Tickets on sale | Dregs Opera: A bold new musical unearthing the forgotten, queer history of Alonzo Johnson

Tick Tock Whenever , a new thought-provoking production by the Spectrum Theatre Group at The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company debuts at Northern Stage on Thursday 27th March 2025 . This exciting steampunk odyssey follows a group of extraordinary adventurers as they journey through fractured timelines and alternate realities. Written and performed by artists with learning disabilities and autistic artists, Tick Tock Whenever delves into the unknown, uncovering heartfelt moments that explore vulnerability, resilience, and triumph over adversity. The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company works with people with learning disabilities and autistic people to tackle inequalities and drive social change through performing arts. Working across Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, the Twisting Ducks supports over 800 people a year to share their stories, develop their artistic talents, and ensure their voices are heard. The Twisting Ducks Spectrum Theatre group is funded by Newcastle Culture Investment Fund at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, and supported by Northern Stage. Kieran Harland, actor and member of The Twisting Ducks Spectrum Theatre group, said: “We’re really excited to present Tick Tock Whenever at Northern Stage. It’s a powerful play with an important message about living authentically in the now, rather than the past or the future.” Jan Willem van den Bosch, Lead facilitator and project manager at The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company said: “ Tick Tock Whenever is a zany exploration of the lives of autistic people and people with a learning disabilities, and also shines a light on stories that are often underrepresented in mainstream theatre. We’re excited for audiences to experience this unique journey and engage in conversations that challenge perceptions and inspire change.” Performance Details Thursday 27th March 2025, Northern Stage 4pm and 7pm Northern Stage, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RH Tickets: £10 (carers free) Book tickets > https://bit.ly/tick-tock-whenever or telephone: 0191 230 5151 School and Group bookings A special performance for schools and groups will take place at 1pm on Thursday 27th March 2025 To arrange tickets, please contact us via email: info@thetwistingducks.co.uk or telephone 07925 167775

The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company is delighted to announce two new thought-provoking productions, Tick Tock Whenever and Dregs Opera , set to take the stage this spring. Written and performed by artists with learning disabilities and autistic artists, these original works promise to take audiences on compelling journeys through time and history to challenge perceptions and amplify underrepresented voices. Tick Tock Whenever Journey into the unknown Step into a steampunk odyssey of time travel and self-discovery by Spectrum Theatre Group. Tick Tock Whenever follows a group of extraordinary adventurers as they journey through fractured timelines and alternate realities. This powerful new play ventures into the unknown to uncover heartfelt moments that explore vulnerability, resilience, and triumph over adversity. Performance Details Thursday 27th March 2025, Northern Stage 1pm (schools and groups), 4pm and 7pm Northern Stage, Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RH Tickets: £10 (carers free) Book tickets > https://bit.ly/tick-tock-whenever or telephone: 0191 230 5151 Spectrum Theatre group is funded by Newcastle Culture Investment Fund at the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, and supported by Northern Stage. Dregs Opera Sunderland Platform Theatre Group returns with an ambitious musical based on the true story of historic, local queer figure, Alonzo Johnson, who was deported to Australia and condemned to death because of his sexuality. Presented as an adaptation of Gay’s Beggar’s Opera and Brecht’s Threepenny Opera , the performance challenges audiences to consider marginalised voices and the horrors of discrimination, past and present. Performance Details Friday 4th April 2025, Arts Centre Washington 2pm and 7pm Arts Centre Washington, Biddick Ln, Washington NE38 8AB Tickets: £5 (carers go free) Book tickets > https://bit.ly/dregsopera or telephone: 0191 561 3455 Sunderland Platform Theatre group is funded by The Grocers' Charity, Hadrian Trust, Joicey Trust and Washington Heritage Partnership, and supported by Sunderland Culture. Jan Willem van den Bosch, Lead facilitator and project manager at The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company said: “ Tick Tock Whenever and Dregs Opera are powerful stories that showcase the immense talent of our artists, while also addressing important social issues with heart and authenticity. We’re excited to share these performances with audiences and spark meaningful conversations.”

The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company is delighted to announce it has been awarded £30,000 from The Fore, a venture philanthropy fund in the UK supporting small charities to transform lives and society. This significant award will allow The Twisting Ducks to grow its commissioned work and expand its Accessible Health Resource , a vital service providing accessible health information for people with learning disabilities and autistic people, and innovative awareness-raising resources for health and social care professionals. In addition, the grant will support The Twisting Ducks in its mission to create employment opportunities for artists with learning disabilities and autistic artists, providing a platform for their creative talents while fostering inclusion and representation in the arts. The Twisting Ducks Accessible Health Resource service works with partners and commissioners to develop bespoke, targeted resources that communicate information in accessible and creative ways, including clear English or EasyRead, interactive surveys, film-making, performance, creative consultation workshops and learning disability and autism-led training sessions. Jay Hare, CEO of The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company, said: "This grant will have a transformational impact on The Twisting Ducks. It allows us to expand our commissioned work while providing opportunities for our artists with learning disabilities and autistic artists to take the lead in creating and delivering accessible resources. We are incredibly grateful to The Fore for their support." To find out more about The Twisting Ducks Accessible Health Resource service, visit: www.thetwistingducks.co.uk/accessiblehealthresource 

