Newcastle’s Northern Stage has announced its July programme in Stage 3, its smallest performance area. Although the space has been used for small-scale performances since the theatre reopened after a £9m refurbishment in 2006, the venue is now taking a new approach.
Kylie Lloyd, Director of Participation, explained, “we want our theatre to be a place for everyone and Stage 3 gives us an opportunity to invite groups who might have recently lost their space or funding to come and try somewhere new for free. We launched the project earlier this year with a call out on Twitter and were delighted with the response we got.”
Northern Stage is currently piloting this new approach with six community groups, including regular meetings for La Leche League, a breast feeding support group, multicultural group Women’s Space and Twisting Ducks Theatre Company who are setting up a new drama group for people with autism spectrum disorders.
Jay Hare, Twisting Ducks project co-ordinator, said, “Stage 3 is a perfect venue for us. The group have enjoyed meeting in a professional theatre space and the staff have been incredibly welcoming.”
Northern Stage Associate Director Mark Calvert added,“we’re creating a programme that feels connected to the city, with opportunities for people to come and watch and be part of a bigger debate about what’s happening in our region.
"For example, this autumn we’re making a new version of Manifesto—Julia Darling’s last piece, asking people what they’d like to see for our city. And we’ve got some great shows lined up for the summer, including the chance to see new work by The Letter Room, Daniel Bye and some of the north east’s up and coming comedians, including Lost Voice Guy, before they head up to the Edinburgh Fringe.”
The July programme features:
Pink Lane Poetry and Performance
Thursday 2 July, 8PM
Music, poetry, comedy, spoken word—drink, merriment and dancing for all. Established at Newcastle’s Jazz Café in 2009, Pink Lane has a reputation for providing audiences with a fast-paced, vibrant atmosphere.
The Six O' Clock News
Friday 3 July, 7:45PM
Whatever the headlines that day, Daniel Bye and a team of specially-selected artists will digest and respond to them for your viewing pleasure, creating an evening of urgently topic contemporary performance about the big issues of today.
Top of the Popera
Saturday 4 July, 7:45PM
An evening of music, performance and spoken word exploring nostalgia and what it feels like to fall in love with music for the first time, presented by Stabbing Les.
Five Feet in Front: The Ballad of Little Johnnie Wylo
Thursday 9 & Friday 10 July, 7:30PM
A wild and darkly funny musical tale from The Letter Room about hope and daring to have it in the land of the downtrodden... Recommended age: 14+
Daniel Bye: Going Viral
Wednesday 15 & Thursday 16 July, 8PM
The award-winning maker of The Price of Everything and How to Occupy an Oil Rig presents the world première of his provocative new solo show, prior to a run at the Edinburgh Fringe.
NARC Night
Saturday 18 July, 8PM
NARC Magazine and Northern Stage present one-off audio-visual performances, embracing technology and mixed media platforms in a collaborative, immersive and unique live event with Razmataz Lorry Excitement + visuals from NOVAK collective, Nathalie Stern + visuals from Julie Ballands.
Break A Leg Comedy
Thursday 30 July, 7:45PM
A chance to see some of region's finest emerging comedy talent before they set off on their journey to the 2015 Edinburgh Fringe, with a headline performance from BBC New Comedy Award 2014 Winner Lost Voice Guy, plus Rahul Kohli, Sammy Dobson, Hal Branson & David Callaghan.