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Please rehearsal images for the world premiere of TO WONG FOO THE MUSICAL, which opens at Hope Mill Theatre on 21 October for a limited 9-week run

TO WONG FOO THE MUSICAL stars Peter Caulfield as Vida Boheme, Gregory Haney as Noxeema Jackson and Pablo Gómez Jones as Chi-Chi Rodríguez, with Carolyn Maitland Duncan Burt, Alexander Kranz, Arthur Boan, Ayesha Maynard, Emily Ooi, Jermaine Woods, Lee Harris, Natalie Day, Scott Hunter, Susie Fenwick, Samantha Bingley, Theo Maddix, Jamil Abbasi and Megan Davies-Truin.

TO WONG FOO THE MUSICAL is based on the 1995 cult-classic film, To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything Julie Newmar, written by multiple Tony Award nominee Douglas Carter Beane and featuring an all-star cast including Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, John Leguizamo, Stockard Channing, Robin Williams and RuPaul. 

The new musical has a book and direction by original film screenplay writer Douglas Carter Beane, with music and lyrics by Lewis Flinn.

STRATFORD EAST ANNOUNCES

NATHAN KILEY AS MILKY LINDA

FOR THEIR UNIQUE TWIST ON THE MUCH-LOVED PANTOMIME

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

Saturday 18 November 2023 – Saturday 06 January 2024

Stratford East is delighted to announce Nathan Kiley (he/him) as the dame, Milky Linda, completing the cast for this year’s pantomime, JACK AND THE BEANSTALK. Book and lyrics by Succession/Killing Eve writer Anna Jordan (she/her), music and lyrics by Stratford East pantomime veteran Robert Hyman (he/him) and directed by Stratford East’s Sky Arts Associate Artist for 2023 Denzel Westley-Sanderson (he/him).

Nathan joins the previously announced Lucy Frederick (she/her) as Flesh Creep, Max Gill (they/he/she) as Bill, Savanna Jeffrey (she/her) as Winnie the Moo, Eli London (they/them) as Ensemble, Billy Lynch (he/they) as Junior, Nikhil Singh Rai (he/him) as Jack and Jamie Tait (he/him) as Ensemble.

The creative team are Set and Costume Designer Lily Arnold (she/her), Lighting Designer Simisola Majekodunmi (she/her), Sound Designer Beth Duke (she/her), Musical Director Lee Freeman (he/him), Chorographer André Fabien Francis (he/him/they/them), Assistant Director Ashen Gupta (they/them)*, Casting Director Richard Johnston for Pippa Ailion Casting (he/him), Illusion Consultant Sam Lupton (he/him) and Costume Supervisor Isobel Pellow (she/her).

Welcome to Splatford! Jack lives here with his cow, Winnie The Moo, and his mum, Milky Linda. The town is home to a magical marsh full of healing mud, which Jack and his pals spend their days mining. But there’s a BIG problem: Giant Belch. He dominates Splatford from the sky – stealing the mud, charging outrageous rents and polluting the air with his burps and farts!

One odd shepherd, a handful of beans and an unexpected beanstalk later, Jack is on a life-changing journey. Can he reach the top? Can he defeat Flesh Creep – Belch’s hateful henchwoman who has seriously got it in for him? Can he triumph over Belch and be crowned Splatford’s unlikely hero? And can he make Milky Linda proud?

Stratford East pantos are full of original music, outrageous characters and famous for tearing up the rulebook and telling classic stories with a special Stratford East twist.

Tickets from £10 for every performance of every show. Ticket prices increase as the theatre fills, so book early for the best seats at the best prices.

*Assistant Director position funded by Fenton Arts Trust and Harold Hyam Wingate Foundation.

The London 50-Hour Improvathon is back!

After a five-year break the event will take place at Wilton’s Music Hall

The London 50-Hour Improvathon: The Wedding Party

From 7pm Friday 8 March continuously until 9pm Sunday

Prepare to say Say ‘I Do!’ to an hilarious weekend with the world’s best improvisers

The London 50-Hour Improvathon is back! It’s the 13th London Improvathon and back for the first time since 2019.

So get ready to say ‘I Do!’ to an hilarious weekend with the world’s best improvisers.

