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David Whetstone

David Whetstone

Theatre Royal panto is still as popular as ever

THEATRE Royal chief executive Philip Bernays launched this year’s panto, Sleeping Beauty, with his customary boast – but tinged with a note of concern.Read

Close The Coalhouse Door play revived to go on national tour

ONE of the most successful stage shows ever created in the North East is to be revived next year in a co-production by Live Theatre and Northern Stage in Newcastle.Read

Actor John Kirk rehearses for his role in Oh The Humanity, And Other Good Intentions at Northern Stage.

Preview: Oh, the Humanity and other good intentions, Northern Stage

THE demands on a sports team manager are seldom more evident than at the Press conference when the impression can be of a cornered animal. There he is, the gaffer, perspiring beneath the TV lights, brow furrowed and subject to the odd twitch.Read

Brian Wilson

Beach Boy Brian Wilson rides waves of acclaim

Two great songwriters, one matchless band and a fantastic night in store. David Whetstone talks to Brian Wilson ahead of his Gershwin gig at The Sage GatesheadRead

Hexham Abbey Festival 2009

More music than ever at Hexham Abbey Festival

FESTIVALS come and festivals go – unless they are the Hexham Abbey Festival which came and stayed. The 59th is coming up next month and the trustees already have an eye on next year’s diamond jubilee.Read

Chris Mullin

Chris Mullin diaries are an absorbing read

HINDSIGHT is a wonderful thing which is probably why diaries are so popular.Read

Brothers hoping to drive up charts with gamers

BROTHERS Martin and Gareth Edmondson hope to speed away from their rivals when their new car chase computer game hits the shops next week.Read

The 2010 Movida Corona champion Charles VBV performing his winning set

DJs to vie for Movida Corona prize

THERE are lots of budding DJs out there and the chances are only a handful will hit the big time.Read

Louis Roberts as Tartuffe

Cash cuts but Northumberland Theatre Company is determined to carry on

RATHER than surrender to gloom and despondency, they came out fighting at Northumberland Theatre Company (NTC) after learning in March that they will lose their regular Arts Council funding from 2012.Read

David Miliband

Politicians and authors mark fresh chapter for Durham Book Festival

How about raising a glass to Durham Book Festival, 21 this year? David Whetstone leafs through the programme which is published todayRead

Anthony Anderson

Hartlepool man bringing Moscow State Circus to the North East

At the helm of The Moscow State Circus is a man from Hartlepool. David Whetstone talked to the region’s foremost big top fan.Read

Transformed art centre The Maltings to lose its chief

A MAN who transformed the fortunes of a Northumberland arts centre has announced he is to stand down.Read

Writer and film maker Gavin Williams

Interview: Gavin Williams

A vivid imagination is paying dividends for writer Gavin Williams, as David Whetstone discovers.Read

Robbie Savage

Robbie Savage happy to tell it like it is on Twitter

IT might be pushing it to suggest that Robbie Savage has the gift of the gab but his voice certainly picked up where his feet left off.Read

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Newcastle Theatre Royal is a must see after restoration

ANYONE planning a trip to Newcastle’s Theatre Royal after it reopens next month is in for a treat – regardless of what’s showing on stage.Read

Robert Breer

Baltic announce film-maker Robert Breer has died

THE death of artist Robert Breer has been announced by staff at Baltic where a major exhibition of his work is currently on display.Read

Graham Gouldman of 10cc

Preview: 10cc and Status Quo, Alnwick Castle

Status Quo and 10cc might look like a double-barrelled blast from the past. But as 10cc’s Graham Gouldman tells DAVID WHETSTONE, the music is as good and the appetite as sharp as everRead

Amy Tibbett, 16 and Alex Ayre, 17 who have been selected for the National Youth Film Academy

Creating a future for North East acting talent

TALENTED and ambitious youngsters can audition for the National Youth Orchestra, the National Youth Theatre or even the National Youth Music Theatre.Read

Actor Sam Heughan as Batman

Batman Live opens at Metro Radio Arena

This is no time for Shakespeare. The police are on their way and the Bat is on the wing.”Read

A red squirrel photographed at Blagdon, near Morpeth, by Allan Potts

Nature photographs exhibited at the Biscuit Factory

AT the very heart of urban Tyneside it is exhilarating to be reminded of the countryside and wildlife a short distance away – and also of the landscapes which make the North East unique.Read