PREVIOUS ONLINE PERFORMANCES
All shows and events happening ONLINE on various different platforms
All tickets are priced at DONATE IF YOU CAN - for some event booking is essential.
Alphabetti Theatre present
Women are Mint
TUES 26TH OCT - SAT 13TH NOV 2021
Three week festival celebrating the finest (in our opinion) female and non-binary musicians, curated by Martha Hill.
WOMEN ARE MINT. No truer statement has ever been uttered. It’s also an absolutely banging festival on Alphabetti’s new intimate D’Addario Stage, curated by local musician Martha Hill. Guaranteed to satisfy every musical itch you need to scratch. From powerful singer-songwriters, to dynamic hip-hop artists, to mind-blowing DJs and performers; there is nothing you might want that Women Are Mint doesn’t offer.
Alphabetti Theatre present
hang by debbie tucker green | directed by Yolanda Mercy
TUES 28TH SEPT - SAT 16TH OCT 2021
This isn’t about me at all. Is it? You want to know my decision.
Darkly humourous, poetic and searing, hang by award-winning playwright debbie tucker green is a breathless look at life in the aftermath. First performed at Royal Court Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, London, on 11 June 2015, directed by the author.
Alphabetti Theatre in partnership with Paula Penman, Mark Calvert, Laura Lindow and Jeremy Bradfield present
Pause
Written by Laura Lindow
Directed by Mark Calvert
Performed by Paula Penman
Music by Jeremy Bradfield
Premiered: Tues 6th - Sat 17th July 2021 (excluding Sundays & Mondays)
Running Time: Approx. 50 mins
Age Rec: 16+
Access: Captioned, audio described, relaxed performances offered & wheelchair accessible.
Pause is an uplifting love story about film and how we use it to make day-to-day blockbusting escapes.
"Paula Penman is utterly winning in this nerdy and nostalgic tribute to the movies and the stories they inspire" ⭑⭑⭑⭑⭒ The Stage review, by Tracey Sinclair
Alphabetti Theatre in partnership with Newcastle University presents
Sucking Eggs by Steve Byron
Directed by Karen Traynor
Produced by Esther Fearn & Ali Pritchard
Stage Managed by Rachel Glover
Musical re-arrangement & performance by Ceitidh Mac
Sound Design by Nick Tyler
Set & Costume design by Anna Robinson
Performed by Jacqueline Phillips & Steve Hawksby
Commissioning Producer Charlie Wilkinson
Creative collaboration from the VOICE platform
Photo Credit: Molly Barrett
“Some days I just want to shout to the world that I am still here and I have something to say.” A kitchen sink drama about what it means to grow old.
Premiered: Tues 15th - Sat 26th June 2021
Running Time: Approx. 90 mins, including interval
Age Rec: 16+
Access: Captioned, audio described, relaxed performances offered & wheelchair accessible.
Content Warning: This performance contains smoking, themes of grief, conversations around pregnancy loss, and instances of bad language. For further information please contact enquiries@alphabettitheatre.co.uk
Peter is in his late sixties and has accepted his ageing with grace. He is kept busy caring for his mother and his ever-growing obsessions with the “state” of the “bloody" world. His slightly younger sister Maggie, however, is kicking and spitting about getting old and determined to do so as disgracefully as possible. The siblings often nip and scratch but in times of trouble know that blood is thicker than tea.
Praise for Steve Byron's previous work:
“Sharply written and often very funny”
Floorboards, The Stage, 2019
“Raw dramatic power”
Bacon Knees & Sausage Fingers, The Stage, 2019
“A well-crafted black comedy blessed with Steve Byron's sharply
observed writing” Floorboards, North East Theatre Guide, 2019
This production has been created in collaboration with participants
through Newcastle University’s VOICE platform.
Photo Credit: Matt Jamie
Alphabetti Theatre Presents
AWARE
with films by Hijinx, Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company and About Face Theatre Company
Produced by Esther Fearn & Ali Pritchard
We are installing three film booths in the venue, each booth will show a different short film by these fantastic, groundbreaking theatre companies. Each booth will fit one household/bubble at a time.
