Northeast Music Guide

JACK CLIMBS TO TOP OF SALES RECORDS Figures released today reveal that  Jack and the Beanstalk , the Theatre Royal’s 2013/14 pantomime, has broken all previous records to become the most successful pantomime in the Theatre’s 176 year history.  What’s more, over 36,000 tickets have already been sold for next year’s show  Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs , which will mark Clive Webb and Danny Adams’ tenth anniversary at the theatre. Jack and the Beanstalk  went on sale in November 2012 to meet high demand, and got off to an auspicious start when it opened on 26   November 2013 with sales in excess of £1million. Now, over 90,000 tickets have been sold with three weeks of the run still to go until the final performance on Saturday 18 January. Last year’s show  Aladdin  was the Theatre’s most popular show EVER, and  Jack and the Beanstalk  has now beat it by some margin. The Theatre Royal pantomime starts earlier than any other in t...

Trio Bring Sexy Back to Comedy! Well, that may not be the intention, but 3 guys dancing around clad only in Y fronts is not only funny but also oddly appealing to a middle aged heterosexual woman. A great start to a show that showcased many of the characters featured on the BBC2 series. This was also, apparently the boys' last ever show as GGG. Graham Rooney, Paul Charlton and Kevin O' Loughlin all have  respectable pedigree in TV comedy and drama and a talented team behind them to create a very funny and engaging live show. If you haven't seen the TV show, it's a collection of sketches exploring the "what ifs" in life. For example, what if the CEO of a company was a big tortoise and the fire alarm went off mid meeting? What if  football refs, instead of giving out red and yellow cards for misdemeanors, put player over their knees for a short sharp spank? Such important possibilities are explored and expressed by the three very expressive comic a...

The Suggestibles Christmas Pantso Northern Stage 12/12/13 A panto, with a charming prince, a king, a helpful character that narrates the story, woodland animals, ugly sisters and an oppressed beautiful girl looking for love. Add to this a troupe of improvisational comics and an audience all too willing to provide material to make the story much less traditional, and you’re in for a good night out. The prince and the lonely girl had hands for feet, for example, the woodland creatures had varying levels of Tourette’s and the story took place in the magical land of Gonnoria . The thing about these productions is that the story, whilst having the familiar framework, is never going to be the same twice. The songs are made up on the spot, and range from the daft to the ridiculous. The sudden pressure to create a song from a silly situation caused many a funny moment. The ability of these actors to think on their feet (or imaginary second set of hands) is remarkable, as is t...

Perfect Fools present A Dog’s Heart Arts Centre Washington Thursday 6 th February at 7.30pm Perfect Fools are about to be let off the leash as they embark on a tour of the North East with their latest production A Dog’s Heart . The show is an adaptation of the classic Russian novel by Mikhail Bulgakov and is a visually inventive retelling of the story of Sharik, a lone stray on the streets of Moscow . A Dog’s Heart visits Arts Centre Washington on Thursday 6 th February, the first date of a 5 venue tour across the North East taking in Hexham, Barnard Castle , Seaton Delaval and Alnwick along the way. Described by the Northern Echo as ‘Genius! Barking mad and doggedly funny’ , A Dog’s Heart tells the story of Professor Preobrazhensky, a world-famous cosmetic surgeon who makes his fortune rejuvenating Moscow’s aging elite. When he meets Sharik, a starving stray dog, he finds the raw material he needs for his greatest experiment yet. With shades of F...

Artist Pam Vardy cordially invites you and your guests to her Christmas 2013 Open Days Sunday -   15 th  December - 12 – 4 p.m. (above dates don’t suit? please contact us for an alternative viewing) “Simonside Snowflakes”                                                                                     Mulled wine, mince pies, log fire in the atmospheric setting of a medieval  pele tower Pam’s paintings, prints and cards, art & painting workshop gift vouchers. at The Old Vicarage (Pele House), Middle Rd., Shilbottle, Nr. Alnwick,, NE66...