It’s wedding season at Wilton’s Castle – the UK’s number one wedding venue. Loved-up couples arrive with friends and family to celebrate their big day, but will they even make it to the altar?

Expect bouquet tosses, best man speeches, first dances, family feuds, adventurous catering and cold feet.

Inspired by cinematic classics including ‘Four Weddings and a Funeral’, ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’, ‘Mamma, Mia!’, ‘Muriel’s Wedding’, ‘Bridesmaids’, ‘My Best Friend’s Wedding’, ‘Wedding Crashers’, ‘The Wedding Singer’ and many more!

A 50-hour improvised comedy soap opera in 25 hilarious episodes – you can catch just one episode, or binge watch the whole season like your favourite Netflix show.

Starting at 7pm on Friday and playing continuously in 2-hour episodes until 9pm on Sunday (yes, right through the night!) with a live band and refreshments available throughout. There’s even a special ‘Family Episode’ at 11am on Sunday, suitable for kids of all ages!

Featuring stars of Olivier Award-winning Showstopper! The Improvised Musical and Tony Award-winning Mischief Theatre (‘The Play That Goes Wrong’), alongside comedians, performers and international guests.

Full line up to be announced in 2024.

Come and join London’s biggest weekend wedding party!

Directed by Adam Meggido (co-artistic director of Olivier Award-winning ‘Showstopper! The Improvised Musical’ and director of the Olivier Award-nominated ‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong’) and Ali James.

Produced by Showstopper Productions & Oak Ash and Thorn .

Adam Meggido (co-creator/director)
Adam is director of Olivier-nominated comedies: ‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong’ (West End, UK tour, Italy, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, New York, Los Angeles); ‘Magic Goes Wrong’ (West End, UK tour); and consultant on ‘Mischief Movie Night’ (West End and UK tour), and ‘A Christmas Carol Goes Wrong’ (BBC). He has improvised at Royal National Theatre, Royal Court, Shakespeare’s Globe, BBC TV & radio, with The Society Of Strange, The School Of Night, Ken Campbell, Nina Conti, and Rhapsodes. He is the author of ‘Improv Beyond Rules’ (Nick Hern Books), is a world record holder in improvisation (55 hours in Toronto, 2013), and creator of the London 50 Hour Improvathon, which has played annually since 2008. Adam’s musical, ‘Burlesque’, won Best New Musical at the 2012 Offie Awards. He also wrote lyrics and co-composed the West End musical ‘Tailor Made Man’.
adammeggido.com @adammeggido

Ali James (co-director)
Movement Director:  ‘Showstopper! – The Improvised Musical’ (Cambridge Theatre / Edinburgh Fringe Festival / UK Tour); ‘Peter Pan Goes Wrong’ (UK Tour); ‘Magic Goes Wrong’ (The Lowry / Vaudeville Theatre / Apollo Theatre / UK Tour); ‘Good Luck Studio’ (Mercury Theatre / UK Tour); ‘Dirty Disney’ & ‘Blitz Kids’ (National Youth Theatre). Director:  ‘Southend 48 Hour Improvathon’ (Southend on Sea), ‘Oh Yes It Is – The Improvised Pantomime’, ‘PS I’m a Terrible Person’ (Soho Theatre), ‘Angry Salmon’ – a new family musical (British Youth Musical Theatre).
@ali_james22

About Wilton’s Music Hall
Wilton’s is a Grade II* building of international significance as it is the only surviving Grand Music Hall in the world, the foremost arts venue in the East End, Wilton’s welcomes world-class artistic talent to the East End all year-round. Wilton’s programmes and produces extraordinary music and theatre, which speak to the magical space of Wilton’s and are enhanced by it. It is home to over 300 performances and over 80 productions each year. Wilton’s has been home to the first East End BBC Prom, hosted the London International Mime Festival and championed new writing including plays by James Graham, Patterson Joseph, Chris Thorpe, and Joy Wilkinson.  It has hosted international work from Hong Kong to Canada and the team of artistic associates have kept diversity at the heart of all they do. Recently named the fifth most iconic building in London by Time Out, Wilton’s has a unique spirit that has captured the imagination of generations of artists for over 160 years. Wilton’s invest in the next generation of actors, directors and musicians through its Heritage and Artistic Engagement programmes.

