Curated Culture 10-09-24
Curated Culture 10-09-24
A regular signpost to our picks from the What's On riches currently on offer from venues and attractions across North East England.
Hello and welcome to Curated Culture - a big (figurative) weekly foam finger pointing at a selection of things happening at North East arts and culture spots during the next fortnight, which we (Sam Wonfor and David Whetstone) think are well worth getting your Diary/Filofax/Blackberry/Calendly* out for.
*we try to cater for all vintages at Cultured. North East.
In addition to spotlighting stuff which is coming up/available to see over the next two weeks or so, we’ve also pulled together a running list of longer term highlights which are Now Booking.
And if all that wasn’t enough, this is also the newsletter which gives our subscribers the exclusive chance to win tickets to see/enjoy something excellent. This week we have a pair of tickets to the upcoming Science Speakeasy at the Life Science Centre in Newcastle. More details at the bottom.
But first - get your chosen method of time organisation at the ready. We’re going in.
THEATRE: Subterranea
Where: Laurels Theatre, Whitley Bay
When: September 10-28
Bookings and info: Laurels’ website
Set in Newcastle five years after a nuclear attack sent those who couldn’t afford shelters underground, Subterranea digs into a world of The Above and The Below.
Those living among the Metro tracks were only supposed to be down there for a month… but they’re still there, making the best of things out of the worst of times, until a new law comes in.
A co-production between Peachplant Productions (Whale of a Time) and Laurels, this play was one of the runners up in the inaugural Richard Jenkinson Commission prize 2023 and stars Judy Earle, Natasha Haws and Adam Donaldson.
SCREEN: Prima Facie: National Theatre Live
Where: Various cinemas across the region
When: From September 12 through to December 5
Bookings and info: primafacie.ntlive.com
Jody Comer, who found fame as assassin Villanelle in TV’s Killing Eve, made a stunning West End debut in 2022 as the sole performer in Suzie Miller’s courtroom drama, Prima Facie.
She played a barrister who defends men accused of sexual assault, confident in the rightness of her professional stance until she finds herself a victim.
THEATRE: Pride and Prejudice* (*Sort of)
Where: Newcastle Theatre Royal
When: September 19-28
Bookings and info: 0191 232 7010 or theatreroyal.co.uk
It’s fair to assume Newcastle Theatre Royal’s first co-production in a decade is going to be a goodie.
An affectionate and hilarious send-up of Jane Austen’s most famous novel, the show had a successful run at Northern Stage in its first iteration and then, following a Covid-interrupted West End run, earned ecstatic standing ovations at the Theatre Royal in 2023 on its subsequent national tour.
EXHIBITION: Hannah Perry - Manual Labour
Where: BALTIC, Gateshead
When: Until January 19, 2025
Bookings and info: BALTIC’s website
British artist Hannah Perry presents a major new commission that considers motherhood, labour and class via a large scale installation comprising film, sculpture, printmaking and sound.
Mediated through the artist’s own experience, the exhibition looks at the process of becoming a mother and its ‘creative and destructive power’.
MUSIC: JHC Revue with Martin Stephenson, Rob Heron, Errant Moose & Shipcote
Where: Gosforth Civic Theatre
When: September 20, 7.30pm
Bookings and info: gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk
The fantastic Jumpin’ Hot Club are on the road with a troupe of some of their favourite musicians and this is their home town show.
There’s not room to wax on about the line-up, but we feel confident in saying it sounds like it’s going to be an absolute cracker of an evening.
MUSIC: Lindisfarne
Where: The Fire Station, Sunderland
When: September 12
Bookings and info: thefirestation.org.uk
A line-up of longtime members of legendary folk rockers, Lindisfarne will be bringing classic tunes aplenty to what will surely be a sold out crowd in Sunderland.
Led by founding Lindisfarner, Rod Clements expect to hear (and sing) anthems such as Meet Me On The Corner, Lady Eleanor, Run for Home and Fog On The Tyne as well as loads of other memorable tracks played in smashing fashion.
CLASSICAL: Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Where: The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, Gateshead
When: September 14, 7.30pm
Bookings and info: The Glasshouse website
Royal Northern Sinfonia and the RNS Chorus open the 2024/5 classical season at The Glasshouse with Felix Mendelssohn’s homage to Shakespeare’s play, also featuring sopranos Charlotte Bowden and Jessica Cale.
The concert, conducted by Dinis Sousa, will open with Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21 with soloist Kristian Bezuidenhout – a Mozart fan since seeing the 1984 film Amadeus.
MUSIC: Big Big Train
Where: Playhouse Whitley Bay
When: September 19, 7.30pm
Bookings and info: playhousewhitleybay.co.uk
The prog rockers released their 15th studio album, The Likes Of Us, on March 1, the first with new band members Alberto Bravin, replacement for vocalist David Longdon who died in 2021, and keyboardist Oskar Holldorff.
The current seven-strong line-up arrives at Whitley Bay on a UK and European tour featuring tracks from the new album and some Big Big Train favourites.
THEATRE: Othello
Where: A 19-venue tour starting at Queen’s Hall, Hexham
When: September 17 to October 20
Bookings and info: elysiumtc.co.uk
Faz Singhateh plays Othello, Hannah Ellis Ryan is cast as Desdemona and Danny Solomons as Iago in Shakespeare’s tragedy, the latest production from Elysium Theatre Company, directed by Jake Murray.
