Newcastle’s Live Theatre has announced casting for its world première production of Shelagh Stephenson’s Harriet Martineau Dreams of Dancing, the second in her trilogy of plays for Live Theatre exploring the contemporary relevance of Tyneside’s political and cultural heritage, following the 2010 production of A Northern Odyssey.
The new play is a dramatised and at times comic account of Harriet Martineau’s stay in the North East seaside town of Tynemouth. Here, the leading radical thinker, feminist and anti-slavery campaigner of her day seeks refuge from the claustrophobic demands of London society with her needlepoint and a telescope in an attic room on Front Street.
However, instead of escape, Harriet finds an unequal world in need of her attention. This is a world of racial intolerance and gender imbalance, of eccentric scientific practices such as mesmerism and phrenology. A world where a negligent husband may die from a pig falling on his head in the street.
For this second play, folk band The Unthanks returns to provide the music and dance inspired by Northumberland traditions will again be choreographed by Lee Proud (Billy Elliot – the musical). Design is by Alison Ashton.
Actors Lizzy McInnerny, Amy McAllister and long-time Live Theatre collaborator Deka Walmsley are re-united from A Northern Odyssey and are joined by Kate Okello (The Savage), Matt Jamie (Lee Hall’s Live Screenplays) and Laura Jane Matthewson, winner of the 2014 Evening Standard Award for Best Emerging Talent.
“I am delighted to welcome Shelagh Stephenson back to Live Theatre and thrilled that she has created another play set in Tynemouth where she grew up,” said Live’s Artistic Director and director of the production.
“Harriet Martineau Dreams of Dancing is a superbly witty and engaging story underpinned with a sharply focused feminist tract. Although the action of the play is set in Tynemouth, 1844, the play’s relevance to today’s post-Brexit Britain is remarkably salient. As with A Northern Odyssey the production will include music and dance inspired by the traditions of Northumberland.”
Harriet Martineau Dreams of Dancing runs at the Quayside venue from 10 November to 3 December.