Live Theatre's April to August Seasonal Brochure

April to August 2010 www.live.org.uk

See life’s dramas unfold at Live Theatre

Tickets & Booking Information Book tickets online at www.live.org.uk Visit Live Theatre’s secure website where it is easy to book tickets online.

An average booking will take 5 minutes, tickets can be booked 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tickets can be mailed out, at an extra charge of £1, or can be collected from the box office free of charge, just visit www.live.org.uk Book by phone or in person Call Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or to book in person visit the theatre just off Newcastle’s quayside next to the law courts.

Box office opening times are: Monday to Friday 11.30am to 5.30pm (11.30am to 8pm when there is an evening show). Weekend evening show only 5.30 to 8pm. Weekend matinee days 12 to 8pm.

Returns policy If you provide more than 24 hours notice tickets can be exchanged for other performances and events or credit for the full value can be arranged.

Group discount Interested in bringing a group along to see a show? Then take advantage of Live Theatre’s great group discount - buy 10 tickets and get one additional ticket free.

April to August Highlights…

Preview Be amongst the first to see a new show during the preview period at a discounted price.

Opening Night Celebrate the official first night of a production when there’s always a great air of excitement in the theatre.

Pay What You Can £PWYC PWYC performances offer a great opportunity to see a show at a price you can afford. Tickets for Sunday PWYC performances go on sale at midday on the Friday before.

A maximum of 4 tickets can be booked per transaction.

Do you have friends and family that find it hard to hear or see?

Live Theatre offers a range of assisted performances throughout the year aimed at improving the theatre experience for all audience members. Watch out for the following symbols to find a performance that meets your needs:

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

02 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

Main House 22 April to 22 May Page 5

New Writing Studio Sessions 6 May, 8pm Page 6

Live Stand-Up 4 June, 8pm Page 9

A Northern Odyssey Travel back to 19th century Cullercoats and find out what it was about this North East fishing village and its people that had such a profound impact on the American painter Winslow Homer.

Fifteen Years, Seven Months Find out writers Margaret Wilkinson and Karen Laws take on life in an ASBO world.

Bob Doolally’s Comedy World Cup Countdown If you haven’t got a ticket for this year’s World Cup then join Bob as he share his thoughts and predictions for South Africa 2010 that will have you laughing in the aisles.

Family Theatre 13 & 14 August, 7.30pm Page 11

Live Theatre Hosts...

19 June, 7.30pm Page 12

Live Music 5 June 8pm & 6 June 3pm & 8pm Page 14

DNA Written specially for young performers, as part of the National Theatre’s New Connections programme, DNA is a poignant and sometimes hilarious tale with a very dark heart that has been described as “Grange Hill for the Skins generation”.

Come to Where I’m From Paines Plough’s exciting writers’ project hits Newcastle where selected playwrights will be asked to explain if home is really where the heart is?

The Unthanks Join Mercury Music Prize nominees The Unthanks as they make their Live Theatre debut and perform some of their haunting and emotive tracks.

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

Main House...

Thursday 22 April to Saturday 22 May

DATE: Thurs 22 April to Sat 22 May

04 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

By Shelagh Stephenson Directed by Max Roberts

TICKETS: £12 to £18

Winslow Homer is one the most respected figures in American Art History. In 1998, Bill Gates paid a record $36 million for Homer’s landscape Lost On The Grand Banks* and the painting Inside the Bar, Cullercoats 1883** hangs in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

In 1881, Homer paid a visit to Cullercoats, then a fishing village, and minor artist’s colony. He stayed for almost two years. What brought him there, and why did he stay so long? A Northern Odyssey is a play about love and difference, which looks at art, artists, and outsiders.

Playwright Shelagh Stephenson, who was born in Tynemouth, is an award-winning writer. Her first stage play, The Memory of Water (1997), won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Comedy and her second stage play, An Experiment With An Air Pump (1998), was joint winner of the 1997 Peggy Ramsay Award.

Musical arrangements provided courtesy of Mercury Music Prize nominees The Unthanks.

LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 2 hours including interval SUITABILITY: 12+ PERFORMANCES: Tues to Sat, 7.30pm MATINEES: Sat 8, Thurs 13 & Thurs 20 May, 2pm £PWYC: Sun 16 May, 4pm Please visit www.live.org.uk or call the box office on (0191) 232 1232 for full details of performance dates, times and special events. hurs 22 to T Tues 27 April, 7.30pm W ed 28 April, 7.30pm T hurs 13 May, 7.30pm W ed 19 May, 7.30pm F ri 14 May, 6.15pm

Fri 14 May, IMAGE: Inside the Bar Cullercoats, 1883

IMAGE: Winslow Homer (American, 1836-1910). Hark! The Lark, 1882. Oil on canvas. 36 3/8 x 31 3/8 in. (92.39 x 79.69 cm). Milwaukee Art Museum, Layton Art Collection, Gift of Frederick. Layton L99. Photo by Larry Saunder.

