Gerry & Sewell – Press Night, 3rd October 2024.
Invited| Review by Aaron Whittington
This was A Purley belter production, that epitomises the hope and faith of the Newcastle faithful, as well as being a triumph for independent theatre. If this was a match it would be a win, the performances man of the match, and a standing ovation from the crowd at full time.
Gerry & Sewell, is Olivier award-winning Jamie Eastlake’s adaptation based on Jonathan Tulloch’s novel The Season Ticket and the cult Geordie film Purely Belter.
This production also epitomises the importance of independent theatre and opportunities that they provide for both actors, writers, producers and directors. Having started life at Laurels theatre in Whitley Bay, attracting sell out audiences during two runs in 2022, it transferred to Live Theatre the following year playing to packed out audiences for 11 nights, now here on the raked stage of the Newcastle Theatre Royal.
I didn’t get to see it in its first incarnation but did at Live Theatre and loved it (read my previous review here.) so I was excited to see this latest production and how it transferred to a larger stage.
Fear not, as this was just fantastic. From kick off to full time I witnessed a play that was emblazoned with Geordie passion, faith and hope. It resonates because we can understand and relate. Regardless of background, upbringing or current circumstances, one thing that we know is that for some Newcastle United brings people together for a common cause. After an opening scene you’ll likely not experience anywhere again, including a collaboration with Wor Flags which meant the audience could get involved waving them around.
In this we follow the fortunes of two Gateshead lads Gerry and Sewell, who have nothing but a dream of securing season tickets to follow their beloved Newcastle United, until they finally decide they’re getting those season tickets and will make it their mission to save up for them, beg, steal or borrow. Living amongst not so perfect circumstances this is their story of getting to the cathedral on the hill.
Headline names like Michelle Heaton and Bill Ward star in this and deliver well honed performances. My absolute love is that this still contains the original cast members in these lead roles. It could be easy as it moves and evolves to change the actors, however, I honestly couldn’t imagine anyone else playing these them, and so Dean Logan, Jack Robertson and Becky Clayburn deserve every single moment of applause and praise that they receive.
Dean Logan plays Gerry, the brains leading the mission to get the money for the season tickets. His dream to attend a match for the first time. He’s determined despite experiencing life and family hardships that mean he is looking for a place to belong, for him that’s St.James’ Park. Logan’s performance is engaging, believable and we live it with him. Logan is brilliant at delivering the humour, but this play has its vulnerable moments centred around sister Bridget played by Erin Mullen whose absence weighs heavy on his mind due to her being a victim of abuse from their father. Logan easily switches from one to the other bringing silence to the audience at times and laughter in others.
Jack Robertson is an absolute perfect cast as Sewell. Well meaning, he is maybe a little dimmer but equally engaging and loveable as he shares this same hope of gaining season tickets. As well as a love for Chicken Nuggets he is more than happy to join in this mission to see his beloved Newcastle United. Robertson delivers this role with ease and has made it his own delivering humour in his unique way through both verbal and physical cues.
The duo’s chemistry is palpable and it’s hard not to love these two. They have us come and join their journey and hope for them. I previously labelled them like Del Boy and Trigger, both loveable for their own reasons.
Becky Clayburn plays multiple roles and as enjoyable as she was first time I saw her in it, I appreciated her so much more this time around. She truely does bring humour and brilliance in delivering multiple parts as well as puppeteering too. Clayburn shows why she is a vital part of this threesome of lead actors and brings us an energetic guitar led start to the show.
The staging was smart. Moving to its biggest stage they could have complicated it and gone too technical or overdone it, but it was kept static (but for a moving life size metro carriage) Either side stood a metro platform wall and an Angel Of The North in the background. It was bigger but didn’t dominate or distract. Detail was precise to the level of renowned graffiti artist ‘Inch’ being displayed on the walls, as pointed out by fellow reviewer Stephen Oliver, sharing his knowledge with me pre show. A community ensemble cast of balaclava worn Project A students helped to fill scene changes.
A shoutout also to the backstage crew, from the Director (Jamie Eastlake), Associate Director (Rosie Bowden), Movement Director (Lucy Marie Curry) of whom I know to be integral to local theatre, as well as all the other creatives involved. I’d also credit any past creatives you have been part of this journey also.
As an adopted Geordie who has tried to immersive himself in local culture, I felt the passion of this production and the people. It is Newcastle all over. Directed by a local, acted out by locals, shown in local theatres, and even had an intro from the great No.9 himself… Shheeaarreerrr! This is an amazing example of independent theatre and belief. Going from small stage to the Theatre Royal, this was in itself a reflection of the story it portrayed.
Newcastle United was the common theme for a place of being for this production, for others it may be the theatre, other it may be music gigs. Whatever it is we all have somewhere that we can be ourselves and put our faith in.
Gerry & Sewell plays Newcastle Theatre Royal (Wed 2 – Sat 5 Oct 2024). Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.ukor from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.