Northumberland Theatre Company (NTC) is touring Heartspur, a medieval / 'sixties mash-up with a touch of Shakespeare, telling the story of Northumbrian hero Harry Hotspur, set in gangland Newcastle in 1963 and using the best of Shakespeare's words alongside songs from the girl bands of the 'sixties.
The show is described as "Henry IV Part 1 meets Get Carter meets Six-Five Special".
The cast of five includes one trainee actor, Bethan Amber Carr from South Shields, one half of singing group The Stealthy Rollers. The other cast members are Louis Roberts (a longstanding member of the company who is also assistant director), David McCarthy, John Downham and Kylie Ann Ford. The play is written by Bob Shannon and is directed by Gillian Hambleton.
The tour dates are:
- 16 September : Longhirst Village Hall, Northumberland
- 18 September: Cedarwood Trust, Meadowell
- 19 September: Chatton Village Hall
- 20 September: Longhoughton Village Hall, Northumberland
- 21 September: Newbiggin Maritime Centre, Northumberland
- 22 September: Robinson Institute, Glaisdale
- 27 September: St James Church Hall, Alnwick
- 28 September: Longformacus Village Hall, Duns
- 29 September: Eglingham Village Hall, Northumberland
- 2 October : The Dovecote Centre, Amble, Northumberland
- 3 October: Whitburn Parish Church Hall, Sunderland
- 4 October: New Life Church, Morpeth
- 5 October: Otterburn Memorial Hall, Northumberland
- 6 October: Bamburgh Pavillion, Northumberland
- 9 October: Kirkwhelpington Memorial Hall, Northumberland
- 10 October: Bishop Auckland Town Hall, County Durham
- 11 October: Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle
- 12 October: Currie Memorial Hall, Lilliesleaf
- 13 October: Hindmarsh Hall, Alnmouth
- 14 October: Friarage Theatre, Yarm
- 18 October: The Talbot Theatre, Whitchurch
- 19 October: Alford Corn Exchange, Lincolnshire
- 20 October: Spring Bank Arts Centre, Derbyshire
- 21 October: Wymeswold Memorial Hall, Leicestershire
NTC normally tours to small village non-theatre venues but this production takes them into Newcastle fringe theatre Alphabetti for the first time.