February to May 2013

F e b r u a r y – M AY 2 0 1 3

www.live.org.uk See life’s dramas unfold at Live Theatre

About Live Theatre

Live Theatre offers everything from world class theatre to standup comedy and music in its beautiful location on Newcastle’s vibrant Quayside. Its historic spaces in Grade II listed buildings create a unique atmosphere with an intimate feel.

In 2013, Live Theatre celebrates 40 years of creating plays on Tyneside.

Location & Travel Information Public Transport Live Theatre is located behind the Law Courts on Newcastle Quayside. It is approximately a 10 minute walk from Monument, Central and Manors Metro.

The QuayLink bus service stops opposite the Law Courts and is a 2 minute walk to Live Theatre.

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

Book tickets by phone or online Call Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or visit www.live.org.uk where it’s 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. Also open from 2 hours before until 30 minutes after evening and weekend performances. For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232 or visit www.live.org.uk

02 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

CONTENTS

Welcome BY MAX ROBERTS, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR EVENT calendar MAIN PRODUCTIONS

P4-5 P6-7 P8-13

Live Theatre’s new plays, or co-productions with other leading theatre companies.

VISITING THEATRE

P14-16

We welcome exciting regional and national visiting theatre companies.

LIVE LAB

P17-19

The most exciting and experimental new theatre in our intimate Studio space.

FAMILY THEATRE

P20-21

Plays and spoken word shows written especially for or by young people including work from our award-winning education programme and Youth Theatre.

LIVE STAND-UP

P22-23

Leading comedians perform original material in both our Main Theatre and intimate Studio Theatre.

LIVE MUSIC

P24-25

Both our Studio and Main Theatres are great spaces to watch the best visiting musicians play.

COURSES & CONFERENCE

P26-27

Learn skills from experienced tutors on courses both at Live Theatre and online.

Friends OF LIVE THEATRE Dining & Drinking TICKETS, SEATS & ACCESS Information

P28-29 P30 p31-36

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

Celebrating

years 2013 sees Live Theatre celebrate its 40th birthday. Throughout this time we’ve given a platform to the region’s finest writing and performance talent.

Many of the plays have been inspired by the places, people and stories of the north east. That they have also been seen on national and international stages is not only a testimony to their quality and universality but also the rich and distinctive cultural identity of our region.

We are delighted to announce a special year-long relationship with Port Of Tyne to support our 40th anniversary. Celebrating their own 45th anniversary, this partnership with the Port will enable us to deliver a programme recognising Live Theatre’s own strong connections to the river, the Port and the trading heritage of the region.

In partnership with

So it’s a special year for us and we’ve tried to devise a programme of plays and events that will live in the memory for as long as some of the many triumphs seen on our stages over the last 40 years.

We kick off with a real birthday surprise.

White Rabbit, Red Rabbit by Nassim Soleimanpour allows us to invite performers, writers and friends long

04 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

of world class theatre associated with the company back to Live Theatre for a unique one off performance.

Every night will feature a different artist who will perform this intriguing play and I’m sure an exciting and ‘edgy’ atmosphere will pervade the theatre as nobody (including the performer) will know exactly what will transpire.

Live Witness is a special project created to celebrate the opening of The Schoolhouse at the back of our building, the latest in our complex of beautifully restored spaces. Audiences will tour the whole building and see and hear performances in unlikely places culminating in a startling presentation from within the old 17th century Schoolhouse which we are delighted to have brought back into the public domain. Following this performance the building will house office space for a number of small cultural businesses.

We have lots more in the pipeline for the rest of the birthday year so watch out for projects and plays by some of Live Theatre’s favourite writers including Lee Hall and two new and exciting talents in Paddy Campbell and Nick Payne (winner of the 2013 London Evening Standard best play award for Constellations).

We will also be working together with the Port of Tyne on a new project created especially for Live Theatre’s 40th birthday by the Port of Tyne’s writer in residence Michael Chaplin based on his book Tyne View.

Our most famous play The Pitmen Painters, written by Lee Hall and produced by Bill Kenwright, is back for another national tour including visits to The Theatre Royal, Newcastle and Civic Theatre, Darlington in July.

Finally the Friends of Live Theatre is another new initiative aiming to help secure a future legacy of creative talent.

I hope that you can join Sting, Tim Healy, Shelagh Stephenson, Lee Hall, Melanie Hill, Ron Cook, Michael and Susan Chaplin, Jill Halfpenny and many other supporters in becoming one of our friends in this special year.

Best wishes

Max Roberts Artistic Director Live Theatre

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

February to May 2013 Calendar…

MUSIC

Live Lab

31 Jan

7 Feb

Stand-Up

The Old Tire Swingers + Kentucky Cowtippers Page 24

The Trials of an Invisible Man Page 18

2 Feb

Phil Nichol & Sean Percival Page 22

4 Feb

Stand-Up

9 Feb

Luisa Omielan What Would Beyoncé Do?!

