Live Theatre Sept to Dec 2009

September to December 2009 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

Preview

Highlights…

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

Opening Night

ON

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

Main House Thursday 19 November to Saturday 5 December 2009 Jump!

Witness a fateful evening in the lives of seven desperate characters as their stories become intertwined with darkly comic results. For more information see page 5.

New Writing Studio Sessions Thursday 1 October, 8pm Autumn Double-Bill Listen to new plays from Alison Carr and Dick Curran.

For more information see page 7.

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.

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.

Box office opening times are:

Group discount

Family Theatre Wednesday 16 to Saturday 19 September 13.1 Enjoy an hour of light-hearted entertainment from Mike Kenny – listed in The Independent’s Top 10 Living UK Playwrights. For more information see page 10.

Access

Live Theatre Hosts...

Saturday 5 September, 8pm Sharks Took The Rest Join North East songstress Beccy Owen and her new band as they make their Live Theatre debut. For more information see page 14.

Book by phone or in person

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.

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.

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 Typetalk calls.

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 Stand-Up Wednesday 23 September, 8pm Daniel Kitson Join Perrier award-winning comedian Daniel Kitson as he tries to find something important in an ocean of twaddle.

For more information see page 8.

Don’t Forget A+E Quiz Don’t forget to come to the only Arts + Entertainment quiz in town on Monday 7 September, 5 October, 2 November and 7 December with the chance to win a host of fantastic prizes.

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

Main House Thursday 19 November to Saturday 5 December 2009

Jump!

Written by Lisa McGee Directed by Max Roberts It’s New Year’s Eve on Tyneside. Ross and Johnny, a pair of novice hit-men meet for a pint as they prepare for a one off job to settle a debt too large to pay back.

After a surprise meeting on the High Level Bridge suicidal double-act Pearce, a man on the run, and Gretta, a twenty-something with everything to live for, consider their fates. Meanwhile good time girls Marie, Dara and Hannah get the shots in to celebrate a big night out on the town.

This fast paced dark comedy follows the lives of seven desperate characters as a series of coincidental moments, played out like a Tarantino movie, change their lives forever.

This is the English premiere of Jump! which has previously been performed in Northern Ireland and New York.

Thursday 5 November, 8pm Meet The Writer: Lisa McGee Join writer Lisa McGee as she talks about her work for stage and television. Born in Northern Ireland, Lisa has written for Rough Magic Theatre Company in Dublin and Tinderbox Theatre in Belfast and most recently wrote The Heights as part of the National Theatre’s 2009 New Connections Project.

For television, she has written for The Things I Haven’t Told You (Tiger Aspect/BBC3); Totally Frank (Contributing Writer, Endemol/T4) and is about to start on the second series of her own original TV drama about contemporary Dublin life, Raw (RTE).

For more information about the Meet The Writer event, including ticket prices, see page 7.

04 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

DATES: Thurs 19 November to Sat 5 December TICKETS: £12 to £18 LOCATION: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour 30 mins including interval SUITABILITY: 15+ PERFORMANCES: Tuesday to Friday, 7.30pm Saturday (except 21 November) 4pm & 9pm MATINEES: Thurs 3 December, 2pm £PWYC Sun 29 November, 4pm

Thurs 19 P

November, 7.30pm

Fri 20 ON November, 7.30pm

Tues 1 December, 7.30pm

CAP Thurs 3

December, 7.30pm

Sat 5 TT

December, 2.30pm

Sat 5 December, 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.

Image: Jump! by Lisa McGee.

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

New Writing Studio Sessions

Thursday 1 October, 8pm

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.

Another of our popular double-bills of rehearsed readings of new and revised scripts from the region’s most interesting emerging playwrights.

Thursday 3 & Friday 4 September, 8pm

Short Cuts Live’s popular writers’ event returns, but in a slightly different form. As ever, audiences will still get to vote on their favourite script but the extracts chosen will now be ten minutes long.

Anyone interested in submitting a script should send two hard copies marked Short Cuts to Live Theatre by Friday 21 August.

