Review: Seagulls and Sad, Sad Stories at Laurels Theatre
Jeff Brown reports back from an alternative Christmas night at the theatre
If your idea of the ideal Christmas show involves holly, ivy and the odd yo-ho-ho, this year’s offering at Laurels Theatre in Whitley Bay will come as something of a seasonal shock. A Silent Night it certainly isn’t.
Instead, what you’ll find is a brilliantly written – and performed – slice of life on the breadline, as lived by confused, chaotic and sweary 16-year-old pals Eggy (Ben Gettins), Jordan (Jake Jarratt) and Ollie (Aaron Fenwick, making an accomplished acting debut).
Struggling at home and with GCSE exams, and desperate to know what the future holds, the trio put their trust in the word of Zoltar, the fortune telling machine at the local arcade in South Shields.
For each of them the predicted outlook is grim – but can they escape from the terrible start they’ve been handed in life and write their own stories? Ones which might steer them away from a life of drugs, crime and the constant fear of failure?
With a live house band (Gateshead punks M4SS Production – of which Fenwick is lead singer) and a resident seagull (cleverly steered through proceedings by Maya Torres), it’s a raucous couple of hours in a venue which is making a habit of producing gritty, memorable North East theatre.
Think a turbo-charged Gerry and Sewell (its memorable adaptation of Jonathan Tulloch’s The Season Ticket, which recently enjoyed its second production upscale at Newcastle Theatre Royal).
Top marks to writer Sarah Bond from Stanley in County Durham, who beat off competition from 700 aspiring playwrights to win the inaugural Richard Jenkinson Commission and with it the chance to showcase her undoubted talent.
Sarah co-directed with Jamie Eastlake, the brains behind the whole Laurel’s operation. Sound and lighting design was by Jade Young, and the staging was created by Philip Bond and Becky Clayburn.
And a gold star, too, to the venue, with a percentage of all ticket sales being donated to Cash For Kids to assist with their Mission Christmas project to donate toys to children across the North East.
Just another reason to get yourself along. The story may be sad (in parts), but you’ll leave with a warm Christmas glow.