A Northern Odyssey

7.30pm

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

New Writing Studio Sessions

Thursday 6 May, 8pm

Fifteen Years, Seven Months

By Margaret Wilkinson and Karen Laws How can you grow up in a corrupt and violent environment without yourself becoming corrupt and violent? And, if you’re the victim of anti-social behaviour, how do you defend yourself if the forces of law and order can’t or won’t help?

Come and see a work-in-progress reading of a tragiccomic play by Margaret Wilkinson and Karen Laws exploring the moral ambiguities of life in an ASBO world.

Thursday 3 June, 8pm

Moving Families

By Paul Charlton

In the back of a removal van two sets of brothers and sisters, from different backgrounds with very different views, have half an hour to sort their problems out before moving into their new home together.

Moving Families, which explores attitudes to race, was first performed at Live Theatre seven years ago. With the rise of the BNP this funny and provocative short play is more relevant today than ever. The rehearsed reading, performed by members of Live’s Youth Theatre, will be followed by a 30 minute discussion with writer Paul Charlton and director Paul James as they talk about the future development of the play.

06 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

DATE: Thurs 6 May, 8pm TICKETS: £6; £4 concs LOCATION: Studio Theatre DURATION: Approx 60 mins SUITABILITY: 16+ (contains strong language)

DATE: Thurs 3 June, 8pm TICKETS: £6; £4 concs LOCATION: Studio Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour SUITABILITY: 14+

Image: Moving Families performed by Live’s Youth Theatre in 2003

Following on from the success of Live Theatre’s new writing festival Different Stages here are some additional events to keep you going throughout the summer months.

Thursday 8 July, 8pm

DATE: Thurs 8 July, 8pm

Summer Short Cuts Evening Live’s popular writers’ event returns with readings of ten minute extracts from new plays where the audience get to vote for their favourite script. The theme of this season’s event is “Escape”. If you feel inspired to submit a script, please send two hard copies, marked Short Cuts to Live Theatre by Friday 7 June.

TICKETS: £6; £4 concs LOCATION: Studio Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour 45 mins including interval SUITABILITY: 16+

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

Live Stand-Up

Sponsored by:

We are delighted that for the second consecutive year that the laughter is being sponsored by Cramlington based Potts Printing and Packaging.

Live Stand-Up is a regular fixture in the North East’s comedy calendar, taking place in Live’s unique cabaret style venue.

Thursday 27 to Saturday 29 May, 8pm

Gavin Webster: Howay The Laughs!

Following last year’s sell out 3 night run, Tyneside’s very own cult comedian Gavin Webster returns with a brand new show Howay The Laughs. Gavin will tackle local issues from bus surfing, buck fast drinking and over officious Geordie traffic wardens to miserable taxi drivers, rubbish commercial radio stations and the current Ashley goings on up at Barrack Road. He’ll also get stuck into national and international issues such as the Government, the opposition, America and the Middle East as well as concise sardonic songs and rapid fire jokes.

DATES: Thurs 27 to Sat 29 May, 8pm TICKETS: £10; £8 concs LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour 45 mins including interval SUITABILITY: 16+

‘His skill at mixing broad gags with genuinely clever material gave him a flexibility that other comics would kill for.’

Edinburgh Evening News

Bob Doolally’s Comedy World Cup Countdown The retired footballer-cum-alcoholic-pundit-from Hell returns to Live Theatre with some fairly off-the-wall predictions for South Africa 2010. Drink-fuelled rage, innuendo and filth revealing the darker side of the beautiful game. Plus the now legendary Question & Answer sessions. Any question may be asked, any answer will be given.

‘Almost better than football’ The Independent

DATES: Sat 12 June, 8pm

Comic to Comic: Simon Donald

Cheer on the local comic who’s legendary routines have given him a huge cult following in Newcastle, Howay The Laughs!

Friday 4 June, 8pm

Saturday 12 June, 8pm

DATES: Fri 4 June, 8pm TICKETS: £10; £8 concs LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour 45 mins including interval SUITABILITY: 16 + (material contains adult content)

TICKETS: £10; £8 concs

Returning after his previous sell out shows earlier this year, Simon Donald is back with his one-man show that celebrates 30 years of Newcastle’s own Viz comic. The first half is autobiographical, touching on his early life in a talented, eccentric and dysfunctional Newcastle family; the second sees Simon appear on stage as five different comic characters, created since taking to the stage full-time as a stand-up comedian in November of 2008.

DURATION: Approx 2 hours 30 mins including interval SUITABILITY: 16+ (contains strong language)

‘Brilliant. I haven’t laughed so much in ages.

Donald is clearly Newcastle’s second funniest man.’

Ross Noble Thursday 15 to Saturday 31 July, 8pm

DATES: Thurs 15 to Sat 31 July, 8pm

Pre-Edinburgh Previews Look out for details of Live’s Pre-Edinburgh Previews in July. Now a regular feature in the North East’s comedy calendar, the cream of top talent will once again stop off in Newcastle en route to the Fringe.

To find out who will have you laughing in the aisles first, sign up to Live’s free e-news service and receive the latest news to your inbox every two weeks. Simply visit www.live.org.uk and sign up now.

08 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

LOCATION: Main Theatre

TICKETS: £10; £8 concs LOCATION: Main Theatre SUITABILITY: 16+

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

Family Theatre

Wednesday 11 to Sunday 15 August

Playing It Up! Youth Theatre Festival

Thursday 1 to Saturday 3 July, 7.30pm

First Draft Six short plays written by Year 5 & 6 pupils from Christ Church Primary School Enter the imaginations of six 9 to 11 year olds from Newcastle as pupils from Christ Church Primary School, Shieldfield create a range of colourful characters that are brought to life with the help of professional writers, actors and directors. This unique annual project gives young people the chance to take their ideas from page to stage as they create a magical 10 minute play.

Youth Theatre members aged 11 to 25 will be taking over Live Theatre for two weeks, culminating in 5 days of exciting new drama about young people and what makes them tick.

DATES: Thurs 1 July, 1.30pm & 7.30pm Fri 2 July, 7.30pm Sat 3 July, 2pm & 7.30pm

Wednesday 11 August, 4pm & 7.30pm

TICKETS: £6; £4 concs

DATES: Wed 11 August, 4pm & 7.30pm

What’s The Crack?

Family Ticket: £16 (2 adults & 2 children)

An exploration of the perceptions of young people in the 21st century. Are young people really that bad? Are they misunderstood? Is there a generation gap? What are their hopes and fears? Members of Live’s Youth Theatre try to answer these questions through specially created pieces. Performed on the main stage.

LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: 1 hour 30 mins including interval SUITABILITY: For all the family (5+)

To find out more about First Draft and see clips of the plays created in 2008 and 2009 visit the Education & Participation pages of Live Theatre’s website at www.live.org.uk

Thursday 12 August, 2pm & 7.30pm Four talented young writers put pen to paper to produce two exciting double-bills of one-act plays.

Be the first to watch these rehearsed readings by members of Live’s Young Writers Group.

Friday 13 & Saturday 14 August, 7.30pm

DNA

IMAGE: First Draft 2009 and Members of Live’s Youth Theatre

DURATION: Approx 1 hour SUITABILITY: 11 +

TICKETS: £6; £4 concs LOCATION: Studio Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour SUITABILITY: 11 +

DATES: Fri 13 & Sat 14 August, 7.30pm TICKETS: £6; £4 concs

By Dennis Kelly

10 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

LOCATION: Main Theatre

DATES: Thurs 12 August, 2pm & 7.30pm

2-4-1

First Draft is supported by The Gillian Dickinson Charitable Trust & The Hedley Denton Charitable Trust.

TICKETS: £6; £4 concs

A group of teenagers do something bad, really bad, then panic and cover the whole thing up. But when they find that the cover-up unites them and brings harmony to their otherwise fractious lives, where’s the incentive to put things right? DNA is a poignant and, sometimes, hilarious tale with a very dark heart.

Sunday 15 August, 7.30pm

LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour 10 mins SUITABILITY: 11+

DATES: Sun 15 August, 7.30pm

Singles Talented members of Live’s Youth Theatre perform seven short comedy monologues by seven of the region’s most exciting emerging playwrights to bring the festival to a riotous close.

TICKETS: £6; £4 concs LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour SUITABILITY: 11 +

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

Live Theatre Hosts...

