Northern Stage Nominated for Prestigious Awards

Northern Stage (formerly Newcastle Playhouse) has been nominated for two prestigious national TMA Awards (Theatrical Management Association) for its touring production of Joan Littlewood’s Musical Entertainment Oh What A Lovely War directed by Erica Whyman and Sam Kenyon.

The TMA Awards celebrate the best of British theatre from around the United Kingdom.

The satirical musical has been nominated in the categories of ‘Best Musical Production’ and ‘Best Performance in a Musical’. This second nomination is particularly special as it is for the entire ensemble of actor-musicians who created the show. The production opened in Newcastle in March 2010 and was then seen by 24,000 people on its national tour.

Erica Whyman, Chief Executive and Artistic Director of Northern Stage, said: “This is a fabulous achievement for Northern Stage and the icing on the cake during our 40th anniversary year. It acknowledges the company’s commitment of making and touring very high-calibre work that audiences really want to come and see.”

The success of Oh What A Lovely War comes hot on the heels of Apples, the company’s other big smash of 2010, which also enjoyed a well received national tour and a critically acclaimed run at the Edinburgh Fringe – winning a Herald Angel Award.

Erica continues: “Northern Stage is very proud of Oh What A Lovely War, as it is a great example of our commitment to making ambitious, intelligent theatre at our base in Newcastle and touring it nationally. The TMA Award nominations are a great reminder of how healthy theatre production is in North East England.”