DATES: Thurs 3 & Fri 4 September, 8pm Tickets: £6; £4 concs Location: Studio Theatre DURATION: Approx 2 hours 15 mins including interval Suitability: 12+

Autumn Double-Bill

That One Night by Alison Carr Shortlisted for the Live Writers Group’s 2-4-1 competition in March, this is a chance to hear this black comedy about Maggie and Stuart’s comfortable marriage. A series of surreal happenings in the bedroom and the wardrobe force them to face the truth about their relationship. Alison is a former winner of the People’s Play Award, and recently wrote When Skies Are Grey for the New Writing North/InterAct 4 Play project.

Therapy by Dick Curran Following the success of his play Islanders in last season’s studio sessions, this is the first chance to hear a new version of this engaging and clever play about Simon (a driving instructor) who tries to steer his way between Louise (his wife), Brian (his therapist) and his libido, whilst giving away as little as possible. Unfortunately, as his story unravels, he’s forced to take a new direction.

Thursday 5 November, 8pm

Meet The Writer: Lisa McGee A chance to meet the writer of this seasons production Jump! and listen to her talk about her influences and experiences writing for stage and television. The event will include extracts from Lisa’s work and is a must for all aspiring writers.

Thursday 3 & Friday 4 December, 8pm

Short Cuts Mini Pantomimes It’s too early for festive merriment. Oh no, it’s not! Come and listen to a variety of new seasonally adjusted scripts and pick your favourite in the Christmas version of our regular writers’ event. Submit a ten minute pantomime script on a contemporary theme for four actors by Friday 13 November to be considered for inclusion.

06 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

DATE: Thurs 1 October, 8pm Tickets: £6; £4 concs Location: Studio Theatre DURATION: Approx 2 hours including interval Suitability: 12+

DATE: Thurs 5 November, 8pm Tickets: £6; £4 concs Location: Studio Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour 30 mins Suitability: 14+ DATES: Thurs 3 & Fri 4 December, 8pm Tickets: £6; £4 concs Location: Studio Theatre DURATION: Approx 2 hour 15 mins Suitability: 12+

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

Live Stand-Up Live Stand-Up is now a regular fixture in the North East’s comedy calendar, taking place in Live’s unique cabaret style venue. Join award-winning comedian’s Daniel Kitson, Jon Richardson, John Gardillo and local prankster Steve Drayton as they step into the spotlight for a series of hilarious gigs.

We are delighted that the laughter in 2009 is being sponsored by Cramlington based Potts the print company.

Sponsored by

Wednesday 23 September, 8pm

DATE: Wed 23 September, 8pm Tickets: £10; £8 concs Location: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour 30 minutes Suitability: 18+

Daniel Kitson: We Are Gathered Here

Everyone you have ever known will die. And so will you.

And yet we dance in the looming shadows of mortality, we dance and we talk and we eat and we argue.

Everybody needs something to hold when it gets dark, so who am I, who are any of us, to point at anything and call it facile or redundant or stupid or rubbish?

Even when it quite clearly is. A new stand up show about finding something important in an ocean of twaddle.

“Fantastically ordered material, delivered with the rambling air of a slightly distracted but favourite uncle.”

The Independent Friday 2 October, 8pm

Off the Kerb Productions present Jon Richardson

Winner of the 2008 Chortle Breakthrough Act Award, Jon’s brand new show features the best bits from his two previous critically-acclaimed Edinburgh shows, Spatula Pad and Dogmatic, taking an in-depth look at his ever increasing neurosis of being a single man living on his own with often just his absurd thoughts for company. For an evening of guaranteed laughs, join Jon as he gets life’s idiosyncrasies off his chest in his grumpy, yet uniquely charming, Northern style.

“I’ll smack his a**e if he gets any funnier! More than talented” Jim Bowen 08 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

DATE: Fri 2 October, 8pm Tickets: £10; £8 Location: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour 30 minutes including interval Suitability: 15+

Saturday 10 October, 8pm

John Gordillo: F*ckonomics

One of the most original and compelling comics on the scene, John Gordillo uses his trademark brutal honesty to describe his brand new show F*ckonomics as “the small print that comes with everyone you get into bed with, the Terms & Conditions you skim over, the contracts you make, the roles you end up taking on. It’s the sexual economy.”

