Tourism and travel

Private Peaceful relives the life of Private Tommo Peaceful, a young First World War soldier awaiting the firing squad at dawn. During the night he looks back at his short but joyful past growing up in rural Devon: his exciting first days at school; the accident in the forest that killed his father; his adventures with Molly, the love of his life; and the battles and injustices of war that brought him to the front line.

In this one-man show, the role of Private Tommo Peaceful will be played by Paul Chequer. Chequer appeared in the 2012 film of Private Peaceful in the role of the Corporal. He is perhaps best known on TV for the role of Jamie Collier in the Channel 4 drama As If (2001 – 2004). He also appeared as Nathan in the BBC Three drama Sinchronicity. His numerous theatre appearances include Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse at the National Theatre.

On the 13th April 2014 Kirkley Hall will be hosting a traditional afternoon tea accompanied by the brilliant live pianist Mark Deeks. For £11 per person you can enjoy a selection of homemade cakes, freshly cut sandwiches and scones served with your choice of tea or coffee in our 17th century hall. Booking is essential.

Jesterval, The North East's Premier Comedy Festival, returns for 2014! For the second year running Jesterval will be staged at one of the most iconic locations in the North East: Baltic Square at Gateshead Quays.

This year's Festival features some of the finest comedians working in the UK today including Jason Manford, Tony Law, Marcus Brigstocke, Sara Pascoe, Paul Zerdin, Simon Munnery, Terry Alderton, Luisa Omielan, Imran Yusuf, Gavin Webster, Zoe Lyons and Jason Cook. From household names to hotly-tipped acts alongside the best local talent, don't miss this opportunity to see the acts up close and personal at a very affordable price.

There are over 30 quality shows capturing the diverse, cultural and spiritual zeitgeist of the day, and, because of that, Jesterval can guarantee there will be an act for everyone – even those with the most delicate of constitutions.

Look out for the special Children in Need, BBC Newcastle v The Comedians Comedy Quiz Night on the final night. It’s guaranteed to be a laugh and will be recorded ready for broadcast on the radio in November this year.

For further information on all the line ups, start times or to buy tickets please visit the website. 

The Two Worlds of Charlie F is a soldier’s view of service, injury and recovery. Moving from the war in Afghanistan, through the dream world of morphine-induced hallucinations to the physio rooms of Headley Court, the play explores the consequences of injury, both physical and psychological, and its effects on others as the soldiers fight to win the new battle for survival at home. The play is a very personal and very moving look at the effects of war on individual combatants, but it also has a huge amount of humour and humanity.

The cast will include ex-servicemen and women Bombardier (Rtd) Gareth Crabbe, Rifleman (Rtd) Daniel Shaw, Darren “Swifty” Swift, Marine Cassidy Little and Lieutenant Col (Rtd) Stewart Hill, with further casting to be announced. Marine Cassidy Little, who plays the title role of Marine Charlie Fowler, was born in Canada and studied performance art in the United States. He then did stand-up comedy in Britain before joining the Marines (as the result of a bet). Cassidy lost a leg in his second tour of Afghanistan.

Writer Owen Sheers is the author of two collections of poetry, The Blue Book and Skirrid Hill, a work of narrative non-fiction about Zimbabwe, The Dust Diaries, a novel, Resistance, and a novella, White Ravens. In 2011, he wrote the script for the National Theatre of Wales’s The Passion, directed by and starring Michael Sheen. His verse drama Pink Mist, commissioned by BBC Radio 4, was published by Faber and won the Hay Medal for Poetry 2013.

Winner of the Tony “Triple Crown” for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, Avenue Q is part flesh, part felt and packed with heart.

Avenue Q is a laugh-out-loud musical that tells the timeless story of Princeton, a bright-eyed graduate who comes to New York City with big dreams and a tiny bank account. He soon discovers that the only neighbourhood in his price range is Avenue Q; still, the neighbours seem nice. There’s Kate (the girl next door), Brian (the out-of-work comedian) and his therapist fiancée Christmas Eve; Nicky (the good-hearted slacker) and his roommate Rod (the Republican), Trekkie Monster (the internet sexpert), Lucy the... (need we say more) and other colourful characters who help Princeton discover his purpose in life.

**Caution** Although adults love Avenue Q, many aren't sure whether to bring their children. This show is about real life, so it contains adult themes.... teenagers will love it but it may not be so appropriate for younger children! Parents should use their own discretion based on the maturity level of their children....

Students of Newcastle College are hosting their first ever Comedy Gala in an event which promises to give you an alternative and thoroughly enjoyable Friday night out.

The event is in aid of a local children’s charity Smile for Life and will feature some up and coming comedians from right here in the North East. New to the scene but full of talent, these comedians will bring fun and laughter to raise money for a fantastic cause.

On the night, multiple acts will take to the stage with their original stand-up comedy routines in SPACE Bar, Newcastle College. There will also be a raffle with the chance to win some top prizes such as a night’s stay in a hotel, spa days and massages, meals at local restaurants, a mystery hamper and lots more.