Premiered: Tues 25th May - Sat 5th June 2021 (excluding Sundays & Mondays)
Tickets: Pay What You Feel (booking essential)
Running Time: Approx. 70 mins
Age Rec: 14+
Access: All performances are captioned, audio described, relaxed & wheelchair accessible.
Hijinx presents The Audition – a short documentary.
Directed by Dylan Wyn Richards
Produced by Daniel McGowan & Clare Williams
Camera Huw Walters
Made with the support of Morrisons Foundation and Ffilm Cymru Wales
In the spring of 2019, thirty neurodivergent actors auditioned for roles in a groundbreaking feature film. During the audition process and interviews, these remarkable performers discussed their unique experiences and outlook on the world.
The result is a revelatory, extraordinary documentary fusing powerful acting with equally striking insights into politics, dreams, trauma, family, friendship and life as someone with a different, astonishing mind.
Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company presents Retake, Remake
Directed by Jan-Willem Van Den Bosch
With Creative Collaboration by Melody Sproates
Made with support of National Lottery Community Fund, Arts Council England and Esmée Fairbairn Foundation.
Retake, Remake explores films that portray people with learning difficulties but are played by actors without learning difficulties. The Lawnmowers Theatre Ensemble reclaim these films and make them their own. The actors create a new story-led show that uses lip-sync in a fun and clever way mixing edited audio, live performance and film footage to create a conceptual conversation about representation, ability and ownership.
About Face Theatre Company presents Creation
Directed by Jess MacKenzie
Directed by Jess MacKenzie and creative collaboration with The Fetch Theatre Company and The Creative Arcade. About Face is part of ECHO . Made with support from The Arts Council.
Strikingly staged using micro-puppetry, About Face weaves ancient stories of greed, fear and redemption applied to our world today, with music, narrative and strong magic. About Face Theatre Company is the flagship company of actors with learning disabilities in the West Midlands. It provides a wide range of opportunities for people with learning disabilities to grow in confidence through performance based skills, specialising in puppet and mask work.
Alphabetti Theatre Presents
Listen In
by Kay Greyson, Richard Boggie & Lauren Pattison
Directed by Jonluke McKie
Produced by Esther Fearn & Ali Pritchard
Sound design and editing by Matt Jamie
Photo credit: Matt Jamie
An immersive audio show available online. Three incredible short plays in reaction to a lonely theatre.
Premiered: Tues 4th - Sat 15th May 2021 (excluding Sundays & Mondays)
Running Time: Approx. 60 mins
Age Rec: 16+
Access: All performances are captioned & audio described.
Content Warning: These pieces contain themes of addiction, health emergency and grief. For further information please contact admin@alphabettitheatre.co.uk
The Last Laugh, Written & Performed by Lauren Pattison
“I’ll come out in a bit. Not yet though. Bit nervous. I had a nightmare of a gig last time, I’m spooked now. Like a dog who’s heard the hoover for the first time.” Katie Baker is a stand-up comedian facing her fear: returning to her most dreaded venue after a horrific gig that she’ll never forget.
The Interval, Written by Richard Boggie & performed by Carl Kennedy
“I still look forward to the interval. I try to get a seat near the door, so I can slip out quickly to the bar.” The Interval is a tale about escapism, addiction and love.
An Empty Room, Written & Performed by Kay Greyson
"I started rapping when I was six, the forbidden world of hip hop with all its thrills and swearing called out to me. I was hooked, I wanted to be a rapper, and I wasn't accepting a plan B." An autobiographical story about Kay’s career, looking at one of her best but also worst ever gigs, featuring live music.
Credit: Jeff Smith
Alphabetti Theatre presents
Mystery Tour By Hannah Sowerby
Directed by Paula Penman
Dramaturged & Produced by Ali Pritchard
Recording, Editing & Sound Design by Matt Jamie
Performed by Zoe Lambert
Premieres: Monday 8th March at 7.30pm
Tickets: Donate if you can Booking NOT essential
Age recommendation: 14+
Running time: Approx. 10 mins
Available Online indefinitely - AUDIO LINK!
