The Filleting Machine + The Filleting App (Reading)
LIVE READING: THE FILLETING MACHINE by TOM HADAWAY + THE FILLETING APP by ALEX OATES
Read by: SOROOSH LAVASANI (Filleting App only), JAKE ASHTON-NELSON, JUDE NELSON, LAURA NORTON & ADAM SINA
Directed by JOE DOUGLAS
Live Theatre’s flagship play is given a rare reading alongside Alex Oates’ brand new update on the story for the digital age.
The Filleting Machine tells the story of the Rutter family; Ma wants her children to aim for more than she had and Da believes his way of life as a fish filleter is good enough. When Davy’s new job threatens his father’s livelihood, the family’s financial survival is uncertain and with it, Da’s conviction that he is right.
Hadaway was born and bred on The Ridges Estate (now the Meadow Well) and his play depicts the people he met and worked with on the fish quay. Written a generation ago, The Filleting Machine is as relevant today as it was then; does further education guarantee you a job? Is any job guaranteed? How do you help your children have a better life than you did, and is that what they want anyway?
Cast and Creative team
Laura Norton
Laura is best known as ‘Kerry Wyatt’ in Emmerdale, ITV.
Laura made her professional acting debut at Live Theatre in ‘Smack Family Robinson’. Other Live Theatre credits include: ‘Helen’ in ‘A Nightingale Sang in Eldon Square’, ‘Jump’ , ‘Nativities’, ‘Faith and Cold Reading’ and ‘Keepers of the Flame’ a coproduction with the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Other theatre credits include: ‘The Durham Mystery Plays’ Gala Theatre, ‘Jack and The Beanstalk’, ‘Canoeing for Beginner’, ‘Writing Wrong’ and ‘Lucky Numbers’, The Customs House, ‘A Nightingale Sang in Eldon Square’ New Vic, Oldham Coliseum, Stephen Joseph Theatre, ‘A Twist of Lemon’ Open Clasp Theatre Company and ‘Hansel and Gretel’ Northern Stage.
Laura’s other television credits include: ‘Vera’, ITV, ‘Wolfblood’ BBC, ‘Angel Cake’, BBC, ‘Badger’, ’55 Degrees North’, ‘Byker Grove’, ‘Steel River Blues, ‘The Royal Today’ ITV and the feature film ‘Frank’.
Jude Nelson
Jude is an actor and singer from County Durham. She trained with The National Youth Theatre in 2016 and Project A in 2017. Theatre credits include 'Sleeping Beauty' (Gala Durham), 'A Way Home' (Carole W Productions), 'Remarkable Robin’s Extraordinary Christmas Adventure' (Hexham Queen’s Hall), 'Isolation' (The Customs House/Alphabetti Theatre), 'Rocket Girl' (Alphabetti Theatre/The Worriers). She has been part of a number of rehearsed readings at Live Theatre; 'Sheltered' ('10 minutes to…'), 'Ghostfish' and 'Clear White Light'.
Jake Ashton-Nelson
Jake is an actor and musician from Newcastle. He graduated from The Manchester School of Theatre in 2018 with the Lawrence Olivier Bursary. He has worked at HOME theatre Manchester in ’Barnbow Canaries’, directed by Joyce Branagh, and earlier this year had his television debut in 'Vera', as PC Billington. He has recently finished shooting a feature film called ‘Attempts at a Relationship’ which will be touring festivals later in the year.
He is thrilled to be a part of Live’s 50th anniversary, having been introduced to acting through Live Youth Theatre.
Soroosh Lavasani
Credits include: Assef in UK Production's Tour, ‘The Kite Runner’.
Chris in Mischief Theatre's 'Peter Pan Goes Wrong'. Gary in The Custom House's 'Our Laygate'.
Soon to feature in Amazon and Blumhouse feature film 'House Of Spoils'.
Graduated from LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Drama)
Adam Sina
Adam Sina is a native Geordie, born and raised in Walker, Newcastle upon Tyne. He began his acting career like so many in the region on the children’s television drama, 'Byker Grove'. Playing the part of, Matt Tyler. Ornithologist, turned grove resident DJ. His interest in the theatre began at Live Theatre when he was cast by Max Robert’s to play the part of Davy, alongside Live Theatre legend, Trevor Fox and Denise Welch in, 'The Filleting Machine' by Tom Hadaway. In the twenty years since, Adam has carved out a solid career in the industry. He trained at The Central School of Speech and Drama and was one of the original members of Zoe Ford Burnett’s, Hiraeth Shakespeare Company. He has acted in London’s West End, in productions with the Old Vic, National Theatre and Bill Kenwright Productions. Other work in the theatre includes projects with Hampstead Theatre, Young Vic, Park Theatre, Playground Theatre and at home with Northern Stage.
For television, he has had principle roles in 'Tyrant' (Fox FX), 'Bloods' (Sky), 'Hollyoaks' (Channel 4), 'Theodosia' (HBO), 'Silent Witness' and 'Casualty' (BBC). In which, he recently played Holby’s fiendish Ward Manager, Marcus Fidel.
