Victoria ‘Vicky’ Wales - Local Hero

We have to say huge congratulations to Victoria ‘Vicky’ Wales on her recognition in His Majesty’s New Year’s Honours List.

Vicky, who is a highly valued part of SAFC’s Tactical Response Unit at the Stadium of Light and a member of the British Army for 15 years, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (BEM) in the 2023 List of Honours for meritorious service.

Vicky’s work with both youth and fellow veterans across the region, alongside her determined Duke of Edinburgh work and status as SAFC Armed Forces Champion, has been recognised by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, subsequently seeing her nominated for the BEM.

Having lived an incredible life so far, Vicky has experienced drastic highs and lows. She started her service with the British Army in 1995 at the age of 18 where she would become one of the first women to join the physical training corps, putting Prince Harry, amongst the many, through their paces while at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. She has also represented England on the basketball court. as an inspiration to fellow and future female soldiers, injury heartache struck for Vicky in 2007 after fracturing her spine in an accident during an arduous 12-mile training exercise.

Countless surgeries later – including major operations after a severe relapse of her back injury whilst rehabilitating with the England Basketball Under-18 boys – incredibly, Vicky grafted her way back into competitive sport, entering the 2020 Invictus Games going on to represent the United Kingdom.

The Games – hosted in The Hague, Netherlands – were delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic and ended up not actually taking place until 2022, which would delay Vicky’s long-awaited return to elite-level competitive sport following her military career, but have eventually earmarked an emotional, welcome chapter back to Vicky’s life. Vicky returned to British soil having claimed bronze medals in the women’s shot put, as well as both the road race and time trial cycling events.

SAFC assisted Vicky throughout her Invictus journey, sponsoring her training, travel and more. This served as merely small reward for not only the inspiring way in which she roused back to a level many of us only dream of after the heartbreak of myriad operations and hospital trips, but also Vicky’s role in the Tactical Response Unit.

Her primary objective is based pitch side on match days to protect players, staff, officials and supporters from any danger, a key cog in the safety team. The protection of up to and over 40,000 spectator’s lies with Vicky and her colleagues. The role is now into its seventh year for Vicky, after her impeccable skillset saw her complete the Veteran SIA Training Programme in 2016.

The programme bears resemblance to ‘Step into Sunderland’, a wider employment programme which was set up by Vicky along- side SAFC colleague Rob Scott. This indicates the long-standing close partnership between the club and its military and veterans across the region, creating opportunities for work through this manner of initiative, alongside social and family connection opportunities through its work with the Armed Forces and Veterans’ Breakfast Club scheme.

Vicky is now Regional Operations Manager with veterans’ charity Walking with the Wounded, alongside her work with SAFC in assisting veterans with employment, volunteering and develop- ment plans.

‘Opening Pandora’s Box’ as Vicky herself describes it, the remarkable return to elite sporting activity and the inspirational manner in which so many have become the beneficiary of her high-level military experience ensure those joining her on this year’s List of Honours stand in great company.

As if this wasn’t enough, she has also raised over £96,000 for charity by trekking the Great Wall. As part of her fundraising efforts, Vicky has raised money for numerous charities to help provide clothing and equipment for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme too, just proving again why Victoria ‘Vicky’ Wales is so deserving of the British Empire Medal in 2023, she is a real life hero in our eyes.

Tyne Theatre and Opera House hosts An Evening with Richard

E Grant

Thursday 25th May 2023

Since his breakout role in cult classic film Withnail and I in 1987, Richard E Grant has become a much-loved fixture on our screens, starring in everything from Doctor Who to Downton Abbey via Game of Thrones, Star Wars and Spice World and Oscarnominated for his 2018 role in Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Now, join him for these unique events as he tells stories from his life, entwining tales from his extraordinary time in showbiz with uplifting reflections on love and loss, to celebrate the publication of his new book, A Pocketful of Happiness.

Live on stage, Richard will consider the inspiration behind the book – how, when his beloved wife Joan died in 2021 after almost forty years together, she set him a challenge: to find a pocketful of happiness in every day. He found the instruction to be profoundly powerful, and this new book, drawing on both contemporary stories and recollections of his remarkable life and glittering career, is Richard’s way of honouring that challenge.

Tender, moving, frequently hilari- ous, and with the chance to ask Richard your own questions, do not miss the opportunity to spend an evening with one of the great actors of our time, as he celebrates and cherishes life’s unexpected joys.

