Enjoy a GOTH WEEKEND in Scarborough and Newcastle This Autumn

This autumn, the SJT, Scarborough, and Live Theatre, Newcastle, present a co-production of the world premiere of Ali Taylor's comedy Goth Weekend.

Goth Weekend tells the story of a girl growing up in a town where being different is difficult; where conforming is the norm. Mum's no longer around and Dad has started dating a bit too soon. Worse, he's dating Geordie Goth Belinda, who looks like a vampire and has her purple hearse parked on the drive. Even worse, he's started dressing like a Goth...

Set during the lead-up to Whitby Goth Weekend, this funny and provocative play is about who we are and what we pretend to be - and why, twice a year in North Yorkshire, people dress up like Dracula!

Goth Weekend features a cast of four: Jessica Johnson and Amy Trigg are both new to the SJT, while Sean McKenzie and Gurjeet Singh were seen this summer in the theatre's hit production of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice.

Goth Weekend is directed by SJT Artistic Director, Paul Robinson, and written by Ali Taylor, a playwright, screenwriter and teacher. He is currently on attachment to BFI/Origin Pictures to develop an original screenplay for BBC Films and is developing his sitcom Disaster Zones with Big Talk. His first TV script Pure Evil was developed during the 4Screenwriting programme at Channel 4.

Ali says: "The inspiration came from a trip to Whitby Goth Weekend, which happens in spring and at Hallowe'en each year. Goths from all over the country come to Whitby to listen to some of the great music from the early 80s and 90s. There are two tribes at Whitby - the real, or trad, goths, and the people who just like to dress up - in Victoriana and vampire costumes, as steampunks or undertakers - it's an amazing event.

"This is a play that's fundamentally about family, about growing up and working out who you are. It's full of music, humour, jokes and fun but also, I hope, with a poignant core expressing what it's like to be an outsider in today's society.

"I'm thrilled that Goth Weekend has been co-commissioned by and will be performed at both the SJT in Scarborough and Live Theatre, Newcastle. It's a warm-hearted comedy about a family of Goths from Gateshead playing a gig at Whitby Goth Weekend. We've got songs, laughs and brilliant costumes."

Goth Weekend can be seen in the McCarthy auditorium at the SJT, in rep, from Thursday 14 September to Saturday 7 October. Tickets, priced from £10 to £25, with £5 tickets available for under-26s, are available from the Box Office on 01723 370541 and online at www.sjt.uk.com.

Goth Weekend transfers to Live Theatre Newcastle from Wednesday 11 to Saturday 28 October. Tickets, priced from £10 to £22 (concessions from £6) are available from the Box Office on (0191) 232 1232 and online at www.live.org.uk.

Live Theatre is recognised as one of the great new writing theatres on the international stage. Based in Newcastle upon Tyne it is deeply rooted in its community and produces work as varied and diverse as the audiences it engages with. A high proportion of its work -transfers to London, including the West End, and tours to other venues across the UK and internationally. It is critically and publicly acclaimed with one of its 2016 productions gaining a BBC Radio 4 Front Row listeners nomination for the best regional theatre production of the year and another gaining the same recognition from readers of The Guardian.

As well as championing the art of writing for stage by producing and presenting new plays, Live Theatre finds, nurtures and trains creative talent and uses theatre to unlock the potential of young people.

The theatre is a beautifully restored and refurbished complex of five Grade II listed buildings with state-of-the-art facilities in a unique historical setting including both cabaret style theatre and Studio Theatres. In 2016 Live Garden, an outdoor performance space, and Live Tales, a centre for children and young people's creative story writing, were added.

Live Tales creative writing workshops are free to schools and designed to inspire children and young people to go on a journey into their imaginations, and to build their self-confidence, communication skills and self-respect. Live Theatre's work in education and participation is award-winning and includes the largest free drama education and participation programme in the region.

Founded in 1973, Live Theatre is a national leader in developing new strategies for increasing income and assets for the charity. To sustain and extend its artistic programme it has diversified its income streams including the RIBA and Civic Trust award-winning Live Works, the development of commercial property for rental income, award-winning gastro-pub The Broad Chare, and The Schoolhouse, a hub for creative businesses

Live Theatre is funded by Arts Council England as a National Portfolio Organisation, Newcastle City Council through the Newcastle Culture Investment Fund managed by the Community Foundation, and by other trusts and foundations.

For more information visit www.live.org.uk.

Photo Credit: Tony Bartholomew

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