Live Theatre Oct 2008 to Jan 2009

October 2008 to January 2009 www.live.org.uk

See life’s dramas unfold at Live Theatre

Tickets & Booking Information Book online

It’s easy to book tickets online via Live Theatre’s secure website.

An average booking will take 5 minutes, tickets can be booked 24 hours a day, seven days a week and there is no booking fee. Tickets can be mailed out, at an extra charge of 60p, or can be collected from the box office – 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, situated on Broad Chare, just off Newcastle’s Quayside.

Box office opening times

Monday to Friday 11.30am–5.30pm (11.30am–8pm when there is an evening show). Weekend evening show only 5.30pm–8pm. Weekend matinee days 12noon–8pm.

Returns policy

Preview P

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

Opening Night ON

New for Autumn 2008…

Monday 6 October, 3 November, 1 December & 5 January, 8pm

QUIZ

Tickets: £1 each DURATION: Approx 2 hours 30 minutes Teams: Max of 6 people per team

Pay What You Can £PWYC

Need a little TLC after a heavy weekend? Then look no further than Live Theatre’s very own A+E surgery, on hand to jolt your brain back into the working week with a new monthly Arts & Entertainment quiz night taking place on the first Monday of every month. Hosted by a range of special guests in Live Theatre’s bar, simply bring along your own team of culture vultures to have a chance of winning a host of fantastic prizes. The only injuries you’ll see at this event are the wounded egos of the losers!

Group Discount

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

Live Theatre is now offering 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:

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

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 the Friday before. A maximum of 4 tickets can be booked per transaction.

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.

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

British Sign Language Sign language interpreted performance for Deaf BSL users.

CAP

Captioning English text displayed on a unit for deaf, deafened or hard of hearing patrons.

Audio Description Live commentary via personal headphones for blind or partially sighted people.

TT Touch Tours To coincide with audio described performances Live Theatre is offering Touch Tours. These can enhance the enjoyment of a show by providing access on stage to feel the set, props and costumes, before a performance.

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

02 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

Live Theatre is fully accessible. If you have any special access requirements please inform the box office team when booking on (0191) 232 1232, so that we can meet your needs. We welcome Typetalk calls.

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

Thursday 9 October to Saturday 8 November

By Fiona Evans Directed by Deborah Bruce A co-production between New Writing North and Live Theatre

Geoff Dead: Disco For Sale

OCTOBER Thur 9 7.30pm P Fri 10 7.30pm P Sat 11 7.30pm P Tue 14 7.30pm P Wed 15 7.30pm ON Thur 16 7.30pm Fri 17 7.30pm Sat 18 7.30pm Sun 19 2pm £PWYC Tue 21 7.30pm Wed 22 7.30pm Thur 23 7.30pm Fri 24 7.30pm Sat 25 2pm & 7.30pm Tue 28 7.30pm Wed 29 7.30pm Thur 30 2pm & 7.30pm Fri 31 7.30pm

Deepcut Families’ Fight For Justice Private Geoff Gray was just seventeen when he was found dead, next to the perimeter fence at Deepcut barracks on 17 September 2001. He had two bullet wounds to his head.

The Army said it was suicide. Private Gray was not the first young recruit whose life had ended under suspicious circumstances at Deepcut, nor would he be the last: Private James Collinson died from a single gunshot wound while on NOVEMBER guard duty in March 2002.

Propelled into the media spotlight to campaign for a public inquiry into the deaths of their sons, the Gray and the Collinson families invite you to spend an evening with them to experience the emotional rollercoaster that their lives have become. At times darkly humorous, Fiona Evans’ new play offers a unique insight into the bleak reality of what it’s like when you’re forced to become ‘the celebrity bereaved’.

Events Find out more about the families’ fight for justice in a series of weekly events.

TICKETS: £5; £3 concs DURATION: Approx 1 hour

Thursday 6 Nov, 5.30pm Professor of Journalism at Kingston University Brian Cathcart, and Heather Mills of Private Eye probe the media’s response to the Deepcut case.

Saturday 18 Oct, 5.30pm Join the parents of Geoff and James, to hear their story as they continue to fight for a public inquiry.

Saturday 8 Nov, 5.30pm Deepcut families’ barrister John Cooper is interviewed by the BBC’s senior home affairs correspondent Daniel Sandford about why it’s so difficult to get a public inquiry.

