Begins 19th September 2014
The Customs House, South Shields
This Autumn, I am delighted to be involved in this wonderful play by Jarrow-born playwright Tom Kelly.
The play is set outside Roker Park – the old ground of Sunderland AFC – during the Summer of 1997. Roker Park is being demolished and Kevin Halliday, lifelong Sunderland supporter, compares his life and loves with his beloved team.
This one-man play was first produced by The Customs House in September 1997, performed by Ray Spencer, with a subsequent production in 2004 (subtitled “Extra Time at the Stadium of Light”) in 2004, performed by David Whittaker and directed by the peerless Chris Elphinstone. You can read a review of that production here.
After meeting with Tom Kelly, I will be producing the play through my company Cranked Anvil, and am massively looking forward to reviving the play once more, when hopefully Sunderland will have some silverware in their trophy cabinet! (We’re coming for you Man City!) Tom will be making some bang-up-to-date rewrites and additions (no doubt a reference or two to Paolo Di Canio will be included!)
We’re planning to add more dates to the tour, at venues including Durham Gala and Washington Arts Centre. Watch this page for further details as they develop!
UPDATED INFO – JULY 2014
The play has now been completely updated by writer Tom. It’s now set in 2014, and takes place in the back garden of Kevin Halliday’s home in Roker Park Close – on the site of the former Roker Park ground. You can find more info on the Cranked Anvil website here.
The confirmed dates of performances are:
September 2014
Fri 19th, Sat 20th, Sun 21st (extra date added)
Customs House, South Shields Buy Tickets
7.30pm & 2.30pm (19th only)
£9 / £7 conc / £6 friends
Box Office: 0191 454 1234
Thu 25
Washington Arts Centre Buy Tickets
7.30pm
£8.50 / £6 conc
Box Office: 0191 219 3455
Fri 26, Sat 27 & Sun 28 (2 extra dates added)
Gala, Durham Buy Tickets
7.30pm
The Gala, Durham
£12 / £10 conc / £9 friends
Box Office: 03000 266600
PAUL DUNN 