Get Carter @ Northern Stage

(Review by Lance).

We've all seen the film and a lot of us have read the novel by Ted Lewis - Jack's Return Home - so, not surprisingly, the stage version has been pulling in the crowds over its two-week run at Newcastle's Northern Stage theatre.

Torben Betts adaptation of the novel works brilliantly, albeit, at times, disturbingly. Wathen, who plays Jack Carter occupies centre stage [a very bleak stage with a background of a derelict brickyard] for most of the two hours talking to his dead brother, Frank, whilst seeking to avenge his sibling's murder. He carries it off well.

The characters, Doreen, Margaret and Glenda's mini skirts capture the era perfectly and the undercurrent of violence a reminder of the gang and turf wars that occurred in every major city during the sixties.

But why, I hear you ask, am I devoting space to theatre in a jazz blog?

Well, the deceased Frank once had ambitions to be a jazz drummer and Martin Douglas provides effective drum accompaniment to the events unfolding. Also, and it's a big also, Nadine Shah sings a knockout version of All of Me, accompanied only by drums, she is pitch perfect.

Those who watched the film may well remember local girl Deena Wilde singing How About You? 

In one of the touching points with the film, Jack does ask for a pint in a straight glass.

Douglas' C.V. includes the Baghdaddies, The Unthanks and the Tickells. 

The show finishes on Saturday, March 5.

More details.

Lance.

Martin Douglas (dms/Frank); Nadine Shah (vcl) + Kevin Wathen (Jack); Amy Cameron (Doreen); Benjamin Cawley (Eric); Victoria Elliott (Margaret/Glenda); Michael Hodgson (Kinnear/Con); Donald McBride (Albert/Brumby/Gumboots).