Stephen Joseph Theatre and Live Theatre Present the World Premiere of GOTH WEEKEND

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 is currently in rehearsal with 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 Round 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.

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