DieHard Gateshead

BASED on the real-life story of a Tyneside women’s group, Ruth Raynor’s new play DieHard Gateshead is about finding light through the rubble and the mess. It’s about avoiding promises of a better life that actually makes things worse; searching for moments of laughter and understanding in the noise and confusion and focuses on women’s lives in an age of austerity.

Directed by Neil Armstrong and produced by Christina Berriman Dawson (Lydia’s House for Janet Plater and Remember Jim for Theatre of Moths ), it features a cast of five of the region’s leading actresses.

The five are: Zoe Lambert, Christina Berriman Dawson, Judi Earl, Arabella Arnott and Jessica Johnson

Staging has been funded by the ESRC Impact Accelerator Fund.

Performances: Tuesday, July 14, Alphabetti Theatre, 8pm (Bar 6.30pm). Tickets £7/£5. Box Office: alphabettitheatre.co.uk

(with a post-show discussion).

Wednesday, July 15, Arts Centre Washington, 7.30pm. £8.50/£6. 0191-219-3455 or artscentrewashington.co.uk

(with spoken word and poetry).

Thursday, July 16, Caedmon Hall, Gateshead. 7.30pm. Pay what you can on the door (with music from Joe Solo, Ribbon Road and Another Penny).

* Raynor is a PhD student in the Geography Department at The University of Durham, she has previously worked in theatre and arts management. Neil Armstrong is an award-winning actor, writer and director from Seaham Harbour. He has his own company, Theatre of Moths, and his TV credits include George Gently (BBC), Vera (ITV) and Wolfblood (CBBC). This year Neil is also co-writing, directing and starring in Durham’s Gala Theatre’s pantomime, Cinderella.

Viv Hardwick