Live Theatre, January to April 2012

January to April 2012 www.live.org.uk

See life’s dramas unfold at Live Theatre

Tickets & Booking Information Book tickets by phone or online Call Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or visit www.live.org.uk where it is easy to book tickets online.

Tickets can be mailed out, at an extra charge of £1, or can be collected from the box office free of charge.

Box office opening hours Monday to Friday 10am to 5.30pm.

10am to 8pm when there is an evening show. Weekend evening show 5 to 8pm.

Weekend matinee days 12 to 8pm.

Returns policy If you provide more than 24 hours notice tickets can be exchanged for other performances and events or credit for the full value can be returned to your Live Theatre account.

Group discount Interested in bringing a group along to see a show? Then take advantage of Live Theatre’s great group discount – buy 10 tickets and get one additional ticket free.

Preview Be amongst the first to see a new show during the preview period at a discounted price.

Opening Night Celebrate the official first night of a production when there’s always an air of excitement in the theatre.

Pay What You Can £PWYC PWYC performances offer a great opportunity to see a show at a price you can afford. Tickets for Sunday PWYC performances go on sale at midday on the Friday before. A maximum of 4 tickets can be booked per transaction.

Do you have friends and family that find it hard to hear or see?

Live Theatre offers a range of assisted performances throughout the year aimed at improving the theatre experience for all audience members. Watch out for the following symbols to find a performance that meets your needs:

To find out more about assisted performances please visit www.live.org.uk/assistedperformances For up-to-the-minute information follow Live Theatre on

02 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

January to April 2012 Calendar…

Tues 17 to Sat 21 Jan, 8pm / p.6 Donna Disco by Lee Mattinson

Thurs 26 Jan, 8pm / p.15 The Sweetback Sisters (USA) + Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orc

Fri 27 Jan, 8pm / p.13 Dave Johns New Show: Hidden Shadows

Sat 4 Feb to Sun 16 Sept / p.18 In the Limelight: Newcastle’s Theatrical History at Discovery Museum

Sun 5 Feb, 8pm / p.13 Andrew O’Neill: Alternative

Tues 14 Feb to Sat 3 Mar / p.4 Nativities by Zoe Cooper

Thurs 23 Feb, 6.30pm / p.19 Want to be a playwright?

Thurs 23 & Fri 24 Feb, 8pm / p.9 Lion by Katherine Corfield

Fri 9 Mar to Sat 17 Mar / p.8 Fuses: Live Lab 2012 New Writing Festival

Fri 9 Mar, 7.30pm / p.9 Playlist

Sat 17 Mar, 7.30pm / p.9 Present:Tense

Thurs 22 to Sat 24 Mar / p.14 Swags & Tails by Catrina McHugh

Tues 3 to Fri 5 Apr, 7.30pm / p.10 The Heights by Lisa McGee

Fri 13 Apr to Sat 5 May / p.16 Close the Coalhouse Door at Northern Stage

Wed 18 Apr to Sat 12 May / p.17 Geordie Sinatra by Fiona Evans

Don’t forget to come to the only Arts + Entertainment quiz in town on Monday 6 February, 12 March and 2 April with the chance to win a host of fantastic prizes.

To book online visit www.live.org.uk 03

04 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

Nativities Tuesday 14 February to Saturday 3 March

DATES: Tues 14 Feb to Sat 3 Mar

By Zoe Cooper Directed by Max Roberts

TICKETS: £10 to £18

Nativities is a darkly comic new play set in the world of petty office politics, designated smoking areas and the cheeky pint after work.

Excited about her new job as administrative assistant at a call centre, Stella is eager to fit in with her workmates and they seem to like her too, especially when they find out how much they all have in common. It’s really like a family at Scion Communications so when they discover that Stella is pregnant they’re all delighted for her. However, as her pregnancy progresses, their certainties about love, relationships and parenthood are questioned and their lives both at work and at home begin to unravel.

