Produced by New Writing Northin association with the North East Theatre ConsortiumPub QuizA brand new play by Carina RodneyDirected by Psyche StottDUE TO POPULAR DEMAND, A MATINEE PERFORMACNE OF PUB QUIZ HAS BEEN ADDED TO THE RUN ON SATURDAY 26 APRIL AT 2PM
In a world where successes can be few and far between, what does it take to be on the winning team? Tuesday night is quiz night at the Magpie and tonight the regulars are playing for a triple rollover jackpot. When an outsider arrives to join the quiz, the regulars find more than their general knowledge being tested. During the course of the evening, TV quiz show conventions interrupt reality revealing how the characters’ relationships and past mistakes have always kept them one step away from the big prize.
On a night out in an unnamed North East Pub I ended up becoming involved in the weekly quiz and it proved quite the eye opener. I was intimidated and enthralled by the presiding quiz master who seemed to be in the throes of an aggressive nervous background. He chided, controlled, bullied and entertained as he pushed us through the range of tough rounds and spot prizes. References were made to the ‘University Challenge man’ who always played on his own, the ‘lady teachers with loose morals’ the sneaks and the cheats, the dedicated quiz players and the boisterous ‘out for a laugh’ losers. Warnings were issued about cheating and against reruns of brawls in the toilets, bonus points were given for all female ‘disadvantaged teams’, team boundaries were clearly defined and fiercely protected. Finally the unpopular winning team stormed ahead, their triumph greeted by muted jeering. Sitting at my wonky table watching the drama unfold, develop, ebb and peak, I glanced round at this group of entertaining characters involved in their weekly power plays, triumphs and losses and thought, ‘all life is here’. I watched as newcomers were scrutinized, resentments and competitiveness surfaced, flirtatious glances were exchanged and sensed a hundred stories bubbling beneath the surface. I remember thinking about what would happen if one of the newcomers, an outsider, started to beat them at their own game? That night I went home with a reassuringly low score and an idea for a new play, Pub Quiz. See a short publicity film of the show and find out more at New Writing North
Tickets are £7 (£5 concessions). All seating in Stage 2 is unreserved.Money-back guarantee (click for more details)Recommended ages 15+
Wed 23 - Sat 26 April 8pmSat 26 April 2pmPost-show discussion Thu 24 AprilRecommended 15+