the customs house

We are delighted to announce that we will be bringing together a group of top performers for a special opening performance at The Chloe & Liam Variety Show at The Customs House this October.

Directed by Adam Allinson, the performance will bring together Caroline Sabiston, Elliot Allinson and Kenya Roberts for a unique opening medley featuring the musicals Hairspray, Jersey Boys & Wicked.

With a string of international credits the show is not to missed! Elliot Allinson has just completed a two year run in the smash hit West End production of Jersey Boys in London. Caroline Sabiston just recently performed as Maria in The Sound Of Music at The Customs House and has toured internationally and Kenya Roberts has appeared in productions both locally and nationally for the MTC.

Director, Adam Allinson said, ‘I am thrilled that these phenomenal performers are giving up their time to support such a wonderful charity and I know that it will be a super way to open the show.

The Chloe & Liam Variety show is on at The Customs House, South Shields on Sunday 15th October 2023. Tickets are on sale now by visiting: https://www.customshouse.co.uk/music/the-chloe-and-liam-variety-performance/

Our hearts have been truly blessed by The Sound Of Music…

It seems so very appropriate that our final photo and thoughts of The Sound Of Music begin with a picture of the ghost light left on for the night as we depart the theatre….

What started as an idea early into the Covid-19 pandemic has brought joy and theatre into the lives of everyone the production has touched. We knew it was ambitious.

We are sad…. However, we are excited because this is just the start. We did it at a time when people needed it. The pleasure of seeing the joy our show brought everyone else. The happiness of the cast, the crew and backstage and finally the audience who came to watch. Seeing the buzz of a theatre alive every night in anticipation of the curtain raising and the tears of joy this production brought to so many people at a time the world is on its knees.

We want to say a huge well done to all of the adults and children who performed on the stage. You brought the wonderful story of the Von Trapp family to life every single show. A true story and a wonderful musical that will life on in our hearts for ever.

Caroline, Andrew, Sarah, Stu and Jan…. You were born to perform those roles. You brought such depth and humility to this incredible true story. Ensemble….Every single one of you shone on that stage. We simply couldn’t have dreamt of a better cast. What a true team effort.

Children, we know you will be upset and down today and nothing can prepare you for finishing a show, but keep your head held high and remember this show with fond memories. This is just the start…
A huge shout out to all of the crew who worked on the show and made the magic of the theatre happen every single night in front of our audiences. We knew it wouldn’t be easy squeezing one of the worlds biggest shows into The Customs House.

A big thank you to the Customs House and staff for being supportive of our sheer ambition and determination and for making us lots and lots of coffee.

And finally to you our audiences…. Thank you for coming, for laughing, for crying and for standing up at the end of every show. We really couldn’t have done it without you.

We are signing off The Sound Of Music now…. But we will be back very very soon! So watch this space…. In the words of Maria, “When the lord closes a door, somewhere he opens a window”.

Rehearsal images have been released ahead of the upcoming production of The Sound of Music at The Customs House, South Shields

Set against the idyllic landscape of the Austrian Alps, this heart-warming tale based on a true story follows spirited young nun Maria and her relationship with the Von Trapp family.

In the titular role is international performer Caroline Sabiston (Guildford School of Acting and An Evening with Sir Tim Rice) as Maria Rainer, alongside Andrew James as Captain Georg von Trapp and north east based soprano Sarah Fenwick (Sage Gateshead and Proms In The Park) as The Mother Abbess of Nonnberg Abbey.

Also in the cast are Jan Reiss as Elsa Schraeder, Stu Liddle as Max Detweiller, Simon Stuart as Rolf Gruber and Holly Chinneck as Liesl von Trapp.

The Musical Theatre Company’s production will feature a talented cast of children starring Cameron Laidler and Cheiron Bates as Friedrich, Evie Gettins and Caoimhe Anders as Louisa, Joshua Murray and Joe Robertson as Kurt, Isabel James and Lila-Rose Routledge as Brigitta, India Rutherford and Isabel Langston as Marta and Emily McGrogan and Amelia Cattermole as Gretl.

The cast also feature Shannon O’Brien as Sister Berthe, Kenya Roberts as Sister Margaretta and Ella Bolton as Sister Sophia as well as an ensemble of talented performers. For the full cast list click here

The production team will include production management by Kevin Reay, direction and choreography by Adam Allinson, direction by Joseph Arnott and choreography by Brooke Slavin. In addition to this, costume design by Lee Brannigan and Alan Graham Costumes, production technical management, lighting and sound design by Cameron Turnbull.

With a timeless score including Do-Re-Mi, My Favorite Things and Climb Ev’ry Mountain, this global phenomenon continues to enchant audiences across the world.

The Sound Of Music will open at The Customs House, South Shields on Friday 26th August 2022 with a limited summer season ending on Saturday 3rd September 2022. Tickets are on sale now by visiting: www.customshouse.co.uk/theatre/the-sound-of-music/

The cast for The Sound of Music at The Customs House has been revealed.

In the titular role is international performer Caroline Sabiston (Guildford School of Acting and An Evening with Sir Tim Rice) as Maria Rainer, alongside Andrew James as Captain Georg von Trapp and north east based soprano Sarah Fenwick (Sage Gateshead and Proms In The Park) as The Mother Abbess of Nonnberg Abbey.

Also in the cast are Jan Reiss as Elsa Schraeder, Stu Liddle as Max Detweiller, Simon Stuart as Rolf Gruber and Holly Chinneck as Liesl von Trapp.

The Musical Theatre Company’s production will feature a talented cast of children starring Cameron Laidler and Cheiron Bates as Friedrich, Evie Gettins and Caoimhe Anders as Louisa, Joshua Murray and Joe Robertson as Kurt, Isabel James and Lila-Rose Routledge as Brigitta, India Rutherford and Isabel Langston as Marta and Emily McGrogan and Amelia Cattermole as Gretl.

The cast also feature Shannon O’Brien as Sister Berthe, Kenya Roberts as Sister Margaretta and Ella Bolton as Sister Sophia as well as an ensemble of talented performers. For the full cast list click here

The production team will include production management by Kevin Reay, direction and choreography by Adam Allinson, direction by Joseph Arnott and choreography by Brooke Slavin. In addition to this, costume design by Lee Brannigan and Alan Graham Costumes, production technical management, lighting and sound design by Cameron Turnbull.

With a timeless score including Do-Re-Mi, My Favorite Things and Climb Ev’ry Mountain, this global phenomenon continues to enchant audiences across the world.

The Sound Of Music will open at The Customs House, South Shields on Friday 26th August 2022 with a limited summer season ending on Saturday 3rd September 2022. Tickets are on sale now by visiting: www.customshouse.co.uk/theatre/the-sound-of-music/