A Wintry Tales Adventure
Blitzen on the Tyne
A Wintry Tales adventure
BLITZEN ON THE TYNE
Written by DANIELLE SLADE in collaboration with primary school children from the North East from Northern Counties School-Percy Hedley Foundation, St Johns Primary School & High Spen Primary School
Directed by BECKY MORRIS
Designed by MOLLY BARRETT
Performed by MICKY COCHRANE & KAREN TRAYNOR
Live Theatre presents a brand new gloriously wintery treat for children. A laugh-out-loud visually sumptuous new play about a Reindeer who takes on the Toon. Merging the pen of talented writer Danielle Slade with the uncontrollable imaginations of school children, Blitzen On The Tyne is proper new writing for kids!!!
On Dasher on Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, on Comet, Cupid, Donner and…lastly Blitzen.
Bottom of the pile, the back row, last in line- and it had been this way for as long as Blitzen could remember. The smallest voice, the shabbiest hooves, the weakest antlers. Blitzen was the littlest reindeer with, quite frankly, the littlest story. Blitzen was lumpy and bumpy, a little bit wonky and big bit funky.
Blitzen was different.
This, however, was their year! Blitzen was waiting for their big moment to become a real winter reindeer, to fly on Christmas Eve!
After a horrible secret is revealed leaving Blitzen's winter spirit broken, they leave the North Pole to travel to the South pole where they hope to find their true self. But, when a vicious storm occurs, it reroutes Blitzen to where other than The Toon!
Will Blitzen find what they're looking for in Newcastle?
A fun and frantic tale of finding your inner magic, friendship and celebrating your true self.
Generously supported by The Gillian Dickinson Trust
SPECIAL OFFER
Book for both Blitzen On The Tyne and Santa at Live Theatre and save 20%
2024 Reviews
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Something different from the usual pantomime formula...gained a warm response from a near full house who enjoyed the story and audience participation...Definitely good value for money'.
FAIRY POWERED PRODUCTIONS
'It was the most magical and festive performance, full of fun but also really heartwarming. When there’s problems in the North Pole, Blitzen the reindeer sets out on a mission, but ends up having an unexpected adventure in the Toon. With Geordie references, jokes and songs, there were SO many laugh out loud moments. The two person cast played multiple roles effortlessly and we loved the unique the puppetry and props too. The show had themes of friendship, kindness, finding your inner magic and being true to yourself. It’s definitely the perfect family show to see this winter, ideal for ages 5 and over.'
MUM OF BOYS NORTH EAST
Audience Reactions
Blitzen On The Tyne Digital Programme
Blitzen digital2024 Audience Feedback
'Our Year 2 and Year 3 children had an amazing time this morning watching ‘Blitzen on the Tyne’ at the Live Theatre. Both staff and children were captivated by the wonderful performance and storytelling—it was a truly memorable experience! A huge thank you to the incredibly talented cast and crew at The Live Theatre for bringing so much joy and festive cheer to our pupils.'
CRAGSIDE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Wintry Tales Audience Feedback 2023
"It was absolutely amazing, great acting, script and set which kept our 6 year old (and us) thoroughly entertained!"
"It was absolutely magical. It was the most gorgeous, perfect, little winter treat for little ones but for big ones too. It was just absolutely gorgeous."
"It was wacky, it was wild, it was lots of fun, lots of crazy ideas. It was like the imagination of children but large. It had a lovely stage and a lovely set, we've had a lot of fun!"
"This very unique and hilarious show...was an amazing performance and we laughed so much. Totally recommend booking tickets!"
Production Photographs taken by Mark Savage Photography
Meet Flake the snow worm
Cast and Creative Team
Karen Traynor
Karen is a Scottish actor and theatre director living in Whitley Bay and working in the region for almost 3 decades! During that time, she has enjoyed working across theatre, radio and television, with companies such as The RSC, Northern Stage, Curious Monkey, The Young Vic, BAC, Lyceum Edinburgh, Open Clasp, Theatre By The Lake, Hull Truck and of course, here at Live Theatre. She has devised and collaborated on new writing, classic texts and family theatre alike, and in recent years has been inspired to direct through working with acclaimed theatre directors Erica Whyman, Rachel O’Riordan, Kirsty Housley and Rebecca Frecknall.