All profits from the night will go to the charity Smile for Life who work to enrich and enhance the lives of children across the North East who are disadvantaged and disabled. “We think the work that they do is extremely valuable and are delighted to be able to do what we can to help” says Project Manager, Pete Laws. “So far they have helped over 1000 children from the region and we want to raise as much money as possible so they can help even more children and we think The Comedy Gala is the perfect way to do just that”.

THE COMEDY GALA is being held at SPACE Bar which is on Newcastle College’s main campus and is being organised by NECG Events which is a newly formed company by Event Management students of the college.

Doors Open at 6.15pm on Friday 28th of March with a show start time of 7.00pm sharp. Tickets are £5 (£3.50 for students/ concessions) and you can buy them online by visiting www.comedygala.eventbrite.com or in person by heading to the Box Office at Newcastle College (located in the Performance Academy).

For further info; visit the events Facebook page at facebook.com/comedygalanewcastle

One of the hottest properties in urban art makes his worldwide solo exhibition debut at The Outsiders Newcastle this spring. In yet another coup for the most influential art gallery existing beyond the capital right now, Miamiʼs Jason Seife presents Palindromes, a major new show across both floors of the Quayside space.

25 year-old Seife is among the compelling school of young artists taking inspiration from the high art of the Renaissance: itʼs “the shock of the old”, as art magazine Modern Painters dubbed the movement. But Seifeʼs prodigal talents in art direction – currently employed by some of musicʼs biggest names – bring a super-modern production style to his works, gifting him a unique status amongst his contemporaries. Moreover, Seife juxtaposes the pomp of the Renaissance with the reverential grandeur of space opera, incorporating science fiction motifs.

Like many of the finest upstarts, Seife is allied to the distant past and the far future rather than concerned with a disagreeable present. His opulent oil paintings “Are influenced by the Renaissance era, but I like to bring the work back to this generation through mediums that werenʼt used then,” he says, “washes in neon colours, roof tar to create texture, epoxy resin to build the paintingʼs layers in three dimensions, and graphic design techniques in the framing.” Seife does not lift imagery wholesale from old master paintings in a mixed media style – the paintings are purely a product of his triggered imagination.

This contrast, and the many different reactions his detailed, dramatic compositions trigger in the viewer have birthed the title Palindromes. (A palindrome being a sequence, or word, that is identical when relayed backwards.) “I use colour and shape to play with perception,” says the artist, “the Renaissance paintings were so dark as life was illuminated by candlelight – and the painters worked with a limited palette. Neither of course is necessary nowadays.” Jason namedrops Bartolome Esteban Murillo, Luca Giordano and Artemisia Gentileschi as his most referenced Renaissance painters.

“Overall the theme of the exhibition is overcoming odds,” says Jason. The paintings are dark in nature, but upon them lingers the unmistakable smell of victory. “Itʼs the dark times which have taken me to where I am today,” says the artist, “you canʼt enjoy reward without struggle.”

The exhibition features five large-scale works including a diptych 1.25 metres wide and almost two metres tall. Jasonʼs eye-catching circular pieces are included, one four feet wide. Motifs of the tempest, the inferno, and female-on-male mutilation occur. Each of these major works will be accompanied by its own musical score, also composed by the artist. The galleryʼs lower floor will exhibit both smaller pieces and graphite sketches incorporating flourishes such as gold leaf, or cutting-edge design flourishes.

Jason Seifeʼs Palindromes: urbane, as much as urban, artwork with a merciless sense for the dramatic.

Bring your child/children and shake your groovy thing with us. We'll have great music and lots of movement play with the best disco lights.

Older siblings are also welcome.

A ticket for Dinky Disco admits one adult and one child, there is an additional £3 charge if you would like to bring another child/adult. Unfortunately, additional child/adult tickets cannot be purchased online, to book your space please contact the Ticket Office.

On February 11th 1963 Sylvia Plath took her own life leaving a young family, estranged husband and words that would inspire generations of women.

Road Postures explores the corporeal patterns in urban people's lives. Two women perform, they fly and lay and hover in-between heights and depths as they negotiate, traverse and shape the space around them.

An enriching and provoking double bill that opens up new ideas about our world.

Post-performance Talk
Feel free to stay after this show for a post show talk and hear the dancers and choreographer talk about their work.

Tweet Seats
Book a seat where you can keep your mobile on (in silent) and tweet about the show you are watching while it is happening. To book your tweet seat contact the Ticket Office.

Dance City Commission
Dance City is committed to supporting the creation of new dance work. February 11th 1963 choreographed by Joelene English is a Dance City commission.

Join us for four fun filled days of, hip hop, musical theatre, prop making, costume design and much more. The four days are split into different workshops so participants can pick which styles they would like to take part in. The week will end with a performance for friends and family.