Thursday 30 Oct, 5.30pm Join the writer and director as they talk about the challenges For more information on these events visit they faced when making Geoff Dead: Disco For Sale. www.live.org.uk 04 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

CAP

Sat 1 7.30pm Sun 2 2.45pm TT Sun 2 4pm £PWYC Tue 4 7.30pm Wed 5 7.30pm Thur 6 2pm & 7.30pm Fri 7 7.30pm Sat 8 7.30pm Tickets: preview: £14; £12 concs opening night: £16; £14 concs tue & wed: £14; £12 concs thur to sat: £16; £14 concs sun: £pwyc mat: £12; £10 concs DURATION: Approx 2 hours 30 minutes including 15 minute interval SPECIAL OFFER Interested in attending all four Geoff Dead: Disco For Sale events?

Then quote “Deepcut” when booking your tickets and get four for the price of three.

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

New Writing Studio Sessions Interested in meeting some of the country’s leading writers, watching rehearsed readings of new work or showcasing your own script? Then come along to Live Theatre on the first Thursday of every month for a series of writing events in the intimate setting of Live’s Studio Theatre.

Meet the Writer

Thursday 2 October, 8pm Tickets: £6; £4 concs DURATION: Approx 1 hour

Funny Valentine

Thursday 6 November, 8pm Tickets: £6; £4 concs DURATION: Approx 2 hours

Fiona Evans

In anticipation of her new play Geoff Dead: Disco For Sale listen to Fiona Evans talk about her influences and experiences of writing for stage and television with extracts read by actors.

Fiona won a Fringe First Award for Scarborough at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, which went on to acheive great critical acclaim at The Royal Court, as well as receiving a series of commissions for BBC drama including Doctors, Eastenders and Holby City. This event is a must for all aspiring writers.

By Lee Mattinson

Fresh from the hit show Me & Cilla, which played to packed houses at Live Theatre in the summer, Lee’s brand new play is set at the Byker Grand, one of the North East’s original music halls, during the 1950s, a time when British variety entertainment was in decline. This is the first chance to hear this funny and tragic tale, full of Lee’s trademark black humour.

Performed as a rehearsed reading.

Short Cuts Winter Special

Get in the festive mood at this popular writers’ event and listen to a fantastic variety of new seasonally adjusted five minute plays and extracts, with the chance to vote for your favourite.

Submit a script for the occasion – post two hard copies of your script to New Writing, Live Theatre, Broad Chare, Quayside, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 3DQ by 7 November 2008. Only successful applicants will be contacted.

Thursday 4 & Friday 5 December, 8pm Tickets: £5; £4 concs DURATION: Approx 2 hours

Happy New Year! There won’t be a New Writing Studio Session on Thursday 1 January as it falls on New Year’s Day but look out for more sessions scheduled for next season.

Image: Fiona Evans

06 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

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

Live Stand-Up Following a successful run of comedy gigs in July, Live Stand-Up is now a regular fixture in the North East’s comedy calendar, taking place in Live Theatre’s unique cabaret style venue.

Mark Maier Presents “Objects”

Most people talk to objects; the car that’s run out of petrol; the relentlessly dripping tap. In Mark’s life, these and many more objects talk back. Returning to his native North East, join Mark’s hilarious autobiographical journey where animated inanimate objects finally get their say.

Friday 14 & Sunday 16 November, 8pm Tickets: £10; £8 concs Duration: 1 hour

“Funny, poetic and packed with pathos” Alistair McGowan

Sarah Millican Presents “Not Nice”

Following on from her success at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Sarah returns to Live with her sell-out show, Not Nice. A show about the questions you ask yourself when you split up with someone. Why did I marry the first man who liked me? Why are gorillas so sexy? Sarah will also be showcasing her latest comedy material, so make sure you’re one of the first to hear her newest installment.

Thursday 15, Friday 16 & Saturday 17 January, 8pm Tickets: £10; £8 concs Duration: two 40 minute sets

“a young, slimmer and much filthier Victoria Wood” The Observer

LipService Presents “Tony & Twizzle – The Glory Years”

Award-winning comedy duo LipService, aka Maggie Fox and Sue Ryding, return to the stage with their new show, The Glory Years, which takes a hilarious look at the cult of celebrity.

In a “warts and all” look back at their showbiz careers, Tony and Twizzle perform clips from their fabulous film and TV triumphs, notably Whistle Down your Blouse and Wednesday Night and Thursday Morning.

Friday 30 & Saturday 31 January, 8pm Tickets: £10; £8 concs Duration: 1 hour

“One of our great two person ensembles” The Guardian Images: anticlockwise from top, Mark Maier; Sarah Millican; LipService

08 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

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

Theatre for the Whole Family to Enjoy Saturday 25 October, 10am & 1.30pm Sunday 26 October, 10am & 3pm

Heritage Tudor Trail

Travel back in time to Tudor Newcastle this half term and take part in Live Theatre’s interactive trail, exploring Newcastle’s famous landmarks. Taking on the role of researchers, families will be joined by an eccentric playwright who needs help to research characters for a new play. With the wizardry of the sonic quill families will come face to face with a series of intriguing historical figures.

