“Studs”
Middlesbrough Theatre
From “Jumping the Waves” to “Like A Virgin”, Teesside’s Gordon Steel manages to produce work that is simple and brilliant at the same time.
I would go as to say the man is an underrated genius. If he were from the Home Counties he would be on the cover of magazines, opening supermarkets and kissing babies.
But thankfully he hasn’t succumbed to the bright lights of The Smoke, preferring more Northerly home comforts in which to lay his hat to pen work that has something for everyone.
Studs certainly does
From love and lust to tantrums and tears, it has the audience on a rollercoaster of emotions as the story of a Sunday league football team limps through a season, taking its five characters with it.
There’s nobody taking centre stage either as every character has show stealing scenes throughout, with many laugh out loud moments along the way.
The scenery was simple – the inside of a dressing room complete with discarded towels and wooden benches – and acting that was top drawer.
Being a Middlesbrough FC fan (as is Gordon) keen theatre goer and up for a laugh, this was a perfect evening for me, wonderfully hosted inside one of the most modest theatres in the area.
About Craig Marsden
Having blogged a number of times in recent years, I suppose I must be something of a veteran. From musicals to museums, stand-up to Salsa, Ive certainly covered the region in the name of art and culture (Oh dear did I really say that?)
Ive been married to Tricia for 20 years and been a big Middlesbrough FC fan for even longer (Its the pies)
I have two children, Alex 13 and Becky 17. (OK then offspring as "children" is pushing it a bit) Ive lived in the Stockton-on-Tees area for the majority of my (nearly) 50 years except for a time in the late 60's when we upped sticks (our furniture was in a poor condition back then) and moved to South Africa with my dads job.
A housing officer for 16 years with a local housing company - a job I thoroughly enjoyed thanks to the variety of issues such a position entails and I've been an active Freemason (funny handshake n all) for nearly 20 years. Being an avid reader (non-fiction) life is certainly busy when it also includes a lively Golden Retriever called Oscar, being largely involved with my sons football team - Stockton Rangers - and writer for the 'Boro fanzine - Fly Me To The Moon -the worlds longest running apparently.
I enjoy all types of music genres from Gilbert O'Sullivan to The Undertones, Squeeze to The Beatles, Peter Skellern to Aztec Camera. And while I wasnt a great lover of English Literature at school (ok then, i'll admit i hated it) I have done a total u-turn, attending poetry slams and readings from poets as diverse as Roger McGough, John Hegley and Pam Ayres (dont scoff - shes been around the world and has never worn a pair of overalls)
My favourites films include The Life of Brian, Its a Wonderful Life and Who Will Love My Children (yes, I do cry like a baby but who doesn't?)
Im a huge Lee Mack and Arthur Smith fan, while my favourite TV shows are Early Doors and The Wonder Years (how cute was Winnie?)
I hope you enjoy reading my blogs - if you do tell your friends, if you dont, shut up! No, really, please feel free to add a comment - good or bad (not too bad though. My artistic bent is far too fragile and insecure to handle negative critisism)
Enjoy....
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