Mother Courage and Her Children review — intense and intimate Brecht
This new production of Bertolt Brecht's classic brings together disparate elements to create a wondrous feat of theatrical alchemy. The only marquee name among the credits is Lee Hall, the playwright and Billy Elliot screenwriter, here returning to his native northeast with a bespoke 90-minute version of Brecht's play. Ensemble '84, which forms the bulk of the 20-strong company, is made up of Co Durham residents, assembled after a county-wide casting call, who have been rehearsing together since October. Rounding out the collaboration is the Isango Ensemble, from Cape Town, which offers artistic opportunities to people from deprived backgrounds.
Hall has whittled Brecht's tale of a woman profiteering from the inflated market of a 17th-century European war down to its essence, and
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The Guardian
4 hours ago
- The Guardian
My cultural awakening: a shock at a Shakespeare production made me quit the bank for theatre
I was a working-class kid who'd failed my exams and done a series of nothing jobs before I discovered Shakespeare in my 20s. I was bored out of my head most of the time, working nights in a bank as a computer operator, watching tapes going round. A respite came three times a year when my girlfriend at the time, Sandra, and I would drive from our rented flat in Ealing to Stratford-upon-Avon and queue at the RSC for cheap returns or standing tickets. The plays were so good it made life bearable. In June 1978, we went to see Jonathan Pryce as Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, with David Suchet. The sunny Saturday matinee coincided with Scotland playing in the World Cup and as the audience made its way into the Royal Shakespeare Theatre foyer, a Scottish supporter with a six-pack of lager was getting rowdy and rude, singing football songs outside. He grabbed me, saying, 'Have a drink with me, brother', and did a double-take as if he recognised me. I turned away, feeling I'd die of embarrassment in this posh and genteel crowd focused on the business of being civilised and arty. As we entered, he continued shouting abuse, putting his fingers up and telling us where we should go stick our English, stuffy-nose, Shakey bollocks. No sooner was he ushered out and we'd taken our seats than he burst back in, got on to the stage and knocked down the whole set to horrified shouts. We were gobsmacked; the show ruined by a moronic football fan. Actors tried to stop the damage until, suddenly, with one final shout of: 'Why don't ye all fuck off?' he collapsed. Then, very slowly, the house lights dimmed, a spotlight fell on the drunk and it dawned on us all that it was him: Jonathan Pryce, as Christopher Sly, a character in Taming of the Shrew's lesser done prologue. It was a magical moment, shocking and breathtaking. I was captivated. The play was brilliant and I turned to Sandra frequently, whispering: 'I want to do this.' 'You can,' she said. I saw my future in front of me. After the production, I enrolled in an arts degree with the Open University, left the bank and started running creative arts projects in prisons, working with lifers in Wormwood Scrubs. Just as the Shrew confronted me with the transformative power of theatre, this work made the invisible visible, even in unexpected places. I did similar work with disadvantaged teenagers in New York, took acting evening classes and finally went to a proper drama school in London. I set up my own theatre company, mainly for people who could not go to conventional drama school, and taught and directed in community theatre for 32 years. I have put on so many shows – all, I'm sure, influenced on some level by Pryce and that incredible matinee. I've used that framing device many times and when I directed Trevor Griffiths's play Comedians 10 years ago, in which Pryce once famously starred, I cast an actor who reminded me of him on that Saturday afternoon when theatre changed the world a little bit. In the years since, I've thought about why he might have done a double-take. People often commented that we looked alike. My daughters first noticed it in Pirates of the Caribbean and message when he's in Slow Horses with 'Dad, you're on TV'. In December, I attended a British Film Institute screening of Comedians introduced by Pryce. As he finished, I walked up the aisle and told him how he changed my life. 'I feel like you woke me up,' I said. 'I'm so delighted,' he replied. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion You can tell us how a cultural moment has prompted you to make a major life change by filling in the form below or emailing us on Please include as much detail as possible Please note, the maximum file size is 5.7 MB. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. Your contact details are helpful so we can contact you for more information. They will only be seen by the Guardian. If you include other people's names please ask them first.