Lady Strings The Blues   It seems criminal to me that Chantel McGregor hasn't been snapped up by a major label yet, or her single "Fabulous" been all over our radios at any stage. Is it because she is female, that her breathtaking skills on the guitar are overlooked by the mainstream? Probably, is the answer. Chantel has been playing guitar since childhood, when she realised Dad would be easily impressed by little Chantel boshing out some chords on his guitar. She didn't stop there though and developed her skills, passing a Rockschool grade at only 8 years old. She was advised by an A&R that her voice was great but playing guitar like that might intimidate boys. Chantel went on to do outstanding well at Leeds College of Music (via nearly going into teacher training) and has been recognised at the British Blues Awards, winning Best Newcomer in 2011, Best Female Vocalist in 2012 and 2013 and Best Guitarist in 2013. Cluny 2 had a healthy sized crowd with th...

Dark Woods, Deep Snow – A Grimm Tale For Christmas Northern Stage 7 th December 2013. Once Upon A Time…the woods were dark and the snow was deep. There lived a pig (Rebecca Wilkie) who said no lines but got the bulk of the laugh out loud moments. The annual Christmas production for the over 7s, directed by the Northern Stage’s Artistic Director Lorne Campbell, takes full advantage of the very wide stage. The set is filled with trees and the Harmoniser, which pulls stories together. As the audience enter a number of crows move slowly around as the Old Woman (Joanna Holden) entertains using a walkway which extends the stage to the rear of the auditorium. Luka (Assad Zaman) kicks off proceedings with a monologue about his story and how he was once lost in the dark woods. Eventually we are joined by Mila (Helen Goalen) and Lily (Abbi Greenland, both of Rash Dash fame) who are trying to piece together stories when Johann (Gary Kitching) lands in the harmoniser. The harmoni...

Proper artists, proper songs, a proper good night The Dog And Parrot upstairs room, stripped of its tables and chairs makes for a perfect small venue with a reasonable bar. Coquin Migale took to the stage for what was only their second gig as a band together and the 4-piece from Newcastle didn't fail to impress the small crowd with their music. Their songs touch on the ethereal trend that dominates some of the new music radio programmes, but then move into much more interesting territory, jumping from one musical "room" to another while keeping the theme of a song. Their Yellow Room  EP is definitely worth getting hold of and can be downloaded for £0 from their Bandcamp Page . I predict great things for this band, all four of them have talent beyond their years and a youthful enthusiasm I hope they don't lose for a long time! Thomas McConnell , is only 20 and already a very accomplished songwriter and performer. The influence of Lennon and McCartney cannot b...

BABY COW & CHANNEL X ON BOARD The production arm of award-winning sitcom Hebburn are hoping for another Geordie hit – when they sponsor a new comedy night on Tyneside. Baby Cow Productions and Channel X will sponsor the Giggle Beats Comedy Quiz when it launches at The Stand Comedy Club , Newcastle, on Sunday 5 January. The industry giants, who co-produced Jason Cook’s BBC2 sitcom, are providing prizes for the quiz, which will run on the first Sunday of every month. Gill Isles, of Baby Cow Productions, said: "We had such a great time filming in Hebburn, so we're really happy to be supporting this great comedy event in the North East." The quiz is programmed by the comedy website Giggle Beats and combines stand-up with the traditional pub quiz format. Comedy aficionados will be tested on their comedy knowledge by comedian Seymour Mace ( Ideal, Dave’s One Night Stand), before a stand-up spot to round off the night. Jo Caulfield, Lost Voice Guy a...

LET’S GET QUIZZICAL – AT THE STAND COMEDY CLUB Can you name every episode of Friends ? Do you know how tall Ronnie Corbett is in feet and inches? Thought you were wasting your life watching daily repeats of Auf Wiedersehen , Pet ? Well think again. The Stand is delighted to announce a partnership with the comedy website Giggle Beats to bring you the ultimate night out for comedy geeks: the Giggle Beats Comedy Quiz. Hosted by comedian Seymour Mace ( Ideal, Dave’s One Night Stand), the quiz will put your comedy knowledge to the test, with lots of laughs along the way. The night, which launches on 5 January 2014, will take place on the first Sunday of the month as part of The Newcastle Stand’s new spring comedy programme. The Stand director Tommy Shepperd said: "We are delighted to announce this new collaboration with Giggle Beats. “Over the last few years we've built up the biggest collection of comedy aficionados in the country - they're our regulars....

Ghost The Musical  Sunderland Empire 30-11-13 The power of theatre to both entertain and amaze an audience should never be underestimated. This show is based upon the popular 1990 film Ghost and it has taken advantage of the latest in special effects to add an extra wow factor.  The show does not just rely on flashy tricks and the strong cast deliver Bruce Joel Rubin’s book with passion. The music by Glen Ballard and  Sunderland’s own Dave Stewart includes a number of decent songs that help develop the relationship between Molly (Rebecca Trehearn) and Sam (Bradley Jaden). Both of these cast members have fantastic voices that conveyed the passion that the story requires. Special mention should also go to Wendy Mae Brown who provided much of Ghost’s comedic elements in her role as psychic Oda Mae Brown.  Designer Rob Howell has put together a set which has enabled director Matthew Warchus to keep the pace going seamlessly. The memorable illusions add to...

    Panto Just Keeps Getting Bigger!   The Theatre Royal is renowned for its lavish pantomimes and this year is no exception. Extravagant costumes and amazing special effects combine to give a wow factor but it is the sheer hard work of the cast and crew that ensured everyone, old and young, was entertained. Returning for their ninth season, Danny Adams (playing Jack Trott) and Clive Webb (playing Farmer Trott) are joined by Chris Hayward who asserts control as the Dame. A combination of slapstick and panto friendly jokes weave through the story. They made each performance feel unique and special. Tonight they were nearly upstaged by a 5 year old called Daisy who assisted them with a musical routine. The acid test is whether or not the younger members of the audience enjoyed it. Our 10 year old loved it and said it was the best pantomime he had ever been to. The children helped with the attack on the giant and with the many interactive parts ...

What I Found at the Vegan Festival The Vegan Festival at The Stadium of Light, last weeked, was in aid of the Farplace Animal Rescue Sanctuary in Weardale. The sanctuary rescues abused and abandoned animals. Cats with FIV can live out their lives there when they would otherwise be destroyed. The festival was a succes and featured many stalls with great products and delicious food to taste and buy. Make sure you don't miss it next year! I was particularly impress by a new vegan shoe company:  Ethical and vegan shoe company Wills Vegan Shoes is experiencing runaway success as its first-ever Winter collection proves a smash hit with fashion-conscious and eco-friendly consumers across the country. Founder William Green said, “The response to my first ever range has been above and beyond my  expectations. It appears people really want ethical, fashionable shoes at affordable prices. My team has  been working around the clock to fill orders flooding in and some of the...

Engineering: The future for many Northeast children, and a fascinating, well-paid one! Jo Oliver of Jowheretogo has been checking out prospects for engineering-minded pupils of South Durham Schools: Monday 11th November was the launch of an exciting project involving 4 schools: Staindrop, Parkside Academy in Willington, St John’s in Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor School.  Around a hundred children and local engineering and manufacturing employers gathered at the new CORE facility at SW Durham Training in Newton Aycliffe to hear about the  project.  The challenge is funded by four Area Action Partnerships (AAPs) from Teesdale, Spennymoor, Bishop Auckland and Shildon Area and the 3 Towns (Crook, Willington and Tow Law) area. A priority in the Durham area is getting our young people into training for real careers they can be proud of. At the launch John Bignall of the Bignall Group in Shildon debunked  the two great myths about British manufacturing. The ...