LISTINGS INFO

Showstopper Productions & Oak Ash and Thorn present

The London 50-Hour
Improvathon: The Wedding Party

Wilton’s Music Hall
Graces Alley,
London E1 8JB

From 7pm Friday 8 March
continuously until 9pm Sunday

To book online:
http://wiltons.org.uk/whatson/860-the-london-50-hour-improvathon-the-wedding-party

Box Office: 020 7702 2789

Tickets:
£12 for your first episode
£8 for subsequent episodes
£65 weekend pass
(£55 early bird offer – pre 31 Dec)
£6 under-12 tickets for the family
episode, 11am Sunday

Booking fees may apply

Social media:

Show Website:
https://www.improvathon.co.uk/

Twitter: @theimprovathon
Instagram: @theimprovathon
TikTok: @theimprovathon
Facebook: /theimprovathon

National Theatre Live announces Dear England with Joseph Fiennes and VANYA with Andrew Scott, set to release in cinemas across the UK and Ireland

The National Theatre today announces two new National Theatre Live productions that will be released to audiences in cinemas across the UK and Ireland this winter. Following sold-out runs, Dear England and VANYA will be new to NT Live, alongside the rerelease of Olivier-award winning production, Skylight.

A hard-hitting tale of love, passion and ideology, David Hare’s Skylight with Carey Mulligan and Bill Nighy will return to UK cinemas on 16 November 2023. Filmed from its hugely successful run in the West End in 2014, it is one of the highest grossing NT Live titles of all time, with the original broadcast seen by over 115,000 people in the UK almost 10 years ago.

Next January, audiences are invited to James Graham’s spectacular hit play, Dear England, filmed live during its sold-out run at the National Theatre. With the worst track record for penalties in the world, Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt, to take team and country back to the promised land. With Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale) as Gareth Southgate and directed by Rupert Goold, the production will be released in cinemas from 25 January 2024.

Andrew Scott (Fleabag) brings to life multiple characters in VANYA – a radical new version of Chekhov’s comedic and tragic masterpiece Uncle Vanya, adapted by Simon Stephens (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time) and directed by Sam Yates. Filmed during its sold-out critically acclaimed run in London’s West End, this one-man adaptation exploring the complexities of human emotions will be released to cinemas from 22 February 2024, presented by Wessex Grove, Gavin Kalin Productions and Kater Gordon.

In addition to these releases, four other popular productions from recent years will be available in cinemas between now and Christmas, perfect to keep audiences warm this autumn season. The rollicking comedy, Jack Absolute Flies Again, the fantastical adventure The Book of Dust – La Belle Sauvage, Simon Stone’s powerful reworking of Yerma featuring Billie Piper (I Hate Suzie) and Shakespeare’s romantic tragedy, Romeo & Juliet will be available for screenings from 19 October 2023.

Andrew Scott, on the NT Live broadcast of Vanya, said:

“We put our heart and souls into creating this show together, and we are completely overwhelmed and thrilled with the response. I’m honoured and delighted that our version of this masterpiece can be watched by a wider audience through our colleagues at NT live.

I’ve never been more convinced by the necessity and connective power of live theatre. Long may it reign.”

Emma Keith, Managing Director, Digital, National Theatre, said:

“We are delighted to grow our National Theatre Live offering and bring some of the very best of NT’s theatre capture to screens across the country. We are stead-fast in our commitment to making world-class theatre accessible to all, and we can’t wait to see these new and beloved productions resonate with audiences nationwide.”

Sky Arts is the Headline Sponsor of National Theatre Live in the UK. 

Adelphi Theatre, London – Tuesday 10th October 2023

Reviewed by Julia Spargo

5*****

The world might be spiraling out of control but last night I got to hang my woes behind the door of the Adelphi Theatre as An Evening of Burlesque made its West End debut.