As part of Alphabetti Theatre’s Listen Up project comes the seventh of nine short plays written by underrepresented writers in the North East.
Janet, recently retired and bored of it already, loves a good bus tour. She’s been all over: Loch Lomond, Stratford-upon-Avon, even the Isle of Weight. It’s time to try something new, so she books herself on a mystery bus tour. Where on earth will she end up? And what on earth will she end up doing?
Hannah is an emerging writer and performer originally from Cumbria. She’s had short many plays staged in theatres such as The Southwark Playhouse, Union Theatre, Canal Café Theatre and Alphabetti Theatre. She loves comedy and was one of the regular writer-performers on BBC Newcastle’s radio sketch show ‘It’s Grin Up North’.
Find out more about Hannah’s work by following her on twitter: @hannahsowerby1 or visiting her website www.hannahsowerbywriter.co.uk
Credit: Chris Ried
Alphabetti Theatre Presents
Giraffe By Julie Tsang
Directed by Omar Khan
Dramaturged & Produced by Ali Pritchard
Recording, Editing & Sound Design by Matt Jamie
Performed by Lloyd Thomas & Tonia Daley-Campbell
We can see it on the horizon, in the distance not too far away...the giraffe!
Premieres: Monday 15th March at 7.30pm
Tickets: Donate if you can Booking NOT essential
Age recommendation: 14+
Running time: Approx. 10 mins
Available Online indefinitely - AUDIO LINK!
As part of Alphabetti Theatre’s Listen Up project comes the eighth of nine short plays written by underrepresented writers in the North East.
Celine and Malik made a pact and now the day has come to face their fear together.
Giraffe is a short audio drama about loss, honour and the childhood friendships which shape you as an adult.
Julie Tsang is an award-winning playwright. Her recent work includes: All Noise – Imagination project with Theatre Centre and Theatre 503, Spring Lantern Riddles - Lyceum theatre/Royal Shakespeare Company, Fix - Pleasance theatre. Julie's work will be staged as part of the 12th Women's International Playwrights Conference in Montréal 2022.
Find out more about Julie’s work by following her on Twitter: @executetheatre
Music by Borrtex: Distant Sphere
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Borrtex/Distant_Sphere
Used under Creative Commons Licence
Credit: Charles Deluvio
Alphabetti Theatre Presents
Roots Food By Jaz Craddock-Jones
Directed by Tricia Wey (mentored by Chris Sonnex)
Dramaturged & Produced by Ali Pritchard
Recording, Editing & Sound Design by Matt Jamie
Performed by Kemi-Bo Jacobs & Cleo Sylvestre
A terminally ill Windrush migrant tries to teach her British-born daughter some precious Jamaican recipes. However, amongst the vibrant ingredients, bubbling pots and delicious aromas, mother and daughter connect in a way that they never have done before and more than just recipes are revealed.
Premiered: Monday 22nd March 2021
Tickets: Donate if you can Booking NOT essential
Age recommendation: 14+
Running time: Approx. 10 mins
Available Online indefinitely - AUDIO LINK!
As part of Alphabetti Theatre’s Listen Up project comes the ninth of nine short plays written by underrepresented writers in the North East.
Jaz is a Northern writer and NHS biomedical scientist. As a BAME artist she enjoys writing stories about Black British experiences. Her stage work has been performed in Sheffield, Leeds and Manchester and she has written a short film as part of the BFI Network Film Hub North 'Script Lab'.
Tricia Wey is a 25-year-old London-based multi-disciplined creative and describes herself as a General Maker of Things. She is passionate about removing passivity from theatre and is an advocate for encouraging those who don't see themselves in theatre to take up space. She is particularly interested in creating and producing work that represents marginalised groups, and aims to instill young creatives with the confidence to explore their various artforms. When life begins to open up again, she would like to get more involved with the London cabaret and drag scene.
