ETT ANNOUNCE FULL PROGRAMME FOR TRAILER STORY
– A TOURING OUTDOOR PERFORMANCE SPACE
ETT (English Touring Theatre), today announce the full programme for Trailer Story – a travelling outdoor performance space touring across the UK, a joyful, and safe, way of bringing communities together in their local public spaces to celebrate theatre.
Inspired by ETT’s origins as Century Theatre, who toured the UK in a pop-up space, Trailer Story performances will be housed in a truck, usually used to tour production sets around the country, but reimagined as a space for artists and audiences to meet. Designed by Jon Bausor with Tina Torbey, and Lighting Design by Natasha Chivers. Trailer Story opens in Newcastle, 30 July – 1 August, before visiting Keswick 5 – 8 August 2021, in partnership with Northern Stage and Theatre by the Lake.
The touring programme includes theatre with Nouveau Riche’s dance-theatre piece, Resonate, written and performed by Ntonga Mwanza; Lung Theatre’s Who Cares by Matt Woodhead whichexplores the experience of young carers; the bike-powered family comedy, How to Save a Rock, written by Conky Kampfner, Alex Rugman and Pigfoot; and Tim Crouch’s reimagining of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night from the point of view of its most notoriously abused steward in I, Malvolio.
There is comedy with the country’s best comics performing for an audience of children and their families in Comedy Club 4 Kids.
Figs in Wigs host cosmic game show, Astrology Bingo; and there is A Rain Walk,a self-guided tour accompanied recorded voices of children from across the UK and Ireland.
With music and beatboxing from Grace Savage who performs her award-winning beatbox routines and distinguished back catalogue of songs; and Testament also brings his spoken word, rap and beatbox show.
In addition, the programme offers a platform for local artists in each area to take over the space, including The BonBons Cabaret,Mam Tackles The Climate Crisis, BRASH’s Raising Shame and A case in point by What’s That Dance in Newcastle. Keswick’s local programming to be announced.
Richard Twyman, Artistic Director, and Sophie Scull,Executive Producer of ETT today said, “This programme curated by the team at ETT and our partners at Northern Stage and Theatre by the Lake offers audiences a rich selection of entertainment for all ages, from theatre and dance to comedy and spoken word. In this, its inaugural year, we hope that our touring truck will provide the opportunity for artists and audiences to reconnect and celebrate the communal act of theatre-making. We, and all the artists involved, are so excited to be back making work, touring and meeting audiences in their local community again.”
Trailer Story is made possible with support from the Cultural Recovery Fund, the Weston Culture Fund, Urban Green and the National Trust.
Created by Andy Field and Beckie Darlington
Music by Christopher Brett Bailey; Graphic Design by Will Brady
Newcastle: 30 July – 1 August – available throughout the day
Keswick: 5 – 8 August at 9.30am
We invite you to a rain walk – a walk in the rain accompanied by the recorded voices of children from across the UK and Ireland. With their guidance the rainfall will become your own private theatre, a space in which to observe, imagine and play. Whether in a drizzle or a deluge, we invite you to step outside, feel the rain on your face, and think about your place in a world that is changing so swiftly around you.
Andy Field is an artist, writer and curator. He creates unusual, interactive projects that invite viewers to consider their relationships both to the spaces they inhabit and the people around them. Field’s work has been presented across the UK and internationally by organisations including the Southbank Centre (London), the Natural History Museum (London), The Arches (Glasgow), Arnolfini Gallery (Bristol), Abrons Arts Centre (New York), Culturgest (Lisbon), BIOS (Athens), FOLA (Melbourne), Northern Stage (Newcastle), Warwick Arts Centre, Mayfest, Cambridge Junction, Festival B:om (Seoul), New Visions Arts Festival (Hong Kong) and Mayfest (Bristol). His key works include Nocturne (LIFT Festival), News News News (Cambridge Junction/Norfolk and Norwich Festival), Six Duets: The Incidental Plays (Forest Fringe), Non in Luce (Wellcome Collection), Zilla (SHUNT/Apiary Studios) and Motor Vehicle Shutdown (International Tour). Field is also the co-director of the award-winning Forest Fringe, and a regular contributor to publications including The Guardian, Exeunt and This Is Tomorrow.