What a treat! Billed as “a night of laughter, cabaret, mystery and glamour”, it does entirely what it says on the tin. From Bell De Beauvoir’s frenetic striptease to a sultry number featuring compere Ivy Paige and the L’Sheila Showgirls, we laughed, gasped, cheered and giggled our way through nipple tassels, fire-eating, circus acts, tap-dancing and a Marilyn Monroe pastiche.

I love Burlesque. A couple of years ago I went to see Dita Von Teese in London and was hugely disappointed because I found it sleazy, over-stylised and quite frankly, dull. This was quite the opposite. The costumes were gloriously sparkly and glamourous, particularly those worn by Ivy Paige (an excellent compere), Velvet Jones and the L’Sheila Showgirls.

The music was eclectic but familiar, from Tom Jones to Lady Marmalade and Sara James’ atmospheric cover of Running Up That Hill. The acts were varied and well-organised; sensual strip acts (all kept the right side of classy) were broken up by comedy and circus acts, highlights for me being the brilliant Saucy Davis Jr with his tap and singing routine and Matt Pang with his insane circus act, which (bravely) involved audience participation. A bold move, not least because it relied on the audience being engaged and up for it, and so all credit to the performers that the man pulled from the front row was (somewhat) happy to be involved in reaching between the legs of the act to do up the strap of his straitjacket before helping him mount a six-foot unicycle (yes, really. A highlight for me).

The varied pace sustained the attention for the full 150 minutes. I found my friend searching for local Burlesque classes during the interval (“I want their confidence!”) and she told me her cheeks hurt from smiling so the glamour and joy was clearly infectious.

A lot of fun and a real hoot. Gather your friends, get dressed up, leave the front row for the extroverts and enjoy an evening of saucy entertainment. Highly recommended.

SONIA FRIEDMAN PRODUCTIONS AND NEAL STREET

PRESENT

A NEW PLAY BY JEZ BUTTERWORTH

DIRECTED BY SAM MENDES

RUNNING AT HAROLD PINTER THEATRE

FOR A STRICTLY LIMITED SEASON

FROM 27 JANUARY – 15 JUNE 2024

REUNITING THE PARTNERSHIP BEHIND

THE MULTI–AWARD-WINNING PLAY THE FERRYMAN
 

Following their multi-award-winning triumph, The Ferryman, Jez Butterworth, writer of Jerusalem, and Sam Mendes, director of The Lehman Trilogy, return to the West Endto bring you The Hills of California. The latest play from the acclaimed playwright will run at Harold Pinter Theatre, for a limited season, from 27 January to 15 June 2024.

Casting for the production will be announced in due course.

This house. It’s called ‘Sea View’.  It’s just I’ve looked out of every window, and you can’t. You can’t see the sea.

Blackpool, 1976. The driest summer in 200 years. The beaches are packed. The hotels are heaving. In the sweltering backstreets, far from the choc ices and donkey rides, the Webb Sisters are returning to their mother’s run-down guest house, as she lies dying upstairs.

The creative team for The Hills of California is Writer: Jez Butterworth, Director: Sam Mendes,Designer: Rob Howell,Lighting Designer: Natasha Chivers,Sound Designer, Composer and Arranger: Nick Powell,Choreographer: Ellen Kane,Musical Supervisor and Arranger: Candida Caldicot, Casting Director: Amy Ball, Young Person’s Casting Director: Verity Naughton and Associate Director: Zoé Ford Burnett.

Sonia Friedman Productions and Neal Street deepen their commitment to making theatre more accessible, offering 1,000 tickets at £10 to NHS and key workers, those who are in receipt of government benefits, educational groups, community organisations, and those who currently access food banks. They are supported by Ambassador Theatre Group’s Creative Learning team. Organisations can register their interest via ATG’s West End Creative Learning Producer: Conor Hunt on [email protected]

Tickets go onsale Friday 20 October at 12pm. Sign up for pre-sale access to tickets at www.hillsofcaliforniaplay.com, on sale from Wednesday, 18 October, 12pm.

Celebrating the news that their recent production of ‘Gypsy’ was judged Best Musical Production across the UK in the 2023 UK Theatre Awards The Mill at Sonning announces the cast for their next musical, ‘High Society’, with Joseph Pitcher returning to direct

You’re invited to the wedding of the year, and what a swell party it’s going to be!

