Production: The Machine Gunners
Price: £12, £10conc, £7.50 Schools
Venue: The Customs House
The Customs House presents
Machine Gunners
By Tom Kelly and Ken Reay
Music by John Miles
Book and Lyrics by Tom Kelly and Ken Reay
Musical Director – Dave Bintley
Based on “The Machine Gunners” by Robert Westall
Robert Westall’s “The Machine Gunners” was published in 1975 and won the Carnegie Medal for Children’s Literature, became a set text in schools, a million seller and a classic TV series.
The musical was first staged at the Customs House in 1998 and then spent a month at the Edinburgh Festival where it received rave reviews.
The Machine Gunners tell the story of a group of teenagers growing up in Tyneside during the Blitz.
“Funny, moving, gripping hugely enjoyable show” - The Herald ****
“Lively, enjoyable adaptation…an exhilarating spectacle…” - The Scotsman ****
“Memorable music and words.” – Shields Gazette
“Spot on playground banter and the novel’s wartime setting is skillfully evoked....the real emotional impact lies with the convincing portrayal of intense childhood friendship” - The List
"This is definitely a show worth seeing.” - British Theatre Guide