Hello, and welcome to my Substack! Lots of exciting shows to get booking this week, plus I may have eaten the world’s biggest dessert…
[Image description: Poster for The Bounds]
What to book now
Last night was press night for The Bounds at Live, and while I wasn’t sure what to expect, I genuinely loved it. Dark, funny and beautifully strange, with some amazing lines and great performances, it’s definitely worth your time. Go see it before those London folk do! [Note: at the time of writing, Live was having website issues, so the above link may not work].
Always a venue that’s doing interesting things, Laurels has launched A Play and a Pasty. In a similar vein to Oran Mor in Glasgow’s successful A Play, a Pie and a Pint scheme – where you get some food and a drink and get to watch a show – this Geordie-fied version (what could be more Geordie than a pasty?) offers writers the chance to have their work shown, and audiences the chance to spend their Thursday lunchtimes supporting new work. At only £5 a show it’s a total bargain, and if I totally didn’t have a weird thing about eating around strangers, I’d be right there!
While full details haven’t been announced yet, the Our Stomping Grounds Festival returns to ARC Stockton in June. Presented by Full Circle and Little Cog in association with ARC, the festival offers a range of entertainments showcasing and celebrating learning disabled talent, including music, film and theatre. There will also be workshops. Keep an eye on their socials for details.
Also at ARC, I like the sound of The Queen of the North, by Tommy, The Queer Historian, a show produced in collaboration with residents of Stockton-on-Tees and looking at class, queerness and community. It comes to the venue in July.
Over at Alphabetti, there’s a chance to meet the not-yet-announced new Artistic / Executive Director over an informal potluck dinner. The theatre regularly hosts these community dinners as a chance for local creatives to get to know one another (alas, due to my aforementioned horror of eating in groups, I’ve never made it to one, but they sound fun for people less hung up on the idea than me). Departing AD and Alphabetti founder Ali Pritchard leaves enormous shoes to fill so it will be interesting to see where the theatre goes from here.
If you can’t make it to London to enjoy the BBC Proms, never fear! While in truth there is no matching the full Royal Albert Hall experience, it’s also nice to get a chance to take part without having to sit on a bloody train for hours, so BBC Proms at the Glasshouse is definitely worth checking out. A range of events in July cater to every taste – nerd that I am, I particularly like the sound of the Fantasy, Myths and Legends set, featuring music from fantasy films and games, as well as music inspired by myths and legends.
[Image description: enormous plate of churro-style pasta and chocolate dip]
Where I have been eating
Last week I went to pasta restaurant Zucchini in the city centre and left thoroughly stuffed and sated. I’m a fan of this restaurant, which often feels like a bit of a secret spot (at least on weeknights), as if being on the ‘other’ side of the road to the city’s main streets somehow make it out of the way, when it’s actually about 3 minutes from Monument Metro.
A low key, unfussy setting, friendly staff and a very decent range of veggie options make it a favourite – but be warned, the pasta dessert (a sort of pasta-based churro thingy - gosh, bet you’re shocked I’m not a food writer) is enormous and easily enough for two people. My friend and I made the mistake of ordering one each – which of course we valiantly struggled through, as it would be rude not to – but could have easily shared.
What I am reading
As you know I am a sucker for anything vampire related – did I mention my books? DID I? – so I was intrigued by the premise of Fragile Animals, by Genevieve Jagger. The story of a young woman who travels to Bute to escape the routine of her Edinburgh life and begins a relationship of sorts with a vampire, it’s a vividly written (if a tad purple at times) story of identity and Catholicism and confession and so far, I am enjoying it.
I also finally got around to reading a graphic novel I have had sitting on the shelves for ages: Sex Criminals, by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky. This wildly original, often absurd and properly filthy book tells the story of Suzie and Jon, who discover that when they have sex, they stop time. They then use that knowledge to rob banks, initially to help save the local library, only to discover that in doing so they attract some unwanted attention. I’m a huge fan of Fraction – his Hawkeye run was a classic – and though this felt a little too pleased with its own naughtiness at times, it’s a smart and clever premise. (I only read volume 1, but you can buy the whole collection in one, now, with a bonus ‘issue 69’ – which will give you a sense of where some of the humour sits!)
Thanks again for reading – please do share with your friends! Every new subscriber really does give me a boost. And remember if you want to support my writing but a paid subscription isn’t for you (times are hard, I get it!), you can buy me a one-off Ko-fi or buy one of my books.
Remember: everything included is my personal preference / opinion, and while I strive to be accurate, I always advising checking with the relevant venue.
You're really whetting my appetite for The Bounds - seeing it next Thursday (off to Springsteen tonight and as it was last time he played in Sunderland it's raining heavily). And mentioning appetite thanks for another Italian restaurant recommendation. Must give Zucchini a try👍