Set in the streets of Newcastle but not quite as we know it, a spectacular stage adaptation of family favourite The Sorcerer’s Apprentice returns to cast its magic this Christmas at Northern Stage. With all the festive fun, songs and action from last year’s production, this year’s show features new scenes, new music, new performers, new puppets, and even more magic and mischief.
Director Maria Crocker trained on Northern Stage’s first NORTH programme in 2013 and was runner up for the Sir Peter Hall directing award in 2019. Her credits include associate director on the Tony Award-winning Hadestown for the National Theatre and Local Hero for The Royal Lyceum. Maria says:
“It’s such a gift to bring a production back to life. It’s a director’s dream to conjure up new ways of making a family show even more spectacular and magical; and that’s exactly what we’ll be doing. The whole team has been working hard all year to make sure that audiences, old and new, are in for a real treat at Northern Stage this Christmas. This is a story to remind us that nobody is a nobody, and as we face a difficult winter, I hope we can spread that message as far and wide as possible.”
Writer Laura Lindow (The Snow Queen/Northern Stage, Key Change/Open Clasp) adds:
“Christmas is a chance to make dreams come true right in front of us. To tell stories that can really enchant. To create characters who can really live. Adventures that can really play out. It’s an honour and a privilege to play a part in so many peoples’ Christmases and hopefully offer even more festive sparkle to take away.”
The cast
Beth Crame from Newcastle returns to play Hatty Rabbit, a young girl who starts out thinking she’s not destined for anything great, but soon finds she couldn’t have been more wrong as she embarks on a magical adventure through the streets of Newcastle on her quest to become the Sorcerer’s Apprentice.
Beth said:
“I grew up in the North East and went to Newcastle College to study Musical Theatre so it really is a dream come true to perform at Northern Stage in a show set in my home town! Hatty can find the positive in every situation, even if things aren’t going her way, which I think is a magical power of hers.”
Beth is joined by Nick Figgis, Jessica Johnson, Alice Blundell, Matthew Nicholson, Talia Nyathi, Maya Torres and Jordan Larkin.
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice runs from 3 December – 7 January and is recommended for ages 5+. Tickets start from £10, and there will be BSL, captioned, relaxed and audio described performances. Book online at www.northernstage.co.uk or call the box office on 0191 230 5151.
