Wishbone, the second BITESIZE Play, takes to Live Theatre’s cosy Studio in March

Following the sell out success of the first BITESIZE Play, The Next Train To Depart, theatregoers shouldn’t miss the chance to see Wishbone the next short play in the BITESIZE programme on Friday 21 and Saturday 22 March at 8pm at Live Theatre. Written by new writing favorite Laura Lindow and directed by Rosie Kellagher, Wishbone is a short, one act play specially commissioned by Queen’s Hall Arts. Wishbone follows the chance meeting of two strangers on a crisp winter morning; 40 year old dog walker Meryl, played by Joanna Holden, and Jamie, a disheveled young man, played by Tom Booth. On the surface it seems that they have little in common but, as it transpires, they share a lot more in common than their appearances first betray. Set up on Collie’s Reach, Meryl and Jamie enjoy a quiet space away from the busy world below. Through their conversations buried misunderstandings finally come home to roost as they realize that some wishes just won’t fly. Wishbone is the second BITESIZE Play to be presented this season at Live Theatre. 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. Laura Lindow has been working in Newcastle for over ten years as a writer, director, performer and facilitator. In 2011 Laura co-wrote Sawdust and Stardust, with Beccy Owen, for Live Theatre as part of the Live Lab programme. The show received great audience feedback being described as ‘Stunningly brilliant. A feast for the imagination… A lovely atmospheric, cosmic experience.’. Laura’s other previous work includes Heartbreak Soup, which enjoyed a successful run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2009 and two national tours. The show was also nominated for a Total Theatre award and was shortlisted for the Journal Culture Club Writer of the Year Award in 2009. In Wishbone Laura explores Black Swan Events a concept that was first introduced by Nassim Nicholas in his book Fooled by Randomness. A Black Swan Event is an unexpected high impact occurrence, yet one which, it is later concluded, was ‘bound to happen’. Through Meryl and Jamie’s three chance meetings, in Wishbone, Laura explores the notion of Black Swan events in an inventive and heartfelt way. As Rosie Kellagher, director, explains: “I’ve loved Laura’s work since I first read her brilliant play Heartbreak Soup so I’m really enjoying working on Wishbone.  Touching and poignant with lovely moments of wit and playfulness, it has all the humour and heart I’ve come to expect from Laura’s writing.  And we’re getting to mess about making toy swords in rehearsals.” Joanna, playing Meryl, recently performed in Deep Woods, Dark Snow and Blue Remembered Hills at Northern Stage. This is Joanna’s Live Theatre debut. Tom, playing Jamie, recently performed in Between the Lines..., at Live Theatre, and played Bobby in feature film Harrigan. Wishbone goes into rehearsals next week at the Queen’s Hall Arts Centre in Hexham. Look out for Never Forget, the final BITESIZE Play, coming to Live Theatre later this season. Never Forget is written by Lee Mattinson (Brown Bird, Chalet Lines) and will be performed on Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 April at 8pm. Both plays are directed by Rosie Kellagher and will be performed in Live Theatre’s intimate Studio Theatre. Tickets for the BITESIZE Plays cost £8, £6 concs.  For more information or to book tickets visit www.live.org.uk or contact the box office on (0191) 232 1232.