She has written and performed work at the Bunker Theatre, the Vaults, Bethnal Green Working Men's Club, the World Transformed Festival, and the National Theatre. She also recently partook in WoLab's actor-writer programme. This is her first radio play and she was absolutely honoured to work with the cast and creatives. She hopes you enjoy this little slice of domestic Black life.
Music by Ketsa
freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa
CC lIcence:
Credit: Jessica Lewis
Alphabetti Theatre Present
Hearing Voices By Richard Boggie
Directed by Karen Traynor
Dramaturged & Produced by Ali Pritchard
Recording, Editing & Sound Design by Matt Jamie
Performed by Adam Donaldson
This is a play about voices – those we choose to adopt when it suits us, and those we choose to ignore when it...suits us. For Matt, the voice is a familiar one, but the conversation is anything but.
Premieres: Monday 1st March at 7.30pm
Tickets: Donate if you can Booking NOT essential
Age recommendation: 14+
Running time: Approx. 10 mins
Available Online indefinitely - AUDIO LINK!
As part of Alphabetti Theatre’s Listen Up project comes the sixth of nine short plays written by underrepresented writers in the North East.
Richard Boggie is an emerging writer from Newcastle. He can normally be found performing spoken word as Bogsey. His work is often playful and comedic, but can also offer Serious insight into life with sight loss and disability.
Find out more about Richard by following him on Twitter @reb_678
Alphabetti Theatre Presents
Credit: Lydia Tallent
Jigsaw By Beth Nolan
Premieres: Monday 22nd February at 7.30pm
Tickets: Donate if you can Booking NOT essential
Age recommendation: 14+
Running time: Approx. 10 mins
Available Online indefinitely - AUDIO LINK!
As part of Alphabetti Theatre’s Listen Up project comes the fifth of nine short plays written by underrepresented writers in the North East.
Liam and his mum decided to become a foster family. Now he invites you to listen to his side of the story. The side that doesn't get asked about. Discover the highs, the lows, the brutal truths and emotions that come along with foster caring and inevitably, letting go. A beautiful heart wrenching drama about a side we don’t hear about in the foster system.
Directed by Paula Penman
Dramaturged & Produced by Ali Pritchard
Recording, Editing & Sound Design by Matt Jamie
Performed by Arabella Arnott & Bob Nicholson
Beth is an 23 year old emerging northern writer and actor. Jigsaw is about foster caring from the perspective of a Foster Carer's birth child- something she experienced. It's a specific voice in society which rarely gets heard, she feel it's under, and sometimes, falsely represented within media. It's her mission to write something which gives an accurate insight into the foster caring experience. Away from writing, she loves creating comedy sketches with her best friend, playing the ukulele, performing their own spoken word and hiking in the lakes!
Music by Ketsa
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa/
Used under Creative Commons license:
Alphabetti Theatre Presents
Credit: Annie Spratt
Laundry By Assad Zaman
Premieres: Monday 15th February at 7.30pm
Tickets: Donate if you can Booking NOT essential
Age recommendation: 14+
Running time: Approx. 10 mins
Available Online indefinitely - AUDIO LINK!
As part of Alphabetti Theatre’s Listen Up project comes the fourth of nine short plays written by underrepresented writers in the North East.
It’s hard to talk about the thing you really want to talk about, especially if you’re British – Tea? When Sam goes over to her ex-Rob to use his washing machine, he hopes to be able to talk all things they never were able to finish…A comedy drama about so much more than dirty clothes.
Directed by Paula Penman
Dramaturged & Produced by Ali Pritchard
Recording, Editing & Sound Design by Matt Jamie
Performed by Craig Fairburn & Hannah Walker
Assad grew up in the west end of Newcastle, in a bustling Asian neighbourhood full of loudness and drama, where his love for storytelling was born. He’s fascinated by human nature and how we navigate relationships, ambitions, fears and everything in between. He’s had the privilege of exploring these as an actor and now curious to explore as a writer
Music by KETSA
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Ketsa
Used under CC license
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Alphabetti Theatre Presents
Credit: Roi Solomon
Transmission By James Piercy
Premiered: Monday 8th February at 7.30pm
Tickets: Donate if you can Booking NOT essential
Age recommendation: 14+
Running time: Approx. 10 mins
Available Online indefinitely - AUDIO LINK!