Page 22

QUIZ

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

Live Lab

7 Mar

Tales From The Old World Page 17

Rita Hosking + Archie Brown Page 24

4 Mar

22 Mar

15 Mar

10 Mar

Editor Page 18

Family Theatre

Live Lab

MUSIC

Write Stuff Page 20

MUSIC

23 Mar

Rebecca Pronsky + Bridie Jackson & the Arbour Page 25

11 Mar

Mr Dray ton’s Record Player v isits 19 MARCH 73 UIZ

Q

VISITING THEATRE

18-20 Apr The Space Between Us Page 15

CONFERENCE VISITING THEATRE

30 Apr & 1 May Mess Page 16

APRIL

3 & 4 May

Live Lab

2 May

Staggered Page 19

MAY

06 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

Victor Pasmore & Richard Hamilton Conference Page 27

MUSIC

5 May

The Toy Hearts + Vera van Heeringen Page 25

Stand-Up

MAIN PRODUCTION

10 Feb

Comedy Course Corkers Page 22

MUSIC

Family Theatre

11 Feb

16 & 17 Feb Toy Stories Page 20

Mr Drayton’s Record Player visits 1973 Page 24

Patrick Monahan Shooting From The Lip! Page 23

VISITING THEATRE

4 Apr

MAIN PRODUCTION

Good Breeding Page 19

9 -13 Apr

Captain Amazing Page 10

16 Apr

Family Theatre

11-13 Apr

Michaela’s Mistake Page 21

Bandages Page 14

18 Apr

Scratch Night Page 17

Mr Dray ton’s Record Player visits 1 973

QUIZ MUSIC

Stand-Up

Stand-Up Comedy Course Final Show Page 23

Live Lab

15 Apr

8 Apr

7 & 8 May

27 Feb

White Rabbit, Red Rabbit Page 8

Live Lab

APRIL

Stand-Up

21 Feb 17 Mar

MAIN PRODUCTION

Stand-Up

11 May

14-25 May

Terry Alderton – Series 4 Page 23

Live Witness Page 11

26 May

Mr Drayton presents the Live Theatre Singles Club Page 25

MAIN PRODUCTION

29 May 15 Jun Brilliant Adventures Page 13

13 May

Mr Dray ton’s Record Player visits 1 973

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

MAIN PRODUCTIONS

08 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

MAIN PRODUCTIONS

Thursday 21 February to Sunday 17 March, 7.30PM

White Rabbit, Red Rabbit Live Theatre in association with Aurora Nova Productions

By Nassim Soleimanpour “I was born on Azar 19th, 1360 in Tehran. That’s Tehran, December 10th, 1981 in Christian years...”

Imagine being 29 and forbidden to leave your country.

Nassim Soleimanpour dissects the experience of a whole generation in a wild, utterly original play from Iran.

Forbidden to travel, he turns his isolation to his own advantage with a play that requires no director, no set and a different actor for every performance.

The actors arrive on stage without having seen the script and can only perform the play once. Performers confirmed so far include actors Chris Connel (The Pitmen Painters), John Hodgkinson (A Walk On Part), Hywel Morgan (A Walk On Part), Laura Norton (Faith & Cold Reading), Shaun Prendergast (Emmerdale, Searching for Tom Hadaway), Stephen Tompkinson (Faith & Cold Reading), and writers Stella Duffy and Shelagh Stephenson.

DATES: Thur 21 Feb to Sun 17 Mar PERFORMANCES: Thur-Sun, 7.30pm LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour SUITABILITY: 14+ TICKETS: £14-£10, £5 concs

EARLY BIRD TICKETS: available until Tues 22 Jan. Buy your ticket for just £10 before the performers are announced. (Early Bird tickets are nontransferable).

Performers will be announced on Wednesday 23 January please see www.live.org.uk for details.

Literary Manager, Gez Casey said: “White Rabbit, Red Rabbit is an engaging and powerful allegory. Not only is the play a challenge for the performer, but the audience knows very little about it before they arrive, and are asked to keep the details secret afterwards. It was chosen for our 40th birthday year as it is an engaging piece of writing with a strong social message. It’s also a great opportunity to welcome back performers with a long association with the company.”

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

MAIN PRODUCTIONS

Tuesday 9 to Saturday 13 April, 7.30pm

Captain Amazing Written by Alistair McDowall Directed by Clive Judd Performed by Mark Weinman

DATES: Tues 9 to Sat 13 Apr, 7.30pm LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 1hr 10mins SUITABILITY: 14+ TICKETS: £14-£10, £5 concs

My Dad is a superhero.

No one else knows but that’s cos it has to stay a secret, cos all superheroes have to not tell people they’re superheroes, cos they just can’t.

Him and my Mum don’t live in the same house anymore cos that’s what happens sometimes and everyone has different parents. He lives next door which is actually very lucky don’t you think? I can go round whenever I want.

Alistair McDowall’s play Brilliant Adventures is being performed at Live Theatre from Wednesday 29 May to Saturday 15 June, see page 12 for details.

Captain Amazing was one of the winners of Live Theatre and The Empty Space’s Bursary for our 2012 FUSES: New Writing Festival. This is the first full production of this funny “I loved this. The writing was and poignant one man show, which will transfer to the brilliant and the acting was Edinburgh Fringe in August 2013. excellent. Funny, touching Alistair McDowall is a 2011 Bruntwood Prize Winner.

Captain Amazing is directed by Clive Judd, Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme Bursary Winner 2011/12.

10 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

and compelling.”

Audience Feedback, 2012 FUSES: New Writing Festival

MAIN PRODUCTIONS

Tuesday 14 to SATURday 25 May

DATES: Tues 14 to Sat 25 May

Live Witness

PERFORMANCES: Tues-Sun, 6.30pm & 9pm

From an idea by Stella Duffy Directed by Annie Rigby and Amy Golding

LOCATION: Across Live Theatre’s buildings

There are sights audiences never see. Voices heard only in earpieces. People that stay invisible, sharing their own stories in the darkness.

Join us for a theatrical tour that reveals the secrets of Live Theatre. Discover laughter, memories and characters in unexpected places on a journey through Live Theatre’s beautiful buildings, old and new. Prepare to be entertained and enchanted by a promenade performance that opens doors, draws back curtains, listens at windows and tells tales.

DURATION: Approx 70mins SUITABILITY: 12+ TICKETS: £12-£10, £5 concs Places are limited so early booking is advised.

This unique performance, specially commissioned for the company’s 40th birthday celebrations, will be directed by two of the region’s brightest theatrical talents: Annie Rigby (Artistic Director, Unfolding Theatre) and Amy Golding (Artistic Director, Theatre Auracaria). Places are limited so early booking is advised.