After all: where’s the harm in a celebratory drink and some office karaoke?

LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 2 hours including interval SUITABILITY: 14+ PERFORMANCES: Tues to Sat, 7.30pm MATINEES: Thurs 23 Feb & Thurs 1 Mar 2pm £PWYC: Sun 26 Feb, 4pm Tues 14 Feb P 7.30pm

Wed 15 Feb ON 7.30pm

About Zoe Cooper Zoe is a playwright and theatre practitioner who first came to Live Theatre’s attention during Different Stages, the 2010 New Writing Festival. After graduating with an MPhil in Playwriting from the University of Birmingham in 2010 she went on to write short plays for Nabokov, Theatre503 and the Tristan Bates Theatre. Zoe has also recently been working with the National Theatre Studio developing a project based on the Strindberg play The Father and with the RSC studio on a new play.

Wed 29 Feb 7.30pm Please visit www.live.org.uk or call the box office on (0191) 232 1232 for full details of performance dates, times and special events.

Nativities is Zoe’s first full length play commission.

To book online visit www.live.org.uk 05

Image: By Topher McGrillis

06 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

Donna Disco DATES: Tues 17 to Sat 21 Jan, 8pm

Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 January, 8pm

Presented by Chicken Pox Fox Productions & Live Theatre

By Lee Mattinson Directed by Laura Lindow Starring Paula Penman

TICKETS: £10; £8 concs LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour

Donna is fourteen, clumsy and fat. She’s bland, bespectacled and, if she’d ever heard of The Beautiful South, she’d adore them.

SUITABILITY: 14+

She also has a new school project, to source a stranger’s story and present her findings at the annual Christmas Pageant. And so Donna takes it upon herself to befriend the colourful cross-dressing butcher from downstairs.

But when her mother goes AWOL and an innocent crush on a local pretty boy goes hideously wrong, Donna’s world begins to disband and the disco that plays in her heart is in danger of grinding to a glittering, gobsmacking halt.

Don’t miss this “sweet and tender play which skirts the margins between joy and despair” (The Scotsman) as it returns to Live Theatre following its success at the 2011 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and New Wimbledon Theatre.

“Donna Disco was phenomenal... hilarious, upsetting and thought provoking.”

Audience Member, July 2011 “A tour de force of writing, acting and directing...” ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Three Weeks

To book online visit www.live.org.uk 07

Live Lab Friday 9 March to Saturday 17 March

Sponsored by:

FUSES

Live Lab 2012 New Writing Festival Live Theatre’s bi-annual New Writing Festival returns, bringing together some of the country’s most interesting and innovative theatre makers and companies for a festival feast over nine days in March.

Highlights include the North East premiere of Nabokov’s Present:Tense – the toughest creative challenge in town and Theatre503’s Playlist – a brand new edition of bite sized, music-inspired theatre.

Other events to look forward to include collaborations with BBC Writersroom, Soho Theatre, The Tricycle Theatre and ARC Stockton.

To be one of the first to receive updates about the Festival visit www.live.org.uk and sign up to receive Live Theatre’s e-news direct to your inbox every two weeks or follow Live Theatre on

08 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

DATES: Thurs 23 & Fri 24 Feb, 8pm

Thursday 23 & Friday 24 February, 8pm

Lion

TICKETS: £8; £6 concs

By Katherine Corfield Directed by Steve Gilroy “You can’t replace a father. You can’t replace a Lion!”

How are you supposed to grieve? Should you work through the stages, logically, seeing it as a process? Or is it better just to go out and get hammered? As a daughter struggles to come to terms with the loss of her ‘football mad’ dad she and her mother have to find each other again.

LOCATION: Studio Theatre DURATION: 1 hour SUITABILITY: 14+

Don’t miss this work-in-progess performance of Lion, a moving and funny new play about grief by Katherine Corfield, a recent graduate from the BA Drama and Scriptwriting course at Northumbria University.

