True North

The inspiration for True North was the imagination, creativity and humour of the people of Barrow and the surrounding areas.

For 3 years people of all ages from all over the Borough were writing and improvising new shows supported by The Ashton Group's team of theatre professionals. The results were fantastically varied, entertaining and fun and although the True North shows aren't true stories, they are 'truly northern'... warm, funny and resilient.

Performed at The Forum on 19, 20 and 21 February 2004

Night One

The Land Of Lost Things
Devised and performed by Abbotsvale Young People’s Drama Group

The Land of Lost Things is a hilarious Hansel and Gretl story, created through workshops, by children aged 7-13, who live in the Risedale area.

Doin’ a Runner
‍Devised and performed by Barrow Deaf Drama Group

A silent-movie style show in which a group of elderly pensioners go on a mini-bus trip and chaos follows them. Doin a Runner involves, among other things, an accidental bank robbery, stolen police horses and the worst care-workers in the North West.

Space
Devised and performed by Ormsgill Young People's Drama Group

Everything starts to happen when dad goes away contracting and Mam turns her Ormsgill council house into a bed and breakfast with hilarious results... alien sightings, disco fever and a visit from MI5 (or was it MFI?)

Night Two

Goth
‍Devised and performed by The Goth Project

A comedy about the joy of being different. Oliver has the same problems as any other teenager... getting a girlfriend, finding the right black lipstick... trying to convince the police he’s not a terrorist threat!!!

Bingo
Devised by Phill Gregg, performed by True North Theatre Company

Ted’s failed to win ‘Bingo Caller of the Year’ 17 times on the trot, but now the very future of the hall’s at stake and everyone’s balls are in the air. Will the revelations about missing dosh and foul food capsize the sinking ship, or will the passengers start bailing fast? It’s all goin’ on!

Night Three

Funny Ways
Devised by Thomas Gawne, Jenna Fleet and Jane Forsyth from CD-UK and performed by True North Theatre Company.

A light-hearted and touching story about the relationship between a stroppy teenager and her granddad.

Meat
Devised and performed by True North Theatre Company

Mary’s the first woman in Hindpool to get a fridge, but her old man’s got his dead whippet stuck in the ice-box. Meanwhile, he’ll have to find somewhere for next door neighbour Mrs Rawlinson’s massive joint of wedding beef . . . oooh errr!!

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