DATE: Sat 10 October. 8pm Tickets: £10; £8 concs Location: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour 20 minutes Suitability: 16+

“A grown up comic who combines emotional intimacy with high quality gags.”

The Guardian Friday 11 December, 8pm

Cowell Killed Christmas

Since 2005, the Christmas No 1 has been sung by a TV talent show winner. Whichever dead-eyed Michelle McManus wannabe is foisted upon us it’s a dead cert that their only hit will land over the festive period, sucking out any good will we may feel towards our fellow man.

It wasn’t always like this. Join Mr. Drayton for a wallow in the golden age of Christmas No.1s. A joyous celebration of top festive pop. Includes a festive quiz and crackers.

DATE: Fri 11 December, 8pm Tickets: £10; £8 concs Location: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour 15 minutes Suitability: 14+

Images: L-R Daniel Kitson, Jon Richardson, Jon Gordillo.

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

Family Theatre Wednesday 16 to Thursday 24 September

13.1

By Mike Kenny ‘Life is not a race’ ‘Yes, it is.’

‘Are you calling me a loser?’

Alice and Diane are sisters. They’re doing the Great North Run. Alice is fast – she loves running. Diane is slow – hates it. Basically Alice is a bit of a hare. Diane is a bit of a tortoise. See who wins this time, assuming they reach the finishing line without throttling each other. They’re doing the run to raise money for charity in memory of their Mam. It’s not the only thing they remember. Thousands of people run the Great North Run and they all have their stories.

This celebrates them all.

13.1 is a funny and moving new play by awardwinning young people’s writer Mike Kenny specially commissioned as part of the Bupa Great North Run Cultural Programme.

Thursday 22 to Saturday 24 October DATES: Wed 16 September, 7.30pm Thurs 17 September, 7.30pm Fri 18 September, 7.30pm Sat 19 September, 11am, 2pm & 7.30pm Tues 22 September, 7.30pm Wed 23 September, 7.30pm Thurs 24 September, 7.30pm Tickets: £6, £4 concs FAMILY Ticket: £16, (2 adults & 2 children) Location: Studio Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour Suitability: 11+

First Draft Six short plays written by Year 5 pupils from St Michael’s RC Primary School, Elswick Enter the imaginations of six 10 year olds from Newcastle and meet Pearsii and Ringy a pair of earrings auctioned on eBay, Dan the banana as he dices with death, Rebecca the butterfly on a mission to steal Tine the clock, Supergurl, a robot and the magic moonlight gem, brother and sister bees Sally and Mike as they search for treasure and Gunky, who used to be a funky monkey but is now just grumpy, and Chico, a haunted ventriloquist’s dummy who just wants to be his friend.

First Draft is a unique annual project giving young people the chance to create a 10 minute play which is brought to life with the help of professional writers, actors and directors. Bring all the family along to experience this special event and show your support for the next generation of new writing talent. The plays are:

DATES: Thurs 22 October, 7.30pm Fri 23 October, 1.30pm & 7.30pm Sat 24 October, 1.30pm & 7.30pm Tickets: £6; £4 FAMILY Ticket: £16, (2 adults & 2 children) Location: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour Suitability: 9+

The Fear of Anna by Sarah Ashmori The Clocknapper by Dina Begum The Missing Ruby by George Hogg The Moonlight Gem by Camille Gonzales Just Want a Friend by Jordan Nixon The Wish of Two Bees by Maciek Konarski First Draft is supported by Supported by The Gillian Dickinson Charitable Trust & The Ernest Cook Trust.

Tuesday 3 November, 6.30pm

Exploding Popcorn – Poetry on the Metro Image: Two runners taking part in the Bupa Great North Run raising money for charity.

Photo: Peter Langdown

Join poet Kate Fox and young writers aged 8 to 16 as they share their work created as part of the Poetry on the Metro project in association with New Writing North.