Artistic Director, Max Roberts said: “Live Witness gives audiences wider access to our wonderful buildings. It will introduce The Schoolhouse, our latest social enterprise project, which brings an important historical building back into use as part of our complex of beautifully restored buildings.”

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

MAIN PRODUCTIONS

12 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

MAIN PRODUCTIONS

WEDNESDAY 29 May to Saturday 15 June

DATES: Wed 29 May to Sat 15 Jun

Brilliant Adventures

LOCATION: Main Theatre

The Royal Exchange Theatre and Live Theatre co-production Written by Alistair McDowall Directed by Caroline Steinbeis

DURATION: Approx 1hr 50mins

Nineteen-year-old science genius Luke finally has some peace to work on the extraordinary box in his living room, holed up in a dingy flat on a nearabandoned Middlesbrough housing estate.

MATINEES: Sun 9 Jun, 4pm, Thur 13 & Sat 15 Jun, 2pm

SUITABILITY: 14+, contains strong language PERFORMANCES: Tue-Sat, 7.30pm

After his unbalanced brother Rob introduces him to a wealthy out-of-towner they’re thrown into a dangerous world that threatens to tear the brothers apart and unleash the power inside his invention…

Brilliant Adventures is a fast paced tale of brotherhood, addiction and breaking the laws of physics.

Written by Alistair McDowall (currently on attachment with Paines Plough and Channel 4), Brilliant Adventures was awarded a Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting in 2011 and was part of the Royal Court Theatre’s Young Writers Festival 2012. Brilliant Adventures is Alistair directed by JMK Young Director McDowall’s other Award winner Caroline Steinbeis.

play Captain Amazing is being performed at Live Theatre in April (see page 10 for more details) and will transfer to the Edinburgh Fringe in August this year.

Preview: Wed 29 May Opening night: Thur 30 May AFTERSHOW DISCUSSION: Sat 15 Jun, 4pm TICKETS: £14£10, £5 concs Wed 29 May, 7.30pm Thur 30 May, 7.30pm Tues 4 Jun, 7.30pm Wed 5 Jun, 7.30pm Thur 6 Jun, 7.30pm Sun 9 Jun, 4pm Tues 11 Jun, 7.30pm Wed 12 Jun, 7.30pm Thur 13 Jun, 2pm Sat 15 Jun, 2pm

TICKETS: £18£10, £10 concs Fri 31 May, 7.30pm Sat 1 Jun, 7.30pm Fri 7 Jun, 7.30pm Sat 8 Jun, 7.30pm Thur 13 Jun, 7.30pm TICKETS: £22£15, £15 concs Fri 14 Jun, 7.30pm Sat 15 Jun, 7.30pm

Wed 12 Jun, 7.30pm

Thur 13 Jun, 7.30pm

Fri 14 Jun, 6.30pm

Fri 14 Jun, 7.30pm

Literary Manager, Gez Casey said: “We are delighted to be working with The Royal Exchange Theatre on this Bruntwood Prize winning play in which Alistair has created a world where the extraordinary is entirely ordinary and we watch the mundane turn into the fantastical.”

To book online visit www.live.org.uk 13

VISITING THEATRE

TUESDAY 16 APRIL, 7.30PM

DATE: Tues 16 Apr, 7.30pm

Bandages

LOCATION: Main Theatre

Presented by TEG Productions and Corn Exchange, Newbury Written and directed by Kirsty Housley

SUITABILITY: 14+ contains some nudity and violence

Surrounded by newspapers detailing horrific local crimes, two sisters build a fragile and fantastical web of stories in order to keep the dangers outside at bay. But when reality finally crashes in, their carefully constructed world can never be the same.

Kirsty Housley is an award-winning director (inaugural Oxford Samuel Beckett Theatre Trust Award, 2011 Northern Stage Title Pending Award) who has worked for Complicite, the National Theatre, West Yorkshire Playhouse, RSC, Told By An Idiot and Paines Plough.

Her debut play as a writer is a taut psychological thriller about what happens when you love someone so much that all you want to do is protect them.

Previous praise for Kirsty Housley’s work: “Innovative, brave, beautiful” Time Out

IMAGE: Alvaro Tapia-Hidalgo

14 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

DURATION: Approx 1hr 30mins

TICKETS: £14-£10, £5 concs

Written and workshopped with the support of the National Theatre Studio and New Writing South, Bandages was commissioned

by Corn Exchange, Newbury and is funded by Arts Council England.

VISITING THEATRE

Thursday 18 to Saturday 20 April

DATES: Thur 18 to Sat 20 Apr, 7.30pm

The Space Between Us

MATINEE: Fri 19 Apr, 2pm

Presented by Open Clasp Theatre Company

LOCATION: Main Theatre

The North East of England is in the grip of a storm on a biblical scale.

DURATION: Approx 1hr 30mins

Three months of rain fall in one day, roads are closed, rivers are bursting their banks, and the region is submerged under water. Blown from four corners of the earth, four women seek sanctuary, security and refuge.

TICKETS: £14-£10, £5 concs

SUITABILITY: 13+

Fri 19 Apr, 7.30pm

However, all is not as it should be and the women find themselves in a battle, not only with the rising tide and with each other, but with humanity itself.

“Truly a treasure of the North East” British Theatre Guide

Max Roberts, Artistic Director, Live Theatre said: “I’m delighted to welcome back Open Clasp, a local company that I really admire. Their work is always accessible, popular and important and offers a welcome and timely response to issues of inequality and prejudice.”