As part of Alphabetti Theatre’s Listen Up project comes the third of nine short plays written by underrepresented writers in the North East.
Jimmy has been missing for two days, his partner Vivien is distraught with worry. When a boy comes knocking on the door with answers, they don’t know what to believe. A queer love-loss story with a twist.
Directed by Paul James
Dramaturged & Produced by Ali Pritchard
Recording, Editing & Sound Design by Matt Jamie
Performed by Samantha Bell & Luke Maddison
James Piercy is a writer from the West Midlands. He graduated from Northumbria University with a BA in drama & scriptwriting. His debut play 'Waiting for Garbo' ran at the crescent theatre, in Birmingham, garnering rave reviews. Several of his one act plays; 'Oscar', 'Out in the streets' and 'Margie' have been produced in cities all around the U.K, including Newcastle's Northern Stage. He has also written four screenplays, including his directorial debut 'Known Voices' which is available online.
He is interested in ways of telling more authentic LGBTQ+ stories, wanting to tell queer stories that don't always focus on our sexuality but our existence.
“Queer people still have to fight for our rights, battle addition, debt. We want to get married and have children. I want to offer real stories about real people, not the usual stereotypes.”
This is James’s debut audio commission, find out more about James work via their Twitter: @mrjamespiercy
Music by Blear Moon
https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Blear_Moon
Used under CC license
Alphabetti Theatre Presents
Credit: Eduardo Soares
Contactless By Elijah Young
Premiered: Monday 1st February at 7.30pm
Tickets: Donate if you can Booking NOT essential
Age recommendation: 14+
Running time: Approx. 10 mins
Available Online indefinitely - AUDIO LINK!
As part of Alphabetti Theatre’s Listen Up project comes the second of nine short plays written by underrepresented writers in the North East.
A nameless woman working long hours behind a till begins to feel her body failing her. She's desperate for her ordinary life to leave an extraordinary mark on the world but believes she isn't doing enough. Time is not on her side but her sister definitely is. A heartfelt comedy drama about growing old and dealing with loss.
Directed by Paula Penman
Dramaturged & Produced by Ali Pritchard
Recording, Editing & Sound Design by Matt Jamie
Performed by Rebecca Glendenning-Laycock & Hannah Walker
Elijah is a playwright from Middlesbrough. His identity heavily influences his work and that’s why his writing tends to celebrate being queer and northern. He was the 2019 Young Writer residency at the Customs House where his play Isolation premiered which was later revived at Alphabetti. His last time working with Alphabetti was for Three Shorts and he is thrilled to be commissioned by this brilliant venue again.
This is Elijah’s debut audio commission, find out more about Elijah’s work via their social Twitter @ElijahYoung1998 & Instagram @elijahyoung__
Music by Ketsa, used under Creative Commons License
Alphabetti Theatre Presents
There’s Nothing To Worry About By Julie Burrow
Premiered: Monday 25th January at 7.30pm
Tickets: Donate if you can Booking NOT essential
Age recommendation: 14+
Running time: Approx. 10 mins
Available Online indefinitely - AUDIO LINK.
As part of Alphabetti Theatre’s Listen Up project comes the first of nine short plays written by underrepresented writers in the North East.
The radio is on the blink but Rennie, refuses to replace it. When we hear things that aren’t broadcast do, we fear for our sanity? Or is there something more troublesome a foot? An exciting audio thriller.
