Kathryn Tickell

Kathryn is Musical Director for Tyne, a brand new play at Live Theatre, Newcastle UK. Mapping the epic history, atmosphere and soul of the mighty river, Tyne opens this Thursday (27 June). Traditional folk songs connected to the river have been adapted and arranged for the play by Kathryn and are performed with live musical accompaniment by the cast. The title song from Sting’s new album The Last Ship (released in September; Kathryn contributing to this project) will be previewed in the play. Created and edited by Michael Chaplin, Tyne runs until Saturday 20 July and was commissioned as part of Live Theatre’s 40^th birthday celebrations and is a major event in the Festival of the North East.

The play dramatises extracts from Michael Chaplin's book Tyne View, woven together with stories from some of the greatest writers of the North East who have collaborated with Live Theatre since it began in 1973, including Tom Hadaway, Julia Darling, Alan Plater and Sid Chaplin.

Illustrated with evocative imagery of the river, Tyne is accompanied by live songs and music inspired by the river compiled by Kathryn, along with archive and new film footage compiled by Phil Shotton.

Tyne is in partnership with Port of Tyne and is part of the Festival of the North East. Tyne is at Live Theatre from Thursday 27 June to Saturday 20 July. A discussion will take place between writer Michael Chaplin and director Max Roberts on Saturday 29 June followed by a book signing by Michael Chaplin. RiverRuns, an evening of words and poetry from local poets and musicians, celebrates the river Tyne on Sunday 7 July at 7.30pm 

For more information on Tyne and to buy tickets costing between £22 to £10 and concessions between £15 and £5 ring Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or see www.live.org.uk.