All female creative team to lead next Northern Stage production
On International Women’s Day Northern Stage takes a look back at their recent critically acclaimed and award-winning female led productions and look forward to PROTEST – featuring an all-female identifying cast and creative team – opening at Northern Stage May 2023.
PROTEST
27 APR – 6 MAY 2023
A co-production between Fuel, Imaginate and Northern Stage in association with National Theatre of Scotland.
Directed by Natalie Ibu
Written by Hannah Lavery
Three girls prepare to stand up for what they believe in despite the injustices stacked against them in the world premiere of thisnew play exploring what it takes to make a difference, the power of friendship, and the importance of believing in your own voice.
Running is Alice’s happy place – you might even say it’s in her DNA. She’s the best runner at her school but is struggling to prove her worth. Jade is slowly coming to realise that prejudices can be found everywhere, even in the most surprising places. Taunted by bullies at school, she knows it’s time to tell her own story. Meanwhile, litter is piling up in the local forest, and all over the world an environmental crisis is looming. Chloe is determined to make a change, starting with the town.
Says Natalie:
“This is a powerful story about young girls finding their voice and standing up for what they believe in. Although set in a small Scottish town, it could be anywhere; it’s a universal story that celebrates the power of young girls and the communities that raise them. I’m making this for all the little girls I know and the women they have become.”
See below for details of Northern Stage productions with female led creative teams from 2022:
• THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE
December 2022
Written by Laura Lindow
Directed by Maria Crocker
Composer & Musical Director Katie Doherty
Young Hatty Rabbit thought she was just a normal Geordie lass, a nothing, a nobody, not destined for anything great, but she couldn’t have been more wrong. Hatty embarks on a magical adventure through the streets of Newcastle (but not as you know them) on her quest to become The Sorcerer’s Apprentice.
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The Telegraph
“This utterly enchanting Sorcerer’s Apprentice will have you under its spell”
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The Stage
“Catchy songs, gorgeous design and a standout villain make for an engaging festive show”
Lead actor Beth Crame earned a nomination for Newcomer of the Year at the 2022 Journal Culture Awards
• THE WHITE CARD
May 2022
A co-production between Northern Stage, Leeds Playhouse, Birmingham Rep, Soho Theatre and in association with HOME Manchester
Written by Claudia Rankine
Directed by Natalie Ibu.
Written in 2019 during an increasingly racially divided America and before the murder of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter protests rippled across the globe, a wealthy, privileged white couple invite a talented Black artist to dinner. Tensions run high and a heated debate uncovers some uncomfortable truths that can’t be ignored about white privilege, cultural appropriation and representation.
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The Times
“The play finds its mark, both in Rankine’s writing and in Natalie Ibu’s tightly orchestrated, intelligent production, in telling details.”
Director Natalie Ibu earned a nominated for Best Director at UK Theatre Awards
The production was also nominated for Best International Collaboration at the 2022 Journal Culture Awards
The marketing campaign was awarded Campaign of the Year at the 2022 North East Marketing Awards
• RED ELLEN
March-April 2022
A co-production between Northern Stage, Nottingham Playhouse and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh
Written by Caroline Bird
Directed by Wils Wilson.
This remarkable play from Caroline Bird tells the inspiring and epic story of Ellen Wilkinson, Labour MP, who was forever on the right side of history, forever on the wrong side of life.
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The Guardian
“Inspirational… Red Ellen crackles with modern day resonances.”