Saturday 19 June, 7.30pm Paines Plough & Live Theatre present

DATES: Sat 19 June, 7.30pm

Come to Where I’m From

TICKETS: £6; £4 concs

One of the country’s leading new writing companies Paines Plough is asking playwrights from across the UK to write plays about the places they grew up. In villages, towns and cities, these plays will be performed by the writers themselves.

In this special one-off performance at Live Theatre, playwrights from the North East come home to tell their tale. For details of the writers performing, please visit www.live.org.uk

Saturday 19 June, 10am

DATES: Sat 19 June, 10am

Producing Plays, Developing Writers Paines Plough is a home for writers - the playwright is at the heart of everything they do. When the company is not producing plays, it’s doing its best to help playwrights get better at writing them. If you write, come and see what they can do for you.

LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour SUITABILITY: 14+

TICKETS: Free LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: 2 hours SUITABILITY: 14+

Saturday 19 June, 1pm

If It Didn’t Exist, You’d Have To Invent It

Come To Where I’m From will result in a theatrical tapestry of the UK, woven by writers asking if home really is where the heart is. For more information about the project please see www.painesplough.com

Paines Plough was dreamt up by its founders over a pint. The name came from the beer they were drinking (Paines) and the pub they were drinking in (Plough).

Thirty-five years later: “Paines Plough’s nomadic theatre company has racked up so many stars that browsing its press release is a bit like looking into deep space” (METRO). If you’re interested in setting up and running your own company then come and see how James and George can help you force your ideas into existence.

TICKETS: Free LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: 2 hours SUITABILITY: 16+

IMAGE: COME TO WHERE I’M FROM

Free Workshops Join the Artistic Directors of Paines Plough James Grieve and George Perrin as they lead two workshops - one on playwriting and one on setting up and running a company.

Although these workshops are free places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

DATES: Sat 19 June, 1pm

12 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

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

Live Music

Live on Tour

Saturday 5, 8pm & Sunday 6 June, 3pm & 8pm The Unthanks + Support

DATES: Sat 5, 8pm & Sun 6 June, *3pm & 8pm

Three home shows at Live Theatre expresses the desire of Geordie girls The Unthanks to keep it intimate when possible, including a Sunday afternoon show with a special price for under 16s. Not many bands can count Radiohead, Portishead, Elvis Costello, Robert Wyatt, Ben Folds and Nick Hornby amongst their admirers, but The Unthanks occupy a unique place in music. Sisters Rachel and Becky Unthank are storytellers outside of time, forging links between folk worlds old, new and other, nominated for the Mercury Music Prize, and featured in the Best Albums of the Decade (worldwide, all genres) in The Guardian and Uncut.

TICKETS: £16; £12 concs *Sun 3pm show: £5 under 16s

Playing With My Heart

By Shaun Prendergast

A chance meeting at the Angel of the North rekindles an old footballing grudge between two rival schools. But as the tale unfolds and the mood reaches fever pitch there’s only one way to settle the matter once and for all...

LOCATION: Main House

This story about friendship, football and the Angel of the North is heading to the 2010 Prague Fringe Festival. Directed by Amy Golding and performed by members of Live’s Youth Theatre, this is a chance for the cast to share this entertaining look at life growing up in the North East. Prague Fringe Festival “Edinburgh’s naughty grandchild” is in its 9th year and was founded by and is co-directed by Live Theatre’s House Manager Carole Wears. To find our more information visit www.praguefringe.com

DURATION: Approx 1 hour 30 mins including interval

"Once in a blue moon type of every now and again, you hear music that is so complete, so wonderful, unique and yet familiar that it stops you in your tracks. They have that blue moon magic about them, and they have it in spades" BBC Music

A co-production between Live Theatre & the National Theatre, London

The Pitmen Painters

By Lee Hall

Live Theatre is delighted to announce that The Pitmen Painters will transfer to New York in September 2010. The Live Theatre/ National Theatre co-production will open at the Samuel J Friedman Theatre on Broadway, produced by the Manhattan Theatre Club by special arrangement with Bob Boyett. The play will star the original cast who have been with the production since it premiered at Live in 2007.

To watch a video of the cast talking about the 2009 national tour of the show visit the Live on Tour section at www.live.org.uk

14 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

Image: Playing With My Heart. Photographer Bob Wilson

IMAGE: THE UNTHANKS

This has been made possible with support from the Youth Opportunities Fund.

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

Don’t Miss...

Live Theatre Tours

Interested in taking a sneak peak behind the scenes of Live Theatre’s Grade 1 and 2 bonded warehouses and almhouses? Then why not book a guided tour and discover the history of Live Theatre including some tall tales and anecdotes from the company’s years in residence.

