Show looking at lives of Tyne shipyard workers is coming home

Men of the Tyne is coming back to the Customs House stage from Wednesday, March 9 to Thursday, March 10.

The show stars Jarrow playwright Tom Kelly, musician Ian Ravenscroft and singer Ted Cuskin.

Dad-of-three Tom said: “The show has been going for five years now and we’ve taken it to lots of different venues, in places like Washington, Durham, Blyth and Morpeth, but the Customs House is our home.

“The show came about after we interviewed man who had worked in the shipyards from 1955 to 1985 and made a film about it.

“By 1983 there were no shipyards left south of the Tyne.

“I wrote stories about what they’d said and began writing some songs with Ian and it was just went to be a small thing originally.

“The Customs House asked us to do a performance on the Fortuna as it sailed down the Tyne but we ended up doing about four shows then moved into the Customs House.”

Tom, 68, a grandad-of-one, added: “It’s about celebrating what life was like for them working on the Tyne, the jobs they did, the rivalry between the trades and the camaraderie between them.

“It’s a great night of nostalgia and sharing memories.”

Tickets for the 7.30pm show cost £10 with an £8 concession for Friends of the Customs House, or £20 for a meal deal. There is also a 2.30pm matinee on March 10.

To book, go to www.customshouse.co.uk or call the box office on 0191 454 1234.