She is an associate at Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle, where she recently directed 'Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light' by Allison Davies to widespread critical acclaim and is currently planning a remount which will tour nationally in Spring 2025.
Micky Cochrane
Micky is an actor, singer and occasionally a stand-up comedian who has appeared on all the major theatre stages in the North-East. He spent most of 2023 performing in the award-winning stage version of ‘I, Daniel Blake’ (Tiny Dragon, Northern Stage, UK Tour). This after spending the summer of 2022 onstage at Curve Theatre in Leicester in their award-winning revival of ‘Billy Elliot’. Other theatre credits include ‘Reiver: Tales from the Border’ (Elysium Theatre), ‘Pitmen Painters’ (Oldham Coliseum), ‘Floorboards’ (OddManOut, Alphabetti), ‘A Nightingale Sang’ (Live Theatre) and one man show ‘Carrying David’ (Wisecrack Productions) which returns at Newcastle Theatre Royal in June 2025.
His many TV and film credits include ‘George Gently,’ ‘The Dumping Ground’ and ‘Man Down’ with Greg Davies.
As lead singer of the band This Ground Moves Micky played all over Europe with artists including Jake Bugg, Tim Burgess and Ocean Colour Scene. The band released the album - ‘You are not the end of The World.’ He also wrote and produced stand up show ‘What the Fudge’ which he performed at Edinburgh Fringe, Jesterval and at The Stand Newcastle.
Danielle Slade - writer
Danielle Slade is a children's playwright and creative writing facilitator (New Writing North, Live Theatre, Mortal Fools and more) working mainly for and with young people or in community based settings. Her passion is to use her storytelling to address the complexities of mental health and wellness for little minds to help them understand, relate and come away with techniques and coping mechanisms to make their journeys through life that little bit more manageable. Danielle’s writing credits include the award winning 'Melva' (Play, film and online game: Mortal Fools), 'Peggy Pearpot' (The Customs House), 'Orville' (Northern Stage, Stockton Christmas Festival, Nightfall festival), 'Dolly' (Woodhorn Museum), 'Raven' (Alphabetti Theatre, Northern Stage and schools tour 2024) and 'Now We are Here' ( ACE funded children's animation about refugee children, out Nov 2024).
Danielle has also just begun to delve into the world of children’s picture books, where she first self published her book 'Otis the Wandering Whippet' in 2020, selling over 500 copies worldwide. She has just published a picture book, 'Twinkle Twinkle Arti', with Newcastle University to raise awareness around parental substance abuse and she has also Co written a Motherhood journal (Creatively conscious).
Becky Morris - director
Becky is a director and theatre practitioner who is passionate about new writing. She has been working at Live Theatre for 8 years, starting as a freelance drama facilitator to becoming a Creative Associate and now working as the Live Tales Creative Lead. Since graduation with a Performance degree at Northumbria University she has worked in a plethora of creative roles working with Live Theatre, Curious Monkey, Customs House, GIFT and Hull Truck, as well as delivering community projects all over the North East. This will be her third year directing Live Theatre's family Christmas show and she can’t wait to share it with you all.
Molly Barrett - designer
Molly Barrett is a freelance designer/maker for theatre and public events. She aims to create work that is both elegant and playful and is always keen to explore narrative as well as the beauty in movement and mechanical function. Her work is increasingly focused on the links between science and art.
Since graduating from Nottingham Trent University’s theatre design course in 2007, Molly has worked with a number of companies in and around the North East, including Alphabetti Theatre (where she is an associate artist), Northern Stage, Live Theatre, Newcastle Gateshead Initiative, the Centre For Life, Seven Stories, Magnetic events, Unfolding Theatre and Curious Monkey, as well as nationally with companies such as Wild Works, The World Famous, Nutmeg Puppets, SAW Trust and NORCA.
