Theatre: Live Theatre's new production, My Romantic History

MY Romantic History, written by DC Jackson, is a hilarious comedy about the love, life and romantic entanglement of 30-somethings Tom and Amy.

Live Theatre’s new, updated production of the play can be seen at the Quayside based theatre from mid-April to mid-May.

Tom’s got a new job and zero love life. But after getting together on a Friday night drink with Amy from the office they start a whirlwind romance more like a category 5 hurricane.

Following three 30-somethings, this laugh out loud comedy shows that there’s two sides to every story, especially when your romantic history is "as complicated" as Tom and Amy’s.

Live Theatre’s production of the award-winning play has been specially adapted for the North-East and is directed by emeritus artistic director Max Roberts.

Max Roberts said: “DC Jackson’s My Romantic History is a superb contemporary theatrical take on the genre of ‘romantic comedy’. The play has proved to be phenomenal success internationally and has been produced across the world which is a testimony to its universality and broad appeal. Daniel has edited and updated his script and allowed me to specifically relocate it here and now in the North East. It’s been a hugely enjoyable process.”

“The superb cast of incredibly versatile and charismatic actors are all blessed with brilliant comic timing - a pre-requisite for a play packed with laugh out loud moments, a fast moving and compelling narrative that ultimately reveals a touching and heart felt humanity that I believe will universally resonate with our audiences young, old and in between. Our aim is to provide a really cracking night out in the theatre that makes us laugh but at the same time touches our hearts and reflects upon the all too fragile and complex nature of love, sex and our need to be involved in relationships.”

The role of Tom is performed by Brian Lonsdale, originally from Crook in County Durham, and who was in the original Live Theatre production and tours of The Pitmen Painters.

Bryony Corrigan, originally from Tynemouth plays Amy, and makes her first appearance at Live Theatre. She said: “The play is wickedly funny and also really relatable. It’s lovely to come back to the North East, and work a theatre in which I grew up watching plays. That is so special and incredibly exciting for me.”

Amy McAllister, who was in Harriet Martineau Dreams of Dancing and A Northern Odyssey takes on the other roles. She said: “I really like how the play treats memory. It tells the same story through one person’s memory and then through another person’s memory and demonstrates how wildly different our individual perceptions of a situation can be.”

Scenes from the play take place at well-known locations across Newcastle including pubs in the Ouseburn, Heaton Park, Monument Metro and Greggs and back drops of these iconic locations in the play are projections of drawings by artist Ben Holland (Low Moon Over High Town).

• My Romantic History, suitable for ages 16+ and runs at Live Theatre between Thursday, April 19, and Saturday, May 12. A Meet the Cast Talk will talk place after the 7.30pm performance on Thursday, April 26.
• The talk are free for attenders that evening, and will be made available to listen again on Live Theatre’s website shortly afterwards at http://www.live.org.uk/talks.
• Tickets cost between £10 and £22 with concessions from £6. Young people aged 25 and under can now claim concession price tickets from £6 at Live Theatre with proof of their date of birth.
• For more information or to book tickets visit http://www.live.org.uk or contact Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232.