SPACE ARCHITECTS THE HEADLINE SPONSOR OF FLAGSHIP AUTUMN SEASON PRODUCTION, ALL AT SEA
LIVE THEATRE IS DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THAT NEWCASTLE BASED SPACE ARCHITECTS ARE THE HEADLINE SPONSOR OF THE FLAGSHIP AUTUMN SEASON PRODUCTION ALL AT SEA BY ACCLAIMED WRITER ALISON CARR (IRIS).
SPACE, which is celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2026, has chosen to support the world premiere of this mesmerising new play, continuing its long-standing connection with the Quayside theatre following its redevelopment of the much-loved cultural venue in 2008.
Drawing inspiration from the notorious ‘Canoe Man’ case, All At Sea by Alison Carr takes a deep dive into an audacious plan and an extraordinary deception. Premiering at Live Theatre from Thursday 24 September to Saturday 10 October before transferring to Stephen Joseph Theatre from Friday 16 to Saturday 31 October, the gripping dark comedy is packed with tension, emotion and unexpected twists and promises to keep audiences guessing until the very end.
The redevelopment of Live Theatre saw SPACE repurpose and expand the existing Grade II buildings to create an intimate theatre, rehearsal studios and writers’ rooms, all connected by a new circulation route centred around a light-filled atrium and stairwell spanning four floors. The historic fabric was carefully preserved throughout, with contemporary interventions introduced to meet modern production needs. Today, audiences are welcomed by warm red brick walls and an airy atrium leading through to the bar and cosy undercroft, creating what Joint CEO Jacqui Kell describes as “a building that wraps its arms around you from the moment you arrive.”
Rob Charlton Chief Executive from SPACE said: “This sponsorship shows how, for SPACE, a project doesn’t end with completion. Maintaining relationships with cultural sites, especially those that nurture local talent, is a core value of the practice. The relationships we build over time matter just as much as the buildings themselves, and it is uniquely rewarding to see places we helped create continue to evolve as they welcome new voices and new stories. As we celebrate the practice’s 70th anniversary, it feels all the more fitting to mark the occasion by looking back at what we have created while also helping to make possible what comes next.”
Jacqui Kell added: “SPACE’s generous support plays a vital role in bringing this exciting production to our audiences and in helping us to continue to create and host inspiring theatrical experiences rooted in the North East. We would like to thank Rob and the team for championing local arts and culture and sharing our ambition to support artistic excellence, nurture creativity and create a lasting positive impact on our communities. Nearly two decades on from the redevelopment of the site the transformed building stands as an example of how heritage can uphold modern culture and be a place that welcomes everyone.”
SPACE Architects’ work has long been woven into the region’s creative and civic fabric, spanning cultural venues and landmark visitor destinations. As a certified B Corp, SPACE believes its responsibility extends beyond architecture itself, anchoring its approach in people and purpose. The next chapter of that story is written on stage, through SPACE’s support of All At Sea.
A fictionalised drama, All At Sea, presented by Live Theatre and Stephen Joseph Theatre in association with Laurels, follows Colin and Deborah, a married couple with spiralling debt, a sky-high mortgage and seemingly nowhere to turn. The answer for them is the North Sea but the real drama is yet to come! For more information and to book tickets and to find out how the story unfolds go to live.org.uk.
