North East theatre legends - including Sting - help celebrate Northern Stage at 50

A documentary and short film are being launched tomorrow to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Newcastle theatre

Author: Ellie KumarPublished 25th May 2022
Last updated 25th May 2022

A new documentary about the history of a Northern Stage theatre will feature appearances from several North East stage legends - including Sting

The piece - which includes a short film as well - is being released this Thursday to celebrate the theatre's 50th anniversary, with a free screening at Northern Stage.

The work originally started as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations at the theatre in 2020, before Covid-19 brought the project to a halt.

Supported with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the documentary and short, fictional film come from Northern Stage Films, Young Company, Newcastle University and My Life Productions CIC.

County Durham born film-maker, Sarah Bond, who co-directed the short film, tells us why the venue is so important:

"Northern Stage has always been a community theatre, it's always been something that was built in the North East, to tell stories from here - and it does that incredibly well.

"But what it also does is reach out further."

Sarah explains how Northern Stage's outreach programs and work in the communities around Tyne and Wear can help people here access and get into theatre who might not otherwise.

It's a sentiment echoed by her co-directing partner, Emily Corless;

"To be given an opportunity to develop a skill set which can set them up for life really,

"In their personal life and in their professional life which I think is incredibly important in Newcastle, where a lot of people are disadvantaged anyway, in comparison to the rest of the UK

"And I think it's just a shining gem!"

Kris Deedigan, the director of My Life Productions, has been key in bringing the project to fruition,

He explains the impact the theatre has had on the surrounding area, and the history of creative people it's brought up;

"It's hard to quantify in words, because there's been all these artists who've started their careers and learned through Northern Stage

"But also it's provided this region with some international, fantastic theatre."

The free screening of Northern Stage at 50 takes place in Theatre 1 of Northern Stage on Thursday 26th May.

You can find out more about the project and the theatre via their website.

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