Three BITESIZE Plays take to Live Theatre’s cosy Studio Theatre as part of a regional tour

This season, don’t miss the chance to see three new BITESIZE Plays as they take to the stage in Live Theatre’s cosy Studio Theatre as part of a regional tour. Join Trashed Organ’s very own John Challis as he makes his Live Theatre debut and witness the return of new writing favourites Lee Mattinson and Laura Lindow as they share their bite-sized dramas. Known as BITESIZE Plays, as each piece lasts approximately 40 minutes, Queen's Hall Arts (with support from the Arts Council) has worked with emerging writers to develop their talent and produce high quality, small scale touring work that will excite and challenge audiences. Then three plays tour the region and are showcased at Live Theatre between January and April 2014. The Next Train To Depart is the first BITESIZE Play of 2014 and will arrive at Live Theatre’s station on Friday 31 January at 8pm. For this show, Live Theatre’s Studio Theatre will be transformed into Newcastle’s Central Station’s busy concourse. Described as Brief Encounter for the 21^st Century, The Next Train To Depart, tells the story of Kayleigh and Dan as they form an unexpected bond over cold coffee on a train station concourse. Written by North East poet John Challis and directed by Melanie Rashbrooke, of Newcastle based Trashed Organ, The Next Train To Depart is a poetic play, about a chance meeting, a platform to nowhere and the baggage we try, in vain, to leave behind. John Challis was awarded a Northern Writer’s Award in 2012 by New Writing North.  Geof Keys, Artistic Director of Queen’s Hall Arts, said: "It's been great discovering such a wealth of writing talent in the North East. John Challis has delivered to us one of the best scripts I've read in ages and I'm looking forward to seeing it on stage for the first time." This two-hander stars Newcastle born actors Adam Donaldson and Alex Tahnee. Adam, playing would-be poet Dan, recently performed in Between the Lines... and The McGuffin at Live Theatre. Alex, playing Kayleigh an out of work ex-call centre cold caller, will be making her Live Theatre debut in The Next Train To Depart. Alex has previously worked with several local companies, including Open Clasp Theatre, and is a core member of The Letter Room; a new company formed through Northern Stage’s 2013 NORTH project. The show also includes an immersive sound design, composed by North East based musician Adam James Cooper, which will transport audiences into the heart of Newcastle’s Central Station. The Next Train To Depart goes into rehearsals next week at the Queen’s Hall Arts Centre in Hexham. Look out for the other BITESIZE Plays coming to Live Theatre later this season. The second BITESIZE Play is Never Forget written by Lee Mattinson (Brown Bird, Chalet Lines), which will be performed on Friday 21 & Saturday 22 March at 8pm. The final BITESIZE Play, to be presented this season, is Wishbone written by Laura Lindow (Sawdust and Stardust) on Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 April at 8pm. Both plays are directed by Rosie Kellagher and will also be performed in Live Theatre’s intimate Studio Theatre. Tickets for the BITESIZE Plays cost £8, £6 concs.  Audiences can receive 10% off when they purchase a MULTIBUY ticket to see all three BITESIZE Plays. This offer is only available through Live Theatre’s Box Office in person or over the phone. For more information or to book tickets visit www.live.org.uk or contact the box office on (0191) 232 1232.