Theatres welcome The First Night Riders

Jun 10 2010 by Sam Wonfor, The Journal

TWO of the region’s premiere venues will be getting a visit tomorrow from a troupe of motorcyclists on a fundraising tour of the UK’s interesting and historically significant theatres.

The First Night Riders will pull up to The Journal Tyne Theatre on Westgate Road, and Newcastle Theatre Royal tomorrow lunchtime and afternoon as they enjoy day six of an eight-day ride around the UK.

The group consist members of the Theatrical Guild who work backstage at theatres and they are raising money for a charity, Night Riders, which helps those who have retired from similar work in the industry.

Brian Debnam, co-ordinating consultant for the Tyne Theatre and Opera House Preservation Trust, said: “We are very much looking forward to welcoming the Night Riders and will be giving them a tour of this very special theatre.

“As people who work behind the scenes, they will be looking forward to looking around the only theatre in the UK to have original Victorian stage machinery, as well as being one of the only theatres outside London to have been given Grade I-listed status.”

As well as the tour of The Journal Tyne Theatre, the group, who set off from the National Theatre in London on Saturday and have already visited The Mill at Stonehenge, the Gran Theatre in Swansea and The Tron Theatre in Glasgow, among others, will enjoy lunch with the board of trustees at the Tyne Theatre.

To see photographs from the Night Riders’ trip and follow their progress, check out the blog at http://firstnightriders.ning.com.