First Draft and Poetry on the Metro are presented as part of Juice – NewcastleGateshead’s festival for children and young people. Juice runs from Thursday 22 October to Sunday 8 November. To find out more visit www.juicefestival.co.uk

10 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

DATES: Tues 3 November, 6.30pm Tickets: £5 Location: Main Theatre DURATION: Approx 1 hour Suitability: 8+

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

Live Theatre Hosts…

Yellow Earth presents

London based British East Asian touring theatre company Yellow Earth heads north for its Live Theatre debut bringing with it two fantastic productions.

A cast of five will perform two unique shows back to back for a weekend of east meets west.

Friday 30 October, 7.30pm Boom by Jean Tay Singapore 2008. With the economy booming and the demand for land intense, the young, the old - and the dead – are forced to jostle for a home to call their own.

A charmingly off-beat and very funny exploration of what makes us so attached to a home once we’ve made the perfect one. Boom was first developed as part of the Royal Court Theatre’s International Residency in 2007.

DATE: Fri 30 October, 7.30pm Tickets: £10; £8 concs Location: Main Theatre Duration: Approx 1 hour 30 minutes SUITABILITY: 14+

Saturday 31 October, 7.30pm wAve by Sung Rno Loosely inspired by the Medea myth, this dysfunctional love story veers from madcap farce to tragedy as an isolated Korean immigrant’s dream of a perfect life as an American housewife turns sour. wAve is a passionate and satirical play exploring the collision of cultures from an award-winning American playwright. “a generously inventive play” New York Times

DATE: Sat 31 October, 7.30pm Tickets: £10; £8 concs Location: Main Theatre Duration: Approx 2 hours including interval SUITABILITY: 14+

Live Theatre & The RSC present

DATES: Fri 6 & Sat 7 November, 7.30pm Tickets: £6; £4 Location: Main Theatre Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes including interval SUITABILITY: 10+

Friday 6 & Saturday 7 November, 7.30pm Tyneside Stories Directed by Roxanna Silbert Five emerging writers respond to the landscape, characters and voices of Newcastle. This project brings together five nationwide playwrights at the beginning of their careers.

Over the course of a fortnight, they will traverse the Tyne, meet key local figures, explore the city’s fascinating past and present as well as its public spaces. Each will then produce a spontaneous response to their experiences. Working with actors and directors from Live Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company, the plays will be presented as staged readings.

12 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

Image: Yellow Earth, Boom & wAve

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

Live Music This season Live Theatre plays host to a fantastic selection of live music including the debut of Sharks Took The Rest, more toe tapping gigs from the Jumpin’ Hot Club, the return of Jazz North East and the annual Archie Brown Christmas Party.

Saturday 5 September, 8pm Sharks Took The Rest + support After their debut outing as headliners at this year’s Journal Culture Awards, Live Theatre is proud to welcome the seven-piece ‘supergroup’ Sharks Took The Rest to play a very special performance of their original material.

The band combines the talents of celebrated North East songstress Beccy Owen with the wide-screen dynamics of luscious strings, guitars, drums and electronica for an evening of spine-tingling enchantment.

DATE: Sat 5 September, 8pm Tickets: £10 Location: Main Theatre DURAtion: Approx 2 hours

Saturday 12 September, 8pm The Michael Janisch Quintet Presented by Jazz North East Since arriving in London from New York four years ago, Michael Janisch has put together a series of great Anglo-American bands. The quintet he brings to Live Theatre is probably the best yet. This is a band of the highest quality, firmly rooted in the jazz tradition but with enough contemporary edge to make the music constantly fresh. In fact it’s an unmissable treat.

DATE: Sat 12 September, 8pm Tickets: £10; £8 Location: Main Theatre DURAtion: Approx 2 hours 15 minutes including interval

Sunday 6 September, 8pm Bob Lind (USA) + Jack Burness Presented by Jumpin’ Hot Club Based in Florida USA Veteran singer-songwriter Bob Lind makes his northern debut in his second performance in the UK since 1966.

Lind, who is best known for his transatlantic chart single Elusive Butterfly has had tracks covered by a whole host of famous artists including Cher, Glen Campbell, Aretha Franklin, Dolly Parton, Eric Clapton, Nancy Sinatra, The Four Tops and Richie Havens.

