Northern Stage goes Scottish in double bill

By Evening Chronicle

NORTHERN Stage in Newcastle is going all Scottish tonight and tomorrow.

There’s a Wee Home From Home followed by Burns’ Night celebrations.

In Wee Home, Frankie returns to Glasgow and knocks on a door to find no one home. With time on his hands, he wanders the streets of his past and is swept up in the ensuing roller coaster of memories and emotions.

After this gem of a show first played to full houses and immense public acclaim 21 years ago, plan B have reunited the original creative team to bring the play to a new generation.

Performed by Michael Marra and Frank McConnell, the duo create a double act full of warmth and charm, with undertones of menace.

Using an eclectic mix of raw, live music, inspired, high-octane choreography and powerful theatricality, the show opens Scotland’s wounds while celebrating its vibrant and indominitable spirit.

BURNS’ Night is a great excuse for a life-affirming celebration.

To really make the evening go with a swing, Newcastle folk-comedy phenomenon The New Rope String Band and special guests will be your hosts.

Inspired by “front-room” Burns’ Nights, they’ll encourage spontaneous renditions of people’s favourite poems and songs.

Bring one along – it doesn’t have to be Burns – and win praise and a prize. As well as ceilidh dances, tunes, a Scottish jig played on drainpipes and an exciting new performance of Tam O’Shanter, there will be games around a giant map to see where the North really begins, and find the most Northern person in the room. And, of course, there will be food! Haggis canapés and deep-fried Mars bar anyone?