UK Theatre Network

In The Pipeline

Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne

In collaboration with Òran Mór, Live Theatre has launched A Play, A Pie & A Pint, a programme which sees new writing company Paines Plough commission work by the UK’s leading and most important writers, including April De Angelis, David Harrower, Marie Jones, Linda McLean and Gary Owen, and tour the 45 minute plays to venues in Edinburgh, Dublin, Belfast and, of course, Newcastle.

The five-week season commenced last week with the first play, ‘Fly Me To The Moon’ by Marie Jones, being performed in the Studio Theatre. This week sees the world premieres move to the Main House, with ‘In The Pipeline’ by Gary Owen.

‘In The Pipeline’ opens the doors on three residents who are caught in the path of a massive liquid gas line as it tears through the Welsh countryside. The play takes the format of three monologues – one from each of the characters – and although each of them are carefully crafted and beautifully written, the connection to the subject matter is tenuous at best.

Rhodri Lewis plays Andrew, a train refreshment trolley operative who strikes up a complex relationship with his neighbour, Ali, and her young daughter Louisa. Essentially, the character is a loveable buffoon and Lewis successfully strikes up a rapport with the audience.

Grahame Fox is Dai, a former power plant employee who struggles to cope with institutionalised ageism in the workplace and his soaring stress levels. Finally, Meg Wynn Owen plays Joan, a kindly but rather eccentric old woman.

The concept of A Play, A Pie & A Pint is a good one and I genuinely hope it catches on. It provides an ideal opportunity for busy people to take in a bite-sized chunk of culture on their way home from work, without breaking the bank. Tickets are priced at £10 each, which includes a meat or vegetarian pie (made by Dickson’s Family Pork Butchers who, along with Fosters UK, are sponsoring the event), and a pint (or a glass of red or white wine or a non-alcoholic beverage).

However, my one concern with ‘In The Pipeline’ is that the actors seemed somewhat under-rehearsed and there were one or two fluffed lines too many. I hope this niggling point will be addressed in the weeks to come.

Steve Burbridge.

Runs until Friday 24 September 2010.

Forthcoming plays are as follows:

‘The Uncertainty Files’ by Linda McLean             Mon 27 Sept – Fri 1 Oct

‘Calais’ by April De Angelis                                   Mon 4 Oct – Fri 8 Oct

‘Good With People’ by David Harrower                Mon 11 Oct – Fri 15 Oct