North East play will visit schools to make theatre more accessible
A North East theatre show is determined to reach out to kids who might not be able to visit the theatre - with their new tour popping into schools around Tyne and Wear
Last updated 11th Jul 2022
A North East theatre show is determined to reach out to kids who might not be able to visit the theatre - with their new tour popping into schools around Tyne and Wear
Meggie Magicia is the work of Pen Gwyn Productions, who all hail from the region
They're taking the show, about a girl, a penguin and some magic - to theatres around Northumberland, Durham and Tyneside, plus three schools in the area too.
The team at Pen Gwyn, headed up by producer and playwright Wendy Errington, say they wanted to make sure children who don't always get a chance to access the theatre would be able to see the show too.
The show was first performed at Newcastle's Alphabetti Theatre, and Wendy tells us where the idea came from;
“The original idea for Meggie Magicia came about, because my grown-up son, when he was five, loved to perform magic tricks at family parties – or try to!
"As an adult he crewed for the RNLI, hence a Lifeboat Festival features.
"The name Meggie came about, because my daughter is called Megan.
"And the idea to include an ally for Meggie, as a toy woollen penguin, was because the children’s writing groups that I run, adored a topic about Magellanic Penguins.
"Mix it all together, complete a PIXAR writing masterclass, and ta-dah… Meggie Magicia was created.
"I wanted it to bring some joy and magic into, what had been, a dark year for children.
"I also felt strongly that Meggie Magicia showcased local people’s song-writing, musical, magical, performing, directing, stage managing talents.
"And there will be more creatives on board this year."
Meggie Magicia is a magic filled show with music designed for 5-8 year olds and their families,
The team will be visiting theatres in Gosforth, Durham - which includes a BSL interpreted performance - Alnwick, South Shields and Hexham from October, and will be visiting 3 schools on Tyneside during the run as well.
You can find out more about the show and how to see it here.