A very special introduction into the theatre for you and your new baby.

2010 marks Northern Stage's 40th Birthday.  To celebrate this special anniversary our staff have already walked 40 miles, and throughout the coming year there'll be 40 new works from Northern artists, 40 seats for sale and 40 reasons to celebrate.

We have now begun a new and exciting project with 40 babies.

This 3 year project will work with 40 newborn babies and their families.  In the first year we want to capture hopes, fears and pearls of wisdom about the imminent arrival with new parents and create a 'living book' of the babies' first year.  We hope that the project will provide us with the chance to research the possibilities of creating work with and for this very young audience of 0-3 year olds. 

Our first event in February was a great success and a really inspirational day.  We met 40 brilliant parents, parents-to-be and their families.  Through some short film interviews we learnt about cravings, nanageddon and happy childhood memories to pass on to the new arrival. It was a fantastic first step and we have some brilliant photographs of the day. 

Our living book is certainly underway and we can't wait to meet everybody again in April for the next event - when the bumps will be babies!  April will be all about capturing film and images of the new arrivals and how family dynamics have changed.  If you are part of our project look out for the First Steps facebook group and we will hopefully see you all again soon.

Dates for the next events are listed below, and all of the participants will be invited to a special preview performance of our under 6's Christmas show.

Tuesday 27th April 2010: First meeting with the babies.

Saturday 17th July 2010:  Northern Stage's Summer Fete.


If you would like any more information about the project, please email  firststeps@northernstage.co.uk or write to us at:

First Steps
Northern Stage
Barras Bridge
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE1 7RH


Front page image: Ali Eren by Duru (via flickr)