A spanking new production about getting old is set to pack them in (or whatever the socially-distanced equivalent is) at Alphabetti. Against all well-informed predictions, Sam Wonfor has located her reading glasses and taken time out from counting new wrinkles to gather and share the details.
Sucking Eggs rehearsals at Alphabetti Theatre. Steve Hawksby as Peter and Jacqueline Phillips as Maggie. Credit VonFox promotions
A play exploring what it means to grow old will greet the first live performance audiences at Alphabetti Theatre – starting this week.
I think we can all take moment for a resounding GET. IN!
Following its successful reopening production, Aware, which saw a trio of films installed and screened to small groups who’d booked their viewing slot in well organised fashion, the Alphabetti stage will be playing host to real, live actors from Tuesday, June 15. And we couldn’t be more thrilled.
Written by Newcastle’s Steve Byron (Floorboards) and directed by Karen Traynor, Sucking Eggs is a kitchen sink drama, set in the kitchen of Peter (Steve Hawksby) – a man in his late sixties who is a peace with the realities of ageing and kept busy with caring for his mother and an ever-growing list of grizzles about the ‘state of the bloody world’.
In stark contrast, Peter’s slightly younger sister, Maggie (Jacqueline Phillips) couldn’t be more at war with her advancing years status. If she has to get old, she’s going to do it as disgracefully as possible. Good woman.
As you might imagine, the twilight year siblings have a tendency to rub each other up all manner of ways, but remain committed to the baseline fact that blood is thicker than tea.
Now I realise I haven’t been to a theatre for 17 months and that might mean I’m giddier than usual at the prospect of seeing this… but I really am looking forward to spending some time in Peter’s kitchen.
Eggcellent rehearsal dancing at Alphabetti Theatre. Credit VonFox promotions
The production has been created in collaboration with participants through Newcastle University’s VOICE organisation – a passionate community of members of the public, patients and carers who share experiences to improve research and innovation.
In a series of workshops, members of VOICE – ranging from 18- 80 years old – talked to the creative team about their experiences of ageing across the decades – the highs, the humour, the challenges and the frustrations.
By all accounts, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging process, as Irene, one of the participants explained: “It’s certainly been very interesting to be a part of the Alphabetti project and in the script; there might be a word or two, a line or two, that belong to me! We’ve really enjoyed the conversation and there are so many stories in us all and it goes to show that we are all fascinating people.”
Fellow VOICE member David added: ” I’ve got so much from working with the VOICE play group. The discussions and exercises we took part in to facilitate the identification of themes to be explored and examined in drafting a play script really got me thinking.
“As a result of taking part in this activity I’ve now started to consider how I may use creative writing and other art-based methods to deal with a wide range of issues I’m currently working on.”
Kitchen sink drama, Sucking Eggs is written by Steve Byron and directed by Karen Traynor. Credit VonFox promotions
Throughout the run of performances, a supporting schedule of thought-provoking discussions will take place at Alphabetti, in response to Maggie’s frustration that: “Some days I just want to shout to the world that I am still here and I have something to say.”
The panels will feature experts from Newcastle University, the UK’s National Innovation Centre for Ageing and VOICE which is based at the University, Equal Arts, and the Elders Council Newcastle, as well as the creative team behind Sucking Eggs.
Themes which have emerged from the play will be explored including Care, Housing, Creativity, Innovation and the Global Challenge of Ageing.
Professor Lynne Corner, Director of Engagement at Newcastle University and Director of VOICE commissioned the production.
She said: “Often we hear the voice of older people as interpreted by those much younger, so this was an opportunity for our talented and passionate members of VOICE to express and capture some of their own experiences in their own words, share their wisdom and contribute to co-developing the scripts.
Sucking Eggs at Alphabetti Theatre in Newcastle. Credit: Molly Barrett“To see it turned into a stage production and at this time when we are finally allowed back into the theatres, is thrilling.
“The themes that came out of their varied experiences and the discussion that it will provoke around housing, creativity, care are issues that we can take back to the University and the National Innovation Centre for Ageing and look at whether there are opportunities for innovating and co-developing real solutions.”
Sucking Eggs plays Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle from June 15th to 26th. Tickets are priced on a Pay What You Feel (PWYF) basis, but booking is essential and likely to be very busy given the limited audience capacity dictated by social distancing regulations. With that in mind, every performance from Tuesday, June 22nd will be live streamed. The age recommendation is 16+.
Panel discussions will take place on June 25th and 30th and July 1st and 2nd at 2pm. Tickets are also PWYF.
For bookings and more information, visit www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk