TALENTED PHOEBE OPENS NORTHERN STAGE PRODUCTION

13 Feb 2012

A talented 16-year-old from Newcastle Church High School, took centre stage this weekend, as the production she has both written and produced was performed at the prestigious Northern Stage theatre in Newcastle.

Year 12 pupil Phoebe Elliott, from Gosforth, is no stranger to the limelight after her many starring roles in school productions over the years. Now, with her mysterious adaptation of Alice in Wonderland, Phoebe’s first ever script, brought to life by a 15-strong cast, played to an audience of hundreds this Saturday, on Stage Two at Northern Stage.

Working alongside fellow members of Gosforth based Theatre Arts School, Stagecoach, Phoebe created a script that explored the darker side of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale. During both the matinee and evening shows, the audience was taken on a journey with Alice, through the shadowy and intriguing ‘Wonderland’. Impressively, everyone involved in the production, from directors to the band, choreographers to the cast, is aged between just 15 and 18 years old.

Phoebe, who would like to pursue a career in performing arts in the future, said: “I’m passionate about acting and theatre has always been a major influence in my life, but ‘Alice’ is the first play that I have actually written and produced myself. It has been such a fantastic experience from start to finish – I’m so happy with the reception it has received and the support I have had from Stagecoach, Northern Stage and my teachers and friends at Church High has been amazing.”

Head of drama, Ruchelle Everton, said: “Here at Church High, we’re incredibly proud of Phoebe – this is an incredible achievement for someone of such a young age. Her production has even been likened to work from a third year Theatre Degree! To pen something with this level of professionalism and creativity is astonishing and it was a privilege to be able to see Phoebe’s work brought to life in a setting as well regarded as Northern Stage.”

Another young star from Church High who also played a role in ‘Alice’ is year 10 pupil Annabelle Warwick, who starred as the dormouse and Rose. Rochelle continued: “It’s great to see so many of our pupils getting involved in drama and theatre and we’re certain they have a very bright future ahead of them!”

Photo: Church High pupil, Phoebe Elliott, opens Northern Stage production of “Alice”