Chocks Away: How A Woman And A Black Man Pioneered Early Flight
What's On Feb 8-14: Two shows highlighting what we forget and what we remember in the world of aviation.
Last week’s newsletter began with film director Quentin Tarentino’s manifesto for creating theatre. This week I’m starting with a manifesto for watching theatre.
But first — an apology. I honestly thought I’d written a welcome email for free subscribers. But when I checked, I found I’d only written one for paid subscribers. (It basically says: “Thank you, thank you, thank you…”)
So most people reading this free Substack received the platform’s default effort when they signed up for Yorkshire Theatre Newsletter.
So here’s my manifesto, which I have adapted from my newly written, and personalised, welcome email for free subscribers:
Regular theatre-going is a life upgrade
It is rewarding but effortful. Unlike doomscrolling, it involves a decision — maybe more than one decision. You shave/fix your hair, put your smart clothes on and go out smelling nicely of scent to meet and mingle with other people
Or maybe it doesn’t, because the event is taking place in a stately-home garden, or a seedy room above a pub, or on a beach. Then you can wear what you want, pretty much, apart from a very tall hat. But even so, it sure ain’t lolling around on a sofa in your ‘jamas scooping chicken tikka masala out of a takeaway dish.
Theatre-going is intentional.
Curate your leisure time — it’s precious and brief
Unless you live near a theatre district, seeing a show means planning ahead. That’s why I include a ticketing link to every one I recommend — to make this easier for you. Just click on the highlighted text (like this) and you’ll go straight to the right page to read more about the show and buy a ticket.
Manage your money
Regular play-watching involves an investment of cash. Not always — because I include free stuff in my newsletter. But the economics of live performance inevitably mean that theatre tickets are expensive.
If you’re happy to pay top dollar for a meh! show, be my guest. You’ll find plenty to choose from in a standard theatre guide.
But if your interest extends to the new, the offbeat, the quirky — the brave solo show, the valiant, little rural touring company — you’ll find those listed in abundance in Yorkshire Theatre Newsletter alongside the most interesting extravaganzas.
Because theatre is more than the latest celebrity vehicle. (Film star Sigourney Weaver as Prospero in a West End The Tempest didn’t impress commentators much.) Yet there’s an entire layer of quality performance which exists largely beneath the notice of critics and reviewers. Such shows can, at their best, offer huge value for money as well as fun, laughter and food for thought.
That’s my manifesto. So — if you want to spend your weekends trawling ad-laden streaming services for something to watch that won’t curdle your brain, that’s fine by me. But if you’re up for a life-enhancing adventure in the world of regional performance, you’re in the right place.
Staying in control…
IMPORTANT: If you don’t interact with a regular newsletter, the software diverts the email to a spam filter or junk folder. I’ve created some instructions here to help you avoid this.
But the best way to put your spam filter in its place is simply to interact with the newsletter (ie me). Send a quick hello back now. Like or comment from time to time. I’ll be delighted to hear from you, even if it’s just the single word Hello.
Finally, if you enjoy my writing, which blends observations about going to the theatre with commentary about Northern life in general please consider upgrading to a paid subscription. It’s a vote of confidence in my Substack, and helps to cover my research and travelling costs etc.
But thank you, whether paid or unpaid, for subscribing. From the bottom of my heart. You make what I love doing possible, and you make theatre possible too.
And now to business…
My diary for the next few weeks includes:
a trip to Bradford, UK City of Culture 25, to see the magical Grue (Feb 8-23, returns only),
a review ticket to watch All Blood Runs Red (Leeds Playhouse, Feb 14 & 15, £15-£35), the fascinating real-life story of a now all-but-forgotten Afro-American air ace and spy
and an interview with Nathaniel Hall about his upcoming tour of Toxic —his solo show which takes the lid off the LGBT community.
Top Picks Feb 8-14
Created originally for rural touring, Bruntwood Prize Winner Tim Foley’s two-hander is the powerful tale of two brothers from the crumbling North-Eastern coastal resort of Seaton Carew who need to sort out some arrangements for their dying dad. This uplifting multimedia production from Pentabus and ThickSkin is really about home, family and belonging. Playhouse, Sheffield Theatres, to Feb 8 (£12 & £14), Leeds Playhouse, Mar 18 & 19 (£15-£5) plus nationally.
