South Tyneside stage kids put on a real show

The group worked with professional writer Laura Turner to produce StereoTYPED - an original 40-minute drama about friendship, growing up and life online.

It was performed at The Customs House last month, with more than 180 tickets sold on a ‘pay what you decide’ basis.

The audience were asked to leave a contribution as they left the auditorium and more than £250 was raised.

The cast of 10 to 15-year- olds and their director, Jayden Blacklock, who is studying drama at the University of Sunderland and is a former member of The Customs House Youth Theatre, were thrilled with the response.

Jayden said: “The Juniors worked extremely hard on this challenging and thought provoking performance and it certainly paid off. They’ve enjoyed every minute.”

The senior section of The Customs House Youth Theatre will be hoping for the same successwhen they take to the stage with The Ceasefire Babies on Monday and Tuesday next week.

The play has been written by Fiona Doyle for National Theatre Connections 2018, an annual

festival giving young people the chance to experience professional theatre-making.

Both performances start at 7.30pm.

It will be directed by Fiona Martin, Deputy Director - Learning and Participation at The Customs House, assisted by Andrew Finnegan.

Tickets are available on a ‘pay what you decide’ basis from the box office on (0191) 454 1234 or online at www.customshouse.co.uk.

Both the junior and senior section meet every Friday, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, with the seniors taking members aged 16 to 21.