Celebrating the magnificent spirit of the North East Close The Coalhouse Door is told with a wry smile, punchy dialogue and moving songs by an extended family of wives, vicars, sons, daughters and, of course, the miners themselves.

An exhilarating ride through the strikes, victories and frustrations of British mining history, the show captures the political anger and fight for justice of ordinary people from the formation of the first Unions in 1831. At its heart beats the joyous, soulful music of Alex Glasgow, inspired by the anthems of working people.

Acclaimed director Samuel West and award-winning writer Lee Hall will bring to life Alan Plater’s masterpiece for new audiences in a landmark collaboration between Northern Stage and Live Theatre. Close the Coalhouse Door has all the irony and lively mischief of Oh What a Lovely War, the dark grit of Our Friends in the North, and the triumph over adversity of Hall’s own Billy Elliot.

By Alan Plater

Based on stories by Sid Chaplin

Music by Alex Glasgow

With additional material by Lee Hall

Directed by Samuel West

Cast includes Adam Barlow, Chris Connel, Louisa Farrant, Jane Holman, Nicholas Lumley, Tarek Merchant, David Nellist, Jack Wilkinson and Paul Woodson

***** DAILY EXPRESS

"It's a warm, funny night" **** THE TIMES

"Superb casting" **** FINANCIAL TIMES

"Skilfully and wittily updated by Lee Hall" **** THE INDEPENDENT

**** THE GUARDIAN

**** THE SUNDAY TIMES

www.closethecoalhousedoor.co.uk

This show is part of Guildford Summer Festival.