Tickets: £5 adults; £3 concs; £12 family ticket (max of 2 adults & 2 children) DURATION: Approx 2 hours 15 minutes AGE SUITABILITY: 8+

Tuesday 25 to Thursday 27 November

First Draft

Live Theatre has worked with pupils aged 9 to 10 years old from Bridgewater Primary School in Scotswood in a series of playwriting workshops, to develop the annual young writers project, First Draft. Six pupils were shortlisted to work with professional writers to help develop their own 10 minute plays. Come along and show your support for the region’s next generation of writing talent. All plays are directed and performed by professionals in the Main Theatre. The plays are: Different Daisies By Lauren Fradgley Eileen, Treega and the Fountain of Youth By Jason Toward In the Dark By Cheryl Malloy Revenge By Brandon Jennings The Missing Family By Charleigh Powell The Subaru Impretsa Race for the Title By Matthew Boyle

NOVEMBER Tue 25, 1.30pm & 7pm Wed 26, 7pm Thur 27, 1.30pm & 7pm Tickets: £6; £4 concs DURATION: Approx 1 hour The Gillian Dickinson Charitable Trust The Sir James Knott Trust

Saturday 13 & Sunday 14 December, 7.30pm

Small Steps

Join all ten of Live’s youth theatre groups as they come together to perform specially devised pieces based on the theme of climate change and environmental issues.

Supported by

10 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

Tickets: £6 adults; £4 concs; £3 youth theatre members; under 5s are free DURATION: Approx 2 hours

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

Live Poetry For the perfect way to end your weekend why not join this monthly Sunday night event and hear some of the best contemporary poets read and talk about their work. Live Poetry events are all held in the Main Theatre.

Sunday 19 October, 7.30pm

Modern-day Visionaries

John Burnside & Pauline Stainer

Tickets:

John’s work centres around belonging: how we belong in our skins, in our homes, in our world. Listen to John read from a selection of his ten poetry collections including The Asylum Dance (Cape), which won the 2000 Whitbread Poetry Award.

Join Pauline, described as ‘a writer of sacred poetry for the 21st century’ for the launch of her collection, Crossing the Snowline (Bloodaxe).

£7; £5 concs

Remembrance

Sunday 9 November, 7.30pm

Gillian Allnutt & George Szirtes

Tickets:

Come and hear Gillian Allnutt, winner of the Northern Rock Foundation Writer’s Award in 2005. Gillian’s work explores memory, myth, and landscape – particularly that of County Durham.

Join George, winner of the T.S. Eliot Prize in 2004, for the launch of his New and Collected Poems (Bloodaxe). After coming to the UK as an eight year old refugee, George’s poetry considers the universal themes of love, war, memory and exile.

£7; £5 concs

Poetry from Ireland and Scotland

Sunday 7 December, 7.30pm

Ciaran Carson & W.N. Herbert

Tickets:

Ciaran is one of the leading Irish poets of his generation.

His most recent collection, For All We Know, tells of a doomed love affair. Listen to Ciaran read from his recently published Collected Poems (Gallery Press).

Bill, who was born in Dundee but is now based in Newcastle, is a well travelled man and this is reflected in his poems about the literature and culture of Russia, China and Italy. His resulting work is comic, surreal and hugely entertaining.

£7; £5 concs

Images: from top left to right, John Burnside, Pauline Stainer, Gillian Allnutt, George Szirtes, Ciaran Carson, W.N. Herbert

12 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

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

Live Theatre Hosts…

The Snowstorms Have Hats On

This autumn Live Theatre plays host to a fantastic selection of live music and visiting theatre, including the homecoming of Jumpin’ Hot Club and performances by Fifth World Theatre Company.

Written and presented by Peter Thomson Join Peter and the poetry of Bertolt Brecht on a journey through the life of a theatre giant. Explore the dark times of the 20th Century, the course of socialism in the 21st Century, and meet Peter’s mum. For more information visit www.snowstormshavehatson.co.uk

Jumpin’ Hot Club

Painkillers

Saturday 20 September, 8pm Studio Theatre Tickets: £10

Friday 17 October, 8pm Studio Theatre Tickets: £10

Thursday 13 November, 8pm Main Theatre Tickets: £12.50

Hayes Carll + Support Hayes works in the hallowed tradition of Texan singer/songwriters full of raw, melancholy songs of heartbreak, drifters, barflies and journeymen.

Jackie Leven + Support Legendary Scottish guitarist Jackie performs his poetic songs with heart and soul - this man is a born storyteller.

Charlie Musselwhite + Support American musician, Charlie is a master harp player and singer who has shared stages with blues legends, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ Wolf.

