Christmas shivers in Whitley Bay!

Published: 15 September 2023
Reporter: David Upton

Chris Foxon (left) and Jamie Eastlake - with their Olivier Awards - in front of The Watch House at Tynemouth

The Watch House brings Papatango Theatre Company and Laurels Theatre in Whitley Bay together for a ghostly collaboration this Christmas.

The production is a first stage adaptation of Robert Westall's Tyneside ghost story and will première at Laurels in North Tyneside in December.

Published in 1977, The Watch House was Westall’s second novel, following his Carnegie Medal-winning debut, The Machine Gunners.

Set in a fictionalised Tynemouth where Westall grew up, the story follows teenage Anne who arrives to stay for the summer holidays and quickly senses an otherworldly presence in the old coastguard’s Watch House.

It will be performed from December 5–23 (excluding 12 and 19 and with matinée performances on 16 and 23). Age recommendation: 12+

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