Directed by Paula Penman
Dramaturged & Produced by Ali Pritchard
Recording, Editing & Sound Design by Matt Jamie
Performed by Natasha Haws & Karen Traynor
About Julie Burrow is an actor and playwright. She's recently been commissioned by Les Enfants Terribles and Flexus Dance Collective, and is currently training on BFI North's Creative Producer School. She also writes and performs comedy, and is working on an absurdist solo show about a 6ft showbiz moth.
This is Julie’s debut audio commission, find more of her work via her Twitter and Instagram handle: @juliesusieb
Credit: Michal Balog
Alphabetti Theatre and Woven Nest Present
Love From
By Ali Pritchard
ONLINE PERFORMANCE
AUDIO PLAY
Premiered: Monday 21st December at 12:00pm
Tickets: Donate if you can Booking NOT essential
Age recommendation: Suitable for all the family
Running time: 55 mins
Available Online indefinitely - VIDEO LINK
Love and magic is being sucked out of our world.
Can you help us, find out how and why and SAVE Christmas?
Alphabetti Theatre and Woven Nest present a new Christmas show for you to enjoy online. Originally intended for single household performances the team have adapted to bring you something really special online. Created by Alphabetti’s award-winning Artistic / Executive Director (Ali Pritchard) comes a mesmerizing show created for these unfamiliar times. Despite the global pandemic production partners Woven Nest have been running workshops outside, online and anyway they can with West Rainton Primary School, Springfield Lodge Care Home, Carr Hill Community Primary School, and Hotspur Primary School to devise details and colour that writer Ali Pritchard has weaved into a script. With a villain who only eats raw turnips and rat stew – subsequently needing to douse themselves in sickly-sweet tropical perfume to her invisible gargoyle subordinates; this is a online production suitable for all the family.
Written by Ali Pritchard
Story & Characters ideas by participants from West Rainton Primary School, Springfield Lodge Care Home, Carr Hill Community Primary School, St Mark's Court Care Home & Hotspur Primary School
Workshops run by Woven Nest
Performed by Diji Solanke
Directed by Ali Pritchard
Assistant Directors: Olivia Hunt & Poppy Crawshaw
Designed by Molly Barrett
Assistant designer Anna Robinson
Set built by James Pickering & Dan Brown
Lighting design by Dan Saggars
Videographer Jacob Garthwaite
Composer / Sound designer Wilf Stone
Automata designer/technician Rachel Glover
Produced by Esther Fearn & Ali Pritchard
Stage managers Becky Glendenning-Laycock, Andrea Scrimshaw & Rachel Glover
Creative runner Izaak Gledhill
Pre-recorded Wanda Judi Earl
Pre-recorded Gary The Gargoyle Steve Byron
Gargoyle maker Nicole Freeman
Hessian Assistants Tommy Tyler & Eilis McGowan
Stop Motion by Steve Byron
Captions & Audio description by Matt Jamie
With Thanks to Open Clasp, Northern Stage, Live Theatre, Dance City, Durham Gala Theatre, Cap-a-pie & Curious Monkey
Christina Berriman Dawson & Richard Dawson in association with Alphabetti Theatre presents:
Merry Christmas, Holy & Ivan
By Christina Berriman Dawson & Richard Dawson
ANIMATED PLAY
Premiered: Tuesday 15th December 2020 - 12:00pm
Tickets: Donate if you can Booking NOT essential
Age recommendation: 7+
Running time: Approx. 20 mins
Available Online indefinitely - VIDEO LINK
A Tail with a Twist - A Dog’s For Life not Just For Xmas.
Twas the 90s and Christmas Eve! Once upon a time in a town like this, snowfall blanketed Christmas, and a dog was for life. But this year our dog needs a knee replacement and that’s a present too far even for Santa’s magic. Come on an animated Christmas adventure with Holly and Ivan as Santa takes them through a mysterious night of discovery to find the true meaning of Christmas.
"You don’t believe that the magic is real? Well open some parcels then see how feel.
Look over yonder, your parents believe, open your hearts and you will receive.”
“What you speaking like that for? Stop rhyming literally everything. You creep!”
Originally part of the 2018 Christmas Cabaret at Alphabetti Theatre.