MAIN Photo: Zbigniew Kotkiewicz

To book online visit www.live.org.uk 15

VISITING THEATRE

“Comes perilously close to genius and announces Horton as a major major talent” ★★★★ Time Out, Financial Times, Evening Standard and Metro

Tuesday 30 April & Wednesday 1 May, 7.30pm

Mess

DATES: Tues 30 Apr & Wed 1 May, 7.30pm LOCATION: Main Theatre

Produced by China Plate

By Caroline Horton

DURATION: Approx 70mins

Josephine is putting on a play - Boris and Sistahl help. It’s about anorexia. But don’t let that put you off.

Unflinchingly they confront big issues (and extremely tiny ones). Today they will tackle a particularly thin elephant in the room.

WORKSHOP: Wed 1 May, 2pm

Obsession, addiction and not wanting to get out of bed: a play with songs from You’re Not Like Other Girls Chrissy creator Caroline Horton.

WEDNESDAY 1 MAY, 2PM

Workshop with the Company: Turning Personal Stories into Compelling Theatre This workshop explores techniques to turn a personal story into a beautiful, exciting piece of theatre.

Free, but booking essential

Wednesday 1 May, 8.45pm

Post Show Discussion Writer Caroline Horton and the creative team will discuss how the show came about, the creative process and discuss responses to the show.

Free, but booking essential

16 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

SUITABILITY: 13+ POST SHOW DISCUSSION: Wed 1 May, 8.45pm TICKETS: £14-£10, £5 concs

LIVE LAB

Live Lab: Experimenting with new work first

Bringing you the most exciting and experimental new theatre in our intimate Studio space.

Sponsored by:

Friday 15 March, 6pm

Thursday 18 April, 8pm

Tales From The Old World

Scratch Night

We’re thrilled to welcome back sleepdogs, the creators of The Bullet and The Brass Trombone which went down a storm at our Scratch Night back in April last year.

Our hugely popular Scratch Night returns, featuring some of the best new theatre from the region and elsewhere.

They’ve just won our Emerging Artists bursary and are developing a brand new show inspired by our fabulous city and its surroundings.

Come and see the very beginnings of this exciting new project and tell us what you think over a drink in the bar afterwards.

DATE: Fri 15 Mar, 6pm LOCATION: Studio Theatre DURATION: Approx 1hr SUITABILITY: 16+ TICKETS: £3 including a drink

Jointly curated by Live Theatre and The Empty Space, the evening consists of short performances of work in development in the Studio followed by lively discussions with writers, directors, artists and audience members afterwards in the bar. We’ll even provide a free glass of wine to get the conversation going. It’s an opportunity to see interesting work at an early stage and even help to influence its development.

See www.live.org.uk for the companies taking part.

DATE: Thur 18 Apr, 8pm LOCATION: Studio Theatre DURATION: Approx 1hr 45mins, including an interval SUITABILITY: 16+ TICKETS: £5

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

LIVE LAB

Thursday 7 February, 8pm

Thursday 7 March, 8pm

The Trials of an Invisible Man

Editor

Written and performed by Mike Edwards Part of Live Arcade

Written and performed by Claire Murphy Morgan Part of Live Arcade

A comic adventure combining spoken word, stand-up comedy and theatre.

Paying affectionate homage to HG Wells’ character and to classic science fiction and horror movies, the Invisible Man wrestles with his own inner torment, ghosts from his past and a giant Komodo dragon.

One day in March, a woman has a diary containing intimate reflections on the last three years of her life stolen from her car.

Searching amongst wheelie bins and rubbish for her discarded words, she reconsiders her past, her values, and what she can find through what she has lost.

DATE: Thur 7 Feb, 8pm

DATE: Thur 7 Mar, 8pm

LOCATION: Studio Theatre

LOCATION: Studio Theatre

DURATION: Approx 75mins

DURATION: Approx 1hr

SUITABILITY: 14+

SUITABILITY: 16+, contains strong language

TICKETS: £5

TICKETS: £5

Gez Casey, Literary Manager said: “Live Theatre is delighted to be teaming up with our colleagues at ARC in Stockton to showcase work from their Arcade group of artists and theatre makers as part of our Live Lab season.”

18 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

LIVE LAB

Thursday 4 April, 8pm

Thursday 2 May, 8pm

Good Breeding

Staggered

Written and performed by Kate Fox Part of Live Arcade

Written by Dan Perry Directed by Helen Ferguson Part of Live Arcade

What’s life for if you don’t want children?

Stand-up, writer and Radio 4 regular Kate Fox uses this funny, thoughtful feel good show to try and find the answer. Join her journey which might involve baking, sea monkeys and the singing of Happy Birthday. “Funny, quirky and a wonderful writer” Sarah Millican (Comedian).

DATE: Thur 4 Apr, 8pm LOCATION: Studio Theatre

Waiting for Godot meets The Hangover in a new play about the perils of the stag do.

Tim was unsure what to expect from his brother-in-law’s stag do, but a chance encounter with the Stag’s lager-swilling and self-titled ‘best mate’ – the mysterious Mr. Jazz – leads to inebriated mayhem.

But Tim’s intuition senses something more sinister at play...

DURATION: Approx 1hr

DATE: Thur 2 May, 8pm

SUITABILITY: 16+

LOCATION: Studio Theatre

TICKETS: £5

DURATION: Approx 75mins SUITABILITY: 16+, contains strong language TICKETS: £5

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

FAMILY THEATRE

Family Theatre: Theatre written especially for or by young people, including by our award-winning education programme and Youth Theatre.

SATURDAY 16 & SUNDAY 17 February, 7.30pm FRIDAY 22 MARCH, 7.30PM

Toy Stories

Write Stuff

Have you ever received a toy you didn’t like? Lost a toy you couldn’t live without? Do you have a favourite toy?

Do toys expand the imagination? Or is it just a corporate money making scheme?

