Ed Waugh has found another 19th Century regional superstar, Ned Corvan, who has been almost forgotten like Hadaway Harry, he tells Viv Hardwick

FOLLOWING his London and Newcastle Theatre Royal success about rowing superstar Harry Clasper with Hadaway Harry, top North East playwright Ed Waugh has his creative sights on another forgotten regional superstar, Ned Corvan.

Mr Corvan's Music Hall is a stage play with songs produced in association with Durham Gala Theatre, containing the sadly neglected music of Ned Corvan (1827 -1865), the first professional North-East singer/songwriter.

The show, which will premiere at the Gala Theatre, Durham, from Thursday, May 25, to Saturday, May 27, will be touring the region, calling in at venues such as Hartlepool Town Hall on Tuesday, June 6, and Alan Armstrong Theatre, Stanley on Wednesday, June 7.

Waugh, whose hit plays co-written with Trevor Wood include A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Durham, Alf Ramsay Knew My Grandfather and Maggie's End, says about his fascination with Ned: "He was a comedian and virtuoso violinist who also drew cartoons on stage. Ned was the region's first music hall superstar. At a time of the industrial revolution people wanted a drink and entertainment so music halls sprang up and Ned was in big demand. He was loved throughout the North-East. Ned was responsible for the myth of the Hartlepool Monkey. He wrote Fishermen Killed the Monkey, O; a song he premiered in Hartlepool.

"Ned played venues like the Wear Music Hall in Sunderland which had a capacity of 4,000 and he played to full houses. Sadly working class history is not documented but you can imagine how great his stage presence must have been when there was no amplification. He was a big favourite in Consett and Stanley, where there were three thriving music halls in the mid-19th Century."

Waugh feels that the performer was an anti-establishment tribune for the people.

“He wrote songs about events and people's lives a hundred years before the great Bobby Thompson did in his comedy act, and he performed benefits in favour of striking shipbuilders and sailors. He was hugely popular in the mining communities of Durham and Northumberland, too.

"His first book of songs in 1850 was dedicated to ‘keelmen, colliers and working men [people] in general’. He was a real working class hero, writing 120 songs in his brief life. He died in 1865 aged only 37."

The play contains original music by Ned Corvan andWaugh pays tribute to the tremendous input of Benny Graham (of Pitman Poets fame) and folk artist Johnny Handle.

“We have brought to life 20 of Ned's brilliant songs against a backdrop of a dramatic, funny but tragic story. Like a lot of Victoria working class stars Ned is largely forgotten. He is buried in St Andrew's Cemetery at Jesmond, Newcastle, under asphalt, with no headstone or recognition of any kind. It's a disgrace. When people see the show they will understand the passion we have for Ned's music and the brilliant legacy he left us, and why we want him to have the recognition he deserves," says Waugh

The show stars Chris Connel (from Pitman Painters, UK and Broadway), Jamie Brown (Hadaway Harry, and Culture 2016 Performing Artist of the Year) and Rachael McShane (ex-violinist of national folk band Bellowhead). It will be directed by Gareth Tudor Price, who has had West End and Hull Truck credits.

Mr Corvan's Music Hall has been sponsored by Arts Council England.

Tickets cost £15. For regional dates and more information visit: https://www.mrcorvansmusichall.co.uk/

 

Tour dates:

May: Thurs 25 to 27*, Gala Theatre, Durham. Box Office: 0300-026-6600; Mon 29, New Hartley Welfare, 0191-424-7788; Tues 30 to Wed 31*, Westovian Theatre, South Shields. 0191-424- 7788.

June: Thurs 1 to Fri 2*, Sunderland Minster. 0191-424-7788; Sat 3*, Whitley Bay Playhouse. 0844-248-1588; Tues 6, Hartlepool Town Hall. 01429-523-409; Wed 7, Alun Armstrong Theatre, Stanley. 01207-299-110; Thurs 8, The Maltings, Berwick. 01289-330-999; Fri 9 to Sat 10*, The Sage, Gateshead, 0191-443-466. Tickets priced at £15. *additional 2.30pm matinee