Theatre Director Jo Johnson commented: “We’re elated that the talented Richard E Grant is stopping off at our theatre as part of this tour. Tickets are sure to fly out the door, and we’re very excited to welcome both Richard and audiences for a special night.”

Tickets are priced at £41 - £26, and are on sale now and can be bought from: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/events/an-evening-with-richard-e-grant/.

To check out more recently announced shows, head over the Tyne Theatre & Opera House website: https://www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/whats-on/

We are thrilled to announce that for the first time ever the Ukrainian National Opera is coming to New Castle on 21 February 2023 as part of a UK wide tour with the premiere of Bizet’s opera, Carmen.. Coming all the way from Dnipro, Ukraine, this opera company, featuring an impressive cast and accompanied by a large live orchestra comprising over thirty musicians, will première the pas- sionate Carmen opera this season.

If you’ve never tried opera before you will love the full orchestra experience with brand new settings and fantastic costumes, along with exquisite singing and wonderful tunes that you will be humming to yourself all the way home.

Feel the thrill of love, jealousy and violence of 19th Century Seville in one of Bizet’s most popular operas. Its mix of fierce passion, gorgeous melodies, nail-biting dramatic confrontation and musical wit has found favour all over the world almost since its first performance in 1875. This opera will be sung in original language with English surtitles.

Love, treachery, obsession and betrayal make a most dramatic and passionate opera

The Ukrainian Opera from Dnipro is especially worth seeing as their creative development has moved forward in recent years, mastering and popularising the world’s classical music heritage and turning to the works of modern composers, music of the 20th century, and in particular the Ukrainian classics.

Producer, Alexej Ignatow of Amande Concerts Ltd. said: “We are really excited to be presenting this opera company to UK audiences in these difficult times. The journey has been extremely challenging, but I am glad we have overcome the many extraordinary obstacles and have now received all the necessary visas and clearances for the Ukrainian artists. The cast has been rehearsing vigorously over the last five weeks, and will continue to do so until the very moment when they will be leaving for the UK. We in the production office are now fully focussed on marketing these operas and raising awareness. We hope to see you very soon at one of our venues!”

Tickets are priced at £35 - £29, and are on sale now and can be bought from: https://www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/events/amandeconcerts-present-carmen/

Judi Love head to Newcastle on her first official tour!

Friday 19th May 2023

Bringing her fresh, unapologetic, and charismatic real talk to theatres across the country, the one like Judi Love hits theatres in March, on her first official tour! Expect unrelenting and hilarious anecdotes from Judi’s life! Not so much a comic, more a force of nature’ – Evening Standard

‘Infectiously vivacious’ – Chortle ‘Laugh-out-loud moments’ – iNews

Regular panellist on Loose Women and as seen on Taskmaster, The Jonathan Ross Show, The Graham Norton Show, 8 Out Of 10 Cats

Does Countdown and The Royal Variety Performance

Theatre Director Jo Johnson commented: “We have a wonderful comedy programme in place for 2023 and we’re delighted that the very funny Judi Love is joining it! We feel honoured that we’ll be hosting her first official tour, and we’re looking forward to welcoming audiences for the gig.”

Tickets are priced at £22 and can be bought from: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/events/theone-like-judi-love/

Edinburgh Comedy Award winner John Robins brings new stand-up tour ‘Howl’ to Newcastle

Saturday 21st October 2023

Edinburgh Comedy Award winning comedian and ARIA awardwinning broadcaster John Robins embarks on his first stand-up tour since 2019. If you’ve seen him before you know what to expect; rage, anxiety and a lot of laughs. If you haven’t seen him before, strap the f**k in.

“Robins exploits his misery for every single possible laugh –transforming his pain into one long existential comic howl against the human condition”The Scotsman

“A particularly startling brand of funny, this level of self-exposure – because it’s taboo, particularly for a man, to be this distraught in public, far less while encouraging people to laugh about it” - The Guardian Theatre Director Jo Johnson commented: “We’re really excited that John Robins will be joining our excellent line-up of comedians playing the Theatre in 2023 – especially as it’s his first since 2019! Howl is bound to be a fantastic show and we’re excited to welcome audiences to the Theatre to see it.”

Tickets are priced at £22.50 and can be bought from: www. tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/ events/john-robins-howl/ Please note this show is strictly 14+