The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company is delighted to announce it has been awarded £22,000 from the Postcode Neighbourhood Trust, raised by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. This vital funding will support people with learning disabilities and autistic people to develop original performance work in North Tyneside and enable outreach workshops to the wider learning disability community in North Tyneside. Jay Hare, CEO of The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company, said: "We are incredibly grateful to the Postcode Neighbourhood Trust and players of People’s Postcode Lottery for their support. This funding allows us to expand our reach and deepen our impact in North Tyneside." Lisa Kelly, Trustee and member of the Twisting Ducks, said: " I can't believe it! We are so overjoyed and it gives us a huge opportunity to work with more people in North Tyneside and to give them the same opportunities as we have had . " The Twisting Ducks runs performing arts academies and groups for people with learning disabilities and autistic people in venues across the North East region, including at Theatre Royal (Newcastle); Northern Stage (Newcastle); The Customs House (South Shields); Arts Centre Washington (Sunderland), Morpeth Methodist Church (Northumberland) and The Wallsend Memorial Centre (North Tyneside). Recent works include a new play, ‘What am I Like?!’ , presented at St James’s United Reformed Church in Newcastle upon Tyne (November 2024) and YouTube Killer, a new original music video by The Twisting Ducks band, The Twist. Click here to find out more about how to get involved

This year, we're looking back through our archive to share some of our festive songs and music videos. Watch original music videos written and performed by artists with learning disabilities and autistic artists, including Christmas Labels and Christmas Dreams.

YouTube Killer A new original song and music video by The Twist The Twisting Ducks is delighted to present YouTube Killer , a new original song and music video by The Twist. With vibrant costumes, creative use of green screens, and a glam rock vibe, YouTube Killer celebrates self-expression and the joy of making music together. The Twist, said: "It’s about rocking out, having fun and having a laugh. We brainstormed ideas and liked the idea of a phoenix, which inspired the chorus lyrics. We talked about YouTube because everyone watches YouTube and we want everyone to listen to our music. The video is inspired by lots of 70s glam rock bands like Queen, Kiss and Sweet. It is a funny video with lots of costumes and green screens."

Written and performed by artists with learning disabilities and autistic artists, The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company presents What am I like!? , an intricate movement performance to be presented at St James’s United Reformed Church, Newcastle upon Tyne on Wednesday 20th November 2024. What am I like!? follows a group of strangers as they explore their unique identities through a series of fun and lively moments. From the fun of the fairground, and the glitz of the catwalk, to the thrill of a party and the lure of holidays, each chapter is framed by questions and is filled with laughter and heartfelt moments. As characters share their stories and discover new things about themselves, they realise that their differences bring them closer together, making their bonds even stronger. Set against a backdrop of sing-along hits, What Am I Like!? promises to entertain with a mix of humour, lively performances, and an inspiring message about romance, diversity and acceptance. The performers, who meet weekly at Newcastle’s Theatre Royal, are part of The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company, a charitable incorporated organisation working with people with learning disabilities and autistic people to tackle inequalities and effect social change through performing arts. Working across Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company supports over 800 people a year to share their stories, develop their artistic skills and to ensure the uniqueness and relevance of their art reaches more people. Jan Willem van den Bosch, Lead facilitator and Project Manager at The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company said: “This performance is a celebration of individuality. Our artists have poured their hearts into creating a piece that reminds us all how important it is to embrace our unique qualities and celebrate diversity.” Members of our cast said: "Audience will see our own ideas and creations. It will be a fantastic show." "See a play about finding love." "The audience will enjoy a fantastic show and laugh and giggle their heads off." "People will hopefully come away with a smile on their face." "The cast creates compelling and interesting pictures which I don’t think you will have seen them do before." What am I like!? is on at St James’s United Reformed Church, Newcastle upon Tyne on Wednesday 20th November 2024 at 2pm. Tickets are £6 (carers free) and are available from: bit.ly/WhatAmILike

Happy Halloween from The Twist! This year our band, The Twist, have put together the ultimate playlist to set the mood for a truly spook-tacular Halloween. Whether you’re hosting a Halloween party, carving pumpkins, or just looking to get into the spooky spirit, we’ve got you covered with some hauntingly good tunes. But that's not all..! Check out The Twist's Halloween-themed music video, Love at Halloween... because even bad witches deserve to find their special someone!

Step into the spooktacular world of Fresh Club Night , where the music is hauntingly good and the dance floor is dying for you! Join us as our DJs drop spine-chilling beats, electrifying energy, and a playlist filled with your favourite ghoulish anthems to celebrate Halloween. Our friends at The Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company are also joining the line up, with guest performances by DJs from Kroc Klub . Fancy dress is highly encouraged – whether you're a wicked witch, a creepy creature, or a classic monster, show us your best spooky costume and dance like there's no tomb-morrow! What people like most about Fresh Club Night: “It’s a great night. It’s full of fun, full of music, full of dancing, full of good times.” “I like the atmosphere and the music. It gets everyone dancing.” “I like the music variety, I like a lot of rock, punk, metal, grunge and psychedelia.” “Having a good time and dancing, the disco ball and the lights.” “To show off my DJ-ing to my friends and family." "I like getting to meet new people.” “It’s a blast, always a blast.” EVENT DETAILS Fresh Club Night A Club night run by DJ's with learning disabilities and autistic DJ's since 1998. Thursday 3rd October 2024, 6.30pm - 10.30pm World Headquarters, Curtis Mayfield House, Carliol Square, East, Newcastle NE1 6UF £6.00 per person (Carers get in free), available on the door For people aged 18 years and over Interested in joining The Twisting Ducks DJ Academy? Find out more here