Long Island socialite Tracy Lord is planning her lavish High Society nuptials with 700 guests and oceans of champagne. But who exactly will be the groom? Her fiancé – the self-made but boring George? Or her glamorous and dangerous ex-husband Dexter who turns up on the scene determined to win her back. Or maybe news reporter Mike Connor, who has been sent to cover the wedding for his tabloid paper and who falls head over heels in love with the captivating Miss Lord. Come and enjoy this swell party and find out which suitor she chooses.

Cole Porter’s classic feel-good musical is based on THE PHILADELPHIA STORY and the 1956 film starring Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra. Full of songs you know from’ True Love’ to ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’, it is a Christmas extravaganza not to be missed.

It is directed by Joseph Pitcher fresh from his award-winning success with the Mill’s record-breaking production of  ‘Gypsy’ (Best Musical Production at the 2023 UK Theatre Awards).

The cast is led by:

Matt Blaker (Dexter Haven) recently played Raoul in ‘Phantom of the Opera’ in the West End and was Billy Bigelow in ‘Carousel’ at Kilworth House.

Matthew Jeans (Mike Connor) – his recent musicals include ‘White Christmas’, ‘Funny Girl’ and Singin’ in the Rain’.

Katlo (Dinah Lord) is making her professional debut.

Kurt Kansley (Uncle Willie) was recently Alfredo in ‘Pretty Woman’ in the West End and appeared in ‘Heathers’ and ‘But I’m a Cheerleader’.

Victoria Serra (Tracy Lord) – her musicals include ‘Titanic’, ‘Grand Hotel’ and ‘Parade’ and playing Sarah Brown in ‘Guys and Dolls’ at The Mill at Sonning.

Laura Tyrer (Liz Imbrie) was recently Tessie in ‘Gypsy’ at The Mill at Sonning and played Cricket in ‘Mother Goose’ alongside Ian McKellen.

with Tosca Fischer, Samuel How, Heather Jackson, Bethany Rose Lythgoe, Joe Press, Will Richardson, Callum Train, Russell Wilcox.

Creative team:

Joseph Pitcher – Director
Jason Denvir – Set Designer
Natalie Titchener – Costume Designer
Jaye Elster – Choreographer
Nic Farman – Co-Lighting Designer
Hector Murray – Co-Lighting Designer
Jerome van den Berghe – Musical Arranger / Supervisor
Chris Whybrow – Sound Designer
Tom Noyes – Musical Director
Casting – Pearson Casting CDG

LISTINGS INFO

HIGH SOCIETY

Music and Lyrics by Cole Porter
Book by Arthur Kopit
Additional Lyrics by Susan Birkenhead
Based on the play “The Philadelphia Story” by Philip Barry
Also based on the Turner Entertainment Co. motion picture “High Society”

Directed by Joseph Pitcher

29 November, 2023 – 20 January, 2024

The Mill at Sonning Theatre
Sonning Eye
Reading 

RG4 6TY

www.millatsonning.com

Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham – until Thursday 11th October 2023

Reviewed by Jill Heslop

5*****

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre are touring the ‘Next Generation’ of young dancers, hence the name ‘Ailey 2’, and you have a chance to catch them at various UK theatres for two nights in each venue. Last night was Nottingham’s Royal Concert Hall where these young dancers were given a rousing reception.

Under the Artistic Director Francesca Harper, the twelve young Company members of Ailey 2 performed four separate dance pieces with a variety of pre-recorded music. The first of these, an excerpt from ‘Enemy in the Figure’ choreographed by William Forsythe originally in 1989, was pulsing, repetitive rhythms (music by Thom Willems) with machine-like moves and amazing light and shadow lighting. The strength and youth of these dancers shone through with fluid, flexible movements in perfect rhythm to the music.

Next, an excerpt from Freedom Series choreographed by Francis Harper in 2021. This moving piece used individually held lamps as if searching for comfort which then evolved into a more fast paced, athletic and balletic piece expressed to the Bach strings.

The Hunt, from 2001, expressed a more predatory feel with the energy of the dancers filling the stage. Costumes designed by Mia McSwain were individualised but not gender based or stereotyped.