Beckie Darlington is a creative producer. She works closely with artists and organisations to conceive, develop and deliver new work, including festivals, touring theatre performances, participatory art works, installations, and one-off live events. Her theatre credits include News News News (Cambridge Junction/Norfolk and Norwich Festival), Lookout (The Arches/Unicorn Theatre/International Tour), Super Duper Close Up (The Yard/UK tour), PSYCHODRAMA (Centro Conde Duque/UK tour), Insane Animals (HOME Manchester), Familiar (Fierce Festival Birmingham/Dance City Newcastle) and Kissing the Shotgun Goodnight (Ovalhouse/UK tour). For film, her credits include The Dream Agency.
Newcastle: 31 July – 1 August at 10.30am
Keswick: 7 – 8 August at 10.30am
It’s a comedy club, right, but for kids. Also any adults who enjoy a swear-free hour with the international circuit’s best stand-ups, cabaret stars and sketch acts. Non-patronising. Pure awesome.
Age recommended: 6+
Written by Conky Kampfner, Alex Rugman and Pigfoot
Newcastle: 30 July – 1 August at 12pm
Keswick: 6 – 8 August at 12pm
It’s 2026. We’ve found a letter from the last ever polar bear. He’s somehow ended up at the top of Scotland. We’re going to save him.
Join us on a wild polar bear chase, through peat bogs and protests. How To Save A Rock is a bike-powered family comedy about how to still have hope.
Recommended age: 7-13
Conky Kampfner is a playwright and journalist. How to Save a Rock is her professional writing debut.
Alex Rugman is a playwright, director, and co-Artistic Director of Freight Theatre. He is currently a trainee producer with Heavy Entertainment. How to Save a Rock is his professional writing debut.
Pigfoot is a multi award-winning theatre company, dedicated to making collaborative, carbon-neutral theatre. They make work with and for those grappling with the climate & ecological crisis. Their theatre ‘practices what it preaches’ (The Sunday Times on Pigfoot) & protests from within an industry which, in London alone, has been shown to have a carbon footprint of 50,000 tonnes a year. Recent works include How to Save a Rock in collaboration with Slung Low, Poplar Union, Camden People’s Theatre, Pound Arts & The Albany, and HOT IN HERE (Camden People’s Theatre).
Written and performed by Tim Crouch
Newcastle: 30 July – 1 August at 2pm
Keswick: 6 – 8 August at 2pm
I, Malvolio re-imagines Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night from the point of view of its most notoriously abused steward. It’s a charged, hilarious and sometimes unsettling rant from a man adrift in front of a cruel audience. Part abject clown, part theatre-hating disciplinarian, Malvolio asks his audience to explore the pleasure we take in other people’s suffering.
Age recommended: 11+
Tim Crouch is an award-winning theatre artist, playwright and director, and previously an actor. His credits as a writer, performer and director include I, Cinna the Poet (Unicorn Theatre), I, Marvolio (Brighton Festival/Singapore Arts Festival), The Author (Royal Court Theatre), England (Edinburgh Fringe), An Oak Tree (Edinburgh Fringe/Barrow Street Theatre), My Arm (Traverse Theatre/International tour), Shopping for Shoes (St. Bride’s Centre) and Fairymonsterghost (Bath International Shakespeare Festival).
Written and performed by Ntonga Mwanza
Newcastle: 30 July – 1 August at 5pm
Keswick: 7 – 8 August at 5.30pm
Resonate is a solo dance-theatre show following Jacob, a young man trying to turn away from his life as a hard-living and loving party animal, through a new found faith and spirituality . However, constant interruptions from his friends and ex-girlfriends leads to a crisis of confidence, and a breakdown in his mental state due to him being torn between two extremes. Resonate plunges into the mania of lust, faith and sexual-addiction-affliction, merging physical theatre, hip hop dance, clowning, mime and spoken word. A pulsating lyrical journey into the soul of a young man.
Age recommended: 14+
Ntonga Mwanza is an actor, writer and dancer. His credits as an actor and writer include Resonate (Vault Festival, and for theatre, The Meet Up (Royal Court Theatre), Hotel (National Theatre Studio), Romeo and Juliet (et al), 33% – No Free Parking (Ovalhouse Theatre), and 9 Rooms (Old Vic Tunnels). His television credits include Leave 2 Remain, and for film, Honeytrap.
The Lowry and LUNG in partnership with Gaddum present
By Matt Woodhead
Newcastle: 30 July – 31 July at 6.30pm
Keswick: 7 – 8 August at 7pm
The alarm rings. I take a breath. Then it starts.
