Things Are Heating Up At Live Theatre For The Summer
Live Theatre presents a sizzling season of shows this Summer with an exciting line up of cutting-edge theatre, playwright celebrations and global hits heading to the Quayside.
The season kicks off on Thursday 14 May on a truly radical footing with the world premiere of Shelagh Stephenson’s absurdist comedy Astell & Woolf which finds Mary Astell, Newcastle’s first feminist clashing with Virginia Woolf in the afterlife. Packed with jokes, mind blowing ideas and fierce feminist fire, this unmissable new play is showing until Saturday 6 June.
One of contemporary theatre’s most adventurous creators Tim Crouch, brings his acclaimed Unicorn Theatre production Toto Kerblammo! to us on Tuesday 9 June for one night only. A tender, powerful and uplifting story about friendship and finding hope in the darkest places. A truly immersive experience, with the entire audience listening through headphones.
Just in time for this Summer’s World Cup, we head back to the Euro 2020 final at Wembley and Billy’s gone viral in Roxy Dog Productions’ Why I Stuck A Flare Up My Arse For England playing from Thursday 11 to Saturday 13 June. A funny, raw and honest look at identity, loyalty and belonging, this is a sharp and unforgettable play that has taken the world by storm.
On Thursday 18 June Salam & Holohan present Team Viking by James Rowland. A comic ode to death, friendship and the beautiful absurdity of life, this remarkable story of how he gave his best friend a deserving send-off blends storytelling, music and comedy.
To mark the 70th birthday of the great playwright Richard Bean (One Man Two Guvnors), on Friday 19 June there will be a special reading of his Whitley Bay-set black comedy, Smack Family Robinson, about a family less ordinary. Returning to where it was first produced with Emmerdale’s Laura Norton her first professional role, this reading will feature a soon to be announced special cast with the writer in attendance.
Live Writes returns on Tuesday 23 June with another super sharing of new writing, championing the amazing artists of the region. A scratch night with a twist, all creatives are selected from open call out.
In a first reading outside of the capital on Thursday 25 June, Live Theatre in partnership with NEEACA proudly presents August In England by legend Lenny Henry. The comedian’s deeply moving debut play, a story of love, family, heartache and the Windrush scandal, took London by storm. We are delighted that the writer will be joining us at Live Theatre for this special occasion.
Based on historical events, Kanpur: 1857 by Niall Moorjani, also on Thursday 25 June is a smash-hit that satirises contemporary conflicts around gender, colonial violence and making art in times of crisis.
Unearthed Festival takes a feminist spin this year from Thursday 2 to Saturday 11 July. A showcase of new talent celebrating female, non-binary and trans performance alongside scratches, socials and masterclasses with major industry figures, it’s a great chance to experience new work.
Families can score some fun too with Footy Fairy Tales on Saturday 18 July, a collision of football and everyone’s favourite fairy tales. Featuring live music and super storytelling this performance will have the whole family cheering from the stands. Live Theatre is celebrating a milestone birthday this year too as the children’s fantastic story and playwriting programme Live Tales turns Ten. Summery Tales on Saturday 1 August will be a birthday party style event in Live Garden with music, creative workshops and surprises.
Artistic Director Jack McNamara said: “After what felt like an endless winter, the sun is finally returning! And how better to mark it than with a roll call of new shows all containing the buzz and energy of a summer’s day. It feels totally right that we open the season with a radical piece by one of our most esteemed North East playwrights Shelagh Stephenson and then end the summer season with a showcase of work by radical newer talent at Unearthed.”
For more information and to book tickets go to www.live.org.uk
