Living room war games, sibling rivalry, extreme sports for pensioners and celebrity revenge...

Friday 13 to Sunday 15 December Between the Lines... Six young writers aged 13 and 14 years old from Benfield High School, in the East End of Newcastle, will have their plays performed in the Main Theatre at Live Theatre on Friday 13 to Sunday 15 December. The plays are part of Write Stuff, a yearlong writing programme between Live Theatre and Benfield High School, which gives young teen voices a platform through theatre. Mandy Tudor, Head of English at Benfield High School, talks about this exciting initiative: “This has been a fantastic collaboration. The pupils involved found the whole experience inspiring, thought-provoking and enjoyable. It has been an unforgettable project which has also improved the quality of their creative writing skills in the classroom.” Showcasing the concerns of young people today, the plays include tales of living room war games, sibling rivalry, extreme sports for pensioners and celebrity revenge. The plays include Cold Tea by Emma Cockburn, You’re My Inspiration by Ellen Davidson, Ready for Service by Callum Dyer, High Level Decisions by Meg Henry Cross, Wire Murder by Robyn Merrilees, and Hunter by Molly Toward, all now aged 14. Phil Hoffmann, Drama Worker at Live Theatre said: “From thriller to comedy, love story to action adventure, these plays by the six young writers are varied and insightful. We are delighted to be working with Benfield High School on this year long project which demonstrates Live Theatre’s commitment to developing and nurturing new writing in the region.” Young writer, Robyn Merrilees, said: “I loved working with the dramaturg because she was a writer of mystery stories too. It was great to see my writing develop from the initial first ideas into a complete script.” The six young writers are supported by professional dramaturgs to produce short plays, which will be performed by professional actors and members of Live’s Youth Theatre. The short plays were first presented in early 2013, as script-in-hand readings, in Live’s Studio Theatre. The plays are currently being developed into full productions and, for their second outing, will be presented in Live’s Main Theatre. Audience members talking about the script-in-hand readings presented earlier in the year said: “Brilliant to see the young students plays brought to life so well. Fabulous opportunity for them and the final products were amazing.” “I think the plays were great I loved them all. Can't wait to see them again in December!” Rehearsals for Between the Lines... start at Live Theatre next week and the actors include Stephen Gregory (Short Cuts, The Heights), Chris Foley (I’m Just Saying), Jane Holman (Close the Coalhouse Door), Eva Quinn (Short Cuts, Bunker Blues), Natalie Jamieson (Michaela’s Mistake), Adam Donaldson (First Draft) and Youth Theatre Member Emma Crowley Bennett (Your Aunt Fanny, Jonathan Likes This). Between the Lines... is at Live Theatre on Friday 13 to Sunday 15 December. Tickets which cost £8 with £6 concessions available from Live Theatre’s box office on (0191) 232 1232 or online at www.live.org.uk.