Set during the ‘War on Terror’ years of Bush and Obama, it embarks on an extensive tour taking in venues throughout the North East including four dates (October 16 to 19) at Durham Assembly Rooms as part of the city’s Shakespeare Festival.
EXHIBITION: Oliver Kilbourn - My Life as a Pitman
Where: Woodhorn Museum, Ashington
When: Until September 15
Bookings and info: Museums Northumberland website
This is your last chance to see this display, which was one of a series of exhibitions marking 90 years since the Ashington Group’s formation.
Dedicated to the Group’s best known and most dedicated member, Oliver Kilbourn: My Life as a Pitman features 39 paintings documenting his 50 years as a miner at Ashington and Ellington collieries.
THEATRE: Abigail’s Party
Where: Northern Stage
When: September 13-28
Bookings and info: northernstage.co.uk
A fresh adaptation of Mike Leigh’s cult comedy classic is booked in for a lovely long run on Tyneside… and we’re all invited.
Directed by Jack Bradfield, audiences are being promised a ‘party to end all parties’.
He says: "I’m thrilled to be reviving Mike Leigh's savage suburban comedy. We're ratcheting up the awkward, the inappropriate, the unbearable and the plain strange, and staging the play in a whole new way.”
Our RSVP is IN.
MUSIC: Allen Valleys Folk Festival
Where: Various venues in Allendale
When: September 27-29
Bookings and info: allenvalleysfolkfestival.co.uk
Established in 2014, this is a three day event celebrating the best in folk music and traditional dance.
One of the last festivals of the year, organisers have booked a pretty impressive line-up featuring a Hollywood actor and a Northumbrian queen.
And don’t forget the legendary community event in Allendale Marketplace on the Saturday evening, which sees the burning of a unique wooden sculpture representing the legendary Allendale Wolf, who it is believed escaped from a zoo in 1904 and killed more than forty sheep.
Headliners: Johnny Flynn and Kathryn Tickell and the Darkening.
THEATRE: Love It If We Beat Them
Where: Live Theatre, Newcastle
When: September 10-28
Bookings and info: www.live.org.uk
Following a successful premiere run in Spring 2023 when it kicked off Live Theatre’s 50th birthday celebrations, Rob Ward’s skilful mash up of nineties football and politics is back for a second season.
Once again starring the wonderful Davey Nellist as hard-left Labour activist, Len; Jessica Johnson as his no-nonsense wife Jean; and Eve Tucker as New Labour’s pick for the parliament seat Len has his eye on; the new production welcomes Daniel Watson into the cast as Michael, a young man struggling to find work or hope in a rapidly changing world.
MUSIC: Quireboys: Wardour Street Album Launch
Where: Queen’s Hall, Hexham
When: September 24, 7.30pm
Bookings and info: queenshall.co.uk
The unmistakeable Quireboys frontman, Spike will lead a rocking celebration of the band’s latest long player at a special gig in Northumberland.
Promising songs to make you rock, laugh, love and cry, Wardour Street features Thunder guitarist Luke Morley (who also produced the album) and Scottish singer/songwriting, Frankie Miller.
COMEDY: The Scummy Mummies’ Greatest Hits
Where: Hipp at The Hullabaloo, Darlington
When: September 18
Bookings and info: darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
A decade of ‘scumminess’ is being celebrated by comedians Ellie and Helen who have spent the past 10 years performing to sold out audiences all over the UK.
To mark the occasion, they have assembled a show filled with their most-loved songs, sketches and stand-up.
And if you can’t catch this one, they’ll be back with their Christmas show at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House in Newcastle on November 28. Tickets here.
NOW BOOKING
Sept 24-Oct 20: Wicked, Sunderland Empire
Oct 2-5: Gerry and Sewell, Newcastle Theatre Royal
Oct 6: Rachel Parris: Poise, The Stand, Newcastle
Oct 9: Lemm Sissay: Let the Light Pour In, Northern Stage
Nov 2: Adam Ant, The Glasshouse
Nov 7: An Evening with Frank Roddam, ARC, Stockton
Nov 18: The Libertines, Stockton Globe
Nov 25-30: Only Fools and Horses The Musical,Sunderland Empire
Nov 6-Feb 21: Eliot Smith Dance’s Pitman, various North East venues
Dec 22: Martin Stephenson’s Jumpin Hot Club Xmas Party, The Cluny
COMPETITION TIME
Welcome to our latest newsletter prizedraw, offering our subscribers an exclusive opportunity to win tickets to see or do something great.
This week, we’ve got a pair of tickets to the upcoming Science Speakeasy, Climate Criminals at Newcastle’s Life Science Centre on September 19 from 7pm to 9pm.
For decades, scientists have sought to understand, deliver solutions and shout warnings about the fate of our planet, while the public have used their vote and peacefully protested.
Join in for a lively debate under Gaia - the 7-metre recreation of Earth - as experts discuss and answer some big questions in a quirky and informal format.
To enter, simply email MePlease@culturednortheast.co.uk using the subject line: SPEAKEASY before midday (12pm) on Thursday, September 12, 2024.
Winners will be notified within 24 hours of the entry deadline.
Terms and conditions: Only subscribers to the Cultured. North East newsletter are eligible to enter the Newsletter Prize Draw competition. Prizes are as stated - subject to availability - and non-transferable. No cash alternatives will be offered. You must be over 18 years of age to enter. The Editor’s decision is final.
Very sad you haven’t featured Alphabetti Theatre’s new musical production, The Nurses’ Station. First night full house loved it. On for 3 weeks so plenty of time to catch it.