IT was good to be at The Journal Culture Awards recently and to see so many deserving people welcomed onto the stage at the Gala Theatre.
Every year – and this was the sixth annual awards ceremony – it is a reminder of just how much inspiring work gets done in the North East.
Author David Almond – famous for Skellig and much more – was honoured and so was Max Roberts, guiding light at Live Theatre for more than 20 years and a man who has nurtured the careers of many of the region’s best actors and writers.
Erica Whyman collected an award for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf which she directed at Northern Stage and in Sheffield last year. Performed on the Newcastle theatre’s huge stage, this was an epic treatment of Edward Albee’s intimate 1962 play.
But some great things happen away from what might be termed the North East arts mainstream.
It was good to see the organisers of the Split Festival in Sunderland – judged the best event in the city – flying the flag for live music and also for Wearside.
Heartening, too, to see an award for Jeanie Finlay’s film Sound It Out, an affectionate portrait of the last vinyl record shop in her home town of Stockton.
Already we’re looking ahead to next year, which effectively means keeping our eyes open for the good stuff of 2012 which will be honoured at the Culture Awards 2013.
You will read about some likely contenders on the following pages.
Singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams has won an award or two in her time and she speaks to Tamzin Lewis about her new project, The Pond.
Another leading light in North East music, the composer John Casken, also tells us about the summer season of concerts in Upper Coquetdale which bears his stamp.
A trip to Alwinton might sound a nice idea to all the region’s townies and the same goes for the exhibition marking the 60th anniversary of the North York Moors National Park.
Danby sounds the ideal destination for those who like art in a nice location.
Finally, we are celebrating some good news of our own. Culture has, once again, been shortlisted in the Regional Press Awards, celebrating the best in British regional journalism.
The Journal is shortlisted too, so there are two reasons for us to feel proud.
David Whetstone
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