Steve Tearle’s cast for The Sound Of Music at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre: the last NE Theatre York show to be reviewed by CharlesHutchPress
“OUR reason for going forward without professional reviews is simple really,” says NE Theatre York chairman, director and producer Steve Tearle.
“As we are a diverse and inclusive company, we create a safe environment for everyone and build up confidences to a level to get them on the stage and start to have faith in themselves and above all self-belief.
“For instance, we had 27 people on the stage for The Sound Of Music [Joseph Rowntree Theatre, April 29 to May 3] that had never been on stage or sang before. Twenty of these 27 had to sing in Latin. It was a wonderful, outstanding achievement. To which we celebrated that success.”
Steve’s statement, on behalf of the NE Team, continues: “Professional reviews are always open to individual interpretation, and they should be, but they do tend to compare and rate.
“They can lead to people feeling let down, disappointed in themselves, and can create personal setbacks. They also can go against everything we have achieved with that individual, even ourselves.
“This has been already been proved with the cast and the team. Hence the time to change. Therefore, we have added this into our manifesto.
NE Theatre York chairman and director Steve Tearle with his dog Millie Bell, who appeared on stage in The Sound Of Music
“The team and myself have made the decision not to invite any professional reviewers to ensure that we have put our cast first and put the people ahead of the company.
“We sell tickets based on the campaigns we create around each the show; creating different campaign’s for different demographics.
“I have also found out, with the help of some market research, that previews are better than reviews to sell tickets for our company as we are only in the theatre for a small limited time.”
Did you know?
FORMED in 1914 as the New Earswick Dramatic Society, the society has mutated into New Earswick Dramatic and Operatic Society, New Earswick Operatic Society, New Earswick Musical Society, latterly NE Musicals York, NE and now NE Theatre York. “NE” stands for New Exciting Theatre York.
Coming next: Carousel, The Fully Staged Concert, Tempest Anderson Hall, York
NE Theatre York’s poster artwork for Carousel at Tempest Anderson Hall
NE Theatre York will present a fully staged concert version of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel at Tempest Anderson Hall, Yorkshire Museum, Museum Gardens, York, from June 5 to 7.
After the sold-out spring run of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound Of Music at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, director Steve Tearle is turning his focus to another R&H favourite, Carousel, premiered on Broadway in April 1945.
This time, follow the swaggering path of carefree carnival barker Billy Bigelow as he falls in love with the sweet but naive mill worker Julie Jordan, but romance comes at the price of both their jobs.
The story turns darker still when Billy participates in a robbery to provide for Julie and their unborn child. After the heist goes wrong, Julie turns to her Aunt Netty for comfort. Meanwhile, Julie’s best friend, Carrie Pepperidge, has her eyes on Mr Snow, leading to a marriage proposal.
Cue such R&H classics as June Is Burstin’ Out All Over, If I Loved You, When I Marry Mister Snow, Blow High, Blow Low and the iconic Liverpool and Celtic terrace anthem You’ll Never Walk Alone.
Tearle’s cast for this tale of hope, redemption and the power of love will be led by Kit Stroud as Billy Bigelow; Rebecca Jackson as Julie Jordan; Maia Beatrice as Carrie Pepperidge; Finlay Butler as Mr Snow and Perri Ann Barley as Aunt Netty.
“This will be a fully staged concert version with 29 voices,” says Steve. “The score will be given its full glory with an 18-piece orchestra led by Joe Allen. “You get every word said, so you can follow the story between the songs. Projections will transport the audience to Middle America to capture every moment of the story.”
The composers are said to have regarded Carousel as their personal favourite among their works. In 1999, Time magazine named Carousel as the best musical of the 20th century.
Tickets for the 7.30pm evening shows and 2.30pm Saturday matinee are on sale at ticketsource.co.uk/netheatre-york.
Hitting the sweet spot
NE Theatre York will mount the York premiere full production of Roald Dahl’s Charlie And The Chocolate Factory, The New Musical at the Joseph Rowntree Theatre, York, from November 22 to 29, including matinees on November 22, 23 and 29. Tickets will go on sale from August 8 on 01904 501935 or josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk.