 23 February, 7.30pm
  • LOCATION: Main Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 16+ (contains strong language)
  • TICKETS: £10; £8 concession
  • DURATION: 2 hours 15 minutes including interval
SOLD OUT
Despite threats from his wife and bank manager, in May 2005 middle-aged Kenny Noonan travels to Istanbul to watch Liverpool play AC Milan in the Champions’ League final. He carries the scars of thirty years as a Red - Heysel, Hillsborough, Alex Ferguson - and of living in a city which has been demonised. Beating Berlusconi! is a story of love and friendship, of defeat and of victory. It is also based on the bizarre true story of a real Liverpool fan who ended up sitting next to Silvio Berlusconi at the Attaturk Stadium.

Watch the Beating Berlusconi! trailer to get a taste of this funny tale of one man's obsession.


 

 
READ MORE

Jonny Kearney & Lucy Farrell - Record launch  

+ Support

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  • Sunday 28 February, 8pm
  • LOCATION: Studio Theatre
  • TICKETS: £8; £6
BOOK NOW
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
 

 

A+E Quiz

  • Monday 1 March & 12 April, 8pm
  • LOCATION: Live Bar
  • SUITABILITY: 18+
  • TICKETS: £1 per head
  • DURATION: Approx 2 hours
 
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.

An evening with Kathryn Williams

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  • Wednesday 3 March, 8pm
  • LOCATION: Main Theatre
  • TICKETS: £17.50
BOOK NOW
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).

Blackwells Bookshop

Part of Different Stages

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  • Friday 5 March to Sunday 21 March
 
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.

Lee Hall: How to Make a Successful Play  

Presented as part of Different Stages

  • Friday 5 March, 7.30pm
  • LOCATION: Main Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 14+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: Approx 1 hour 30 minutes
SOLD OUT
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.

Whose Art is it Anyway?

Presented as part of Different Stages

  • Saturday 6 & Sunday 7 March, 7.30pm
  • LOCATION: Main Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 12+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: Approx 2 hours including interval
BOOK NOW
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.
 

David Edgar Workshop: Making a Scene

Presented as part of Different Stages

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  • Sunday 7 March, 2pm
  • SUITABILITY: 16+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: Approx 2 hours
SOLD OUT
Drawing on his vast experience teaching the MA in Playwriting Studies at Birmingham University, David Edgar (Destiny, Maydays, the RSC adaptation of Nicholas Nickleby) leads an illustrated workshop on structuring a scene. This is a must for all aspiring playwrights. 

David has recently published How Plays Work, a guide to the anatomy of drama, which is available to purchase from Live Theatre as part of this event.

Places for this event are limited so book early to avoid dissappointment.

This event will take place in Live Theatre's first floor gallery space.
 

Simon Stephens Workshop: Redrafting

Presented as part of Different Stages

  • Tuesday 9 March, 6pm
  • LOCATION: Studio Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 14+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: Approx 1 hour 30 minutes including interval
BOOK NOW
Olivier award-winning playwright Simon Stephens (On the Shore of the Wide World, Harper Reagan and Pornography) leads a workshop on the importance of redrafting and what to do when a first draft is completed. Simon Stephens was resident dramatist at the Royal Court in 2001, a tutor on the Royal Court's Young Writers Programme between 2001 and 2005 and the first resident dramatist at the National Theatre.

Places are limited so please book early to aviod disappointment.  This event is free for people who purchase a ticket for the Simon Stephens Talk at 8pm.

 

 

Talk by Simon Stephens

Presented as part of Different Stages

  • Tuesday 9 March, 8pm
  • LOCATION: Studio Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 16+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: 1 hour 30 minutes
BOOK NOW
Join award-winning playwright Simon Stephens as he discusses his work and his approach to the playwriting process. Simon will also be answering any questions.

This event is free if purchased with a ticket for the Simon Stephens Workshop.

 

New plays by the 2010 Writer’s Group

  • Wednesday 10 March, 7.30pm
  • LOCATION: Main Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 14+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: 1 hour 30 minutes
BOOK NOW
Live Theatre is delighted to present a series of new 20 minute plays specially written for the festival. The plays, which will be performed as rehearsed readings, have been created by some of the region’s most exciting emerging playwrights.

 

Q&A with Shelagh Stephenson

Presented as part of Different Stages

  • Thursday 11 March, 7.30pm
  • LOCATION: Main Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 12+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: Approx 2 hours
BOOK NOW
A unique chance to hear Tynemouth-born Shelagh talk about her plays (including The Memory of Water, An Experiment With An Air Pump and Five Kinds Of Silence) and discuss A Northern Odyssey, a new commission for Live Theatre about the American painter Winslow Homer’s time in 1880’s Cullercoats. 

Shelagh will also be answering any questions from the audience.

Watch this short clip of Shelagh as she shares her thoughts on 'what is playwrighting'.
 