Sitting at the back of the bus, skipping the lunch queue and skiving lessons. At school Nicole, Jade and Connor are just like everybody else. But when they get home, things are very different.
Nicole started caring for her mum when she was four. Every morning Nicole helps her get washed, put on clothes and eat breakfast. Jade has always cared for her brother, but she never expected to look after dad as well – now she juggles two lots of appointments, two lots of prescriptions, two lots of assessment forms. Connor cares for his mum. But he doesn’t like to talk about it.
Adapted from real-life testimonies, award-winning theatre company LUNG examines the impact of austerity, our failing social care system and what happens when a child becomes the parent.
Winner of: Sit Up Award for social impact, Mervyn Stutter Spirit of the Fringe Award and Summerhall Lustrum Award. Who Cares was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2021.
Age recommended: 12+
Matt Woodhead is a director. He is co-Artistic Director of LUNG, who are Associate Artists at The Lowry. Making theatre by communities, for communities and with communities, LUNG is a national touring theatre company, developing innovative and politically driven work that broadens horizons and investigates modern Britain. His credits include Trojan Horse (Summerhall), Who Cares?, The 56 (The Lowry), One Day (Sheffield Theatres Fuse Festival), Chilcot (Battersea Arts Centre), E15 (Battersea Arts Centre/UK tour), Dolly Wants to Die (Edinburgh Fringe) and Edges: A Musical Comedy (Montgomery Theatre).
Newcastle: 30 July at 8pm
Keswick: 6 August at 7pm and 7 August at 8.30pm
Alt-Pop, Singer-Songwriter, Live Looping, 4 x UK Beatbox Champion Grace Savage will deliver an hour-long performance showcasing her award-winning beatbox routines and distinguished back catalogue of songs supported by the likes of BBC Radio 1 and 6Music. She will also be giving a fun and informal masterclass in the basic sounds and techniques of beatboxing.
Grace Savage is a singer-songwriter, actor and beatboxer. She is four times UK beatbox champion and creator of her own blend of electronic-pop that has heard her music on the likes of BBC Radio 1, Radio 6 Music and many more. She recently showcased her song writing skills on Redbull UK’s online song writing competition “The Cut” and was shortlisted for “Best Songwriter” and “Best Female Solo Act” at the Unsigned Music Awards 2018. Her theatre credits include Big-Up! (Theatre Rites), Slug (Nabokov/Latitude), HOME (National Theatre), Blind (Soho Theatre), The Lost Voice (Southbank Centre) Jamie Blake (Edinburgh Fringe/Ravenrock Theatre Company). For television, her credits include Staff Room Rap Battles and Henry IX.
By Figs in Wigs
Newcastle: 31 July – 1 August at 8pm
Keswick: 5 August at 5.30pm
Join Figs in Wigs for Astrology Bingo – a cosmic game show for astrology lovers, bingo wingers and their sceptic friends. It’s already written in the stars if you will win because instead of numbers you’ll be playing with your own astrological birth chart! It’s totally out of this world!
Figs in Wigs are a theatre company and dance troupe. Their credits include Little Wimmin (HOME Manchester/Cambridge Junction), Often Onstage (Battersea Arts Centre), The Wind in the Willows (Cambridge Junction), Giants (LSE Festival), Dance Peas (Camden People’s Theatre) and Show Off (Incoming Festival).
Newcastle: 1 August at 6.30pm
Keswick: 5 August at 7pm and 6 August at 5.30pm
Delve into the mind of the multi-talented rapper and writer Testament, with new pieces, extracts from his theatre show and uplifting songs all brought to you with looping and world record holding beatboxing!
Testament is an acclaimed rapper, world record breaking human beatboxer and music producer. His work includes album Homecut: No Freedom Without Sacrifice. Testament is writer and composer of the acclaimed play Black Men Walking which was nominated for Best Play at The Writer’s Guild Awards 2019 and Best New Play at the UK Theatre Awards 2020. His radio play The Beatboxer was nominated for the Imison Award at the BBC Audio Drama Awards 2020. Testament is a Roland sponsored musician and his current show Orpheus In The Record Shop is available on BBC iPlayer.
LOCAL PROGRAMME – NEWCASTLE
In association with Alphabetti Theatre, Bonnie and The Bonnettes and The House of Love present
THE BONBONS CABARET
30 July at 3.30pm
Step through the doors and join drag trio Bonnie and The Bonnettes, singer/songwriter MXYM, burlesque babe Mama Rhi, and appetising queen Vol-Au-Vent Love for a glitter-fuelled, foot-stomping, pant wetting cabaret riot!
MAM TACKLES THE CLIMATE CRISIS
Written and directed by Tracy Gillman
Performed by Jackie Lye
31 July at 3.30pm
Mam is trying to recycle everything, including her relationship with her daughter.
Mam is sitting on the steps of the church knitting torn up carrier bags, telling her story. She cannot deal with recent events; the pandemic, working two jobs and all the recycling she has to do. Her daughter Maisie, who has recently had a baby and wants to get married soon, thinks Mam is just making a lot of unnecessary fuss.
Can the climate crisis bring them closer together again? Or will Mam stay on the church steps forever? Will Maisie get the wedding dress she has dreamt of or something quite different and what will they call the new baby?
Tracy Gillman is an actor, writer and director. As an actress her credits include Locker Room Talk, Me and Cilla, The Lovers, (Live Theatre), Rutherford and Son (Threshold Theatre Co), A Walk on Part (Live Theatre/Soho Theatre).
Jackie Lye plays Mam. For theatre, her credits include Wet House (Hull Truck Theatre/Live Theatre/Soho Theatre), Julie and Paul (LOST Theatre), Christmas Office Party (Hull Truck Theatre). For television, her credits include Brush Strokes, Harry’s Mad and Vera.
BRASH present
RAISING SHAME
1 August at 3.30pm
BRASH is a bold, educational theatre company for young people that strives to make sex and relationships education relevant, empowering, and unafraid. Here they present lyrical highlights from Raising Shame, a show about local experiences of period poverty and stigma, and from upcoming show Ankles, a theatrical Book of Spells through which teenagers protest against victim-blaming culture.
What’s That Dance present
A CASE IN POINT
1 August at 4.20pm
a case in point… An estimated 1.5 million young women lost income since the start of the pandemic.
a case in point… Mothers were 23% more likely than fathers to have temporarily or permanently lost their jobs during the pandemic and 14% more likely to be furloughed.
a case in point… Women perform 76% of the total hours of unpaid care work globally.
a case in point… In the UK, 77% of frontline workers are female with a 17.3% gender pay gap with their male counterparts.
a case in point… is a dance duet created with women of Heaton. What’s That Dance stands together with women in their community to challenge the shocking statistics of the increased inequality women have faced because of the pandemic. They want to raise awareness of the ongoing fight celebrating the strength and resilience of local women.
TRAILER STORY
LISTINGS
Newcastle – Leazes Park Bandstand, Richardson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4BJ
30 July – 1 August 2021
Box Office: www.northernstage.co.uk / 0191 230 5151
Tickets: Free – unticketed
Keswick – Crow Park, Keswick CA12 5DJ
5 – 8 August 2021
Box Office: www.theatrebythelake.com / 017687 74411
Tickets: £5 passes per seat for morning/afternoon/evening event slots
FULL PROGRAMME
NEWCASTLE
A RAIN WALK
30 July – 1 August at 9.30am
COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS
31 July – 1 August at 10.30am
HOW TO SAVE A ROCK
30 July – 1 August at 12pm
I, MALVOLIO
30 July – 1 August at 2pm
RESONATE
30 July – 1 August at 5pm
WHO CARES
30 July – 31 July at 6.30pm
TESTAMENT
1 August at 6.30pm
GRACE SAVAGE
30 July at 8pm
ASTROLOGY BINGO
31 July – 1 August at 8pm
BONBONS CABARET
30 July at 3.30pm
MAM TACKLES THE CLIMATE CRISIS
31 July at 3.30pm
RAISING SHAME
1 August at 3.30pm
A CASE IN POINT
1 August at 4.20pm
KESWICK
RAIN WALK
5 – 8 August at 9.30am
COMEDY CLUB 4 KIDS
7 – 8 August at 10.30am
HOW TO SAVE A ROCK
6 – 8 August at 12pm
I, MALVOLIO
6 – 8 August at 2pm
RESONATE
7 – 8 August at 5.30pm
ASTROLOGY BINGO
5 August at 5.30pm
TESTAMENT
5 August at 7pm and 6 August at 5.30pm
GRACE SAVAGE
6 August at 7pm and 7 August at 8.30pm
WHO CARES
7 – 8 August at 7pm