The Thrill Of Love
From 23rd September to 28th September 2024
Written by Amanda Whittington
Directed by Hayley Moy
A dramatisation of the true-life story of Ruth Ellis, the last woman to be hanged in Britain. Taking a fresh look at the story behind the headlines and the societal prejudices of the time.
A divorcee from a poverty-stricken, abusive childhood and with a young child to care for, Ruth Ellis works in the kind of London nightclubs where there’s more than just a drink on offer. The girls work hard, play hard and dream of a movie-star life to escape the grey, drab streets of post-war London. It is there that Ruth meets the wealthy, womanising David, a racing driver with whom she becomes obsessed. Fame ensues but not in the way she imagines.
Telling the story over a series of flashback scenes in Ruth's life this play covers her life as a nightclub 'hostess' in Soho, her toxic love affair with David Blakely and the events leading up to her trial and execution on 13th July 1955 (at the age of 28).
Warning: This production contains adult themes and uses strobe lighting effects.
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Notes from a Small Island
From 11th November to 16th November 2024
Written by Tim Whitnall
Directed by Ali Broughton and Ann Leake
What do counterpanes, Curly Wurlies and kippers have in common? They are all part of the patchwork of British history that Bill Bryson, a young ex-pat from Des Moines, Iowa had to contend with in 1973. Bill Bryson's smash-hit memoir spent three years on The Sunday Times bestseller list, sold over two million copies, and was voted the book that best represents the UK.
Tim Whitnall's hilarious stage adaptation weaves around Bill's character as he takes the audience on a charmingly affectionate tour of Britain, from its picturesque villages to its quirky landmarks. Along the way, he encounters colourful characters, unravels the mysteries of British culture and delivers a witty, unforgettable exploration of this small island.
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Cinderella
From 10th January to 19th January 2025
Directed by Beccy Gilmore
Our next enchanting pantomime at Tynemouth Priory Theatre is one of the most popular of all Fairy Tales. We have drama, comedy, thrills and spills as Cinderella, mistreated by her Evil stepmother and step sisters, finds love with help from her loyal friend Buttons and her magical Fairy Godmother. Come and join the fun. You'll have a Ball!
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Boeing Boeing
From 17th March to 22nd March 2025
Written by Marc Camoletti.
Translated by Beverley Cross and Francis Evans
Directed by Jen Woods
It's the 60's, and self-styled lothario Bernard lives in his luxury apartment in Paris with his beautiful fiancée, she's an air hostess and very glamorous…only problem is, so is his other fiancée, and his other fiancée! One is American, one is Italian, and one is German and all fly for different airlines, so they should never cross paths really…
Along with his long-suffering housekeeper, who has a multitude of menus available for the ever changing continental meals on the table, and his old school friend paying a visit, everything was going so well until all 3 ladies have unexpected layovers at the same time!
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Stepping Out
From 12th May to 17th May 2025
Written by Richard Harris
Directed by Vicki Lockey
Stepping Out is a warm and very funny play about the lives, laughs and loves of a group of women (and one man) attending a weekly tap-dance class in a dingy North London church hall. There is ex-professional dancer Mavis, who runs the class; cheerfully overweight Sylvia; Andy, a plain do-gooder with no confidence; snobby but well-meaning Vera; timid Dorothy who works in Social Security; Maxine, attractive, sharp and very shrewd; plain Lynne; Rose, just here for a good time, and Geoffrey, the lone male. As the play progresses, the class’s dancing improves to such an extent that by the climax, a grand charity show performance, they have been transformed into triumphant tappers, worthy of any chorus line.
Mavis teaches the troupe of adult would-be tappers, but before the dancing starts, she must mediate the drama that erupts between this group of students of different ages and from disparate backgrounds until love and friendship unites them all.
Stepping Out won the Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Comedy when it originally opened in London’s West End in 1984. The film version in 1991 starred Liza Minnelli and Julie Walters.
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