Monday 30 January 2017

Welcome to the Cheap Seats

The View From the Cheap Seats 


Hi there, this is my blog site where I record and review music, arts, theatre and, come to mention it, pretty much anything else that I think might be interesting.

Why the Cheap Seats ?  Well, I am not a professional critic, nor am I an Arts student, an English Major or a trained journalist - I'm just someone who really enjoys theatre and live performances and have been very lucky to be supported by the great venues in the North East to come along, see their shows and write about it afterwards.  I try and make my reviews interesting for everyone in the hope that someone will be encouraged to go and see a performance they would not normally have seen.

I don't profess to be clever in my style, I write about what I see and like what I like so there will probably be some common themes (I like musicals, I like strong leading characters, I like beautiful women and I like comedy) - that said, I won't sugar coat something if it left me disappointed - I wouldn't want to mislead anyone into seeing something I wouldn't go and see again.

Over the past 5 years I have supported Whats On North East, the region's leading online arts & events website - WONE provide listings, reviews, competitions and local news.

I don't get paid for reviewing, I do however accept a free ticket to a show on the agreement that I will feature a review straight afterwards and therefore some venues and production companies will ask me to attend their press nights. 

Likewise, by sharing my reviews it helps to raise awareness of shows on tour - I have had many production companies, directors and actors who have used my reviews as part of their own promotional material.

I am always looking for new venues, new shows, new performers so please get in touch if you have any feedback.

Below are web addresses of some of the wonderful venues we have in the North East:

www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk
www.galadurham.co.uk
www.atgtickets.com/venues/sunderland-empire
www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
www.theatreroyal.co.uk
www.leisureworks.net/events/4/empire-theatre

www.whatsonnortheast.com