Review: Newcastle Theatre Royal Becomes St James' Park for Gerry & Sewell
Newcastle Theatre Royal is filled with a sea of black and white this week
Olivier award-winning, Blyth-born Jamie Eastlake’s adaptation (based on Jonathan Tulloch’s novel The Season Ticket and the cult Geordie film Purely Belter) has already entertained audiences at Laurels and Live Theatre – but Newcastle Theatre Royal is Gerry & Sewell’s biggest stage yet. It’s a promotion, if you like.
Two Gateshead lads dream of securing season tickets for Newcastle United but life’s not easy, and neither is getting the money to secure them. It’s a hard-hitting script with just the right amount of humour, and Geordie passion in spades.
A combination of theatre-goers and football fans (most wearing black and white) flooded through the doors of Newcastle Theatre Royal and our Arts Editor, Faye, and Designer, Ellie, joined the crowd. Faye was lucky enough to sit in on a read-through of the script in the early stages of rehearsals, and to speak to Liberty X’s Michelle Heaton about her role, so she takes her seat intrigued to see how it will play out.
Tucked in each seat are Wor Flags and following an opening soundtrack very different to what the Theatre Royal is used to, and ending with Sam Fender (obviously), we’re greeted by Alan Shearer (sadly not in person but on a voice over) who invites us to film the opening sequence of the play. An ensemble in black hoodies appear and flags are waved – suddenly this theatre feels much more like a stadium. What an unforgettable way to start a show. The atmosphere is electric.
The set has everything you might expect from a play perfect for the Toon Army – an NUFC flag, the Angel of the North and a Metro (which moves!). But Gerry and Sewell could do what they do on an empty stage and it would still be amazing: Dean Logan and Jack Robertson are clearly so passionate about their roles. Their playful scenes with the fabulous Becky Clayburn as Tyneside (and various other characters) brings so much humour and joy to the stage. The addition of Corrie and Emmerdale’s Bill Ward, Michelle Heaton and the fabulous Project A alumna Erin Mullen make this a proudly Northern cast.
Gerry & Sewell is a rollercoaster of emotions. One second you’re laughing out loud at something Sewell has said – think panto-esque gags but with far more swearing. The next, you’re on the edge of your seat with your heart breaking over Gerry’s struggles. There’s singing, silly props and ‘interpretive dance’ but despite all that, the moral of this story hits hard.
It’s a proud moment to see a Northern play which started small play out to a packed-out audience at this iconic Northern theatre. Faye leaves proud to be an Arts Editor and Ellie leaves proud to be a part of the Toon Army.
Football fan or not, run, don’t walk to Newcastle Theatre Royal to see Gerry & Sewell before 5th October. Tickets can be purchased at theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.
