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"Arctic Convoy" - the entire team: Helen Dobson (producer), Robbie Lee Hurst (actor, in costume), Viv Wiggins (actor, in costume), and me

Remembrance of Theatre Past 55–56: The End (Possibly)

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he describes how his career as an actor and director came to an end and thinks about what lies ahead.
"Drac!"

Remembrance of Theatre Past 52–54: School, the Internet and Another Book

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he deviates from his original plan and goes back to when he was teaching drama before looking at how the British Theatre Guide began and his book on panto.
Robbie Lee Hurst in "Arctic Convoy"

Remembrance of Theatre Past: 48–51: New Challenges

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he remembers some—for him—new and challenging theatre work.
"Adult Child Dead Child" performance in Germany

Remembrance of Theatre Past 45 – 47: Our Own Theatre Company

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he talks about KG Productions, the theatre company he founded.
The Mysteries: curtain Call in front of the Arbeia Roman Fort main gate

Remembrance of Theatre Past 42—44: Big Shows, Big Casts

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he talks about working with community casts on a series of large-scale shows.
To Wit: To Woo - Rachel Teate and Alex Kinsey reprise their roles in Romeo and Juliet (rehearsal pic)

Remembrance of theatre past 39–41: Oh, How I Missed Shakespeare!

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he looks back at the Shakespeare withdrawal symptoms he experienced after The Bard in the Park was cancelled.
The Rye Hill home of the People's Theatre, Newcastle, in the 50s

Remembrance of Theatre Past 34–38: Shakespeare and Me

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he traces his love of Shakespeare right back to its beginnings in 1959 and its culmination 50 years later.
The Sage, Gateshead

Remembrance of Theatre Past 32–33: How Long to Write a Play?

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. In this section he talks about two plays at the beginning of his second freelance career, after retiring from teaching drama.
The Weebles

Remembrance of Theatre Past 29–31: The Weebles, The Dome and the Big River

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he remembers some of the major projects he was involved in as a drama teacher.
The glamorous side of touring panto: Princess Jasmine (Christina Berriman Dawson) shifting the Aladdin scenery

Remembrance of Theatre Past 28: Touring Panto

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he turns his attention touring panto around the North East.
St Peter's Church, Sunderland

Remembrance of Theatre Past 26–27: Management

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he looks back at getting involved in management (something that still send shivers down his spine), including two council committees.
Spike Rawlings (publicity pic)

Remembrance of Theatre Past 23–25: variety, the working men's clubs & Tommy Cooper

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. Here he talks about his involvement in variety and the working men’s club scene, including an encounter with Tommy Cooper.
Chris Carrell in the Ceolfrith Arts Centre in 1971

Remembrance of Theatre Past (18–22): Ceolfrith Arts Centre

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. This instalment goes back to the late sixties / early seventies and Sunderland’s Ceolfrith Arts Centre and his own "Annus Mirabilis"!
Alphabetti Theatre interior

Support your local theatres—please

Amid all the concern for the dangers to West End theatres and the major national companies brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, Peter Lathan makes a plea that local theatre throughout the UK should not be forgotten.
Anton Lesser in Julius Caesar

Remembrance of Theatre Past (15–17): More on the Tynewear Theatre Company

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. This instalment looks at his time with the Tynewear Theatre Company at Newcastle Playhouse and Newcastle Theatre Royal and how it came to an end.
Kevin Whately in Lewis

Remembrance of Theatre Past (12–14): Tynewear Theatre Co

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. This instalment looks at his time with the Tynewear Theatre Company at Newcastle Playhouse.
The cover of Frank Ifield's "I Remember You"

Remembrance of theatre past (10–11): panto in Sunderland

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. This instalment features the stars of many pantos at the Sunderland Empire, plus some stories about panto chorus boys.
Slade at the Empire (composite of two pics)

Remembrance of theatre past (7–9): when punks came to Sunderland

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. This instalment features the night the punks came to Sunderland Empire, a rather odd photo job and a few Green Room conversations.
Coronavirus Theatre Club

Let’s not confuse theatres with Theatre

Peter Lathan responds to the suggestion that theatres may not be able to re-open until 2021.
The NYT (NE) production of Henry V

Remembrance of theatre past (4–6): National Youth Theatre, ballerinas and footballers

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. This instalment focuses on his time at Sunderland Empire and features the National Youth Theatre, a major failure as a photographer and a “contest” between ballerinas and footballers.
A modern photo of Sunderland Empire

Remembrance of theatre past (1–3): stories from Sunderland Empire

Peter Lathan looks back at a career in theatre which stretches back to the 1960s. This first instalment comprises three stories from his time at Sunderland Empire.