LIVE THEATRE and BILL KENWRIGHT PRODUCTIONS present SECONDS AWAY! (Staged Reading) Tue 6 – Sat 17 Feb 2024 Music and lyrics by JIMMY NAIL Written by IAN LA FRENAIS from an original idea by JIMMY NAIL
SECONDS AWAY!
MUSICIANS & CAST Musical Director Peter Tickell Drums & Percussion Ray Laidlaw Acoustic/electro harps & vocals Mary Macmaster Acoustic guitars Michael McCrystal (Micky Crystal) Frankie Jimmy Nail Sam Catherine Dryden Vinnie Trevor Dion Nicholas Christopher Mark Stobbart Marguerita Sally Ann Triplett
Seconds Away! chronicles the gripping journey of Fighting Frankie Tanner - a once celebrated heavyweight boxing champion now navigating a life in reduced
CREATIVE TEAM
circumstances, struggling with
Writer Ian La Frenais
personal grief, the wreckage
Music & Lyrics Jimmy Nail
of his marriage, and the disarray of his broken family.
Director Jack McNamara
Deeply rooted in the city and
Production Manager Drummond Orr
culture of Newcastle Upon
Sound Dave Flynn Technical Assistant Taylor Howie Stage Manager Craig Davidson Deputy Stage Manager Chloe Ribbens Producer John Dawson Producer JD Stewart
Tyne, this two-act play delves into the themes of man-to-man combat, old-fashioned values, familial bonds and regional pride. As Frankie confronts these daunting challenges, he must summon the strength for one final, monumental battle the greatest of them all.
A word from Jimmy Nail I am delighted to be returning to Live Theatre and to Newcastle Upon Tyne, my spiritual home, to team up with Ian (La Frenais) and to bring Seconds Away! to the stage. Geordieland is where the play was conceived and it was always my fervent hope we would begin its journey in this theatre and this city. Knockout! as Frankie might say. My compositions are immeasurably enhanced by the incredible group of musicians we’ve somehow managed to assemble, players of the very highest calibre. Musicians Peter Tickell and Ray Laidlaw are joined on stage by virtuoso guitarist Micky Crystal (acoustic guitars) and celebrated harpist Mary Macmaster (acoustic/electro harps, vocals). I’d pay to see this line-up outside of the play! It is really exciting to bring the story to life and to share the stage alongside a sensational cast of actors/singers, Catherine Dryden, Mark Stobbart, Sally Ann Triplett and Trevor Dion Nicholas. Seconds Away! has reunited me with Ian La Frenais with whom I collaborated so successfully on the hugely popular TV series Auf Weidersehen, Pet and Spender and the feature film Still Crazy. Ian is a prolific and acclaimed writer, well known for groundbreaking series The Likely Lads (co-written with Dick Clement) which followed the adventures of Bob and Terry, two working-class lads from the North East. Ian’s credits also includes TV series Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads, Porridge, Going Straight, Lovejoy and Spies of Warsaw as well as feature films The Commitments, Goal, Flushed Away, The Bank Job and Across the Universe. My thanks to Jack McNamara and everyone at Live Theatre and to all at Bill Kenwright Productions for making this collaboration happen. Bill was a valued friend and mentor. He championed Seconds Away!’ and knowing he will not be with us in person is dreadfully sad but he’ll be there in every line of dialogue, every lyric, every melody. Mr Footie.
Mr Theatre. Mr Kenwright, CBE. God bless, Bill. May you rest in peace. I hope you enjoy this staged reading of brand new work at the beginning of its journey.
A word from Ian La Frenais I welcome any opportunity to work in the North East and help bring its characters and culture to a wider audience. Like Jimmy, this is truly my spiritual home and the values instilled in me in my early years have defined me ever since no matter where I have lived whether it was in London or California. I thank Jimmy for giving me this opportunity, the superb cast of actors and musicians, the staff of Live Theatre and Bill Kenwright who kept us all believing.
MUSICIANS AND CAST Peter Tickell – Musical Director From Hexham via Longbenton, Peter’s versatility and eclectic creativity have led to him collaborating extensively with some of music’s biggest names, including Sting, Peter Gabriel, Paul Simon, Everything Everything, Birdy and Afro Celt Sound System. Upon turning professional at 17, Tickell performed and recorded with both his sister Kathryn Tickell and award-winning Scottish electro-folk pioneers Peatbog Faeries from 2004-2011. Through his work with Peatbog Faeries, Peter met virtuoso saxophonist Nigel Hitchcock and the late trombonist Rick Taylor, both of whom had a big influence on Peter’s playing. Around the same time he could often be seen moonlighting in the bars and clubs of Newcastle with ramshackle psychobilly troubadours Maybe Myrtle Tyrtle. Peter went on to perform alongside Sting in many of the world’s most prestigious venues as featured soloist from 2011-2016, incorporating the use of electronic effects into visceral improvised solos.
