Preview: A Street Like This

Image: Cast and creatives l-r Ross Millard Karen Traynor Garry Lydon Alex Elliott Kylie Ann Ford & Annie Rigby – photo credit Von Fox Promotions

Unfolding Theatre a celebrating World Theatre Day by announcing their brand-new show, A Street Like This premiering at The Fire Station, Sunderland 29 June.

Written by award-winning playwright Alison Carr and featuring original songs co-written by Ross Millard from The Futureheads and local residents, A Street Like This explores what unifies people in a city, where division exists, and what keeps people apart.

Writer Alison Carr  says, “It’s been a long-time ambition to work with Unfolding Theatre, so I’m thrilled it’s finally happening. I’m loving working with the team and the community cast. Everyone involved has been so generous with their ideas and so open to trying things out. It wouldn’t be the show it is without all of the contributions, and I’m enjoying being a part of making and shaping it. I look forward to welcoming audiences along to our street!”

Unfolding Theatre like to include participation as part of the creative process. A Street Like This is being co-created with local residents in Sunderland who meet regularly at Pop Recs.  Director Annie Rigby explains, ”The ideas at the heart of A Street Like This come from a brilliant group of people we’ve worked with in Sunderland over many years. The original music co-created by them and Ross Millard has got so much heart; I can’t wait to share it with audiences.” 

Ross Millard says It’s about community, ambition, dreams and routines made by an actual community, with disparate voices, opinions and ways of seeing the world. The group have supported one another throughout the process to write and perform and, particularly coming out of the pandemic, some of the conversations we’ve had along the way have felt really pertinent – I think that will certainly come across in the show.”

The creative team also includes award-winning Designer Imogen Cloët who has worked with heritage, theatre and film companies including Channel 4 Films, Northern Stage, the BBC and the National Trust. The cast are Karen Traynor (Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light, Alphabetti Theatre), Kylie Ann Ford (Blue Jean, BBC Films) and Alex Elliott (Putting the Band Back Together, Unfolding Theatre).

Following the premiere at The Fire Station in Sunderland in June, A Street Like This will tour in the autumn, dates will be announced soon. For more details or to book tickets see www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk/whats-on