Michael Harrison panto update
October 19, 2008
We caught up with Michael Harrison again as we follow the progress of writing, producing and directing this year’s pantomime at the Theatre Royal, Newcastle. Just after our chat he was taking a short well deserved break in the sun, before returning to face the hectic panto season.
Since we last spoke to Michael as he unleashed Titan the Robot on unsuspecting shoppers in Newcastle Upon Tyne, he has been busy with the new touring version of Witches of Eastwick, which is playing to packed theatres around the country. The North East will get a chance to see the production in the spring when the show, starring Marti Pellow, plays the Sunderland Empire.
Since we last talked Michael has finished the script for Robinson Crusoe and the Caribbean Pirates selected the costumes and is ready to start working with the stars of the show, Danny Adams and Clive Webb, on some of their routines in the next few weeks.
Following this it is down to rehearsals which will take place in the Theatre Royal before moving in to the auditorium for the technical rehearsals before the show opens on December the 5th.
Michael has given us the opportunity to drop in on rehearsals and we look forward to letting you know how things are progressing as the record breaking pantomime prepares to open.
We catch up with Michael Harrison again
October 18, 2008
Whatsonstage.com North East managed to catch up with Michael Harrison for a brief chat before he took a well earned break in the sun.
But the writer, director and producer of many shows including the record breaking Theatre Royal pantomimes will be back soon ready to start rehearsals for this years show.
Our chat will Michael is published under our interviews section and is another in our series that has traced how Micheal prepares the panto, which he starts almost as soon as the curtain falls on the previous show.
Usually tickets are on sale for the next show before the current year opens and the audience expect each pantomime to be bigger and better than the previous one. So there is no pressure……………………….
Jill Halfpenny Returns
October 18, 2008
Jill Halfpenny who has been enjoying motherhood since the birth of her son as well as a run in a play at the Edinburgh Festival return in the New Year to a stage in Newcastle.
But she is not joining the Theatre Royal Panto again, where she helped break box office records two years running, with Danny Adams and Clive Webb (who are still starring in the Theatre Royal panto each year and breaking more box office records)
Jill will be headlining in the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour which will play the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle in January (Jill won the TV version of the show).
The tour will feature a host of stars from previous sereis of the show along witht he four TV judges.
Review-Geoff Dead: Disco For Sale
October 18, 2008
As this five star review rated show continues its run at the Live Theatre, Newcastle, have you wondered where the title came from?
Writer Fiona Bruce tell us during the play.
As when the the parents are preparing the obituary for the paper, they are told the Sunderland Echo allows the first five words for free. The father (also called Geoff) snaps back, Geoffs Dead: Disco For Sale.
Private Geoff Gray used to run a disco for his family and friends until he died at Deepcut Barracks.
The play is a heart wrenching tale of the parents trying to find out what really happened to their children, who apparently all commited suicide at Deepcut Barracks. The play is very moving and thought provoking to the point that some of the audience on press night had trouble defining the action of the play from real life.
The parents still fight today for the public enquiry that has been denied to them.
John Dixon
Review - Geoff Dead: Disco For Sale
October 16, 2008
Date Reviewed: 15 October, 2008
Venue: Live Theatre, Newcastle
Every so often you know within the first few minutes of a production that you are witnessing something special and so it is with Geoff Dead: Disco For Sale. Writer Fiona Evans and director Deborah Bruce have brought us a play which at admittedly at times is funny, but mainly thought provoking and heart wrenching. It leaves you wondering how the families, in this true life story, have coped over the years and will be able to continue their fight for a public enquiry in to the deaths of their children. Read more
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