Nativities

Nativities is a darkly comic new play set in the world of petty office politics, designated smoking areas and the cheeky pint after work.

Excited about her new job as administrative assistant at a call centre, Stella is eager to fit in with her workmates and they seem to like her too, especially when they find out how much they all have in common. It’s really like a family at Scion Communications so when they discover that Stella is pregnant they’re all delighted for her. However, as her pregnancy progresses, their certainties about love, relationships and parenthood are questioned and their lives both at work and at home begin to unravel.

After all: where’s the harm in a celebratory drink and some office karaoke?

THE CAST & THEIR CHARACTERS

Sam Neale makes her main stage debut at Live Theatre following her appearance in The Girls From Poppyfield Close (Live Lab, 2011) as Scion Communications’ newest recruit Stella, an innocent 18 year old willing to do anything or be anybody to make the office love her.

Melanie Hill (Inheritance), plays Madge, a former cruise ship singer, the Liza Minnelli of the high seas, who is stuck in the Call Centre in charge of a team of underachievers who are not hitting their Key Performance Indicators.

Laura Norton (Faith & Cold Reading) and Chris Connel (The Pitmen Painters) are back at Live Theatre to play team members Chelle and Clive. Chelle often comes into work in the same clothes she left in the night before after a boozy night out on the town and Clive, played by Chris, is scared when his partner Louise gets pregnant again and is unwilling to dig up his pond. However Louise, an ultrasound nurse played by Phillippa Wilson (A Walk On Part), is delighted to find she is pregnant but with an increasingly distant husband and a journey to motherhood that does not always feel guaranteed, Louise has every reason to be apprehensive.

Finally, Paul Woodson (who received rave reviews playing Bonnie Prince Charlie in Nabokov’s Young Pretender at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe Festival) is making his Live Theatre debut as David, the Call Centre Manager. David has it all, charm, wit, good looks and a job with his fiancé’s father that is going to push him right to the top. But with so many young women around David is finding it hard to keep his eyes on the prize.

Thursday 23 February, 5pm
Meet the Cast
Want to find out what it was like bringing Zoe’s play to life? Then join Rosie Kellagher, assistant director, as she talks to members of the cast about everything from the first rehearsals to Opening Night.

This event is free but must be booked via the box office on (0191) 232 1232 or online. Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Warning: this event may contain spoilers!

ABOUT THE WRITER

Zoe Cooper is a playwright and theatre practitioner who first came to Live Theatre’s attention during Different Stages, the 2010 New Writing Festival. After graduating with an MPhil in Playwriting from the University of Birmingham in 2010 she went on to write short plays for Nabokov, Theatre503 and the Tristan Bates Theatre. Zoe has also recently been working with the National Theatre Studio developing a project based on the Strindberg play The Father and with the RSC studio on a new play. Nativities is Zoe’s first full length play commission.

Thursday 1 March, 5pm
Meet the Writer & Director
Join Gez Casey Live Theatre’s literary manager to get the lowdown on Nativities’ journey from page to stage from director Max Roberts, assistant director Rosie Kellagher and writer Zoe Cooper.

Whether you want to know more about what inspired Zoe to write the play, how she came up with the diverse characters or how Max navigated the casting, make sure you’re there to put your burning questions to the panel.

Tickets for this event cost just £3 and include a souvenir programme which contains a copy of the play. Tickets can be booked via the box office on (0191) 232 1232 or online. Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.
Warning: this event may contain spoilers!

Saturday 3 March, post show
Karaoke Night
Jaded, ex-cruise ship singer Madge loves a good old sing-a-long. So we’re challenging you to give her a run for her money. After the final show on Saturday 3 March we’ll hook you up to the karaoke, hand you a microphone and once you’ve picked your favourite song you’ll be ready to go...