Bebop Spoken There

Emma Rawicz: "In a couple of years I've gone from being a normal university student to suddenly being on international stages." DownBeat January 2026.

The Things They Say!

This is a good opportunity to say thanks to BSH for their support of the jazz scene in the North East (and beyond) - it's no exaggeration to say that if it wasn't for them many, many fine musicians, bands and projects across a huge cross section of jazz wouldn't be getting reviewed at all, because we're in the "desolate"(!) North. (M & SSBB on F/book 23/12/24)

Postage

18246 (and counting) posts since we started blogging 17 years ago. 100 of them this year alone and, so far this month (Jan. 31), 100

From This Moment On ...

JANUARY 2026

Wed 04: Vieux Carré Jazzmen @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Wed 04: Darlington Big Band @ Darlington & Simpson Rolling Mills Social Club, Darlington. 7:00pm. Free. Rehearsal session (open to the public).
Wed 04: Take it to the Bridge @ The Globe, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Thu 05: Jazz Appreciation North East @ Brunswick Methodist Church, Newcastle NE1 7BJ. 2:00pm. £5.00. Subject:Times of the Day & Trios.
Thu 05: Jeremy McMurray’s Pocket Jazz Orchestra @ Arc, Stockton. 8:00pm. Special guest Emma Wilson.
Thu 05: Tees Hot Club @ Dorman’s Club, Middlesbrough. 8:30pm.

Fri 06: Classic Swing @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Monkseaton Arms. 1:00pm. Free.
Fri 06: New Orleans Preservation Jazz Band @ The Oxbridge Hotel, Stockton. 1:00pm. £5.00.
Fri 06: Durham Alumni Big Band & Saltburn Big Band @ Saltburn Theatre. 7:30pm. £12.00. Two big bands on stage together!
Fri 06: Nauta + Littlewood Trio @ Little Buildings, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Double bill + jam session.
Fri 06: FILM: Made in America @ Star & Shadow Cinema, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Ornette Coleman.
Fri 06: Deep Six Blues @ Queen’s Hall, Hexham. 7:30pm.

Sat 07: The Big Easy @ St Augustine’s Parish Centre, Darlington. 12:30pm. £10.00. Darlington New Orleans Jazz Club.
Sat 07: Tees Bay Swing Band @ The Blacksmith’s Arms, Hartlepool. 1:30-3:30pm. Free. Open rehearsal.
Sat 07: Rendezvous Jazz @ The Red Lion, Earsdon. 8:00pm. £3.00.

Sun 08: Swing Tyne @ The Cluny, Newcastle. 12 noon (doors). Donations. Swing dance taster class (12:30pm) + Hot Club de Heaton (live performance). Non dancers welcome.
Sun 08: Am Jam @ The Globe, Newcastle. 2:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: 4B @ The Ticket Office, Whitley Bay. 3:00pm. Free.
Sun 08: Gerry Richardson’s Big Idea @ The Globe, Newcastle. 8:00pm.

Mon 09: Mark Williams Trio @ Yamaha Music School, Blyth. 1:00pm.
Mon 09: Harmony Brass @ Cullercoats Crescent Club. 1:00pm. Free.

Tue 10: Jazz Jam Sandwich @ The Black Swan, Newcastle. 7:30pm. Free.

Reviewers wanted

Whilst BSH attempts to cover as many gigs, festivals and albums as possible, to make the site even more comprehensive we need more 'boots on the ground' to cover the albums seeking review - a large percentage of which never get heard - report on gigs or just to air your views on anything jazz related. Interested? then please get in touch. Contact details are on the blog. Look forward to hearing from you. Lance

Wednesday, February 05, 2020

Preview: The Strange Tale of Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel @ Northern Stage

(Preview by Russell)

Next week (Tuesday 11- Saturday 15 February) two of the all-time great comedic film stars are coming to Newcastle. Cockney Charlie Chaplin and Cumbrian Stan Laurel will be treading the boards at Northern Stage to tell their story of setting sail for America, joining Fred Karno's troupe and finding fame and fortune as Hollywood stars. 

Chaplin and Laurel are, of course, long gone, however thanks to Told by an Idiot theatre company our famous duo will come alive at Barras Bridge just off Haymarket in Newcastle. Written and directed by Paul Hunter The Strange Tale of Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel is set to rekindle fond childhood memories of watching the genius of Mr Chaplin and Mr Laurel on the big screen and at home on tv. 

It's 1910, Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel leave Britain behind to embark on the adventure of a lifetime. What would become of them? We all know, don't we? Well, not quite! As Told by an Idiot readily concedes the company will be 'playing fast and loose with the facts'. Good, there's nothing like a yarn! This yarn is, by all accounts, a story of few words. Mime plays a part, as does music. And that's where Bebop Spoken Here becomes interested. 

Told by an Idiot commissioned a piano score from Mercury Award nominee Zoe Rahman. Pianist Rahman has given many memorable concert performances on Tyneside and although Ms Rahman won't be at Northern Stage in person her music will be heard during the production. Actor (and novelist) Sara Alexander will be playing on-stage piano having been coached by none other than Rahman. Expect some ragtime, some blues, expect mime, expect brilliant physical comedy from a four-strong cast.   

The Strange Tale of Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel has a running time of 1hr 30 mins. Performance times are 7:30pm each evening (Wednesday is a Relaxed Performance RP evening) with a Saturday matinee performance at 2:00pm. Tickets from £10. Contact the Northern Stage box office on 0191 230 5151 or visit: www.northernstage.co.uk 

The Strange Tale of Charlie Chaplin and Stan Laurel is a Told by an Idiot and Theatre Royal Plymouth production with Royal & Derngate, Northampton and Unity Theatre, Liverpool.
Russell         
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