Six new short plays written by 13 and 14 year olds from the East End of Newcastle are performed for the very first time as script-in-hand readings by professional actors and members of Live’s Youth Theatre.

Join Live’s Youth Theatre as they take a magical journey into the world of toys.

Ten groups present ten short plays over two nights. Toy Stories is an ideal half term treat for all the family.

Showcasing the concerns of young people today, the plays have been developed in partnership with Benfield School in Walkergate as part of Write Stuff, Live Theatre’s new writing residency which gives young teen voices a platform through theatre.

DATES: Sat 16 & Sun 17 Feb, 7.30pm LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 1hr 45mins, including an interval

DATE: Fri 22 Mar, 7.30pm

SUITABILITY: 5+

DURATION: Approx 1hr 30mins

TICKETS: £8; £6 concs

SUITABILITY: 11+

LOCATION: Studio Theatre

TICKETS: £8; £6 concs

20 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

FAMILY THEATRE

“What a fabulous initiative and what a marvellous thrilling night at the theatre.”

The Good Review

Thursday 11 to Saturday 13 April, 7.30pm

DATES: Thur 11 to Sat 13 Apr, 7.30pm

Michaela’s Mistake

LOCATION: Studio Theatre

Written by Chelsey Cleminson

DURATION: Approx 40mins

Michaela is about to make a mistake. The same mistake any lonely, insecure school girl might make. For the first time in her life a beautiful young lad with abs and a suntan fancies her. But Facebook isn’t real life is it?

This play shows how easily an alternative world can be created over the internet and how quickly that world can come tumbling down.

Written by Chelsey Cleminson from Excelsior Academy when she was just 12 years old, Michaela’s Mistake was originally developed as part of Live Theatre’s Write Stuff project and was performed as part of I’m Just Saying… in October 2012.

SUITABILITY: Ages 12+ TICKETS: £8; £6 concs

Michaela’s Mistake will go on a tour of regional schools in April 2013. See www.live.org.uk/ education or email samantha@live.org.uk for information on booking the schools tour available FREE for KS3 classes.

Artistic Director, Max Roberts said: Michaela’s Mistake by Chelsey Cleminson is a compelling and prescient play superbly written, performed and directed. It was created initially as part of our young writers’ initiative Write Stuff and has been expanded and developed for presentation here and for a tour of local schools. It’s a ‘must see’ believe me.”

To book online visit www.live.org.uk 21

LIVE STAND-UP

Stand-Up:

Leading comedians perform original material, IN our Main Theatre and intimate Studio Theatre

Sat 2 Feb, 8.30pm

Sat 9 Feb, 8pm

Sun 10 Feb, 8pm

Phil Nichol & Sean Percival

What Would Beyoncé Do?!

Comedy Course Corkers

Presented by The Grinning By Luisa Omielan Idiot Comedy Club All the Single

Phil Nichol and Ladies, all the Sean Percival Single Ladies! are two of the You know when best headline you fall Crazy acts in the country. Phil In Love, but it all goes Nichol is a truly unique wrong and you’re like Me, performer and award Myself and I, but then you winning comedian, whose Get Me Bodied, you’re like high energy act leaves he’s the Best Thing I Never the audience breathless.

Had! I must have bumped my head, because Who “Seismically powerful award-winning comic force” Runs The World? Well, if like The Scotsman. me, you’re an Independent Sean Percival looks like the Woman still living with your bass player in a heavy rock mumma, come check up on What Would Beyoncé band. He’s not surreal, not whacky just bloody funny. “I Do?! It’s the smash hit show from the Edinburgh Festival was in hysterics...a master and sell out London run, so of comedy timing” BBC. Come Say Hello and let’s get DATE: Sat 2 Feb, 8.30pm this party Jumpin’ Jumpin’.

LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 2hrs 30mins, including 2 intervals SUITABILITY: 18+ TICKETS: £12, £10 concs Please note that this show starts later than normal, at 8.30pm.

To celebrate the fifth anniversary of Live Theatre’s highly successful courses in stand-up comedy, we’re bringing together the tutors and welcoming back former students for a unique night of comic entertainment. John Scott and Vladimir McTavish are joined by comedy graduates Lauren Pattison and Lewis Gray (both now regulars on the comedy circuit) along with the very best comics from the first adult course in 2012. And, if you feel inspired to have a go yourself, see page 26 for details of the next Stand-Up Comedy Course beginning in April 2013.

DATE: Sun 10 Feb, 8pm LOCATION: Main Theatre

DATE: Sat 9 Feb, 8pm

DURATION: Approx 2hrs

LOCATION: Main Theatre

SUITABILITY: 16+

DURATION: 1hr 10mins

TICKETS: £12, £10 concs

SUITABILITY: 18+ TICKETS: £12, £10 concs

Sponsored by:

22 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

LIVE STAND-UP

Wed 27 Feb, 7.30pm

Tues 7 & Wed 8 May, 8pm

Sat 11 May, 8.30pm

Patrick Monahan Shooting From The Lip!

Stand-Up Comedy Course Final Show

Terry Alderton Series 4

Join the graduates of our Presented by The Grinning stand-up comedy course in Idiot Comedy Club

Brilliant standthis special gig in our Studio up from the Following Theatre space, as they loveable his critically present the routines they Teessider acclaimed have honed over the last renowned for smash hit six weeks. See page 26 for his superb anecdotes.

Edinburgh course details.

Brought up by his Iranian shows award-winning Mother and Irish Dad in DATE: Tues 7 & Wed 8 May, comedian Terry Alderton Middlesbrough, he has 8pm is back on tour. His brand many hilarious and engaging LOCATION: Studio Theatre new show is a spellbinding stories about his heritage.

