Paradise Street, Cluny 2, Newcastle (From The Northern Echo)

Paradise Street, Cluny 2, Newcastle

1:04pm Thursday 9th July 2009 in

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THIS show had a party atmosphere from the second you walked into the intimate theatre, with actors dressed in 1949 garb personally welcoming the audience and a three-piece combo knocking out bluesy jazz numbers.

Ewan MacColl’s play celebrates its 60th anniversary this year and it is appropriate that the region’s Bruvvers Theatre Company is performing the show to mark founder Michael Mould’s 70th birthday.

Set in the aftermath of the Second World War, it lays out its political intentions immediately with a MacColl song questioning whether people should accept the pre-war years of servility or to strike out for a better society.

Like New Labour today, the landslide Labour government of 1945 had failed to bring about a fundamental shift in wealth in society and, as per today, there was an acute shortage of housing and a world on the brink of nuclear annihilation.

Featuring MacColl’s best known songs, First Time Ever I Saw Her Face and Dirty Old Town, the stellar cast of 13, including Mould himself, would have gladdened the heart of MacColl and his wife and artistic collaborator, Joan Littlewood.

The everyday stories and aspirations of people in Paradise Street is played out in the round, with the audience practically being part of the show.

It may be a period piece and unashamed agitprop (the cast sing Which Side Are You On? at the end) but what’s wrong with being on the side of the angels especially if it’s this entertaining?

Until July 17. Box office 0191-230-4474

Ed Waugh