Written by Christina Berriman Dawson & Richard Dawson
Performed by Christina Berriman Dawson
Animation by Jack Holden Music
Recorded by Riverside studios
Sound Design by Richard Judson
Moon on a Stick (Credit: Tom Barrett)
Alphabetti Theatre in association with Crisis Skylight presents:
Wrong Place Wrong Time by Steve Byron & members of the 2016 Crisis Skylight creative writing class.
'there’s raw emotion—indeed raw passion; there’s anger and pain, and misery which, as misery begets misery, spreads beyond the girl and her family.'
Peter Lathan. British Theatre Guide about Wrong Place Wrong Time.
'a powerful play, powerfully performed by Penman, complementing How Did We Get to This Point? by showing, through her family, other kids and the school, how she did get to that point, making us ask a slightly different question than before: why on earth did we allow our society to get to this point?'
Peter Lathan. British Theatre Guide about Wrong Place Wrong Time.
AUDIO PLAY
Premiered: Wednesday 16th September 2020 - 8.30pm
Tickets: Donate if you can Booking NOT essential
Age recommendation: 18+
Running time: Approx. 20 mins
Available Online indefinitely - LINK TO AUDIO HERE!
There is only so long you can poke a monkey with a stick before it grabs it off you and beats you with it. Nicky is a gentle soul in a savage jungle trying to survive, and looking for acceptance within the right tribe. Wrong Place, Wrong Time is a short piece about the results of nature vs nurture, and how wrong place, wrong time can have life effecting consequences.
Directed by Laura Lindow
Performed by Paula Penman
Dramaturged by Ali Pritchard
Please be aware that there is strong language used from the start and themes some might find upsetting for more information please visit the website.
Originally performed in 2016 in reaction to How Did We Get To This Point? By Ali Pritchard. The script for Wrong Place, Wrong Time was based on a creative writing materials produced by members of the creative writing class at Crisis Skylight Newcastle Upon Tyne. After a series of workshops hosted by Ali using the script for How Did We Get To This Point? as stimulus - the members, produced their own scripts, poems and short stories. These were then inter woven together by Steve Byron for this short play.
Alphabetti Theatre in association with The Worriers present
Rocket Girl
By Steve Byron
Directed by Ali Pritchard & Matt Jamie
ONLINE PERFORMANCE
“The kids were riveted, eyes focused on Nelson as she climbed over, under and around the set, listening intently to what she said as she told her story. They sat transfixed for about an hour. And there was laughter too, not just from the kids but from the adults as well, always a sign of a well-written and performed piece.”
British Theatre Guide - click for full review
Premiered: Wednesday 8th July 2020 - midday
Tickets: Donate if you can Booking NOT essential
Age recommendation: 6+
Running time: 45 mins
Available Online indefinitely - CLICK HERE TO ACCESS PLAY
From the creative team who brought you Walter (winner of the Best Children's Show Award, British Theatre Guide 2017), comes a live recording from February 2020 of this fantastical family friendly show – Rocket Girl.
Follow nine year old Georgina on her adventure to design and build the very first Rocket, years before the famous George Stephenson. But instead of railroads, Georgina dreams of getting to the moon to dig for Cinder toffee (left by the toffee-dragons, as she has been told by Nana Nora) to make her fortune for her family and village.
Creative Team:
Director Ali Pritchard
Co-director Matt Jamie
Writer Steve Byron
Performer Jude Nelson
Voice Performer Paula Penman
Stage Manager Andrea Scrimshaw
Designer Molly Barrett
Set Builder James Pickering
Lighting Designer Louise Gregory
Sound Designer Nick Tyler
Producer Esther Fearn
Alphabetti Theatre presents
Meat Factory By David Raynor
Directed by Ali Pritchard
ONLINE PERFORMANCE
Premiered: Wednesday 19th August 2020 - 8.30pm
Tickets: Donate if you can Booking NOT essential
Age recommendation: 16+
Running time: 22 mins
Available Online indefinitely - CLICK HERE TO GO TO VIDEO
Meet Shirley Dobson OBE, winner of North-East Business Woman of the Year 2016 and National Business Award 2019, proud owner of pay day loan company - Dosh Ltd. Join her online for her pitch to the governement and fellow big-wig business types as she launches her latest business proposition as part of her company, Quick 'n' Easy Meat-Based Products.
