FEATURE
5 Plays of Christmas at Live Theatre
FESTIVE SHOWS AS WE’RE BEING TOLD A LOT RIGHT NOW, CHRISTMAS IS GOING TO LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR. CLAIRE DUPREE ROUNDS UP THE ONLINE OFFERINGS FOR THE FESTIVE PERIOD, FROM TRADITIONAL FAMILY SHOWS TO WEIRD AND WONDERFUL DELIGHTS
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Live Theatre’s festive offering is a perfect example of what they do best; supporting up and coming writers and giving them a valuable outlet via their Live Wired virtual platform. 5 Plays Of Christmas is a spirited selection box of online short plays from the coolest new writing talent, with the plays being developed, rehearsed, performed and filmed behind closed doors and available to view online for free from mid-December. The five writers who contribute to the programme – Olu Alakija, Mandi Chivasa, Ellen McNally, Benjamin Storey and Sarah Tarbit – have already taken part in the theatre’s recent 10 Minutes To...Call Home series of shorts. The theatre give a sneak peek into what to expect: “Martin Maxwell is reliving the time he killed Christmas. A missed bus has consequences for the Ghosts of Christmas Past and Future. Danny is in an elf costume while Joe just got arrested and Agnes sits in a quiet living room, sun on her face and the cold at her door. Meanwhile on a beach in Newbiggin, a giant whale is washed ashore.” There’s more alternative performance at The Stand Comedy Club, as Hal Branson, Sammy Dobson, Lee Kyle and Hannah Walker reprise their Cinderella & The Beanstalk panto, available to watch for free via YouTube from Sunday 20th December-Sunday 17th January, which promises laughter and daftness for all ages. There’s also an adult version of the story which will be broadcast on Boxing Day at 8.30pm, so set a reminder! Keep an eye out for more online action from the venue too. If it’s a festive soundtrack you’re after, look no further than Darlington collective Tracks, who present their Hark! The Sound of Christmas via their Facebook and YouTube pages on Sunday 20th December. A celebration of Christmas music and spoken word, host