The Chalet Lines

By Lee Mattinson
Presented as part of Different Stages

  • Friday 12 March, 7.30pm
  • LOCATION: Main Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 16+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: 1 hour 45 minutes
BOOK NOW
Be one of the first to hear a rehearsed reading of The Chalet Lines the new play by the writer of Me & Cilla which enjoyed a sell out run at Live Theatre in 2008. 

Join the White family, who have been going to Butlin's since 1936, as they celebrate Nana Barbara's seventieth on a nostalgic trip through the talent shows and ballrooms of the North.  But will the family survive the most electrifying birthday party Butlin's has ever seen?  And will they even make it home?

Image: The Chalet Lines

Fiona Evans Workshop: Young Playwrights

Presented as part of Different Stages

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  • Saturday 13 March, 2pm
  • SUITABILITY: 12 to 25 years old
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concessions
  • DURATION: Approx 2 hours
BOOK NOW
Aspiring playwrights between the ages of 12 and 25 years of age are invited to take part in a special workshop led by local playwright Fiona Evans (We Love You Arthur, Scarborough and Geoff Dead: Disco For Sale).

Fiona will offer advice on how to begin writing a play, focusing on developing good ideas and characters, as well as what the essential ingredients are for a good script.

This event will take place in the Rehearsal Room and is free for members of Live's Youth Theatre and Young Writers’ Group.
 

 

Jeremy Herrin Workshop: What happens to new plays?

Presented as part of Different Stages

  • Saturday 13 March, 3pm
  • LOCATION: Main Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 14+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: Approx 2 hours including interval
BOOK NOW
Join Jeremy Herrin, Deputy Artistic Director at The Royal Court and Gez Casey, Literary Manager at Live Theatre as they discuss how new plays make it from first draft to a final production.  This discussion will be illustrated by extracts from some of the best new plays written in recent years.
 

Sawdust and Stardust

By Laura Lindow & Beccy Owen
Presented as part of Different Stages

  • Saturday 13 March, 6pm & 8pm
  • LOCATION: Studio Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 10+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: Approx 30 minutes
BOOK NOW
Sawdust and Stardust is a unique collaborative work between songwriter Beccy Owen and writer/theatre director Laura Lindow. This fantastical one-woman show, incorporating live music, explores the relationship between character and voice and its potential for both power and fragility.

This work in progress event was specially commissioned as one of two emerging artist bursaries awarded by Live Theatre and The Empty Space. View  the other bursary winner Office925

Image: Beccy Owen

Talk by Tim Crouch

  • Sunday 14 March, 8pm
  • LOCATION: Studio Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 14+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: 1 hour 30 minutes
BOOK NOW
This is your chance to hear one of the nation's most interesting and exciting theatre-makers talk about his work (An Oak Tree which opened at The Royal Court and is now enjoying a run in LA and The Author) which questions the traditional division between performers and spectators.  There will also be the chance to ask Tim questions about his creative process.

 

 

 

New plays by Live Writers Group

Presented as part of Different Stages

  • Tuesday 16 March, 7.30pm
  • LOCATION: Main Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 14+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: Approx 2 hours including interval
BOOK NOW
Enjoy an eclectic evening of readings of one act plays plays written by members of Live Theatre’s Writers Group. This is a great opportunity to catch new work by emerging writing talent from the region.

 
READ MORE

Facts On the Ground

By Steve Gilroy
Presented as part of Different Stages

  • Wednesday 17 March, 7.30pm
  • LOCATION: Main Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 14+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: 1 hour
BOOK NOW
The repercussions of the construction of a ‘security fence’ by Israel; a wall separating the ‘State of Israel’ from the Palestinian Territories have been catastrophic for the many Olive farmers in the West Bank.

Facts on the Ground, a new play based on interviews with those who live with the wall on their doorstep, will be presented as a work in progress.  The event will also include a discussion on the limits and possibilities of documentary theatre with writer and director Steve Gilroy (author of the award-winning Motherland).


 

Richard Bean’s Desert Island Plays

Presented as part of Different Stages

  • Thursday 18 March, 7.30pm
  • LOCATION: Main Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 14+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: Approx 2 hours
BOOK NOW
Ever wondered where writers get their ideas and inspiration from? Come and hear extracts from Richard Bean’s favourite plays and learn how they have helped form his unique style as a playwright.  

Richard's plays for Live Theatre include Smack Family Robinson and Toast, and more recently he enjoyed success with England People Very Nice at The National Theatre.  Richard will also be answering any questions.

The Girl in the Yellow Dress

By Craig Higginson
Presented as part of Different Stages

  • Friday 19 March, 8pm
  • LOCATION: Studio Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 14+
  • TICKETS: 6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: 1 hour 30 minutes
BOOK NOW
A unique opportunity to hear a rehearsed reading of this new play by South African playwright Craig Higginson (Fringe First winner and author of The Dream of the Dog ) which will be presented as a co-production later in the year between The Market Theatre, South Africa, Live Theatre and the Citizen’s Theatre, Glasgow.