DATE: Sun 6 September, 8pm Tickets: £10 Location: Studio Theatre Duration: Approx 3 hours

Tuesday 22 September, 8pm T Model Ford (USA) + Crosby Tyler (USA) Presented by Jumpin’ Hot Club Real juke joint blues played by the baseball capped storytelling troubadour punk of 88 years from the Mississippi delta USA T Model Ford.

This is his first ever appearance in the north, so move over Seasick Steve etc the fat possum recording artist nicknamed “The Taildragger” is coming your way!

DATE: Sat 22 September, 8pm Tickets: £12.50 Location: Main Theatre DURAtion: Approx 3 hours

Images: This page: Sharks Took The Rest, Bob Lind Opposite: The Michael Janisch Quintet, T Model Ford.

14 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

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

Sunday 27 September, 8pm Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa Bluegrass band (USA) + Mother Ruin Presented by Jumpin’ Hot Club Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa is a hot new Bluegrass band from Washington DC featuring banjo, mandolin, dobro, upright bass and leader Wayne Taylor (guitar) with fantastic credentials.

Between them, these guys have years of experience playing in famous lineup’s including Jimmy Martin’s Sunny Mountain Boys and Bill Emerson. This is their very first UK tour, a special treat for anybody remotely interested in Bluegrass music.

Wednesday 30 September, 8pm Band of Heathens (USA) + Damascus Presented by Jumpin’ Hot Club Austin-based quintet, The Band of Heathens who have drawn comparisons to Little Feat, the Band, Gram Parsons and the Black Crowes are considered by some to be the ambassadors of Austin’s thriving music scene. Their country hued Roots Rock ‘n’ Soul Revival is is played at 240+ shows per year.

DATE: Sun 27 September, 8pm Tickets: £12 Location: Main Theatre DURAtion: Approx 3 hours

DATE: Wed 30 September, 8pm Tickets: £12.50 Location: Main Theatre DURAtion: Approx 3 hours

Images: This page: Wayne Taylor & Appaloosa, Band of Heathers. Opposite Ana Egge, Archie Brown, Pama International.

16 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

Saturday 24 October, 8pm Ana Egge (USA) + Nels Andrews (USA) Presented by Jumpin’ Hot Club Lucinda Williams once called her “a folk Nina Simone.” But songstress Ana Egge is more country than that. Raised by hippies who grew wheat in North Dakota, the Brooklyn singer-songwriter crafts homespun hymns to sing with your bare feet on the dashboard.

DATE: Sat 24 October, 8pm Tickets: £10 Location: Studio Theatre DURAtion: Approx 3 hours

Friday 18 December, 8pm Archie Brown & the Young Bucks The hottest ticket of the social season.

Dancing shoes are not optional; Rock and Roll will happen... Archie Brown and the Young Bucks annual Christmas Shebang with guest artists lined up to join them for your listening pleasure is, as ever, not to be missed. Book early to avoid horrible disappointment!

DATE: Fri 18 December, 8pm Tickets: £10 Location: Main Theatre DURAtion: Approx 3 hours

Saturday 19 December, 8pm Pama International + local supports Jumpin’ Hot Club Xmas Party Dance your socks off with the UK’s leading dub fuelled ska-reggae collective Pama International fronted

by Sean Flowerdew, Finny and Lynval Golding (The Specials/Fun Boy 3). With seven acclaimed albums to their names, two Radio One recorded sessions as well as gigs at Glastonbury and Womad under their belts, they’ve performed with Jimmy Cliff, Lee Perry, Mick Jones and Madness creating a huge grassroots following, with a live show that has become second to none.

DATE: Sat 19 December, 8pm Tickets: £12 Location: Main Theatre DURAtion: Approx 3 hours

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

Live on Tour

Don’t Miss...

A co-production between the National Theatre & Live Theatre

The Pitmen Painters

By Lee Hall The Pitmen Painters by Tony award-winning writer Lee Hall will open at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal on 29 September as part of a nine week UK tour.

The show will then head stateside where it will open on Broadway in 2010.

The Pitmen Painters - winner of Best Play - Evening Standard Awards 2008, Best New Play, TMA Awards 2008 and Performance of the Year - Journal Culture Awards 2008.

