Open Door at the Theatre Royal
Plus a host of shows to book now
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It’s finally starting to feel like the year is kicking into gear (though, God, I wish we had some sunshine, I’m so sick of being cold). Or maybe it’s that I got my first big deadline of the year out of the way, so have started booking some plans, so I feel like I am slowly coming out of my cocoon!
Honestly, though, at the minute I just want to lie under a heat lamp on a rock like a lizard until the sun comes out again…
This week in theatre
Still, despite my desire to stay in bed with the electric blanket turned to high for at least another month, I have a couple of shows this week.
The press night of Champion at Live was last night, which I have been looking forward to for ages. I must admit the play didn’t entirely work for me – it tackled some interesting themes, and I like Din’s writing, but I felt like it could have explored some of its plotlines a little more. But this story of Muhammad Ali’s visit to South Shields and its impact on a local family is both a fascinating look at a slice of local history and (depressingly) still relevant in its take on racism, so definitely worth checking out.
I’m also going to see Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light at Alphabetti, having first seen it when it premiered a while back. This show about one woman’s late diagnosed neurodiversity sold out first time around and is clearly just as popular this time, as the venue has added an extra show to accommodate demand. Wave if you see me there! (The show is also touring)
[Image description: a Muhammad Ali standee in front of a poster for Champion]
Shows to book now
Speaking of Alphabetti, there’s already a packed schedule of short-run shows and events to check out. One thing I am really hoping to see is Olivia Hannah’s Shit Life Crisis. I’m a big fan of what I have seen of Hannah’s work – I really liked Braids, when I saw it at Live back in ye olde pre-lockdown days, and also saw some of her shorter stuff – so this karaoke-themed show about ‘chemo-buddies’ Grace and Abbie is sure to be worth seeing.
If you are a fan of Flight of the Conchords or Our Flag Means Death – and the people who like OFMD really, really like OFMD – then the fact that Stede Bonnet himself, the delightful Rhys Darby is bringing his stand up to the Tyne Theatre will be very exciting for you. So book now as it’s sure to sell out!
I don’t need to sell this – in fact, I’d be surprised if it isn’t sold out by the time you read this – but smash hit Six is making a return to Newcastle Theatre Royal this summer, and I’m excited because I finally get to see it (Six being one of the many, many shows I had tickets to see in 2020). I’m also hoping to get to see & Juliet, which is also coming in June (I remember seeing this advertised last year and thinking, noooo, not gonna book that, 2025 is so far away… Past me is an idiot).
Another show I’ve heard good things about is Dear England, which comes to Newcastle as part of a national tour after a hugely successful run at the National. Several people I know saw this James Graham play about Gareth Southgate in London, and while the general opinion was it wasn’t perfect – a couple of my friends, especially those who are not white, said it skirted over the racism some players faced a little more lightly than they would have liked – but all agreed it was dramatically impressive, and definitely worth seeing. It’s also great to see this kind of show touring, because not everyone can make it to London.
If you want more theatre recs for March, be sure to check out Exeunt’s national round-up
Open Door at the Theatre Royal
Speaking of the Theatre Royal, I’m excited to see the announcement of its new talent development programme, Open Door, created in partnership with Eastlake Productions. Jamie Eastlake, of course, was behind the smash hit Gerry & Sewell, which hit the Theatre Royal last year having premiered at tiny fringe theatre Laurels (which Eastlake co-founded). I’ve spoken informally to several people at the theatre over the last year or so, and the venue seems genuinely committed to becoming an artistic hub rather than just a receiving theatre, including using its studio space to host smaller shows. So it’ll be exciting to see what comes of this…
What I have been watching
February seems kind of a dead month for TV, but maybe that’s because I rarely have the energy at this time of year to watch anything new. The new series of Unforgotten hit the screens this week, and though I still sorely miss Nicola Walker, Sanjeev Bhaskar’s hangdog charm has me hanging in there.
I did also watch Furiosa, the Fury Road sequel. It didn’t quite hit the standards of Charlize Theron’s character, but delivered the high octane craziness that Miller is known for, and Anya Taylor-Joy did a respectable job of stepping into the role.
Mostly though I am waiting for the new Daredevil series to drop on Disney in March. While I loved the fun, lighter Matt Murdock we got to see in She Hulk (which I will defend as a super fun – if flawed – series, suck it, fanboys), I’m also relieved to see the trailers from the new series seem to be sticking to the original show’s dark, violent ethos. And Karen and Foggy are back! So is Frank! I’m so excited…
If you want a taster, it’s worth checking out Echo, the miniseries which explores Kingpin’s relationship with the titular protagonist, played by the excellent Alaqua Cox. The series builds on the character we were introduced to in Hawkeye (which is one of the better Disney Marvel series, feeling close in spirit to the seminal Matt Fraction comics - Fraction was a producer) and stars a host of well-known character actors, including a personal fave, Zahn McClarnon.
It’s the events of Echo that seem to set Kingpin on the path he is on in the new Daredevil - at least from what I can see from the trailers - but it’s a standalone series that’s worth watching anyway.
Speaking of great Disney series, please enjoy this stitch inspired by the wonderful Agatha All Along.
[Image description: cross stitch on spider web background: you want straight answers, ask a straight lady]
What to read now
I shared Natasha Tripney’s article on the Serbian student protests in an earlier post, and a few people said they enjoyed it, so do check out her latest post on how actors in Serbia are striking in support.
Anyway, 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.