David Almond is to create his first full-length play with Live Theatre next summer

NEXT summer Newcastle's Live Theatre has announced an exciting collaboration with Carnegie Medal-winning author, David Almond (of Skellig fame),to present The Savage, his first full length play with the company.

This creative theatrical reimagining of his critically acclaimed short story has been commissioned to run from June 30 to July 23 to mark the launch of Live Tales, a new creative writing centre for children and young people which is at the heart of the outdoor performance area and gardens developing next to the theatre.

Max Roberts, artistic director, says: “It’s great to have a writer of David’s quality and reputation writing for Live Theatre. His enthusiasm and support for Live Tales our Children’s Writing Centre has been enormous and The Savage marks its opening. I’m very much looking forward to bringing his play to fruition moulding David’s rich lyrical writing with music and beautiful settings that will appeal to a wide age range of audiences.”

Next year also sees a welcome return for Alison Carr, with the world premiere of Iris (April 6 to April 30), a heady cocktail of caustic humour and tender pathos and her first full-length show in Live’s main theatre. Alison was the winner of Live Theatre’s 40th Anniversary Bursary for The Soaking of Vera Shrimp.

Gez Casey, Literary Manager says: “Alison Carr has a distinct and individual voice as a playwright – witty, quirky and engaging. Following her previous work for the company, including The Girls From Poppyfield Close and The Soaking of Vera Shrimp in our Studio Theatre, I’m delighted that audiences will be able to see her first full commission in the Main House.”

Young voices continue to make themselves heard in Write Stuff (March 4), and members of Live’s Youth Theatre perform in The Media Circus (March 5 and 6) and along with young learning disabled actors in Always the Bridesmaid (February 19 and 20), written by award-winning playwright Mike Kenny in a collaboration with Headway Arts in Blyth.

The quayside-based theatre next year also welcomes:

Iphigenia in Splott, (March 11 and 12), winner of Best Play in the UK Theatre Awards 2015; Land of our Fathers, (January 27 to 30 January), the compelling account of six Welsh miners trapped down a mine as Margaret Thatcher wins the 1979 general election and Petrification, (May 26 to 28) the world premiere of a new piece by Zoe Cooper, (Nativities) the past and present collide with dizzying consequences.

Bits of Me Are Falling Apart (February 24 to 27 February), sees Adrian Edmondson starring in a new adaption of William Leith’s hilarious and touching bestselling novel, directed by Steve Marmion, artistic director of Soho Theatre.

Live Theatre will also host live music from Jumpin’ Hot Club and this season there will be live stand-up from comedian Mark Watson (June 2 and 3) as part of his national tour.

Box Office: live.org.uk or 0191-232-1232.