From You To Me

"When I tell her different stories, she starts crying. She'll say, "Grandma, why don't you write a book?" I says, "Catherine Cookson wouldn't have a job, if I wrote a book!"

After the war, Tyneside was a tough place to grow up. But among the bombsites and blackened buildings, the children experienced a freedom that is almost unimaginable today. From You to Me shares stories of post-war Tyneside from those who were there: the street games, dance halls and Christmas stockings, but also the hunger and harsh discipline.

From You to Me is a verbatim show, where the actors speak the real words of the characters, provides a platform for voices often marginalised, and illustrates the richness of traditional Tyneside English. It presents the characters’ views on modern society and its values, offers valuable insights into the relationships between generations today, and shows that the Tyneside dialect is as diverse as its people.

With all the progress experienced through the second half of the 20th century and a refusal to ‘be old’, were ultimately these baby boomers the luckiest generation of all? They certainly didn’t all have their Tyneside accent knocked out of them.

From You to Me is a collaborative project between Newcastle and Northumbria Universities. Based on research that explores language variation among Tynesiders aged 70+, From You to Me uses the verbatim theatre’s ‘Recorded Delivery’ method to illustrate and celebrate this variation.

The production is based on interviews which were conducted by University staff in 2019-20 to research older Tynesiders' language use. It shares some of the stories of those interviewed, including Age UK North Tyneside customers and friends, as well as findings about their use of Geordie English.

Entry is free, but please note that booking is required. Booking is available online only for the Thursday performance, while bookings can be made online, by phone, or directly at the ticket office for the Friday performances.

From You To Me
by Steve Gilroy

Thursday, 10 November, 7:30 pm at the Great North Museum: Hancock, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4PT. Book at: https://www.beinghumanfestival.org/events/you-me.

Friday, 11 November, 2pm and 7pm at Northern Stage: Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RH. Book at: https://northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/from-you-to-me/. Or via phone at 0191 230 5151. Or at the box office.

From You to Me Creative Team:
Academic researcher & dramaturg - Dr Heike Pichler
Writer & director - Steve Gilroy
Technical & stage management - James Froment
Lighting - Kev Tweedy

Performers - Sharon Percy (I, Daniel Blake), Chris Connell (Pitman Painters), Jackie Lye (BBC - The Archers), Tony Neilson (Northern Stage Ensemble).

With thanks to Newcastle University, Northumbria University and Alphabetti Theatre