AN OLD Victorian theatrical tradition, which ended almost a century ago, has been brought back to life by one of Newcastle’s quirkiest venues.
Throughout the 1800s, music hall theatres across the country staged shows featuring everything from singers and comics, to speciality acts such as ventriloquists, trapeze artists, jugglers, magicians, cyclists, sword swallowers and illusionists.
And now, Colonel Porter’s Tavern, Botanical Garden and Rhum Bar, at Dean Street, is recreating the good old days of variety – or vaudeville – theatre, with extraordinary evenings of live performances at its quarterly Howay Hootenanny nights.
And the next – and final – show of 2017, on Wednesday 6 December, will be hosted by North East comedian, Steffen Peddie, in the venue’s general lounge, with a lively programme of acts lined up.
Trixie Blue Burlesque will take to the stage with an enchanting performance, along with acoustic singer John Gatenby, pole and chair dancing from Voodoo Tuesday, magician Alex Jobson and Carman Havealook: hula hoop extraordinaire.
The evening will also include a game of Christmas bingo, with plenty of prizes to be won.
Tickets are £10 and £1 from each ticket will go towards Crisis, a national charity for homeless people – with active fundraising for the charity on the evening too.
For further information, or to buy tickets, visit www.colonelporters.co.uk/whats-on or call 0191 261 7600 between 10am-5pm and ask for Chrissie.
Those wishing to perform at the next Howay Hootenanny – held quarterly – are asked to send a short clip of their act to Chrissie at enquiries@colonelporters.co.uk for consideration.