Summer Gala 2026

We have all heard of the expression two for the price of one but tonight we were privileged to a night’s entertainment by three companies all belonging to Tyne Theatre Company and they did not disappoint.

Performing for their Summer Gala were Tyne Theatre Productions, Tyne Youth Company and Tyne Theatre Voices.

Our compere for the evening was the Manager of Tyne Theatre; Lewis Jobson and he led us through the programme by eloquently giving the audience the background and context of each performance. He also excelled in ensuring that all the performers received the applause they rightly deserved. He told the audience that the age range of the performers at the evening show was from 7 years to 71 years evidencing that age is no barrier in amateur dramatics.

It is challenging to review all that took place on stage so I will select some of the highlights.

The show opened with Tyne Theatre Productions performing Willkommen from Cabaret. A rousing opening to set the scene. This was followed by ‘A Poultry Tale’ from Honk performed by Tyne Youth Company. Honk is based on Hans Christian Andersen's story of the Ugly Duckling. This adventure of self-discovery helps us to understand that being different is a strength. The adventure was performed in both acts and led the audience to an understanding of self-realisation. Well done to Tyne Youth Company. Your cast executed the story splendidly and the theatrical projections added to the ambiance.

Tyne Youth Company also performed stagecraft based on the Covid Pandemic and Lockdown. It explored the avenues we used to stay in touch with friends as well as the temptation to break lockdown rules. It explored the impact of living in an environment dominated by fear of the unknown and how long things would last as well as how they would end. This was a powerful performance seen through the eyes of young people in education. Thank you for the way in which you conveyed to the audience a multitude of emotions through you acting.

Tyne Theatre Voices are one year old and they have a large choir who meet weekly. They performed a number of chorus’ both in unison, harmonies and vocalisation. The choir sang in both acts but for me the opening of the second act left us in no doubt of choral range with their showcase of Va Pensiero’ by Verdi (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves) and Make Your Own Kind of Music (Cass Elliot) Both were sung beautifully and prepared us for what was to come in the second act. Thank you for giving us the pleasure of your voices.

Tyne Theatre Productions gave us a selection of songs from popular musicals including Seasons of Love (Rent), You & Me (Book of Mormon), You Will Be Found (Dear Evan Hansen), For Good (Wicked), Welcome to the Rock (Come from Away), Take Me or Leave Me (Rent).

Tyne Theatre Productions have several excellent vocalists and they were able to display their skills in musicals in solo performances, duets and as a company. Their age being eighteen plus demonstrates the commitment they have shown to stage production specifically through the sheer joy of musicals and you have within your company some excellent vocalists. Unfortunately, I am unable to refer to them by name as the programme did not facilitate this but I am sure they know who they are.

The climax of the show was all companies on stage to give us an extravaganza of Do You Hear the People Sing and One Day More from Les Misérables. What a finale and suitable ending to what was a thoroughly enjoyable evening’s entertainment. You performed this with gusto.

A glitch with the head microphones was remedied by hand held microphones and those affected were not distracted by this. They had a strong “the show must go on” mentality. Thank you for inviting me to your Summer Gala 2026. I had a lovely evening and it is so encouraging to witness the breadth of talent in the Tyne Theatre Companies. I look forward to your next production and would very much like to be invited backstage to meet some of the performers and back stage crew who also do a sterling job.

  

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