Friday 9 March, 7.30pm

Part of Fuses: Live Lab 2012 New Writing Festival Presented by Theatre503

Playlist Kicking off the Festival in style is Playlist. Writers have been nominated by theatres all over the country. Their task is to write a play inspired by a song. The only rules: the song must be by an artist from their region, and the play must be no longer in running time than the song by which it was inspired.

Saturday 17 March, 7.30pm

Part of Fuses: Live Lab 2012 New Writing Festival Presented by Nabokov

Present:Tense Join some of the UK’s most exciting writing talent as they are given just one week to respond to the most important news story of the moment before it is performed for you the audience.

DATES: Fri 9 Mar, 7.30pm TICKETS: £10; £8 concs LOCATION: Main Theatre

DATES: Sat 17 Mar, 7.30pm TICKETS: £10; £8 concs LOCATION: Main Theatre

To book online visit www.live.org.uk 09

10 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

Family Theatre: The Heights

Tuesday 3 to Thursday 5 April, 7.30pm

DATES: Tues 3 to Thurs 5 Apr, 7.30pm

By Lisa McGee Directed by Phil Hoffmann Design by Andrew Wood

TICKETS: £10; £8 concs LOCATION: Main Theatre

Lillie Lee lives on the Heights estate. Confined to her bedroom by sickness, Lillie feels isolated and abnormal. Her bedroom window is her only connection to the outside world; she obsessively watches her neighbours from it and keeps herself occupied by making up stories about them.

DURATION: Approx 1 hour 20 mins SUITABILITY: 13+

An unusual encounter with Dara, another girl from the estate, leads the two teenagers to strike up a firm friendship that may prove to be dangerous.

The Heights, performed by talented members of Live’s Youth Theatre, touches on what it’s like to be different from others; it examines the idea of storytelling and the power of the imagination, and looks at how the lines between fact and fiction can often easily become blurred. “…about a freakish female loner blessed with, or possibly cursed by, the power of imagination.” The Guardian Lisa McGee’s last production for Live Theatre Jump! played to packed houses in autumn 2009.

To book online visit www.live.org.uk 11

Live Stand-Up Get your New Year off to a cracking start and head down to Live Theatre to soak up some of the UK’s best comedic talent in our welcoming cabaret style theatre.

Acts this season include North East born Dave Johns and long-haired funny man, Andrew O’Neill.

Atrium Bar open 6.30pm Doors open 7.45pm Drinks can be taken into the theatre WARNING: Live Stand-Up performances may contain strong language.

Sponsored by:

12 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

DATES: Fri 27 Jan, 8pm

Friday 27 January, 8pm

Dave Johns New Show:

TICKETS: £10; £8 concs

Hidden Shallows

ewcastle born comedy legend Dave N Johns kicks off his 2012 National tour at Live Theatre.

After gaining a reputation as an inventive, exciting and extremely funny comedian Dave has won applause from his audiences, respect from his fellow comics and rave reviews from the critics.

LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 70 mins SUITABILITY: 14+

“the real deal, one of the most naturally funny comics you’re ever likely to see” Bill Bailey SUNDAY 5 February, 8pm Presented

by Jon Briley at Best Medicine Management

Andrew O’Neill: Alternative

unny comedy show by long-haired F man (includes short play about gravy). All styles of comedy covered, guaranteed (some twice).

DATES: Sun 5 Feb, 8pm TICKETS: £10; £8 concs LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour 45 mins SUITABILITY: 16+

As seen on Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle, heard hijacking the Radio One Rock Show and satirising on Radio 5 Live, and read in Terroriser magazine.

“Andrew O’Neill is like comedy ball-lightning; fast, electrifying and even funnier than the misfortunes of others” Alan Moore (Watchmen, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen)

To find out more about these and other gigs coming up please visit www.live.org.uk/livestand-up To book online visit www.live.org.uk 13

Live Theatre Hosts: Swags & Tails Thursday 22 to Saturday 24 March

Presented by Open Clasp Theatre Company

By Catrina McHugh Directed by Charlotte Bennett Design by Anna Gooch Swags & Tails is set on the day Margaret Thatcher dies, against a backdrop of austerity and cuts.