Peter’s playing has featured in numerous TV programmes and films, including Amber Films’ The Pursuit of Happiness for which he composed the soundtrack and more recently Greyhound of a Girl, Enzo D'Alò’s 2023 animated adaptation of a Roddy Doyle novel, with original soundtrack composed by David Rhodes. Trained classically on both piano and violin, Peter is steeped in the traditional folk music of the North East, Scotland and his mother’s heartland Ireland.
Ray Laidlaw Drums & percussion As a young lad with a drum kit and dreams of rock and roll Ray set about hooking up with likeminded pals, setting him firmly on a course that would see him enjoy a varied professional life in the music business while along the way achieving international success and recognition in a band with a number one album. That band was Lindisfarne. As a founder member, Ray’s back-beat has been a part of the region’s musical story over eight decades; before the mighty Lindisfarne Ray served time with The Aristokats, The Druids, Impact and Downtown Faction. After Lindisfarne there
Jimmy Nail – Frankie Jimmy is best known for his role as Oz Osbourne in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet (ITV/ BBC), the titular role in Spender (BBC), which he co-created and co-wrote with Ian La Frenais, and the lead role of Jed Shepperd, a factory worker who becomes a country songwriter in Crocodile Shoes (BBC), which he wrote and created. Jimmy also created and starred as Phil Parker in the series Parents of the Band (BBC). Theatre includes The Last Ship (Broadway and Chicago) and War of the Worlds (Dominion Theatre London).
was Jack The Lad and more Lindisfarne. Ray moved into television and film, producing the Sunday for Sammy concerts and DVDs (while also making time to play drums at all the concerts!) since its very beginning. Theatre work includes Clear White Light for Live Theatre. Ray currently tours The Lindisfarne Story alongside Billy Mitchell.
Mary Macmaster Acoustic/electro harps & vocals Inducted into the Scottish Traditional Music Hall of Fame in 2013 as part of the groundbreaking harp duo Sileas, Mary is best known for her pioneering work with the metalstrung clarsach and the fantastic Camac electroharp. She is also a fine singer of Gaelic and English language songs. During the last thirty years she has been at the forefront of the revival of the Scottish harp and has been an ambassador for Scottish music, touring throughout the world with Sileas, The Poozies, Shine, Macmaster/Hay and award winning project, Songs of Separation. She has toured with Dogstar Theatre Company in a production of Hamish
Feature films include: Evita; Still Crazy; Danny, Champion of the World; The 10th Kingdom; Just Ask for Diamond; Morons from Outer Space; Dream Demon; Crusoe and Get Carter (uncredited). As a singer-songwriter, Jimmy has had hits with Ain’t No Doubt, Crocodile Shoes, Cowboy Dreams, Big River and Love Don’t Live Here Anymore. His album Growing Up in Public, features guitarists Gary Moore, David Gilmour, Elliot Randall and George Harrison. His album Crocodile Shoes from the TV series of the same name, has sold more than 1.2 million copies in the UK. Big River features
MacDonald’s Seven Ages of Man, with Licketyspit’s wonderful children’s adventure tale Molly Whuppie and as part of Grid Iron’s The Devil’s Larder. Mary has collaborated live and in the studio with many wonderful musicians including Scottish hero Dick Gaughan, Northumbrian pipe virtuoso Kathryn Tickell, English folk legend Norma Waterson and the amazing Sting.
Michael McCrystal (Micky Crystal) Acoustic guitars UK guitarist Michael McCrystal (Micky Crystal) made a name for himself on the North East circuit and quickly started landing professional touring gigs which saw him recording and performing all over the world from the age of 19. Alongside touring he has a passion for teaching having taught at various Universities and Colleges. He is currently a music lecturer at Newcastle College and provides bespoke product demonstrations and lesson packages for guitar companies such as Bare Knuckle Pickups, JTC Guitar, Elixir Strings and Laney Amps.
guitarist Mark Knopfler. Jimmy sang on the soundtrack for the feature film Evita for which he received a double-platinum disc in recognition of 600,000 plus sales of the album. Jimmy has collaborated with Gary Moore, David Gilmour, Elliot Randall, Brian Johnson, Madonna, George Harrison, Mark Knopfler and Sting. Jimmy’s work has contributed to five BAFTA nominations; three for Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, one for Spender and one for Crocodile Shoes, and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song In A Movie - The Flame Still Burns in Still Crazy.