Do I Love You?
Bouncers author John Godber’s Northern Soul-inspired comedy Do I Love You is proving predictably durable, with a follow-up tour planned for 2025. The original crate-diggers, Northern Soul DJs travelled to America to hunt down and bring back obscure 1960s soul recordings. Complete unknowns, now working as secretaries and truck drivers, were then contacted by the owners of northern clubs to be asked: “Would you like to come to England and sing your song to 3,000 adoring British people for a huge fee?” It was a fairy story then, and it’s a fairy story now as Godber spins a lively yarn about a contemporary trio of Northern Soul enthusiasts. CAST, Doncaster, Feb 10-12 (£17-£29), Harrogate Theatre, Feb 19-22 (£18-£24), St George’s Hall, Bradford, Feb 28-Mar 1 (£26.75), Lawrence Batley Theatre, Huddersfield, Mar 4-7 (£10-£25) plus nationally.
Taking Flight
Aviation pioneer Amy, the daughter of a Hull canned-fish magnate, is remembered for her epic solo flight from London to Australia in 1930. There’s inspiration to reach for the stars from Jenny Lockyer whose solo show Amy Johnson: Last Flight Out is given its world premiere at Ropery Hall, Barton-on-Humber, Feb 13 (£5-£16), then travelling to Doncaster Little Theatre, Feb 14 (£10-£15), Helmsley Arts Centre, Feb 22 (£7 & £14), The Lantern, Sheffield, Feb 27, £10-£15) and Guisley Theatre, Leeds, Feb 28, tbd. Plus nationally.
In a reminder that not all government arts funding goes to dodgy South American transgender operas, this production has been underwritten by the Arts Council and ties into an education programme designed to boost career aspiration amongst schoolchildren.
South American Transgender Opera (Yes! Really!)
And in a further reminder that not all South American transgender operas are necessarily bad, DeNada Dance Theatre’s amazing Mariposa is still touring. A “queer tragedy inspired by Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly” (bear with me), it’s choreographed by Carlos Pons Guerra and set to music by Spanish composer Luis Miguel Cobo.
The gender-identity bollocks may thankfully be in retreat, but it’s left behind this beautiful piece, set in the Caribbean, exploring love and sacrifice. Drama Studio, Sheffield, Feb 10 (£10 & £16 inc talk), Harrogate Theatre, Feb 14 (£18), Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, Mar 14 & 15 (£10.25-£23). Plus nationally.
Remember, USAID, we Brits got there first and you could have just paid DeNada to tour their existing show to Colombia.
St Valentine’s Day
Or — how to avoid your finances being massacred by greetings card companies and overpriced restaurants who have adopted emotional blackmail and sulking as a business model.
If you live near Harrogate and your other half is of a broad-minded disposition, Mariposa strikes me as an original choice. Otherwise, the classy way to go is Valentine’s Day Cabaret at the Howard Assembly Room, Leeds. Jazz vocalist Lucy-Anne Daniels, magician Mark Cairns and burlesque dancers transform the space into a 20s-style cabaret club. Hosted by drag artiste Chastity Stone. Feb 14, £10 & £20
The Magic Flute
And coming round again is James Brining’s 2019 production of Mozart’s baffling and mysterious opera The Magic Flute. Some scholars say it’s full of masonic references, others that the masonic influence has been exaggerated. Either way, the music is some of the finest in the Western canon. In repertoire Leeds Grand Theatre, Feb 12-22 (£16-£83.50) then travelling to Newcastle, Salford, Nottingham and Hull New Theatre, Mar 29 (£11.75-£51). There is a simplified matinee version at Leeds Grand on Feb 20.
Children’s Choice
Self-styled “reactionary feminist” Mary Harrington recently turned this Brothers Grimm fable into a warning about the fragility of blended families. Others have used it to explore child abuse and food poverty. Lighten up, people! Northern Ballet’s version, premiering this week, has become a child-friendly lecture about not dropping litter and learning to care for the planet. Stanley & Audrey Burton Theatre, Feb 15-22 (£8.23-£12.25) then tournig.
That’s all for this week, folks. Have a good weekend and I look forward to reporting back on Grue next week.
Liz x