The world premiere of a new musical by a leading West End producer is to take place in Newcastle and 5,000 local schoolchildren will have a chance to see it first – for free.
In a big announcement this Monday, the Theatre Royal unveiled news of its ‘exciting collaboration’ with multi-award-winner Michael Harrison on new show Weird, a re-telling of the story of the witches in Macbeth against a soundtrack of pop. The Wallsend-born producer is a star of the industry, behind such West End hits as Starlight Express and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat as well as being the creator of the Theatre Royal’s annual pantomime.
He is keen to give his latest idea a local platform, with the aim of inspiring young people as he thinks that Weird has the potential to change perceptions of Shakespeare. Written by Nick Butcher – of Olivier award-nominated The Little Big Things -and siblings Kerri Watt and Fraser Watt, it combines the witchcraft, mischief and mayhem elements of Shakespeare’s tragedy with new pop anthems.
Michael said: “When I first read Weird and listened to the incredible soundtrack, I knew I wanted the biggest audience possible to see it. I’m well aware there are thousands of school kids who study Macbeth, the source material of this brilliant new musical.
“It’s fair to say some of us don’t understand Shakespeare – Weird will change that.” The producer – who is also chief executive of Crossroads Pantomimes and responsible for festive productions UK-wide – has long and close connections with the city‘s Theatre Royal, where his own annual panto, which he also writes and directs, is always a huge success led a cast starring Danny Adams and Clive Webb who, as previously reported, will celebrate their 20th anniversary there this year.
Michael said: “When we decided to try out Weird at Newcastle Theatre Royal, the theatre I grew up in, it felt absolutely right to offer as many school kids as possible the opportunity to see it for free, to support them with their school work and to inspire them, as I was, simply by attending the magnificent Theatre Royal.”
So, through the collaboration with the theatre, the plan is to enable more than 5,000 schoolchildren from across the North East to see the musical for free when it opens for its debut run which will be from January 28-31 next year. The first five week-day performances will be earmarked specially for local pupils from year five and above.
This experience is being described as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a world premiere on their doorstep’ and the theatre says it is going to be “electrifying”. The freebie idea is part of an initiative which aims to open up more opportunities for young people to access live theatre, helping to instil a love of it from an early age.
Marianne Locatori, the theatre’s chief executive, said: “I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Michael, one of the most successful and well-respected theatre producers in the UK, to premiere this brand new musical. Working with Michael, hot on the heels of his string of recent national theatre industry awards and hit productions in the West End and on tour, is a fantastic opportunity for our theatre and audiences in the city and region to see an amazing new musical.”
She said it will not only mean having a never-seen-before production on its stage but that the producer’s vision will also help the theatre build upon its relationships with schools, particularly in economically deprived areas, and open up creative pathways for them.
She added: “For some audience members, this may be their first time in a theatre to see a live performance; Michael fondly recounts stories of his early visits to this very theatre and how they inspired him.
“Together, we hold a shared ambition that young people, especially those living outside London, need as many opportunities as possible to engage with the arts.” And she hopes the free ticket offer will inspire a love for theatre that “‘lasts a lifetime”.
Michael, whose also has a new touring production of Miss Saigon coming to the theatre in October, added: “I am indebted to Marianne who saw the very first workshop of Weird and immediately shared my vision of how 5,000 North East school kids could see the show. Marianne believes in the audiences of tomorrow and Newcastle Theatre Royal is putting its money where its mouth is.”
Schools in the postcode areas of NE, DH, DL, SR, TS and CA are invited to register their interest in receiving a free ticket allocation and can do so online here. The last two performances of Weird’s run will be open to the public and tickets for these will be available to book from 10am on March 24, first to Friends Plus members, then other priority booking dates will follow before they go on general sale on April 4.
View news Source: https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/whats-on/theatre-news/weird-macbeth-newcastle-theatre-royal-31165737
