Scaramouche, Scaramouche could have been a fiasco
June 18, 2008
When the North East Theatre, The Round, suddenly closed its doors in May, its forthcoming productions were thrown into uncertainty, one of which was SCARAMOUCHE JONES by Justin Butcher.
Fortunately local theatres came up trumps and ensured that the show will open in Newcastle as planned, all be it on slightly different dates.
The People’s Theatre in Heaton stepped in with rehearsal space, while Northern Stage have given the play a new home for the two brand new dates – Thursday 26 and Friday 27 June. To add icing to the cake the team had a further boost with the recent news that they had secured funding from Arts Council North East.
With SCARAMOUCHE JONES starring North-East actor Gordon Russell as the eponymous clown who, one the eve of his death, re-lives 100 years of an extraordinary life, it promises to be a vivid and compelling story of love, brutality, ecstasy and tragedy.
The July regional tour to Eden Theatre, Bishop Auckland; Little Theatre, Gateshead; Alnwick Playhouse and The Maltings, Berwick remains unaffected and will go ahead as planned.
Performance times at the Northern Stage are 8pm, Thursday 26 – Friday 27 June 2008
Tickets can be booked via the Box Office: 0191 230 5151 or on line at www.northernstage.co.uk
Me and Cilla
June 17, 2008
Venue: Live Theatre, Newcastle
Date Reviewed: 17th June, 2008
As a ten minute play by Lee Mattinson, Me and Cilla won the BBC/Live Theatre’s “Short Fuse” Competition in 2005, but three years later it has tried to grow in to two and half hour play. Unfortunately there is not enough substance to keep this black-comedy going as a full play.
Set in the present day, the action takes place in Cilla Stephenson’s front room, where she is preparing for a Christmas Eve party. The failed cabaret singer is contending with her son announcing he is now wanting to live as a woman as she prepares the buffet. Read more
Doctor Dolittle
June 17, 2008
Venue: Theatre Royal, Newcastle
Date Reviewed: 16th June, 2008There are not too many artistes around today who still make an audience applaud when they make their first entrance, but one such person who commands this honour is the British living legend Tommy Steele. He will always be associated with”Half A Sixpence” and the London Palladium has a plague in his honour (as he is the most successful artiste in the theatre’s history), and this very long tour of Doctor Dolittle has introduced him to a new audience.
Dr Doolittle is still remembered as the classic film starring Rex Harrison, although younger audiences will refer to the two Eddie Murphy pictures of the same name, which have nothing to do with this show. But judging from the ages of the audience a lot of people were there to both see Steele and introduce their grandchildren and possibly great grandchildren to the wonderful world of Doctor Dolittle. Read more
Whatsonstage.com North East on the discussion board
June 15, 2008
Just to let you know that you can now feedback you views and comments on the Whatsonstage.com North East regional site.
We have our own dedicated forum space allowing you to write our theatre in the North East or comment on our site. Or talk about any aspect of theatre-going that affects you, just like the main discussion board we welcome lively debate.
Events that we have not listed on the main page can be discussed as well, this is your forum and I look forward to reading your comments.
To join the debate, click here!
John Dixon
Editor
Nemo arrives in Newcastle
June 15, 2008
The innovative new production of Disney On Ice presents Disney/Pixar’s Finding Nemo plunges audiences into the amazing underwater world of “lucky”-finned clownfish Nemo, his overprotective father Marlin and cheerfully optimistic Dory.
This animated world “down under” comes to life in a brilliant rainbow of colour, set to an energetic musical score. Gliding smoothly across the ice, skaters costumed in many forms of ocean life perfectly emulate the natural flow of fish through water. A digital projection screen combines with aquatic lighting to create the depth and vastness of the ocean that envelops the audience.
Set amidst the bright orange and blue of the main trio, the ensemble cast of sea creatures enhances the tropical feel of the ocean. The moonfish sparkle and glitter in day-glow blue, green and pink, while the jellyfish flood the ice with pastel pinks and lavenders. The audience will even venture to the abyss, as Lane created costumes that reflect the darkness of the deep sea. From seahorses, sharks and stingrays, to starfish and sea turtles, Lane represents the world underneath with alluring, eye-catching accuracy.
From a precision skating school of moonfish to breakdancing sea turtles to balletic jellyfish and an aerial silk act, Choreographer Cindy Stuart leveraged the creative costumes to develop a broad range of movement for the show.
-
Recent Posts
Advertisement
Other Regional Sites