Sally Ann Triplett – Marguerita UK theatre credits include: Gran in The Witches (National Theatre); Aunt Eller in award winning Oklahoma (Wyndham’s Theatre); Toine in Piaf (Nottingham Playhouse/ Leeds Playhouse); Whats On Stage Award as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes (Royal National Theatre/ Theatre Royal Drury Lane); Miss Adelaide in Guys and Dolls (Piccadilly Theatre); Roxie Hart in Chicago (Adelphi Theatre); Donna Sheridan in Mamma Mia (Prince of Wales Theatre); Grizabella in Cats (New London Theatre); Rizzo in Grease (Dominion Theatre); Ruby Keeler in Jolson (Victoria Palace & Toronto); Miss Berta in Acorn Antiques (Theatre Royal Haymarket); Young Phyllis in Follies (Shaftesbury Theatre); Original cast in Chess (Prince Edward Theatre); UK Theatre Award Nomination as Judy/Liza in My Judy Garland Life (Nottingham Playhouse); Diana in Next to Normal (Drama Centre Theatre, Singapore); Beatrice in Much Ado About Nothing (Liverpool Playhouse Theatre); Marge in Absent Friends (The Palace Theatre). US theatre credits include: Kath Starr in Becoming Nancy (Alliance Theatre, Atlanta); Original Sue Snell in Carrie; Original Peggy White in The Last Ship (Neil Simon Theatre NY/Bank of America Theatre Chicago); Madame De Maurier in Finding Neverland (La Jolla Playhouse); Mrs Lovett in Sweeney Todd (Barrow Street Theatre); Mrs Mister in The Cradle Will Rock (Classic Stage Company); Catherine in Must (Theatre at St. Clement’s). Television credits include: Eastenders; Doctors; The Bill; Down to Earth.
Mark Stobbart - Christopher Television includes: House of the Dragon; The Long Shadow; The Hunt for Raoul Moat; Line of Duty; Clink; Vera; Moving On; No Offence; Utopia; The Silence; Inspector George Gently; Skins; Honest; The Inspector Lynley Mysteries; Little Britain; The Last Detective; 55 Degrees North; Auf Wiedersehen, Pet. Film includes: The People Before; Muscle, Disobedience; The Chelsea Cowboy; Teen Spirit; Harrigan; The Devil Outside; Almost Married. Theatre includes: The Hired Man (Leicester Curve); Tactical Questioning (Kiln); Restoration (Headlong Theatre); Up on the Roof (Chichester); Napoleon (Shaftesbury Theatre); The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe (RSC); Hello Again (Bridewell); Man of La Mancha (Peacock); People Who Don’t Do Dinner Parties (Jermyn Street); Let Him Have Justice (Cochrane).
Trevor Dion Nicholas - Vinnie
Catherine Dryden - Sam
Training: West Virginia University
RADA trained Catherine Dryden was born in County Durham. She began her acting career at the tender age of three as part of Chester-le-Street Theatre Group. Catherine is a passionate storyteller and singer and is a proud Geordie faithful to her roots.
Theatre credits include: Dr. Madden/ Dr. Fine in Next to Normal (Donmar Warehouse & West End); George Washington in Hamilton (Victoria Palace Theatre); Dr. Parker in Bat Boy: The Musical (London Palladium); Genie in Disney’s Aladdin - What’s On Stage Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Musical (West End & Broadway); Preacher in Bonnie & Clyde The Musical (Theatre Royal Drury Lane); Big River (US Tour); The Wiz; The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee; Ragtime; The Little Mermaid; Into the Woods; Little Shop of Horrors; Trevor is the voice of the Ghost of Christmas Present in the Netflix animated film Scrooge A Christmas Carol. Television credits include: Panelist/Judge on All Star Musicals (ITV); Lester in Moley (Boomerang); Gustav in The Unstoppable Yellow Yeti (Disney); The Show Must Go On (Sky Arts); Strictly Come Dancing (BBC); Christmas at the Snow Globe; The Americans; Sunday Night at the Palladium; Royal Variety Performance a nd Disney’s Broadway Hits at Royal Albert Hall (Emmy Award). Trevor is the songwriter and primary vocalist for the original Alternative Indie Soul band Neighborhood Goliath, who independently released their debut E.P. Between Satellites & Settling in 2015 and their first full length album, Monster Victim Witness, in 2017. They continued to release new music throughout 2020 including their E.P. Your Fears Will Not Be Soothed as well as the singles Entire Life, Dark Stars and Swallow.
She was supported by the Sunday For Sammy Trust to complete her BA in Acting. Since graduating from RADA in 2017, Catherine has worked across the board in theatre, TV & radio. Theatre credits include: The Play That Goes Wrong (West End and UK National Tour); Mary Stuart (Almeida Theatre); The Pitmen Painters (UK National Tour); Amazing Grace (Wisecrack Productions); The Watch House (Paptango Theatre Company). TV credits include: Vera (ITV) and Traces (Red Productions). Film includes: Some Rules; Love In The Time Of Coronavirus and Make My Boyfriend Better. Radio credits include: Home Front (BBC Radio 4).
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