50 Years of Live Theatre: Past and Present combine to celebrate half a century at a Newcastle theatre
A Newcastle theatre is celebrating half a century of sharing local voices and spotlighting North East talent - by mixing some of the biggest names in their history, with brand new content
Last updated 5th Apr 2023
Some of the North East's biggest names are coming together with brand new talent - to celebrate half a century of one of Newcastle's best loved theatres
As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations at Live, the theatre is going back to their roots - by showcasing several plays by young and upcoming writers who've not worked with the theatre before, like North East writer Elijah Young, who has written The Cold Buffet, which is on in October.
But as well, April sees a series of Live encounters - conversations and events with the likes of Nadine Shah, Jimmy Nail and Sting - and later this year the theatre will also welcome back many returning favourites from the past 50 years to do new and exciting things.
Live's Artistic Director Jack McNamara said:
“The love that a lot of people feel for Live Theatre is palpable and as someone relatively new to the organisation it has been incredibly moving to see.
"So much has happened here, so many risks have been taken, so many unheard voices championed. Great artists are coming here from literally all over the world to give us their time and brilliance in this milestone year, and I am thankful to all of them.
"It’s also a chance for us to bridge the ground-breakers of the past with the artists and ideas of the future.”
Jack explains, it's always been the spirit of the theatre;
"We began, 50 years ago, as a place for new voices, and new artist and new opportunities in this region, so it feels right that for the 50th we mark it by just really shouting about new talent, and new artists, and putting our investment and our time into the future.
"I hope it acknowledges the fact that the theatre - way before my time - has done so much and has meant so much to so many people,
"There is an audience out there who have really amazing memories of the artists here, the stories here,
"So it's a celebration time - a series of little birthday presents."
And, as Jack tells us, there are no thoughts of slowing down, with the hopes that the next 50 years at Live will be just as exciting, challenging and ground-breaking;
"It's quite epic in its strange way, it's not a studio and it's not a teeny little austere intimate place - it's a big night out theatre.
"So I think asking writers and artists to match that scale feels really exciting.
"I suppose I'm excited by, in a way, the unknown, I'm excited by artists coming up to me and going 'look! I've got this massive idea!'"
Live Encounters: Nadine Shah in Conversation takes place on Thursday 6th of April, with more information online.
And you can find out more about the rest of Live Theatre's 50th Anniversary celebrations on their website and social media.