Live theatre returns to Hartlepool Town Hall

‘My Mate Ren’, which centres around growing up in the North East, is on Monday 9th May at 7.30pm at Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre, which reopened its doors to theatregoers for the first time in two years earlier this month.

Jackie Edwards as Alex in My Mate Ren

The play, which is suitable for ages 14+, is the first-ever production created by North East company Sticky Theatre, in association with Alphabetti Theatre and was initially postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The intimate performance features actor Jackie Edwards as the main character Alex, who tells the audience her story about first kisses, sex, tinnies, cherry sourz, and her best mate Ren.

The show is based on coming-of-age experiences for young North East women and explores themes of friendship, relationships, sexuality, drinking, peer pressure, and communication. Audiences have described ‘My Mate Ren’ as “emotional”, “relatable”, “tender” and “heartfelt.”

Tamsin Rees, Writer at Sticky Theatre, said: “We are so proud to be bringing our first show as a theatre company to Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre.

“Our creative team has been working hard on this show for several years and we are especially excited to be bringing this coming of age story set in the North East to North East audiences.

“It’s a bit silly, a bit funny, a bit romantic, a bit dramatic, and a bit sad - definitely something for everyone, and we can't wait for audiences to come and see it and support local live theatre.”

‘My Mate Ren’ is part of Hartlepool Town Hall Theatre’s Pay What You Decide initiative to encourage new audiences who may not have visited the theatre before or seen a live theatre performance, the opportunity to try something new.

Theatregoers simply book their tickets online and then following the show are given the opportunity to pay what they think the performance is worth based on their experience.

Adam Strickland, Performance Venues Officer at Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “We are delighted that after two long years we can finally see live theatre grace the stage of the Town Hall Theatre once again.

“We hope people come out in force to see My Mate Ren and show their support to the creative arts/live theatre sector, which took a huge blow during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are also delighted to be featuring this new work from Sticky Theatre in our programme and supporting theatre companies based right on our doorstep here in the North East.”

Sticky Theatre is a new writing theatre company founded in 2018 by Live Theatre Associate Artist Tamsin Rees and former ARC Stockton Associate Artist Holly Gallagher.

It creates new intimate work which explores what it is to be a young woman living in the North East of England today.

Tickets for ‘My Mate Ren’ – on a Pay What You Decide basis – are available at www.hartlepooltownhalltheatre.com