Meet Gloria, her past eroded from years living in a dementia unit, Mary, the care-worker getting it from all angles and housebound Lillian, locked in her spare room.

Faced with the closure of their day centre will Ellen and Marlene unite and make a stand?

There’s more to life than a custard cream and a chocolate bourbon.

14 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

DATES: Thurs 22 to Sat 24 Mar TICKETS: £10; £8 concs LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 2 hours SUITABILITY: 11+ PERFORMANCES: Thurs 22 to Sat 24 Mar 7.30pm MATINEE: Fri 23 Mar, 2pm

Fri 23 Mar 7.30pm

Live Music DATES: Thurs 26 Jan, 8pm

Thursday 26 January, 8pm

Presented by Jumpin’ Hot Club

TICKETS: £12

The Sweetback Sisters (USA) + Rob Heron & The Tea Pad Orc

Image: THE SWEETBACK SISTERS

I f you think the concepts of hipster Brooklyn new yorkers and classic country music are mutually exclusive, allow us to introduce you to honky tonkin retro - country sextet The Sweetback Sisters. Fronted by the closely harmonizing duo of Zara Bode and Emily Miller, this dynamic band is simultaneously reverent of the music tradition’s both old fashioned and modern. Recalling the best in country music from Everly’s style harmonies with a Pasty Cline twist to the spirited rockabilly of Wanda Jackson & Sweetheart of The Rodeo era, country twang.

LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 3 hours

For details of other music gigs coming up please visit www.live.org.uk To book online visit www.live.org.uk 15

Live on Tour: Close the Coalhouse Door FRIDAY 13 APRIL TO SATURDAY 5 MAY

Presented by Northern Stage & Live Theatre

By Alan Plater Based on stories by Sid Chaplin Music by Alex Glasgow Directed by Samuel West A musical play celebrating the magnificent spirit of the North East written by Alan Plater – one of the region’s most celebrated playwrights.

DATES: Fri 13 Apr to Sat 5 May TICKETS: £12.50 to £24 LOCATION: Northern Stage, Stage 1 BOOKING: Contact Northern Stage’s Box Office on (0191) 230 5151 or book online at www.northernstage.co.uk

IMAGE: JOE CAFFREY IN THE 1994 PRODUCTION OF CLOSE THE COALHOUSE DOOR. PHOTO KEITH OATTISON

Close the Coalhouse Door is told with a wry smile, sparkling dialogue and moving songs by an extended family of wives, vicars, sons, daughters and of course the miners themselves.

16 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

Coming Soon: Geordie Sinatra DATES: Wed 18 Apr to Sat 12 May

WEDNesday 18 April to Saturday 12 May

Presented by Live Theatre & Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough In association with New Writing North

By Fiona Evans Directed by Chris Monks

TICKETS ON SALE: From March 2012 TICKETS: £10 to £18 LOCATION: Main Theatre

That’s life, that’s what all the people say; You’re riding high in April, shot down in May… Welcome, to the coolest party in town. Kick back, snap a Dunhill, help yourself to the liquor cart and let Frank ‘The Voice’ Sinatra serenade you ‘till the wee small hours.

DURATION: Approx 2 hours 30 mins including interval

Well that’s what’s going on in ex-club singer Geordie’s head anyway.

His dementia induced hallucinations are causing daughter Nancy major headaches that make her wonder ‘what would Ava Gardner do?’

IMAGE:

Geordie Sinatra is a dark comedy that gets under the skin of dementia. Come fly with Geordie on the journey of a lifetime, whilst a live jazz trio knocks out swinging tunes from the great Sinatra songbook.

