AUDIENCE FEEDBACK:
PRESS RELEASE EXTRACT:
“Theatre-goers in the region can enjoy a one-off cultural experience beneath the streets of Newcastle this September and October.”
Twenty Seven Live Ltd, the Live Theatre strand of the North East production company Twenty Seven Productions, is working with the Ouseburn Trust to stage a World War 2-themed play in Newcastle’s Victoria Tunnel.
‘Hitler’s Headquarters’ will look at real life in Newcastle during some of the most severe bombings of the conflict and tell the stories of families who were made homeless and forced to take shelter beneath the city.
The Victoria Tunnel is a preserved 19th century wagon-way reaching from the Town Moor to the Tyne and in the 1800s was used to transport coal from Spital Tongues Colliery to the river. However, in 1939, the tunnel was converted into an air raid shelter to protect thousands of Newcastle citizens during World War 2.
In 2008, the Victoria Tunnel was carefully repaired and opened for guided tours with funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund and TyneWear Partnership. Since 2010 the Ouseburn Trust has operated guided tours with fully trained volunteer guides.
Twenty Seven Live Ltd has been given exclusive access to perform its play, which can only be staged in front of an audience of 20 people at a time.
Katie (Victoria) Gibson, producer of Hitler’s Headquarters and Director of Twenty Seven Live Ltd said: “This is a whole new cultural experience for anyone interested in either the North East’s rich heritage or unusual stage productions. It’s nothing like the average play in a regular theatre as the audience will actually feel part of the whole experience- and get to see the magnificent Victoria Tunnel.
“As a production company, Twenty Seven Productions is committed to different and exciting live performances and nurturing the best new talent. We always work to push the boundaries of film and theatre and Hitler’s Headquarters illustrates this perfectly.”
You can watch an ITV News report about the production by clicking here.
Plus we were also featured on the BBC – watch that video here.
CAST DETAILS
James Hunter
Playing Jimmy Horner
James is a born and bred Geordie lad.
He trained locally at the Newcastle College Performance Academy as well as further training courtesy of: Northumberland Theatre Company in The Northern Region’s Theatre Training Ensemble; InterACT, National Youth Theatre Rep Company (2013) and most recently he was selected as a member of Northern Stage’s actor training initiative North15.
His credits Include: Cyrano De Bergerac, Get Santa, Peter Pan, Wind in The Willows, Taking Care of Baby, Walpurgisnacht (Northern Stage), One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (Custom’s House), Geronimo (Company TSU), Frankenstein, The Secret Garden, Missing In Action (Proteus Theatre Company), The Borrowers (Nuffield Theatre), 4Words(NTC), Prince Of Denmark, Romeo & Juliet, Tory Boyz(National Youth Theatre Rep Company). Inspector George Gently (Company Productions North).
James can’t wait to get stuck in to the huge history of the Victoria Tunnel and hopes he doesn’t step on your toes!
Sally Collett
Playing Lily Armstrong
Sally finished her training at Northumbria University in 2009 Graduating with a First Class Honors Degree in Performance. She began her professional acting career later that year working with North East based Theatre Company ‘November Club’, of which she is now an associate Artist. She then spent a further year training at ‘The Actors Class’ (Courtyard Theatre, London) in 2014.
Her Theatre Credits include; Tash in The Frights (Alphabetti Theatre) Aladdin in Aladdin (Beverly Artists), Ugly Sister and Fairy Godmother in Cinderella (Beverly Artists) Amy, Becca and Jodi in 3 Shorts (Alphabetti Theatre) Emily Nicholson in Dr.Mullins and the Case of the Elephant (November Club, Theatre Royal Newcastle) Julia in The Shhh Experience (Hyperfusion) Emily Nicholson in Dr. Mullins Anatomy (November Club, Theatre Royal) Molly Trevelyan in Teacups, Zebras and Dancing Kaisers (November Club, Wallington Hall) Ensemble in Our House the Musical (Peoples Theatre) Her Film and TV Credits include; Sarah in 403 Forbidden 24/7 (Digital Arcadia, Honouree award 2015 Webby’s New York) Candida in Rock, Paper (Rock Paper Productions) and Rosie in Ripper (Eighties Doubt Productions).
Victoria Gibson
Playing Charlotte Horner
Victoria graduated from Northumbria University in 2011 and moved from Newcastle to London to pursue her acting career. Victoria’s professional career started with North East Theatre Company, The November Club, as she took the role of Gertrude Bell in ‘Teacups, Zebras and Dancing Kaisers’ and was then invited back to appear in ‘Operation Pied Piper’ the following year, which was nominated for a Journal Culture Award. Victoria has travelled internationally with her career, and has performed alongside the likes of Stephen Tompkinson, Martin Shaw and has developed her own Production Company – Twenty Seven Live Ltd.
Her screen credits include: Journalist in Harry Brown (Daniel Barber), Inspector George Gently (Company Pictures), DCI Banks (Left Bank Pictures), Presenter for Andrew James Worldwide Limited, Polly in Ripper (Eighties Doubt Productions). Theatre credits: Gertrude Bell in Teacups, Zebras and Dancing Kaisers (The November Club), Kitty Trevelyan in Operation Pied Piper (The November Club) The Art of Not Getting Lost (Little Cog), Snowflake the Fairy in Santa’s Naughty Elf (Customs House), Amelia in Mountain Bluebird (The Courtyard Theatre), Danielle in Last Resort (Northern Stage) The Six O’Clock News (Northern Stage).
Victoria hopes you fall in love with the story as much as she has, and wishes you well on your journey back in time.
Stephen Heanan
Playing Robbie
Stephen began his performing career at the age of 11 at the School of Rock and Pop academy. He performed in bands and as a soloist at a range of venues across the north east of England before turning his hand to acting. Stephen trained as an Actor at the Arena North Theatre School, Live Wires acting workshop, Sage Academy and at Newcastle College.
His recent theatre credits include playing the role of Ken in Real Live Girls, William in Black Seams Black Scars at the Theatre Royal Newcastle and also Jack in Blown Away at the Theatre Royal Newcastle. Stephen has also performed as a Vocalist and drummer in the 2014 – 2015 Big City UK Tour.
As well as working as an actor and musician, Stephen is a keen Motorcyclist having been involved in speedway racing from a young age. He is also a competent horse rider having ridden regularly from the age of 9.
Stephen is absolutely thrilled to be part of the cast of Hitler’s Headquarters and he would like to thank his family for their continued support.
Jacob Anderton
Playing Albert
Jacob is an actor who studied in the North East. Recent credits include playing Hamlet with NE Theatre Space, completed a tour of ‘The Frights’ in association with Alphabetti Spaghetti, and then to screen appearances in ‘Ripper’ and coming soon in a major ITV drama.
He is very excited for the prospect of this project and the interesting history that goes alongside it.
We’ve come a long way since listening to the Andrew’s Sisters…
HITLER’S HEADQUARTERS: SEPTEMBER 28th to OCTOBER 11th 2015
Twenty Seven Productions 