DURATION: Approx 2hrs combination of noises, “He has the dark looks and the voices, the shoes, SUITABILITY: 16+ stubble of the Middle East, incredible physicality and a TICKETS: £5 married to the charm of the mind-blowing insight into Irish and the sense of fun of the inner workings of a the Teessider. Omid Djalili fantastic comedy mind. meets Dave Allen you might Terry is quite simply the say.” Daily Mail most exciting live act working in comedy today!

DATE: Wed 27 Feb, 7.30pm LOCATION: Main Theatre

DATE: Sat 11 May, 8.30pm

DURATION: Approx. 1hr 45mins, including an interval

LOCATION: Main Theatre

SUITABILITY: 14+

SUITABILITY: 18+

TICKETS: £12, £10 concs

TICKETS: £12, £10 concs

DURATION: Approx 1hr

Please note that this show starts later than normal, at 8.30pm.

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

LIVE MUSIC

MUSIC:

Thursday 31 January, 8pm

The Old Tire Swingers (USA) + Kentucky Cowtippers Presented by Jumpin’ Hot Club The Old Tire Swingers are a young – old-timey String band out of Fresno, California USA playing original and hot traditional old time, bluegrass, country and Americana music plus special added bonus - local bluegrass hobos Kentucky Cowtippers.

DATE: Thur 31 Jan, 8pm LOCATION: Studio Theatre DURATION: Approx 3hrs TICKETS: £12

Both our Studio and Main TheatreS are great spaces to watch the best visiting musicians play

MondayS: 11 February, 11 March, 15 April, 13 May

Sunday 10 March, 8pm

To celebrate Live Theatre’s 40th birthday, vinyl aficionado Steve Drayton brings us four special editions of Mr Drayton’s Record Player.

Jumpin’ Hot Club

Rita Hosking (USA) + Mr Drayton’s Record Archie Brown Player visits 1973 Presented by From Shasta County, California, Rita Hosking sings original mountain roots music – soulful ballads and old time drive, With the birth of Live a kind of cross between the Theatre 1973 was a haunting delivery of Gillian golden year. It was also an Welch and the richness of exceptional year for music Iris Dement. Then there are and we invite you to vote the songs, wow, can this for your favourite album. girl write. Altogether, Rita is The top four will be unveiled a talent that you just don’t and played in their entirety come across every day. on vinyl in the comfort of Local country roots legends the Undercroft.

Archie Brown and Pat View and vote for the top Rafferty play a rare duo set albums on www.live.org.uk as support. and to discover the final four.

DATE: Sun 10 Mar, 8pm DATES: Mon 11 Feb, 7.30pm Mon 11 Mar, 7.30pm Mon 15 Apr, 7.30pm Mon 13 May, 7.30pm LOCATION: Atrium Bar and Undercroft DURATION: Approx 2hrs TICKETS: £5

24 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

LOCATION: Studio Theatre DURATION: Approx 3hrs TICKETS: £12

LIVE MUSIC

Saturday 23 March, 8pm

SUNDAY 5 MAY, 8pm

Sunday 26 May, 7.30pm

Rebecca Pronsky (USA) + Bridie Jackson & The Arbour

The Toy Hearts + Vera van Heeringen

Mr Drayton presents the Live Theatre Singles Club

Presented by Jumpin’ Hot Club

Presented by Jumpin’ Hot Club

The Birmingham based family Bluegrass/Western Swing outfit, The Toy Hearts Rebecca Pronsky is one have carved out their own of New York City’s finest niche in the Americana singers and songwriters and Roots music scene. playing a unique blend of twangy and dark Americana They are the only UK act to have received long music. list nominations by the “A fabulous act who International Bluegrass capture and charm an Music Association. This is audience” Sounds in the a sort of farewell tour as Suburbs. they are relocating to Austin Texas USA in 2013.

Bridie Jackson & The Arbour are a local based Plus support from guitarist four-piece, who use sparse and singer Vera van instrumentation and Heeringen whose selfintriguing vocal harmonies penned songs and virtuoso to create music that is bluegrass guitar playing is simultaneously beautiful, bold, modern bluegrass ethereal, dark and powerful. shot through with nostalgia and bittersweet melancholy.

DATE: Sat 23 Mar, 8pm LOCATION: Studio Theatre

DATE: Sun 5 May, 8pm

DURATION: Approx 3hrs

LOCATION: Studio Theatre

TICKETS: £12

DURATION: Approx 3hrs

Everyone has a fave 45.

In his second special event, join Mr Drayton as he discovers the 7˝ delights as chosen by the great and the good who have passed through the doors of Live Theatre over the past 40 years. Contributors tell why their single is the best, then at the end of the night, the audience votes for the best.

DATE: Sun 26 May, 7.30pm LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 3hrs TICKETS: £7

TICKETS: £12

To book online visit www.live.org.uk 25

COURSES & CONFERENCE

Courses at Live Theatre

Six Tuesdays from Tuesday 2 April

Five Thursdays from Thursday 2 May

Stand-Up Comedy

Introduction to Playwriting

Following the popularity of the inaugural Stand-Up Workshops for adults in autumn 2012, we are pleased to offer another opportunity for you to hone your comedy performance skills.

Live Theatre’s ever popular Introduction To Playwriting course returns for five Thursdays in May.

Tutors John Scott and Vladimir McTavish, with special guests, guide you through creating an on stage character, using improvisation and stagecraft and shaping your material into a workable routine that you can try out at a special gig at the end of the course in Live’s Studio Theatre.

Places are limited please visit www.live.org.uk/courses or ring the box office to book your place.

DATES: Tues 2 April to Tues 7 May, 7-9pm Final Shows on Tues 7 and Wed 8 May, 8pm LOCATION: Studio Theatre COST: £100; £60 concs

With a combination of practical exercises and discussion, you can learn the key elements of the writing for the stage: narrative development, theatrical dialogue, character progression, structure and strategies for overcoming writers block.

Many students from the course have gone on to have work produced professionally, including Lee Mattinson, Fiona Evans and Paddy Campbell.

Places are limited and the deadline for applications is Friday 19 April. If you would like to take part, then visit www.live.org.uk/courses or email degna@live.org.uk for more details.

DATES: Thur 2 to Thur 30 May, 6.30-9pm LOCATION: The Gallery COST: FREE, booking essential

26 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

COURSES & CONFERENCE

Friday 3 & Saturday 4 May

Wednesday 22 May, 5.30PM

Conference

Want to Be A Playwright?

Victor Pasmore and Richard Hamilton: the artists who made Newcastle a focus for radical innovation and artistic experiment Introduced by Lee Hall Organised by Frances Spalding, Professor of Art History, Newcastle University A two day conference in which leading art historians and alumni from Newcastle University debate the Pasmore/Hamilton legacy. The event will include scholarship, oral history and lively discussion about the art and ideas of the artists who made Newcastle a centre for innovation and radical art and design in the 1950s and 1960s.

Tickets, which include lunch and refreshments, will be available after Friday 15 March from Live Theatre.

DATES: Fri 3 May 11am-6pm, Sat 4 May 10am-1pm

Join Gez Casey, Live Theatre’s Literary Manager, as he introduces Live Theatre’s unique online course www.beaplaywright.com Find out more about more about the five step by step modules, each covering different aspects of playwriting, the practical tried and tested exercises students are asked to complete, and the exclusive video clips of great dramatists as they offer the benefits of their experience.

New for 2013 the course will now include new videos clips from writers Stella Duffy (The Book Of Ruth (And Naomi), Breaststrokes), Mike Kenny (The Railway Children, 13.1) and Michael Chaplin (A Walk On Part) who were all interviewed about their writing practice.

Writers who attend this event will receive an exclusive promotional code offering a discount on the course.

DATES: Wed 22 May, 5.30pm

LOCATION: Throughout Live Theatre

LOCATION: Main Theatre

COST: £40, £30 concs

DURATION: Approx 1hr COST: FREE, booking essential

To book online visit www.live.org.uk 27

FRIENDS OF LIVE THEATRE

Be our friend and make a difference

Join Friends of Live Theatre and help us celebrate 40 years of making plays on Tyneside

Becoming a Friend is an exciting new way of showing your support for Live Theatre.

Our Friends receive exclusive benefits including discounted tickets, behindthe-scenes access, invitations to special events and a discount at the Atrium Bar. All from as little as £5 a month.

All the money raised will directly contribute towards one Live Theatre production each year acknowledged as being ‘supported by the Friends of Live Theatre’.

The support of the Friends of Live Theatre will help us continue to develop creative talent, unlock the potential of young people through our education and outreach programmes and create new plays of a world class quality into the future.

As a registered charity we can also claim gift aid on your membership, which makes your support go further.

How to become a Friend of Live Theatre Pick up a form at the theatre, request one by emailing friends@live.org.uk, phoning (0191) 269 3498 or see www.live.org.uk/friends

28 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

FRIENDS OF LIVE THEATRE

There are three categories of Live Theatre Friends, each offering a wide range of membership benefits:

Friend From £5 a month • 2 for 1 ticket offers on selected shows • Free ticket exchanges • 10% off drinks at the bar

Good Friend From £10 a month Receive all the Friend benefits plus: • invitations to season launches • An invitation to a guest night and pre performance reception • Acknowledgement on Live Theatre’s website • 10% discount on any Live Theatre courses

Best Friend From £25 a month Receive all the Friend and Good Friend benefits plus: • An annual exclusive backstage event • Acknowledgement in our seasonal brochures • Acknowledgement in play texts (when printed) • An invitation to a guest night and post performance reception

Our Best Friends Mr & Mrs Bates Jim Beirne Michael & Susan Chaplin Helen Coyne Lee Hall Tim Healy John Jordan Annette Marlowe Elaine Orrick Ian & Christine Shepherdson Shelagh Stephenson Sting Nick & Melanie Tulip Alison Walton Lucy Winskell

To book online visit www.live.org.uk 29

DINING & DRINKING

We offer a range of drinking and dining options for before, after, or during the show.

The Broad Chare The Broad Chare is a proper pub serving proper food and was recently awarded a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand. A unique partnership between Live Theatre and 21 Hospitality Group a proportion of the turnover is invested back into the work of Live Theatre.

The bar downstairs is the perfect place for a drink before the show and the bar snacks, including their now famous Scotch Eggs, are not to be missed.

Serving dinner from 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, there’s plenty of time for dinner before the show. With a

dish of the day, a specials board showcasing fresh local ingredients and an a la carte menu, choosing what to have is the difficult bit.

For more information visit www.thebroadchare.co.uk To make a reservation call (0191) 211 2144

Caffé Vivo

The Atrium Bar

For a tasty Italian pre-theatre supper then look no further than Caffé Vivo for simple, authentic Italian food cooked with passion.

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.

Before the show, share an antipasto board with a cocktail or choose from the 2 course fixed price menu which is served Tuesday to Friday from 12noon to 10pm – you won’t miss the opening act and you can always go back for dessert after the curtain falls.

For more information visit www.caffevivo.co.uk To make a reservation call 0191 232 1331

30 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

INFORMATION

Hire Live Theatre

Why not take a Seat?

With its quirky historic spaces and unique atmosphere Live Theatre is the perfect venue for a range of events. We can host seminars, conferences, parties and even weddings. All hires are fully supported by Live Theatre’s highly experienced technical and front of house teams and a range of catering options are available to meet everyone’s needs.

Buying a seat in the auditorium is a great way to support the company; they make an ideal present and can be used to mark occasions such as birthdays or anniversaries or to remember someone special who enjoyed happy times at the Theatre.