To book online visit www.live.org.uk 17

Don’t Miss: In the Limelight: Newcastle’s Theatrical History Saturday 4 February to sunday 16 September 2012

Discovery Museum Celebrating the 175th anniversary of Newcastle’s Theatre Royal, Discovery Museum will explore the fascinating histories behind five of Newcastle’s theatres including: Journal Tyne Theatre, Live Theatre, Northern Stage, People’s Theatre and the Theatre Royal.

DATES: Sat 4 Feb to Sun 16 Sept 2012 ADMISSION: Free LOCATION: Discovery Museum

Between them, Newcastle’s theatres have contributed much to the cultural life of the region, from contemporary drama to Shakespearean classics, breathtaking ballet and dance, the brightest musicals, the cream of the comedy circuit, amateur dramatics at its best and, of course, the family friendly delights of pantomime.

Step out In the Limelight and find out all about it!

IMAGE: IN THE LIMELIGHT: NEWCASTLE’S THEATRICAL HISTORY

For more information please visit www.twmuseums.org.uk/discovery

18 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

Courses Wednesday 28 March to Wednesday 23 May 2012

Live Writers Group This group is aimed at budding writers who are passionate about theatre and interested in writing a one-act play. Sessions include: character development, structure, dialogue, theme and pitching your play.

Members receive expert advice as well as a detailed feedback report on their final play. There will also be sessions with guest writers, directors and theatre practitioners who provide hints and tips on creating successful plays.

This eight-session course is led by Live Theatre’s Literary Manager Gez Casey and Literary Officer Rosie Kellagher.

DATE: Wed 28 Mar to Wed 23 May 7 to 9pm [There is no session on Wed 25 Apr] COST: £80; £60 concs This includes a ticket to see Geordie Sinatra by Fiona Evans on Tuesday 17 April 2012, Live Theatre’s main stage show.

LOCATION: Live Theatre DURATION: Eight sessions over nine weeks

Deadline for applications is Sunday 18 March 2012.

Successful applicants will be notified by Wednesday 21 March 2012. For more information or to apply contact degna@live.org.uk

Thursday 23 February, 6.30pm

Want to be a playwright?

If you prefer the idea of becoming part of an online community of aspiring playwrights then join Gez Casey as he provides a guided tour of www.beaplaywright.com Live Theatre’s unique online course. Find out more about the five step-by-step modules, the practical tried and tested exercises students are asked to complete, and exclusive video clips of great dramatists as they offer the benefit of their experience.

DATE: Thurs 23 Feb, 6.30pm TICKETS: Free, booking essential LOCATION: Live Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour

Anyone who attends this event will be eligible to receive an exclusive promotional code offering discount on the course.

To book online visit www.live.org.uk 19

Support Live

Making plays – entertaining audiences Live Theatre has been making plays and working with writers for almost 40 years.

Many of the writers who have written plays for Live Theatre have gone on to find national success and their plays have been performed on stages across the world.

But finding and developing writing talent is costly. In order to keep making plays, supporting writers and delivering a free education programme at the current level we need to raise an additional £300,000 each year. Live Theatre has always tried to be as innovative behind the scenes as it is in its theatre making; the online course, beaplaywright.com and The Broad Chare pub, located next to the

theatre, are just two recent ventures that are already bringing much needed funding into the company.

But we also need help from our friends.

Next year Live Theatre is launching a new regular giving campaign. We will be contacting our audience members over the coming months to explain how you can help Live Theatre continue to make plays for another 40 years.

If you would like to show your support now you can make a donation by simply texting LIVE40 followed by the amount you would like to give to 70070 e.g.

LIVE40 £5.

We hope you can help.

Corporate Partners Membership of the Corporate Partners Scheme allows companies to support all aspects of Live Theatre’s work both at the Theatre and in the community. Current Corporate Partners are:

Level 2 Level 1

20 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

Eating & Drinking

Caffè Vivo If you’re looking for a tasty Italian pretheatre supper then look no further than Caffè Vivo. Offering a fixed price menu from 5.30pm for 2 courses, Caffè Vivo is the ideal choice serving simple, authentic Italian food cooked with passion. Expect bright and sunny flavours with a dollop of rustic charm.

