DAMN! YOU’VE MISSED IT.
Wow! After another successful run of WALK LIKE A MAN, look out for it returning soon. After this last run having original cast songs included, next time there will be even more, so look out for updates for the next shows.
As with last year’s run, the critics and audiences were so generous with their comments about our latest shows. Here’s a few snippets of what they had to say.
“It’s a play that has everything – it has grit, it has real heart, authentic and charismatic performances from its cast.”
“Walk Like A Man is a proper Geordie triumph”
“SJ Lowes’s play tackles issues of prejudice and discrimination head on in this show and does it with a great deal of humour and pathos, bringing some of the audience to their feet – which is always a great indication of a good night out.”
“This story of a boy who dares to dream to be something different, by SJ Lowes, had the audience enthralled.”
“Walk Like a Man is a play with ambition. Yet at its core, it remains what the writer, SJ Lowes, describes best: ‘Theatre for people who don’t think they’re theatre people.’ Everyday tales, told by everyday people – with humour, heart, and a truth that lingers long after the final bow.”
“Soulful, relatable and so instantly recognisable, Walk Like A Man made a triumphant debut.”
“Artistically speaking, the play brilliantly explores acceptance and the variety of ways in which working class men express their love and support.”
“Where once upon a time, some might have expected WLAM to lean into am-dram territory, what emerges instead is a polished, professional piece that still carries the warmth of everyday storytelling.”
“The humour, the dialogue and the interactions between characters are as clean a representation of Geordie subculture as you’ll see on stage.”
“Walk Like a Man offers a modern insight into working class northern life with some laugh out loud moments.”
“I’d previously never felt like reaching for a pen and paper mid-play, to just note the lines being exchanged.”
Thanks!
Of course, a show like this doesn’t appear like a genie from a bottle. Months and months of planning, weeks of rehearsals and lots of blood, sweat and tears go into the whole thing before a public performance can ever take place.
This isn’t glamorous West End theatre, this is very down-to-earth and real-life fringe theatre, where so many people do their bit, and that is often just to make sure that live theatre like this can carry on entertaining you. Below we’ve tried to give a mention to all those that helped us make our way to opening night, however, it’s inevitable that someone, somewhere will have been forgotten. I’ll apologise in advance for this, but trust me when I say that your input was a vital part of getting the show on. Thank you all!
The Cast
Jonny Larman, James Craister, Heather Dowey, Gary Abraham, Craig Pearson, Colin Coombs, Lynn Huntley, Steven Lowes
The Crew
Robert Carr, Lynn Huntley, Gary Graham, Charles Lowes, Fiona Lowes, Jim Forster
The Venue
To everyone involved at Laurel’s Theatre that got involved and helped make things work
Others
Steve Cunningham (music production and audio tech), Matty Nicholson (Tyneside T-Shirts), Jamesy Merilo (carpets), Kyle Scott (Affinity Radio), Chris O’Connor (rehearsal space), Kerryn Graham (BTS), and to all the industry people that lent their support and were generous with their praise and gentle with their notes.
Lastly, conducting this circus was the core of BlackStar Maniacs, Lynn Huntley, Robert Carr and Steven Lowes.
Outline
Walk Like A Man is a tale of individuality, families, loss and plumbing, set against the background of the Newcastle United takeover.
It tells the tale of Mick and Michelle, who have two grown up sons, Michael and Jack. Both are plumbers, but that’s about where the similarities end. Like his dad, Michael is football mad and loves a boozy night on the tiles. Jack, however, is different.
Despite being the youngest, Jack’s had enough of the drunken nights out and needs more cultural pursuits: film, theatre or a bit of live music are his passions. And as for football, well, he doesn’t know a corner kick from a corner shop, or a throw in from a lock in.
With his girlfriend now an ex, Jack is sick of feeling an outcast when he suggests taking in some culture to his mates. Much to his adoring mother, and her best friend, saucy “Auntie” Sue’s delight, Jack has thrown himself head first into his own performances. The problem is, he hasn’t been able to tell them the whole truth – in fact nowhere near it. After finding an unexpected ally in workmate “Uncle” Derek, the time may have come for Jack to dare reveal his chosen artform . . . and his sequined alter-ego. But can there ever be a right time to come clean?
Walk Like A Man sits on a time line that has the men longing for the Newcastle United take over to go through, as Jack tries to break his news gently before someone else does.
Characters
Jack (Jonny Larman)
Jack is a deep thinking dreamer who refuses to go along with the stereotypes that the world around him expects. Although he’s dedicated and conscientious in his work, he longs for his ideal world, one of music, dance and expression. Jack is a Geordie lad, and although he’s as rough and ready as the other local lads, he’s just not the same. Walk Like A Man is Jack’s story, telling of his need to break the mould.
Mick (Steven Lowes)
Mick is a typical Geordie bloke. Knows what he likes and likes what he knows, and the well-being of those around him depends on the success of his beloved Newcastle United. He is heavily principled, as long as those principles are based on his own, stone-set values, and he never wastes an opportunity to offer his opinion.
Michelle (Heather Dowey)
Michelle is a doting mother to Jack and Michael, a very tolerant and loving wife to Mick, and the fulcrum around which family life revolves. She shares Jack’s love of the arts and is, like Jack, one of life’s dreamers. Michelle is very down to earth and tries to see the good in everyone, although she’s fiercely protective of her men at all times.
Michael (Craig Pearson)
Michael is a lot more Jack the Lad than his brother, who he spends his time aggravating. He is a proper Geordie lad, in the mould of his dad and workmates, and lives life to the full. Big nights out, football and girls are his focus that he doesn’t allow the inconvenience of work get in the way of.
“Auntie” Sue (Lynn Huntley)
The boys’ “Auntie” Sue, despite not being a blood relative, or even a local lass, is a neighbour and Michelle’s best friend. She is often found with Michelle at the kitchen table gossiping time away, although small doses seem best for everyone. Sue makes no secret of the constant, burning ache she has where men are concerned, and is forever trying to lure her unsuspecting better half, “Uncle” Derek, in to making her fantasies happen.
“Uncle” Derek (Gary Abraham)
Long-suffering Derek is Sue’s husband, Mick’s best pal, and a fellow plumber. Another football preacher, Dek also loves a night out…but only until Sue summons him home. But Derek’s affable, unambitious demeanour hides a side that has yet to come out.
Ray the Barman (James Craister)
Ray is the landlord of the local, The Queen’s Head. Seeing the fortunes of his boozer suffering, he decides it’s time to make some changes to make sure “The Queens” remains the place to be. His re-vamped entertainment ideas could have a bigger effect than he thought.
Eddie the Mackem (Colin Coombs)
Eddie is a work colleague of the other lads and enjoys the banter on site, but it’s never long before it turns against him, due to his dark private life – Eddie’s a Sunderland fan! As such, when the conversation turns to football, Eddie is always on the receiving end.