Talking Tom Reviews from The Customs House shows…

The tour dates are as follows:

Saturday 27th March
The Maltings Studio, Berwick upon Tweed
01289 330 999

http://www.maltingsberwick.co.uk/

http://www.berwick-advertiser.co.uk/leisure/The-exaggerated-tales-of-ordinary.6177075.jp

Monday 22nd March
Cruise on The Tyne
SOLD OUT
Great Night!!!

Tuesday March 23
Middlesbrough Town Hall – Crypt
01642 729 729
www.visitmiddlesbrough.com

Wednesday March 24
Queens Hall Arts Centre, Hexham
01434 652 477

Thursday March 25
Lamplight Arts Centre, Stanley
01207 218 899
http://www.leisureworksonline.co.uk/lamplightartsdetail.cfm?cat=&item=662

Friday 26th March

Arts Centre Washington
0191 219 3455

http://www.artscentrewashington.com/events/event3.html

Saturday 27th March
The Maltings Studio, Berwick upon Tweed
01289 330 999

http://www.maltingsberwick.co.uk/

http://www.berwick-advertiser.co.uk/leisure/The-exaggerated-tales-of-ordinary.6177075.jp
Talking Tom Reviews

“Each of Kelly’s characters has been penned with honesty and perception and they are so real, so familiar that they almost leap from the page. The dialogue is witty, natural and believable and it captures the extraordinariness of the ordinary to great effect. The performances from Pat Dunn and Donald McBride are faultless, the characterisations have been acutely observed, finely honed and are sharply delivered.
Talking Tom is a gem of a production that comes with the highest of recommendations.”

STEVE BURBRIDGE.
UK Theatre Magazine

http://www.uktheatre.net/magazine/category/4211

“Kelly is a keen observer of people and is able to capture their essence. The language is everyday but subtle so that, even when we laugh (and there is much laughter in these pieces), we are keenly aware of the sadness beneath, but it’s not the sadness of the characters so much as the sadness we feel for lives which are, in so many ways, wasted. For the characters he gives us arouse our compassion, in spite of their monstrosity. It’s clever writing, sensitively handled by both actors and director Jackie Fielding.”

Peter Lathan
British Theatre Guide

http://www.britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/talkingtom-rev.htm

Five Star Review
*****

“Each of the monologues are mini masterpieces and are carefully crafted. The performances are consummate and perfectly executed, and the time passes in a flash. Kelly has a knack for people-watching that has enabled him to create three-dimensional characters that are familiar to us all.

‘Talking Tom’ is what theatre is all about – convincing characters, delicious dialogue and perfect performances.”

Ian Cain
The Public Review

http://www.thepublicreviews.com/talking-tom-the-
customs-house-south-shields/

Chronicle Review

http://www.whatsonne.co.uk/gb/theatre/reviews-and-previews/review-talking-tom-customs-house-south-shields

British Theatre Guide Review

http://britishtheatreguide.info/reviews/talkingtom-rev.htm

UK Theatre Magazine Review

http://www.uktheatre.net/magazine/category/4211

The Public Reviews review

http://www.thepublicreviews.com/

Chronicle Review

http://www.whatsonne.co.uk/gb/theatre/reviews-and-previews/review-talking-tom-customs-house-south-shields

GAZETTE REVIEW

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/livereview/Talking-Tom-Customs-House-South.6167331.jp

Northern Echo Review

“His greatest strength lies in his ability to produce brilliantly funny monologues about working class life. Although he can pen a wonderful turn of comic phrase, he simultaneously reveals a tragic life story of his subjects.”

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/leisure/5073953.Talking_Tom__Customs_House__South_Shields/

GAZETTE ARTICLE

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/news/It39s-good-to-talk-says.6142446.jp

Chronicle Article
15.3.10

http://www.whatsonne.co.uk/gb/theatre/news/talking-heads-stage-customs-house-party

The Northern Echo article
18.3.10
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/leisure/entertainment/theatre/features/5069749.It___s_Tom_cruise/

The Customs House presents
Talking Tom

The Customs House is delighted to host the return of Jarrow born playwright Tom Kelly’s hilarious monologues.

Elsie & Elsie Rides Again look at a seemingly sweet 77 year old spinster Elsie, a lovely granny figure on the outside but what about inside? Is she as sweet as she seems?

Neighbourhood Watch is the ultimate Neighbourhood Watcher; he is on duty twenty four hours a day – watching you.

The Club Doorman, keeps the door at a CIU-affiliated working men’s club. He knows everyone’s business from the committee, club organist to club members but does he know what he is doing to his family?

The show will also include readings of some of Tom Kelly’s critically acclaimed poetry.

“These monologues are beautifully crafted little gems” – British Theatre Guide

“Elsie should have a TV sitcom of her own” – Shields Gazette

“Neighbourhood Watch …is hilariously funny …to live next door to him must be hell on earth….exactly the right piece to take us into the interval – the bar was buzzing!” – British Theatre Guide

“The dialogue sparkles. It’s in the style of Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads, and the master couldn’t have done any better” – Shields Gazette

“Tom is a writer with a gift for dialogue, one of the reasons his short plays works so well…his characters are utterly convincing …. – Sunderland Echo

We are delighted to announce that following its run here at The Customs House, Talking Tom will be going on tour to theatres across the region.

The tour dates are as follows:

Monday 22nd
Cruise on The Tyne
SOLD OUT

Tuesday March 23
Middlesbrough Town Hall – Crypt
01642 729 729
www.visitmiddlesbrough.com

http://www.visitmiddlesbrough.com/site/whats-new/news/2010/3/17/terrific-talking-tom-a426

Wednesday March 24
Queens Hall Arts Centre, Hexham
01434 652 477

http://www.queenshall.co.uk/whats-on/seasons-diary/214
www.queenshall.co.uk “>www.queenshall.co.uk

Thursday March 25
Lamplight Arts Centre, Stanley
01207 218 899

http://www.leisureworksonline.co.uk/lamplightartsdetail.cfm?item=662
www.leisureworksonline.co.uk

Friday 26th March
Arts Centre Washington
0191 219 3455
www.artscentrewashington.co.uk

Saturday 27th March
The Maltings Studio, Berwick upon Tweed
01289 330 999

www.maltingsberwick.co.uk