Why not take a look around Live Theatre via the online virtual tours by visiting www.live.org.uk/360

Seats cost £195 and can be paid for in 10 monthly instalments of £19.50. Your seat dedication can be up to 10 words long and will remain on the seat for many years to come.

For information on how to buy a seat For more information or to make a booking contact gillian@live.org.uk or ring please contact: Holly on (0191) 269 3499 (0191) 269 3498. or email holly@live.org.uk

To book online visit www.live.org.uk 31

INFORMATION

Main Theatre Seating SIDE SEATS

Cabaret Area

Fixed Seating

SIDE SEATS

Main Theatre Seats There is a range of seating options across our Main Theatre including our cabaret area and our fixed seats on the ground floor and balcony. Wherever you choose, audiences at Live Theatre are never far from the action.

Cabaret Our unique cabaret area has free standing chairs and tables offering an intimate view of the performance with a social atmosphere. Cabaret seating is unreserved and allocated on a first come first served basis when the doors to the theatre open.

Fixed Seating On our ground floor and balcony are more traditional rows of fixed theatre seating.

Side Seats A limited number of side seats in the fixed seating on the ground floor and balcony are available for slightly lower prices and may have a limited view.

Accessible Seats Standard fixed seating prices apply to accessible seats although they may be located in the cabaret area.

When making a booking please let our box office staff know of any access needs that you have so they can allocate the most appropriate seats.

32 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

Select your own seat When booking for our main house you can select your own seat online at www.live.org.uk.

When booking by phone or in person, our box office staff will discuss your choice of seating with you.

INFORMATION

& O ver Retired 60 &

Fi

£22

Theatre PURPLE Performances

£20

£15

£15

–

Theatre PINK Performances

£18

£16

£10

£10

£2 off

Cabaret/Fixed Seats

Theatre BLUE Performances

£14

£2 off Cabaret

Cabaret/Fixed Seats

Main Theatre Comedy

–

£10

£12 £12

£10 –

C abaret

Students C oncessions

xed (G ro Seating un d & Ba Side lco Seats ny)

Main Theatre Ticket Prices

£5 £10

Main Theatre ticket prices We have introduced a wider range of ticket prices to include cheaper priced seats for all performances and lower ticket prices for students and concessions from just £5.

Our Main Theatre performances now have a colour classification on different nights with a range of prices depending on the type of seat that you choose: Purple for peak performances at weekends and towards the end of the performance run.

Pink for mid week and mid demand performances.

Blue for previews, matinees, off-peak or shorter performances.

Concessions Students, under 16s, those on disability and unemployment benefits can get £15 tickets on Purple performances, £10 tickets on Pink performances and £5 tickets on Blue performances for the best available seats.

One ticket per concession holder and appropriate proof of concession will be required when collecting tickets from the box office.

Over 60 and retired Receive £2 off on Pink and Blue performances on seats in cabaret and fixed seating for theatre productions.

Group/teacher/tutor discount Interested in bringing a group along to see a show? For every 10 tickets bought Live Theatre’s great group discount gives one additional ticket free.

Comedy gigs in the Main Theatre are £12 and £10 for concessions, students and over 60s.

Music events in the Main Theatre may be either general admission or reserved seating, and prices vary. Please check when booking your tickets.

To book online visit www.live.org.uk 33

INFORMATION

Studio Theatre Seating & Tickets

Booking Tickets

Live’s intimate Studio Theatre is located on the third floor and provides a flexible space ideal for rehearsed readings, acoustic music and more experimental work in our Live Lab programme.

Book tickets by phone or online Call the box office on (0191) 232 1232 or visit www.live.org.uk where it is easy to book tickets online.

Seats in our Studio Theatre are unreserved and allocated on a first come first served basis when the doors to the theatre open.

Ticket numbers do not refer to a particular seat and we recommend that you arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the show.

Studio Theatre Prices Most Live Lab events are just £5. Studio shows are £12 and £10 for concessions, students and over 60s and retired.

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

Ticket Exchanges Up to 24 hours before a performance, for a fee of £1 per ticket (up to a maximum of £5 per transaction), we can exchange your tickets for another date or performance where available, or credit your account. Friends of Live Theatre can exchange their tickets without the exchange fee.

MAIN Photo: STUDIO THEATRE

34 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

INFORMATION

Assisted Performances

Access

Live Theatre offers a range of assisted performances throughout the year aimed at improving the theatre experience for all our audience members. They should not affect or distract from the performances for other audience members.

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.

Watch out for the following symbols to find a performance that meets your needs:

ritish Sign Language A BSL B interpreter is positioned on or next to the stage to communicate in a nonverbal language.

Captioning The words spoken by the performers are displayed as text on a screen on or next to the stage, similar to television subtitles.

We welcome Text Relay calls.

To find out more about assisted performances please visit www.live.org.uk/assisted/performances.

This brochure can be made available in a range of formats. Call with your request on (0191) 229 2373.

Audio Description Through personal headphones a professional describer provides a live commentary of the action on stage between words spoken by the characters.

Touch Tour To compliment an Audio Described show; this is a ‘hands on’ tour of the set describing props, costumes, characters and the visual style of the show especially for visitors with visual impairments.

Internal Hearing Aid Systems can be used for shows in both the Main Theatre and Studio Theatre.

Please let our box office know when you book tickets if you plan to make use of the assisted performances so they can ensure that you are seated in the most appropriate seat.

Photo: carole wears, house manager

To book online visit www.live.org.uk 35

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 For up-to-the-minute information follow Live Theatre on

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

Live Theatre is grateful to the following for funding: The Shears Foundation, RW Mann, The Ironmongers’ Company

J PAUL GETTY JNR

CHARITABLE TRUST