By Paul Buie Presented by Fifth Word Theatre Company in association with Derby Live A pulsating exploration of the mind of Angela, a young woman who has killed. Over several interview sessions with Nadia, a journalist, her chilling story is uncovered.

An integration of live performance, soundscape and film, shape this into a piece of really exciting theatre.

The Caff’s Christmas Party + Special Guests Join Tyneside favourites, the Caffrey brothers, on their return to Live Theatre and listen to original songs in an acoustic rock style, performed in their distinctive three part harmonies.

Archie Brown & the Young Bucks + Special Guests Saturday 15 November, 8pm Main Theatre Tickets: £12

Thursday 4 December, 8pm Main Theatre Tickets: £10

Saturday 6 December, 8pm Studio Theatre Tickets: £10

Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart + Support A charming Nashville based duo offering simple songs that incorporate elements of blues, roots and gospel.

Charlie Gracie + Support An exceptional musician, Charlie is a rock-n-roll legend, who at the height of his fame frequently appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show.

Old Man Ludecke, Catherine MacLellan & Ryan Le Blanc Three great acts for the price of one, including all round entertainer, Old Man Ludecke, folk-country singer Catherine as well as blues from Ryan.

Images: from left to right, Hayes Carll, Jackie Leven, Charlie Musselwhite, Stacey Earle & Mark Stuart, Charlie Grace and Catherine MacLellan

14 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

Celebrate the festive season with an evening of original songs plus some great Jackie Wilson and Steve Earl covers.

Friday 24 & Saturday 25 October, 7.30pm Studio Theatre Tickets: £8; £6 concs DURATION: Approx 1 hour 15 minutes Wednesday 5 & Friday 7 November, 7.30pm Studio Theatre Tickets: £8; £6 concs DURATION: Approx 2 hours

Friday 5 December, 8pm Main Theatre Tickets: £10

Friday 19 December, 8pm Main Theatre Tickets: £10

Image: The Caffreys performing at the Fish Quay

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

Don’t Miss…

Live Bar

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 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.

Building Tours

Saturday 25 October & Thursday 6 November, 12pm Tickets: £4 Duration: 1 hour

Made North

Open: Wednesday to Saturday 12.30 to 6pm www.design-event. co.uk

Caffé Vivo

Open: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 10pm Call: (0191) 232 1331 Email: enquiries@ caffevivo.co.uk www.caffevivo.co.uk

Join a member of the front of house team on a fascinating informal tour around Live Theatre. Explore the history of the building and take a sneaky peek at areas usually off limits, including backstage and the dressing rooms.

Visit Designed & Made on the first floor of the Live Theatre building, for the best of contemporary craft and design.

As part of Design Event 08, members of Designed & Made have created new, innovative products for the autumn exhibition Made North, informed and inspired by the cultural similarities and differences between Scandinavia and North East England. In December don’t miss the Christmas selling show, an ideal opportunity to start your festive shopping.

Coming in 2009…

Looking For Buddy

By Alan Plater

A co-production between Live Theatre and Octagon Theatre, Bolton Playwright Alan Plater and award-winning multi-instrumentalist Alan Barnes (described as ‘the Gilbert and Sullivan of modern jazz’) join forces in Looking for Buddy, a musical which takes a wry and surreal look at the New Tyneside.

Hustlers, hucksters and wild-eyed idealists lock horns as they play The Regeneration Game.

Warning: this show may contain laughter.

16 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

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 or three courses £16.

Images: from left to right, Wine at the Atrium Bar, Writers’ Room 2, Made North, Food at Caffe Vivo

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

Location and Travel Information

Get More From Live Theatre Hire Live

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The unique, quirky and historic spaces at Live Theatre are available to hire for a range of events and occasions. For more information contact Wendy Barnfather on (0191) 269 3497 or email wendy@live.org.uk

Quay Link bus stops M

Take a Seat

Love theatre? Then why not buy a seat to show your support from as little as ÂŁ19.50 a month. For more information call (0191) 232 1232.

Corporate Partners

Become one of Live Theatre’s Corporate Partners for a chance to entertain clients, meet the cast and discounts on room hire. For more information contact Gillian Firth on (0191) 269 3498 or email gillian@live.org.uk

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Current Corporate Partners are: Level 3

Level 2

Level 1

Public Transport

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.

Parking

There is a car park in the new 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 Theatre is grateful to the following for revenue funding:

The Gillian Dickinson Charitable Trust, The Sir James Knott Trust, The Shears Foundation, Baring Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Peggy Ramsey Foundation Image: Hospitality in the Atrium Bar

18 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

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

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

Admin (0191) 261 2694 Box office (0191) 232 1232 Typetalk 18001 (0191) 232 1232 Fax (0191) 232 2224 tickets@live.org.uk www.live.org.uk