Spotlight on Arts Centre Washington
Plus great shows to book now
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My week in theatre
Last night I was at Live for a screening of Amber Film’s Writing in the Sand, and a Q&A with iconic photographer Sirkka-Liisa Konttinen to celebrate the reissue of her book of photographs of the same name, taken on North East beaches. This is the second time I’ve been to a screening / Q&A with Konttinen and she’s such a fascinating artist, it’s always worth it (even though the night had a few technical issues - it was all fine in the end!) The book is gorgeous, too.
Award-winners coming to Newcastle
Two award-winning plays are coming to Newcastle in May. Sides by Alex Joynes is the winner of the People’s Play Award, The People’s Theatre’s biennial playwriting competition. Set in a sandwich shop in Joynes’ native Bolton, this comedy drama sounds worth your time. It’s being staged in the theatre’s studio and is only on for 5 nights, so do get booking!
The splendidly named Dogs on the Metro by Emilie Robson is the winner of the inaugural North East Playwriting Award, which I was lucky enough to be one of the judges for. This story of young lives and the complications of youthful friendships comes to Live Theatre in May.
Things to book now
Speaking of Live, next week sees the return of Hamzeh Al Hussien’s Penguin, which I saw and loved first time around. It’s easy to tell depressing stories of people seeking asylum, and Al Hussien definitely doesn’t sugarcoat the experience, but this really is an uplifting, charm-packed tale.
Running this week and next at Laurels is Tits Up, Alison Stanley’s tale of three women bonding over their experience of cancer. This features one of my faves, Becky Clayburn of Gerry & Sewell fame, and on that basis alone I’m going to say it’s worth your time.
Something a little different in May is ClassicsFest 2025: Why Cicero Matters. A three-day festival taking place across venues in Newcastle, including the Common Room, the Lit & Phil and Alphabetti, this includes a reimagining of Cicero’s trial against the corrupt Roman General Gaius Verres, readings from plays, and talks on Cicero’s relevance to contemporary life.
[Image description: flier for the Underground Radio Show]
I’m usually a big fan of events held in unusual spaces. Alas, I am also very much Not a Fan of enclosed spaces, tunnels and the like, so I’m going to have to pass on The Underground Radio Show at the Victoria Tunnel in Ouseburn, even though I know and admire several of the performers involved. Still, if you’re not claustrophobic, this night of comedy and songs in a unique setting could be just the thing for you!
It’s actually just one of a range of events that use the tunnel, including a regular ‘Tipple in the Tunnel’ organised by Hotel du Vin. Damn you, scaredy cat Tracey’s nervous system, I’d love to go to that…
Venue spotlight – Arts Centre Washington
Arts Centre Washington is one of those venues I don’t go to enough because it’s not near a Metro station– I really need to figure out the bus routes – but it always has good stuff on and actually has a really charming little theatre. I saw Dyad Production’s I, Elizabeth there a while back, and the company is back in a similar vein next week with That Knave, Raleigh, written and performed by Andrew Margerison. The tickets are also very reasonably priced, so why not get yourself along?
Other shows coming to the venue include Dregs Opera, Twisting Ducks’ take on Gay’s Beggar’s Opera and Brecht’s Threepenny Opera, based on local queer figure Alonzo Johnson. Twisting Ducks is a company made up of autistic artists and artists with learning disabilities, and I’ve heard good things about their work, so this is definitely one to check out. The piece also features live music from the splendidly named Wild Women of Wylam.
A look into the workings of the teenage brain, Brainstorm, by Mortal Fools’ Ensemble Young Company, was developed with collaboration with actual neuroscientists and features 11 young performers sharing their stories.
However, the centre doesn’t just feature theatre. A real community hub, it holds exhibitions, music performances, workshops, classes and talks, as well as screening films. You can read more about the space here but don’t just take my word for it, get yourselves along!
What I have been watching
Season 3 of the award-winning Hacks is on Sky, finally, so yay! Featuring a career-best Jean Smart as comedy legend Deborah Vance who hires young writer Ava (a splendid Hannah Einbinder), this sharp as a tack show features great writing, a strong cast of supporting characters, and a core relationship between two complex, difficult and deeply flawed women. Also is it bad that I want to steal almost all of Vance’s sequin-heavy wardrobe?
[Image description: Night and Day by John Connolly]
What I have been reading
John Connolly is one of the few authors on my automatic buy lists, as I am a HUGE fan of his Charlie Parker books. The Parker series is one of the most complex and engaging crime series I’ve read (though, be warned: it’s NOT for the squeamish, they are hella dark), and Connolly is a thoughtful and eloquent writer. So of course I couldn’t resist his book of short stories, Night and Day. The collection doesn’t include any Parker stories (sob!) but does include the origin of the Caxton Library, which is fun.
I haven’t actually read this yet – I bought it last week as I got my ALCS payment and I always like to pay it forward with a little book buying – but since Lucy Nichol is a local author, I’m gonna give it a plug anyway (also at the time of writing, it’s 99p on Kindle, though I bought it in hard copy). When Sally Killed Harry (with Nichol writing as Lucy Roth) sounds just up my street for some summer reading (hey, I know that’s optimistic, but the sun is OUT, baby!).
As part of my ALCS pay-it-forward I also bought Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams, which is about her life at Meta, and I am sure will utterly infuriate me…
[Image description: When Sally Killed Harry by Lucy Roth and Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams]
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.