Thursday 17 & Friday 18 September, 7.30pm Live Theatre & The Empty Space present

Motherland

Ordinary lives, extraordinary stories

By Steve Gilroy Following its success at last year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe, awardwinning production Motherland will be returning to Live Theatre before embarking on a UK tour.

This powerful and moving drama shares the true stories of women whose everyday lives have been touched by the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. These women, who live in our street and drink in our local, share their stories with warmth, humour and candour as they reveal the lottery of war.

“He was a boy. I loaned my son to them to do a job. I didn’t say you could keep him.” Janice Murray, mother of Private Michael Tench, aged 18.

Image: R-L: Pat Long, mother of Corporal Paul Long and Helen Embleton, nominated for Best Actress at Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2008, for her role as Pat in Motherland,

18 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

Heritage Open Days

A tour behind the scenes in the Grade 1 and 2 bonded warehouses and almshouses which make up Live Theatre’s home on the quayside; the event will include a history of the buildings and the company peppered with some tall tales and anecdotes from their years in residence.

DATES: Fri 11 & Sat 12 September, 11am & 1pm TICKETS: Free DURATION: Approx 1 hour

Live Theatre winner of Building Conservation and Leisure & Tourism North East Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Awards 2008.

Tours of Live Theatre can be organised by contacting Carole Wears, House Manager on (0191) 269 3489 or via email at carole@live.org.uk Cost £5 per head, students £4 per head. Minimum tour fee £50 per group.

Caffé Vivo

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.

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

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 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.

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

Support Live Theatre Connect with new writing talent Live Theatre has been finding and developing regional writing and acting talent for over 35 years. The regular monthly New Writing Studio Sessions provide a glimpse of this work, as did last year’s hugely successful Building Works Festival, however much more goes on behind the scenes.

Emerging writer Lee Mattinson, whose play Me & Cilla recently performed to capacity audiences, is just one beneficiary of the support on offer - this has included ongoing mentoring, rehearsed readings of his work and commissions for the youth theatre. The company spends around £200,000 each year on this kind of support; money which it is becoming increasingly difficult to find.

We passionately believe in keeping ticket prices at an affordable level, this means that even when we sell all of the seats, our ambitions can only truly be fulfilled with gifts with the help of generous individuals.

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.

Corporate Partners 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:

Level 3

Level 2

Regular giving 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.

Hire Live With its quirky historic spaces and unique atmosphere Live Theatre is the perfect venue for a range of events and occasions.

The Main Theatre which seats up to 170 people is ideal for conferences, presentations and parties, whilst the Studio Theatre, rising into the rafters of a 19th century warehouse, offers fantastic views across the Quayside and provides a great location for seminars, training sessions, or dinners.

There are also a number of smaller rooms like the Undercroft; with its medieval stonework and soft furnishings it offers a memorable space for meetings and drinks receptions.

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

Level 1

There are a number of ways you can make a real difference to the work of Live Theatre, both on and off the stage.

Image: Me & Cilla by Lee Mattinson

2020 ForFor tickets and information callcall (0191) 232 1232 tickets and information (0191) 232 1232

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

Choosing Your Seat

Location & Travel Information Q

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

Quay Link bus stops M

Q

Q Q

Main House – Whether you choose to watch the show from the cabaret section, where seats are allocated four to a table, or relax in the fixed seating of the theatre and balcony sections, audiences at Live Theatre are never far from the action.

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

Remember – 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. To ensure you get the seat of your choice we recommend that you arrive at least 20 minutes before the start of the show.

e-news – 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. Simply sign up by emailing your full name to mailme@ live.org.uk and get the latest news direct to your inbox every two weeks.

A Night Less Ordinary – Live Theatre has joined forces with Northern Stage and the Theatre Royal to offer at least 20 free tickets a week across the three venues to help encourage more young people into theatres.

To find out more visit:

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:

www.newcastletheatres.org.uk

22 For tickets and information call (0191) 232 1232

The Gillian Dickinson Charitable Trust, The Shears Foundation, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Baring Foundation.

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

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 feedback@live.org.uk www.live.org.uk