The inspiration for True North has been 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.

For more information follow the link to each night.

NIGHT ONE

The Land of Lost Things

Doin' a Runner

Space

NIGHT TWO

Goth

Bingo

NIGHT THREE

Funny Ways

Meat

THE PRODUCTION TEAM

Directors Sarah Miller and Rachel Ashton
Assistant Director Phill Gregg
Administrator/Company Manager George Floyd
Interpreter Dot Johnson
Design Andrew Wood
Design Assistant Michelle Huitson
Michelle Huitson came to the company on a placement for ‘Interact’, the Northern Region’s Professional Theatre Industry training programme, managed by Northumbria Touring Theatre Company
Set Construction John Ashworth
Lighting Design Paul Colley
Sound and Video Design Phill Gregg
Sound Design for Goth Tarron Shaw
Stage Manager Gary Bridgens
Deputy Stage Manager Sarah Lewis
Assistant Stage Manager Ed Johnson
Workshop Assistants Anne Wilson and Paul Jenkins
Technical Students on placement from Furness College Alex Haughin, Tarron Shaw, Jay J Burns, Jason Moore, Daniel Moore, Carley Blanchard

WHAT THE PARTICIPANTS SAID ABOUT TRUE NORTH

' This is the best time I’ve ever had' Ormsgill participant.

'I never get picked to be in plays at school. They always pick the good people. When I told my teacher I was going to be in a play at the Forum 28, I don’t think she believed me. My Mam and my Nana came to see me and they were dead proud of me. They told me we were all dead good . . . I was dead proud of me!' Abbotsvale participant.

'Unbelievable, brilliant, outstanding . . . I would like to do another live show, anytime, any place and anywhere!' Adult, Hindpool.

'Funny and terrifying. Whatever the cost it was worth it!' Adult participant, Walney.

'I’d never done any drama before but it’s made me think seriously about doing media studies at college. Writing the Goth script was an awesome experience. I made lots of new mates and it was great to do something that showed everyone what we’re about and to make a play that other Goths came to see. Just before the show I was really scared but once the music started and we were out there it went too fast. I just wanted to get out there and do it again . . . it was a right buzz!' Goth Project participant.

'The thrill and excitements of the last show – makes life worthwhile' Deaf Drama Group participant.

'It made me more confident. I felt like I could do anything at the end when the audience was clapping and cheering'

Ormsgill participant.

'Lifelong ambition fulfilled!' Adult participant aged 50+

'I liked making the audience laugh . . . It was all an experience, a fantastic one!' Deaf Drama Group participant.

'We knew that they were doing a play down at the community centre but never in a million years did we expect something like this. It was absolutely brilliant!' Mum of Abbotsvale participant.

'I liked meeting new people at the workshops and it was great mixing with people from the other shows as well.'

Adult participant, Barrow Island.

'I loved seeing our play becoming real. When we were making the scenes I couldn’t imagine how it would all fit together or that it would be any good. The people who performed it did a really good job. I believed in the people and it was better than I expected' Life skills trainee talking about Funny Ways.

'I learnt more about acting/drama/theatre in this project in a few weeks than in twenty-five years of amateur dramatics'

Adult participant.

'We have a fight to get him to open his reading book but he practised that script every night. I think it’s helped his reading no end and his confidence' Participants mum, Risedale.

WHAT THE AUDIENCE SAID

'Brilliant, thought provoking and highly entertaining'

'Very funny. Well performed with excellent scripts'

'Excellent, I would definitely come again'

'All the shows were presented very professionally with lots of energy and fun'

'It was brilliant . . . love to see it again!'

'I had a lovely evening'

'I thought the effects were terrific and the deaf club mime reminiscent of Charlie Chaplin and the Keystone cops.'

'I hope there will be many more'

'Enjoyed each play . . .'

'Well acted AND they all appeared to enjoy themselves . . . fantastic!'

'Very inventive'

'Excellent as always!'

'Brilliant plays for all ages'

'Could have been much longer, the stories were great-a great night out'

'Absolutely marvellous'

'Excellent production. Casts bright and light . . .'

'Top effort!'

'These plays were amazing'

'A very amusing and resourceful performance'

'Bingo was hilarious. I haven't laughed so much in ages'

'Fantastic. More, more, more!'

'Very well done. It was great to see young people doing something different and enjoying it . . .'

'Great to see something I could relate to . . . Goth was awesome!'

' . . . Loved the video footage at the beginning of every performance'

'I've seen all three nights and I was impressed by everything!'