Meat Factory was a short play that featured in the 2015 award winning promenade performance - The Rooms, at Alphabetti's old venue on Newbridge Street West. Working with videographer Adam Goodwin, Alphabetti are re-imagining this dark satirical short play into a new short film.
Creative Team:
Director Ali Pritchard
Writer David Raynor
Performer Rosie Stancliffe
Designer James Pickering
Videographer Adam Goodwin
Alphabetti Theatre & The Worriers presents:
Bacon Knees & Sausage Fingers Written & performed by Steve Byron & Gary Kitching
“It’s cleverly written and Ali Pritchard, Alphabetti’s AD, directs with sensitivity and a light touch. Kitching and Byron really inhabit their characters, investing them with a humanity totally unexpected in two people who deviate so much from the accepted norm.” British Theatre Guide, 2019
“Ali Pritchard’s sparsely staged production does a skilful job of keeping the audience off balance with abrupt changes in tone. The audience is invited to laugh at comic misfortune one minute, and then made choke on that laughter the next.” The Stage 2019
Photo Credit: (Lauren Stone)
“Both men (Byron & Kitching) excel in complex roles that are never allowed to slide into easy caricature. Director Ali Pritchard ensures the piece balances its strands of dark – often very funny – comedy and black, bleak tragedy, and keeps it from tipping too far into its own absurdism.” Exeunt 2019
AUDIO PLAY
Premiered: Wednesday 21st October 2020 - 8.30pm
Tickets: Donate if you can Booking NOT essential
Age recommendation: 18+
Running time: Aprox. 75 mins
Available Online indefinitely - CLICK HERE
*Back due to popular demand and now as an audio play following the sell-out run in 2016 and for a whole month in 2019.*
TRIGGER WARNING: This show deals with extremely difficult issues from the start and throughout. If this is a concern and you would like more information please contact our general manager, Alex Fisher, on bar@alphabettitheatre.co.uk
Bacon Knees has always been fast. His parents were very proud. They would watch him running around the garden in circles for hours on end. In 1989 he found his calling…Crufts was on TV. 27 years later and Bacon Knees finds himself on his home track – the High Level Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne - up against a new opponent...
Bacon Knees & Sausage Fingers is a harrowing, heart-warming and hilarious play written and performed by Gary Kitching and Steve Byron, directed by Ali Pritchard; it tells the tale of a meeting between two social outsiders and their new bizarre friendship.
Directed by Ali Pritchard
Sound Recording & Editing by Matt Jamie
Sound Design by Nick Tyler
Bacon Knees & Sausage Fingers came out of an Alphabetti Theatre 24 Hour Challenge in May 2015, when Gary and Steve wrote a play in 24 hours reacting to stimuli provided by Ali. Following that, the three of them worked on the piece and performed it to sell-out audiences in October 2016. From there The Worriers Theatre company was formed, winning awards in 2017 and 2018. We then brought it back for one whole month in February 2019 where again it performed to sell-out audiences. Here was the fact that started this journey:
“In 1849, a week after opening the High Level Bridge in Newcastle upon Tyne, the Geordies worked out that it was exactly the same length as a dog track, and with raised pavements either side, they had the perfect viewing terraces. Within a week the bridge was closed to traffic by hundreds of people flocking to the bridge, closing it off to race their dogs.”
Since developing the play we may have discovered that Ali’s source could be slightly historically questionable/creatively embellished…but still an excellent nugget of inspiration to create Bacon Knees & Sausage Fingers.
“Laying bare the cruel ways society can and does deal with those who are different, it’s by no means an easy watch, but it’s one which should be seen by many.” Only in Newcastle 2019