North East playwright Arthur Mackenzie has had a great career as a writer penning many episodes of TV classics such as ‘Casualty’ and ‘The Bill’. In 2024 he wrote a book of monologues for female actors to raise money for a dementia charity but asked the publisher to omit his name from the cover as he wished to remain anonymous.

All proceeds from the book were donated to ‘Dementia Matters.’ Arthur’s wife has dementia which is what inspired him to write the book ‘From Dialogue To Monologue.’ 

With the help of the North East Acting & Writing Hub, this Friday 5^th June from 7pm five of those scripted pieces are being performed in Newcastle at The Tyneside Irish Centre to raise money for Age UK North Tyneside which helps dementia patients in the region.

Arthur Mackenzie explained “I’m delighted that Steve Wraith from the ‘North East Acting and Writing Hub’ in Gateshead offered to promote a showcase of my monologues. There may be laughter and tears but I hope people take something from the evening.” 

Steve said “I’ve known Arthur for over 38 years now. I did my first play for him aged 16 playing the part of the Lord Mayor in ‘Exclusive’ at The Peoples Theatre. In 2014 I debuted a play about speed dating for him at South Shields Customs House called ‘GSOH Would Like To Meet’. So, I was only too pleased to help Arthur with this project.”

Steve added “Two year ago I published the monologues for him anonymously at his request to raise money for ‘Dementia Matters.’ Now Arthur has agreed to put his name to the project and myself, Neil Jackson and Catarina De Cezzane at the North East Acting and Writing Hub in Gateshead have pulled the project together.”

“We have a very talented group of Actors including Sharon Percy, Libby Walker, Alison Stanley, Jayne Mackenzie and Dawn Wilkinson who have kindly given up their time for free which means we shall raise some much needed funds for Dementia Patients.”

All proceeds from the evening will go towards Age UK North Tyneside. Tickets are £5 on the door. 

June 2026