The Broad Chare provides proper food and proper beer all from the small cosy and intimate surroundings of this neighbourhood pub. Bar snacks include the now infamous Scotch Eggs, delicious deep-fried monkfish cheeks and cauliflower fritters. If it’s just a drink that you’re after then don’t forget to try The Writer’s Block, a new ale which has been brewed exclusively for The Broad Chare and Live Theatre to a unique recipe by Wylam Brewery.

With drinks taken as seriously as its food this is a new destination to be enjoyed both before and after a show.

For more information visit www.caffevivo.co.uk or call (0191) 232 1331

The Atrium Bar Live Theatre’s Atrium Bar and Undercroft open two hours before a performance and close at 11pm providing the perfect location for a leisurely drink before and after a performance. Remember you can take your drinks into the theatre and you can also order drinks or ice creams for the interval.

For more information visit www.thebroadchare.co.uk or call (0191) 211 2144 To book online visit www.live.org.uk 21

Choose Your Seat

Main House

Select your own seat

Whether customers choose to watch the show from the cabaret section, which is made up of a flexible mix of tables and free standing chairs, or relax in the fixed seating of the theatre and balcony sections audiences at Live Theatre are never far from the action.

Audiences will soon be able to select their own seats in the theatre and balcony sections of the Main Theatre online.

Cabaret and Studio Theatre seating will remain unallocated.

Studio Theatre Live’s intimate Studio Theatre is located on the third floor and provides a flexible space ideal for rehearsed readings and acoustic music.

Seating Information Seats in the cabaret section of the Main Theatre and all seats in the Studio Theatre can be pre-booked, but are unreserved and are allocated on a first come first served basis. Ticket numbers do not refer to a particular seat. To help you get the seat of your choice we recommend that you arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the show.

22 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

E-news Keep up to date, join Live Theatre’s free email service and be the first to receive exclusive updates about shows, events and special offers. Visit www.live.org.uk and sign up now.

Location & Travel Information KEY

Parking Quaylink Stops Metro Station

ALL SAINTS CHURCH

LAW COURTS MALMAISON M IUM BRIDG ENN E ILL

RIVER TYNE

BALTIC

THE SAGE GATESHEAD

Live Theatre is grateful to the following for revenue funding:

Public Transport Live Theatre is a 10 minute walk from Central Station, Monument and Manors Metro Stations. The QuayLink bus service runs every 10 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes during the evening until midnight providing a safe and easy way of getting to and from the Theatre. Call Traveline on 0871 200 2233 for more travel information.

Parking There is a car park in the Trinity Gardens complex 100 metres from the Theatre, which can be accessed from City Road and Trinity Gardens. This secure car park is open from 7am to midnight and costs 90p per hour and is free after 5pm. There is limited on street parking on Broad Chare and additional car parks nearby.

Virtual Tours Never been to Live Theatre before? Then why not take a look around the building via an online virtual tour by visiting www.live.org.uk/360

The Gillian Dickinson Charitable Trust The Shears Foundation LankellyChase J Paul Getty Jnr Trust Hadrian Trust 1989 Willan Charitable Trust R.W. Mann Trust Port of Tyne Fund The Sage Community Fund Garfield Weston Foundation

To book online visit www.live.org.uk 23

Access Live Theatre is fully accessible. If you have any special access requirements please inform the box office team when booking so that we can meet your needs.

We welcome Text Relay calls.

This brochure can be made available in a range of formats.

Call (0191) 229 2373 with your request.

Live Theatre Broad Chare Quayside Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3DQ Admin (0191) 261 2694 Box office (0191) 232 1232 Type Relay 18001 (0191) 232 1232 Fax (0191) 232 2224 tickets@live.org.uk www.live.org.uk/reviews www.live.org.uk For up-to-the-minute information follow Live Theatre on