The North East’s leading actors’ agent Janet Plater sees her new play, Gaslight on Grey Street, premiering in the Newcastle Theatre Royal Studio from 30th April to 4th May.
Capturing life through the eyes of three actresses in 1854, Gaslight on Grey Street is a historical play with songs based on true events surrounding the career of Newcastle born starlet, Julia St George. Returning from London to tread the boards in her home town, Julia is greeted by fellow actresses Emily and Fanny, who reunite to take the stage by storm.
Having worked in the industry as the North East’s leading actor’s agent since 1997, Plater has seen many clients achieve great success on screen and stage, and the story of Julia St George was one that immediately sparked intrigue.
“I’m often scouring second hand book shops for historical works,” she said, “and was accidentally introduced to Julia St George when reading a book about George Stephenson. Julia was born in Broad Chare in Newcastle and left for the bright lights of London in search of stardom.
“She used to return to Newcastle to perform at the Theatre Royal, and I thought that this intriguing lady’s career was one to explore for the stage. Showing the play at the very venue she performed at seemed like a fantastic opportunity to bring this glittering career back to life for today’s audiences.”
Plater has always felt that there is a lack of strong female characters for actresses to work with, so Julia St George provides the perfect starting point for a new play.
The daughter of well-known playwright, the late Alan Plater, her writing credits include the radio play Telephone In The Deep Freeze for BBC Radio 4, a stage play The Gaul for Hull Truck in June 2012, comedy sketches for BBC Comedy’s Jesting About and a festive play Down Park Ave for Fruit in Hull.
The all-female cast consists of two NE Based actors, Christina Berriman Dawson (The Bodies and Fen, for Live Theatre, Flock for Zendeh Productions, and The Magdalene Sisters),and Samantha Phyllis Morris (George Gently, The Paradise, and All Creatures Great and Small at Durham Gala Theatre) who are joined from London by Caroline Deverill (‘Mrs Wilkinson’ in Billy Elliot the Musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, Mamma Mia, Sunset Boulevard and We Will Rock You).
Gaslight on Grey Street is directed and choreographed by Lee Proud, who is currently taking a break from his role as resident choreographer for Lee Hall’s Billy Elliott in the West End.