FORMER miners and their partners are being offered free tickets to a new comedy-drama, with music, about a Geordie songwriter.

The Great Joe Wilson is the latest play from the pen of Tyneside writer Ed Waugh, and is being performed at The Alun Armstrong Theatre in Stanley on Thursday, September 13.

Wilson, who wrote Keep Your Feet Still, Geordie Hinny, was renowned as The Bard of Tyneside and wrote 360 songs before his death through TB in 1875 at the age of 33.

Mr Waugh said: “Joe was a brilliant singer/songwriter.

“His lineage includes the greats like Alan Hull of Lindisfarne and even Bob Dylan. His story is funny and tragic, and inspirational.”

The tour, which opens at Darlington Hippodrome on September 6, tours to Playhouse Whitley Bay, Sage Gateshead, and Westovian Theatre, South Shields, as well as the Stanley venue.

Tickets for the show normally start at £16.

Mr Waugh added: “Thanks to a brilliant donation from Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO) we are able to offer up to 100 free tickets to ex-miners and their wives/partners.”

All complimentary ticket holders will be asked to pay £3 for a programme in advance.

Tickets must be booked before the cut-off date of August 31, via 0796-006-6377.