First Play Club

First Play Club is our new annual initiative which offers creatives of all ages the chance to come together and develop their first professional credit on a new production to be performed at The Customs House. First Play Club will incorporate a range of creative roles such as writing, set design, LX design,  costumes, SFX design/composition and movement.

Our debut First Play Club pieces Wearmouth by Ben Gettins and Grown Up Writin’ by Louise Powell both premiered on our main stage at The Customs House in September 2023.

Building on the success of last year’s Studio space outing of This is Makina!, we returned bigger and bolder with A Class Feeling – This is Makina in our Main Auditorium for three nights in September 2024. A Class Feeling further explored the importance of the music genre of Makina within the North East.

This project, gave creatives not previously involved in theatre the opportunity to collaborate. A highlight of the show was DJ A.D.S, who not only created original tracks but also operated the music cues live on stage while performing, marking his first professional theatre credit. This collaboration bridged the gap between this underground music scene and theatre.

The show also featured MC Drop Dead Fred, who composed original lyrics specifically for the performance, blending his expertise in Makina with the storytelling power of theatre.

Additionally, MCs Flecky and Tolman, well-established within the Makina scene but entirely new to theatre, performed live during the show, showcasing their raw, and authentic talent. Their inclusion broadened the reach of the production, bringing in audience members who may not have traditionally engaged with theatre.

Christina Berriman Dawson won Best Writer at the 2024 North East Culture Awards for her work on A Class Feeling – This is Makina.