Support Live Corporate Partners

TICKETS: £5 per head, students £4 per head. Minimum tour fee £50 per group.

Membership of the Corporate Partners Scheme allows your company to support all aspects of Live Theatre’s work both at the theatre and in the community. Current Corporate Partners are:

DURATION: Approx 1 hour

Tours can be organised by contacting Carole Wears, House Manager on (0191) 269 3489 or email carole@live.org.uk.

Level 2

Live Bar

Level 1

At the heart of Live Theatre is the Atrium bar, a perfect spot to enjoy a leisurely drink before and after a performance.

Order your interval drinks and ice creams at the bar before the show and remember you can take your drinks into the theatre. The bar opens two hours before a performance and closes at 11.30pm.

16 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

OPEN: Tues to Sat, 10am to 10pm CALL: (0191) 232 1331 EMAIL: enquiries@caffevivo.co.uk www.caffevivo.co.uk

Image: The Undercroft at Live Theatre

Looking for a tasty pre-theatre supper? Then look no further than Terry Laybourne’s, Caffé Vivo. Offering special early evening deals (from 5.30pm) and situated within the Live Theatre building, Caffé Vivo is your first choice, serving simple, sunny and generous Italian food in a bright and fun atmosphere. The pre-theatre offer includes two courses for £13.50 and three courses £16.50.

Making a regular monthly or annual gift to Live Theatre will help pay for plays, writer development and for young people to take part in the education programme.

Image: Café Vivo

Caffé Vivo

Regular Giving

For more information about Live Theatre’s Corporate Partners Scheme, sponsoring a production or hiring a space please contact Gillian Firth on (0191) 269 3498 or email gillian@live.org.uk

Hire Live

With its quirky historic spaces and unique atmosphere Live Theatre is the perfect venue for a host of events including seminars, conferences, meetings, 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.

Why not take a look around Live via the new online virtual tours by visiting www.live.org.uk/hirelive to help decide which space is best for you.

Take a Seat

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

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

Choose your seat

Location & Travel Information

Live Theatre is the only theatre in Newcastle to offer customers the chance to enjoy a performance from any seat for the same price.

KEY

KEY Parking Quaylink Stops Metro Station

STAGE

Cabaret - Ground Floor Theatre - Ground Floor Balcony - First Floor

Main House

E-news

Public Transport

Parking

Whether you choose to watch the show from the cabaret section, which is made up of a flexible mix of tables and free standing chairs, or relax in the fixed seating of the theatre and balcony sections audiences at Live Theatre you are never far from the action.

To be kept up to date about Live Theatre then join our free email service and be the first to receive exclusive update about shows, events and special offers. Visit www.live.org.uk and sign up now to get the latest news direct to your inbox every two weeks.

Studio Theatre

A Night Less Ordinary

There is a car park in the Trinity Gardens complex 50 metres up the road from the theatre, which can be accessed from City Road and Trinity Gardens. This is a secure 24 hour car park and costs 70p per hour and 25p per hour after 6pm. There is limited on street parking on Broad Chare and additional car parks nearby.

Live’s intimate Studio Theatre is located on the third floor and provides a flexible space ideal for rehearsed readings and acoustic music.

Live Theatre has joined forces with Northern Stage and the Theatre Royal to offer free tickets to help encourage more young people into theatre. To find out more visit:

Live Theatre is a 10 minute walk from Central Station, Monument and Manors Metro Stations. The Quay Link bus service runs every 10 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes during the evening until midnight providing a safe and easy way of getting to and from the theatre. Call Traveline on 0871 200 2233 for more travel information.

Seating Information Seats in the cabaret section of the Main House and all seats in the Studio Theatre can be pre-booked, but are unreserved and are allocated on a first come first served basis. Ticket numbers do not refer to a particular seat. To help you get the seat of your choice we recommend that you arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the show.

18 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

Live Theatre is grateful to the following for revenue funding: The Gillian Dickinson Charitable Trust The Shears Foundation Paul Hamlyn Foundation Baring Foundation LankellyChase

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

Access 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.

We welcome Text Relay calls.

This brochure can be made available in a range of formats.

Call (0191) 229 2373 with your request.

Live Theatre Broad Chare Quayside Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 3DQ Admin (0191) 261 2694 Box office (0191) 232 1232 Text Relay 18001 232 1232 Fax (0191) 232 2224 tickets@live.org.uk feedback@live.org.uk www.live.org.uk