NEWS: Road @ Northern Stage

Image: Road company on first day of rehearsals at Northern Stage, by Mark Savage

Northern Stage is sharing a new adaptation of the Jim Cartwright play Road from Friday 8^th-Saturday 30^th October. Northern Stage’s new Housewarming programme sees audiences welcomed back to the venue and brings attention back to this culturally important piece, which was originally written and performed in the 80’s.

Director Natalie Ibu takes on the challenge of keeping the party alive on stage while making sure reality isn’t too far from our grasp, in her debut production for the venue since her appointment as artistic director last year.

Acting as both a criticism of Thatcher’s Britain, but also a celebration of intersectional working-class culture, this show is both gritty and uplifting. By exploring the world of Britain under a conservative government, high unemployment and a clear disregard for the working-class North, it’s a way of ensuring our people do not become forgotten.

Considering the personalities and experiences of the everyday people, Road shows the beauty in the ordinary. Although originally based in Hull, this production has been re-set the Northumberland town of Blyth, and paints an abstract portrait of these Northerners using poetry, protest, painful honesty and moments of humour.

Road is at Northern Stage, Newcastle from Friday 8^th-Saturday 30^th October, with BSL signed performances on Thursday 21^st and Saturday 30^th