Northeast Music Guide

Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair The story of the power hungry murderous Macbeth, driven mad with visions from ghosts and a trio meddlesome witches, is familiar to most theatre-goers. As a Shakespeare classic I would say this one is definitely a good one to start with. It is usually one of the shorter ones and moves along at a fair old lick as a story.  This production had an industrial style set with a military feel that fit well with the costumes of the cast. The lighting, a changing background sky and the use of sound gave this the feel of a professional production. That said, in between amplified sections, the speakers should probably be turned down to avoid the mildly distracting hiss. The cast were all completely immersed in their roles. The three witches were played in a suitably manic, yet controlled way by Sarah Harrison Dowd, Penny Lamport and Ann Cater. Their hair and makeup added nicely to their unhinged appearance. The whole cast did a fabulous job of bringing this...

Macbeth­­­­ by William Shakespeare Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 March @ 7.30pm   “Fair is foul, and foul is fair” In one of the most searing portrayals of evil ever written, Shakespeare examines the dangers of ambition and the potentially overwhelming power of the human conscience. Part supernatural horror, part bloodthirsty tragedy, this Jacobean masterpiece continues to enthral as a timeless warning against political tyranny. INFORMATION: MACBETH by William Shakespeare DATE:             Tuesday 4 – Saturday 8 March 2014 TIME:              7.30pm VENUE:          The People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5QF TICKETS:       £12.50 (Concessions £10) 10% discount for parties of 10+ TELE:       ...

FROM PASSION AND PISTOLS TO  AMBITION AND DESPAIR Opera North returns to the Theatre Royal, Newcastle this March with the Company’s first productions of 2014, featuring a long-awaited and critically acclaimed new production of Puccini’s thrilling opera of the American West,   The Girl of the Golden West . Dubbed ‘the original Spaghetti Western,’  The Girl of the Golden West  is a story of true love and second chances, set in a tough mining camp during the California Gold Rush. Puccini’s melodic gift and rich orchestral score is a perfect match for the love triangle between Dick Johnson, also known as the bandit Ramerrez, the embittered Sheriff Jack Rance, and Minnie, the Girl of the title, who runs the Polka saloon. The intensely lyrical and human score reflects the maturity of Puccini’s characters, experienced in life yet unhardened by it. Filled with delicately poignant moments, this opera presents a dramatic and stunningly beautiful love story,...