Alfie Joey on performing at Theatre Royal Newcastle

LAST Sunday I was privileged to take to the stage at Theatre Royal Newcastle.

It was a dance show. And before you ask, NO — I wasn’t dancing.

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In fact, EVERYONE who took to the stage was dancing…except me!! I was emceeing students from the Eve Trew School of Dance and Gateshead Children’s Arts and Theatre School – a charity showcase where we were entertained by hoofers ranging in age from 3 to 80+ years. Well done one and all; my feet were sore just introducing everyone!

Anyone who knows me, will tell you I was not blessed with Terpsichorean talent! Any attempt at rhythm from my feet is like a cross between a medical episode and Riverdance on melting ice.

My great pal, South Tyneside legend, Ray Spencer MBE ( there is nothing like his panto Dame) had me alongside him in The Customs House pantomime just to make him look even better, and it worked! Ray’s observations on my dancing abilities are funnier than anything I brought to the shows!

I recently attempted dancing at a Strictly event held at Hardwick Hall, for a really excellent cause. Nuvo Wellbeing is a lovely charity that brings dance and exercise to under-served areas in County Durham and beyond.

My partner on the night was the founder, Bethany Ainsley (an actual dancer!). The routine was at its best when I stood aside and let Beth do her thing, brilliantly.

Putting dance aside, (which is what I really should do) whenever I am on a great stage like Theatre Royal Newcastle, I cannot help but think how lucky I am to even stand where truly great performers have stood (or danced) on the exact same spot – I get to see the audience from their viewpoint, feel similar butterflies, hear the same hush before the lights go up.

And the history at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal really is something else. This is a stage that has hosted Hollywood royalty and theatrical giants alike.

Sir John Gielgud performed Hamlet at the Theatre Royal in 1948 and this really made it a key place for other giants to visit on tour. Thespians such as Laurence Olivier, Sir Ian McKellen, Judi Dench, and Kenneth Branagh have graced this stage.

After a refurb in the late 80’s, Oscar winner Charlton Heston starred in A Man for All Seasons here and felt a real connection to the area. His grandfather worked down Tyneside mines as a boy in the 1890s before moving to America. I later saw, and briefly met Heston in the West End but that is another story for another article.

The first show I saw in this great theatre with my Uncle John, was an RSC production of Cole Porter’s ‘Kiss Me, Kate’, starring Kate O’Mara, bouncing before the footlights in 1991.

And when I worked on BBC local radio I interviewed countless people on stage, in dressing rooms, during rehearsals, at read-throughs… everyone from choreographer Matthew Bourne (there’s dance again!!) to the panto superstars, Danny and Clive.

It is also very humbling, standing where so many greats have stood and I don’t mean in a spooky, “haunted stage” way.

Standing there last Sunday, when I wasn’t thinking of my introductions for the next dazzling dance troupe, I was being swept up by history.

Carried away by the music, the drama, the laughter, and emotion brought about by the people who’ve passed through that stage door and performed on these legendary boards.

How lucky we are, up here, to have theatres like these on our doorsteps and I will try to travel around some of our other magnificent venues for future columns!

And I promise to never dance again…honest!

FACTS & FOOTNOTES

l The Theatre Royal first opened in 1837, designed by the celebrated architect John and Benjamin Green – making it one of the finest historic theatres in the UK.

l A fire destroyed the inside of the theatre in 1899. Architect Frank Matcham completely redesigned the interior which reopened in1901.

l Upcoming shows include ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ plus the musicals ‘Legally Blonde’ and ‘Operation Mincemeat’.

You can email Alfie via www.AlfieJoey.com and subscribe to his free newsletter.