The final piece, Revelations, dated from 1960 and was a marked contrast to the other routines. Here, costumes were rooted in gender, with women dressed in their Sunday best and suggesting humour with the idea of gossiping after church to the music of church spirituals. This piece was a series of short cameos each illustrating a different aspect of the African American community, with a floating, positive feel as they all dressed in white to the music of ‘Wade in the Water.’ Overall, a joyous interpretation of community through dramatic expression and feeling. The pas de deux was beautiful with a sensitive and moving portrayal.

You will be impressed and thrilled by the power and movement on display in this talented world class dance troupe.

Full cast announced and a first look at
Twelve Angry Men in rehearsals,
prior to its national tour

As previously announced, this stage adaptation of the classic title stars Patrick Duffy (Man from Atlantis, Dallas), Tristan Gemmill (Coronation Street, Casualty), Michael Greco (EastEnders), Ben Nealon (Soldier Soldier), Gary Webster (Minder, Family Affairs) and Gray O’Brien (Coronation Street, Peak Practice).

Completing the cast are Paul Beech, Samarge Hamilton, Jeffrey Harmer, Mark Heenehan, Kenneth Jay, Paul Lavers, and Owen Oldroyd.

Rehearsal images of this knife-edge thriller have also been released, showing this all-star cast of TV and theatre stars in action ahead of the tour due to open at Theatre Royal Windsor next week.

Probably best remembered as the 1957 three-time Academy Award nominated movie starring Henry Fonda as the juror who fights for justice, Twelve Angry Men has recently completed two west end seasons at London’s Garrick Theatre starring Martin Shaw followed by Tom Conti. Considered one of the great ‘must-sees’ of all time, this gripping knife-edge courtroom thriller follows a jury who have murder on their minds and a life in their hands as they decide the fate of a young delinquent accused of killing his father. But what appears to be an open and shut case soon becomes a huge dilemma, as prejudices and preconceived ideas about the accused, the trial, and each other turn the tables every which way, until the nail-biting climax…

This powerful production returns to theatres across the UK with the most star-studded line up this show has ever seen, opening at Theatre Royal Windsor in October 2023, with dates and casting for 2024 to be announced.

POPULAR WHODUNNIT COMES TO NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL

Newcastle Theatre Royal audiences are in for a gripping week when best-selling crime novel of all time – Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None – takes to the stage Tue 17 – Sat 21 Oct 2023.

The iconic thriller has sold more than 100 million copies worldwide since it was first published in 1939 and is Agatha Christie’s most read work.

Ten strangers are lured to a solitary mansion off the coast of Devon. When a terrible storm cuts them off from the mainland, and with their hosts mysteriously absent, the true reason for their presence on the island becomes horribly clear, as secrets from their past come back to haunt each and every one of them.

The full cast are Bob Barrett (Holby City, Propeller West End and UK Tour) as Doctor Armstrong, Joseph Beattie (Hex and Silent Witness) as Philip Lombard, Oliver Clayton (National Youth Theatre and The Play That Goes Wrong) as Anthony Marston, Jeffery Kissoon (National Theatre and Complicite, Allelujah!) as General Mackenzie, Andrew Lancel (National tours, West End and Coronation Street) as William Blore, Nicola May-Taylor (Rutherford And Son) as Jane Pinchbeck, Louise McNulty as Understudy, Katy Stephens (RSC, Globe and London’s Burning) as Emily Brent, Lucy Tregear (The Country Wife) as Georgina Rogers, Sophie Walter (The Girl On The Train) as Vera Claythorne, Matt Weyland (Witness For The Prosecution) as Narracott/Understudy, and David Yelland (Poirot, Foyle’s War and The Crown) as Judge Wargrave.

This brand-new production has been reinvented for the 21st century, directed by the renowned Lucy Bailey (Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution – now in its 6th successful year and Love From A Stranger; Dial M for Murder; Baby Doll; Titus Andronicus and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel).

In recent years there have been several high profile fresh and modern takes on Agatha Christie’s best loved titles in film, television, and on stage across the UK; all proving the enduring popularity and modern relevance of her work with global audiences.

And Then There Were None plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tue 17 – Sat 21 Oct 2023. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.