Award winning Teesside folk group head back to the stage after pandemic

Newcastle's Northern Stage theatre are determined to show the world they are back after the pandemic, reviving the popular show The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff from this week.

Award winning folk group The Young'uns are returning to the stage again this week, with their show The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff, at Newcastle's Northern Stage theatre.

The show, which is based on the book and music by The Young'uns, had a successful run at the theatre pre-pandemic and speaking to Sean Cooney from the group, he tells us they are delighted to be back.

It is the true story of one Teesside man’s journey from poverty and unemployment in Stockton on Tees, through the Hunger Marches of the 1930s, the mass trespass movement and the Battle of Cable Street, to fighting fascism in the Spanish Civil War.

Sean Cooney said,

“When Duncan Longstaff told us the incredible story of his Dad’s life we knew we had been given something very special. Deciding how best to share this remarkable gift might be a life’s work.

"Five years on from our meeting with Duncan this new fully staged theatre version of The Ballad of Johnny Longstaf is the culmination of our journey together and our big chance to share Johnny with the world he fought so hard to raise at the time it needs him most.”

Johnny Longstaff’s son, Duncan adds,

“The success of The Ballad of Johnny Longstaff has been truly remarkable, more than anything I could have imagined when I first made contact with The Young’uns.

"I wish mum and dad could have seen the show, as it is a real tribute to Johnny.”

You can find out more about the show through Northern Stage, and more from the Young'uns on social media.