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Tommy Little moved to tears as he reads a heartbreaking letter of support from family who lost 21-month-old son to brain cancer
Tommy Little broke down in tears this week as he read a letter from a family who lost their son to brain cancer. The comedian, 40, is gearing up for the Big Five Marathon in South Africa, later this month, to raise money for Hit Network co-host Carrie Bickmore 's Beanies 4 Brain Cancer charity. Tommy took to his Instagram reel on Friday to share an emotional clip in which he read a letter from parents Ollie and Brooke, who lost their son, Hugo, to brain cancer at just 21 months. 'We'll see how we go,' Tommy began, already with tears in his eyes. 'Dear Tommy,' he read. 'A letter to you for your upcoming marathon. To step willingly into something hard for the sake of others, many of whom you'll never meet, that's a rare kind of courage and a quiet power that we feel so deeply.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The letter continued: 'There will be people with you on that course - some visible others unseen - like families like ours, and children like our Hugo.' Tommy then held up a photo of little Hugo, adding: 'This is why I'm already crying.' Ollie and Brooke then explained that their world was shattered when Hugo was diagnosed with brain cancer at just 10 months old. 'Hugo spent his first half of his life in hospital, crippled with a treatment that only ever gave him a 10 per cent change to see his fifth birthday,' Tommy continued reading, tears welling in his eyes. 'He passed away at 21 months old, but earnt each day showing us that with a breathing heart, a working body, and legs that can move forward is a gift.' Ollie and Brooke then wrote that they hoped Hugo could provide some Tommy with some inspiration on his upcoming challenge. 'When it gets hard out there, when your legs burn, when doubt creeps in, we hope Hugo can be the wind on your back.' they wrote. 'Hugo is so close to the earth and, when you're running in South Africa, we hope you feel that connection, too.' 'When it gets hard out there, when your legs burn, when doubt creeps in, we hope Hugo can be the wind on your back,' Tommy continued reading. Clearly moved by the deeply personal and emotional letter, Tommy said Hugo would definitely be with him in South Africa. 'I'll carry Hugo with me on the run,' he said. 'And, if it gets to the point where I feel like every muscle is going to rip off my legs, I'll keep running so hopefully, we won't have more letters like this in the future.' Tommy then addressed Ollie and Brooke directly, offering his heartfelt condolences before appealing to his 315,000 followers to donate to such a good cause. 'I know things are expensive at the moment and I know life is tough, but this is f***ing heartbreak,' he said. The emotional post was met with an outpouring of support from Tommy's friends, fans and followers. Singer Guy Sebastian jumped in, praising the effort with: 'Such an amazing thing you guys are doing and impacting so many good on ya Tommy and crew.' Olympic swimmer Alicia Coutts also offered: 'Wishing you the best Tommy for your marathon. Donated in memory of beautiful little Hugo.' Another follower summed up the sentiment of many, admitting that Hugo's story had moved them to tears. 'Oh my I lost it when Hugo's mum and dad express that Hugo can be the wind on your back Tommy,' they wrote. Tommy will be joined by co-host Carrie Bickmore on the arduous half marathon through the the Entabeni private game reserve in South Africa. The duo, competing as the Carrie and Tommy Show team will run alongside the likes of Ellidy Pullin, Olivia Molly Rogers, Sam Wood, Laura Enever, Trent Cotchin, and Merrick Watts. Tommy recently revealed that he had given up vaping and set himself a 10 kilogram weigh loss goal to prepare for the big run. Sharing a video of himself taking a jog to Instagram, Tommy said he has seven weeks to get into running shape for the cause after he became a 'doughy boy' since his last marathon. 'We are seven weeks out from The Big Five Marathon in South Africa. I just ran 13.3 kms. Not quick because I am a doughy boy,' the radio star said. 'I weighed myself this week. I weigh 86kg, which might not sound like that much, but the only time I ran a marathon I weighed 70kg. So I am 16kg over my previous running weight.' Tommy went on to write in the caption of his video: 'I plan to lose at least 10kgs and work my a*** off for the next seven weeks. Anyone who wants to get involved is more than welcome'.
BBC News
9 hours ago
- BBC News
Hartlepool film and TV studio expansion plan submitted
Planning applications to expand a film and TV production village have been is hoped the expansion of Northern Studios in Hartlepool and creation the Screen Industries Production Village will bolster the north-east of England's film-making development would see a number of derelict buildings surrounding Northern Studios brought back into use to create pre and post production to planning permission, work is likely to begin in a matter of months, Hartlepool Borough Council said. The town already has a foundation to build on having been used to produce feature film Jackdaw, the BBC comedy Smoggie Queens and ITV East Screen chief executive Alison Gwynn said the development of the studios will allow the region to attract more productions."The North East continues to be the fastest growing region for TV and film, and projects like this will only strengthen our ability to host global productions," she said. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
