March to May at the Customs House

Published: 24 February 2018
Reporter: Peter Lathan

Best in the World
Launch Day
Arbuthnot's Super Happy Silly Fun Game Show!

The Customs House in South Shields has announced its programme from March to May 2018. Featuring the usual mix of music, dance and comedy (as well as a two-day magic festival), the theatre highlights are:

  • 6 – 10 March
    The Day Muhammad Ali Came to South Shields
    A Customs House community production

    In 1977, Muhammad Ali came to South Shields to have his marriage blessed at the local mosque and Joe Kelly has a great idea. It will get everyone talking and make his dad proud. He’ll impress his friends and, more importantly, Maya, the girl next door.

  • 11 March (12:00)
    Wee Red and Her Wolf
    By Laura Lindow
    A Cultural Spring event for age 7+ in Daltons Suite

    A badly behaved tale for brave souls aged seven and over, told by Laura, who’s going to need your help. And there’s music by Katie Doherty and soup from Red’s Granny Gonk.

  • 13 March
    Best in the World
    An Unfolding Theatre production presented by The Cultural Spring
    Dalton’s Suite

    Performer Alex Elliott takes audiences on a journey to discover what it really means to be ‘best in the world’. Through the power of live darts, motivational bananas and true stories of world champions, Best in the World creates "a joyful, welcoming and uplifting space" that celebrates all of our ‘gold medal moments’.

    Suitable for age 13+

  • 22 March
    Becoming Scheherazade
    By Kamaal Hussain
    The Thief of Baghdad, presented by The Cultural Spring
    The Studio

    Magic and reality collide as one British Arab navigates the voyages of Sindbad the Sailor and tries to make sense of his own family’s relationship to their migration from Iraq to the UK.

    Suitable for age 16+

  • 28 March
    Launch Day
    Kelly-Abbott Dance Theatre

    Inspired by the paintings of North East-based artist Alexander Millar, with a soundtrack featuring music by Mark Knopfler and composer Breifne Holohan, Launch Day brings to life Millar’s iconic characters—the ‘Gadgies’—and British shipyard workers socially and at work.

  • 6 & 7 April (11:00 and 2:00)
    Arbuthnot's Super Happy Silly Fun Game Show!

    Arbuthnot (David John Hopper) from the Customs House’s panto presents a singing, dancing and audience participation in the riotous, interactive and maybe just a little bit messy—game show. For children and their grown-ups.

  • 16 April (12:30)
    The Annual (Inaugural) Walter Plinge Memorial Lecture (given) by Eric MacLennan
    Presented by The Cultural Spring
    Daltons Suite

    The inaugural lecture is presented with accompanying slides and finger buffet that both reveal the un-official history of South Tyneside… it’s people; it’s cuisine; it’s cutlery – amazing stories—many of which have actually happened!

    Suitable for age 12+

  • 22 April
    Steptoe and Son
    Adapted from the TV scripts by Ray Galton and Alan Simpson
    Hambledon Productions

    Features the classic episodes Divided We Stand, Men of Letters and Come Dancing and excerpts from The Bath and Steptoe and Son—and Son!.

  • 22 May
    Seriously Dead
    By Leah Bell and Chrissy Rock

    The tale of Thelma Henderson deceased who cannot gain entry through The Pearly Gates as the system has gone digitalised and she has the incorrect paperwork.

    Starring Crissy Rock (Benidorm and I’m a Celebrity), Tommy Cannon (Cannon and Ball), Billy Pearce, Leah Bell and Paul Dunn.

  • 27 May
    One Woman Sex and the City
    A Parody on Love, Friendship and Shoes
    Performed by Kerry Ipema

    For anyone who remembers the naked dress, the tantric sex demonstration, the Post-it note, and “he’s just not that into you”, this show will provide a great reminder of why this series and its characters have stayed so firmly in women’s hearts and minds.

    Strictly over 18s only.

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