Office925

By Zoe Cooper
Presented as part of Different Stages

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  • Saturday 20 March, 2, 4, 6 & 8pm
  • SUITABILITY: 14+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: 30 minutes
BOOK NOW
Created by The Match Company
Directed by Jay Miller
Lisa loves her job.
She loves lunchbreaks and tea breaks and fag breaks.
She loves switchboards and stationery and customers.
Today you will make Lisa redundant. And she will start to feel something inside. Kicking.

Experience this unique site-specific play set in an office, where you will contribute to the events that unfold.  This work in progress event was specially commissioned as one of two emerging artist bursaries awarded by Live Theatre and The Empty Space. View the other bursary winner Sawdust and Stardust 
READ MORE

The Journey

By Simphiwe Vikilahle
Directed by Mark Lloyd
Presented as part of Different Stages  

  • Saturday 20 March, 8pm
  • LOCATION: Studio Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 12+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: Approx 1 hour 30mins
BOOK NOW
This is a unique insight into the rehearsal and development process of this play which is the culmination of two years development work in the Eastern Cape before it embarks on a tour of the North East. Come along for a sneak preview of Simphiwe Vikilahle's The Journey and learn about how this play was created in association with TapRoot Theatre Company, The Swallows Partnership and Arts Council England as well as the chance to put your questions to the writer.

Young Cuts

Presented as part of Different Stages

  • Sunday 21 March, 4pm & 8pm
  • LOCATION: Studio Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 10+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: 2 hours
BOOK NOW
Enjoy an evening of eclectic new work from the Live's Young Writer’s Group and vote for your favourite play. This is an opportunity to support a new generation of playwrights and actors.

Your Favourite Live Theatre Short Play

Presented as part of Different Stages

  • Sunday 21 March, 7.30pm
  • LOCATION: Main Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 14+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: Approx 1 hour 15 minutes
BOOK NOW
To mark the end of the Different Stages festival the final rehearsed reading will be decided by members of the public. With four fantastic plays to choose from vote for your favourite play which will then be performed by some of Live Theatre’s most familiar faces. 

Voting is now open and will close on Monday 1 March.

 
READ MORE

Standing Up

  • Thursday 25 March, 8pm
  • LOCATION: Main Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 13+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concessions
  • DURATION: 2 hours inlcuding interval
BOOK NOW
Following their success at last year's Summer Festival, Live Youth Theatre stand-ups return with brand new material. Come and catch tomorrow's funniest comedy talent today.

"Excellent performances, very funny, good timing!" Audience Feedback

Ramsey Midwood (USA) + Emil Friis (Denmark)

Presented by the Jumpin' Hot Club

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  • Sunday 28 March, 8pm
  • TICKETS: £10
 
Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances this event has now been cancelled.

People that have already booked tickets for this event will be contacted by a member of Live’s Theatre’s box office in due course.

Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.
 

Spring Short Cuts

  • Thursday 1 April, 8pm
  • LOCATION: Studio Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 12+
  • TICKETS: £6; £4 concession
  • DURATION: Approx 2 hours 15 minutes including interval
BOOK NOW
Join us for an evening of eclectic new work as a series of ten minute extracts are performed as rehearsed reading competing for the winning vote. If you feel inspired, why not submit a script for the occasion? As this event takes place on April Fools Day, the theme for your ideas is “Duplicity”. 

Please send two copies of your script to: New Writing Department, Live Theatre, Broad Chare, Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3DQ by Monday 22 March.
 

Acoustic Ladyland

Presented by Jazz North East

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  • Thursday 8 April, 8pm
  • LOCATION: Main Theatre
  • TICKETS: £12; £10 concession
BOOK NOW
Few bands have blurred the boundaries between jazz and rock as successfully as Acoustic Ladyland. Originally formed to perform versions of Hendrix tunes, they now play ferocious original compositions that combine the visceral immediacy of punk with the spontaneous creativity of jazz. Driven by Seb Rochford's stunning drumming, this is music that's loud, fast, and jaw-droppingly brilliant.

Listen to the band perform live on Later...with Jools Holland.
READ MORE

Comic to Comic: Simon Donald

  • Saturday 12 June, 8pm
  • LOCATION: Main Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 16+ (contains strong language)
  • TICKETS: £10; £8
  • DURATION: 2 hours 30 minutes, including interval
BOOK NOW
The story of a boy who created a comic book, which in turn turned him into a stand-up comic.

Simon Donald's one-man show, which celebrates 30 years of Newcastle's own Viz comic, is performed on the exact date, three decades on, that Viz was launched on an unsuspecting nation.
 
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Sarah Millican: Chatterbox

  • Weds 8, Thurs 9 & Friday 10 December
  • SEE ALL PERFORMANCES
  • LOCATION: Main Theatre
  • SUITABILITY: 16+
  • TICKETS: £12; £10 concessions
  • DURATION: Approx 1 hour 45 minutes including interval
SOLD OUT
Sarah Millican, star of Live at the Apollo, Mock the Week and if.comedy Best Newcomer, announces her debut UK tour.

The sweet and filthy Geordie’s stand-up show promises jokes about life, love and what to do when your boyfriend puts a sock on your boob during sex.

"Probably the finest female comedian working at the moment." Time Out