A new initiative for actors and writers is set to launch in Gateway Studio on Gateshead High Street this summer. The Hub is designed to give local playwrights the opportunity to hear their work performed to a live audience, and giving actors a professional stage to ply their craft.

The team behind the new initiative are award-winning Portuguese screenwriter and film maker Catarina De Cezanne, producer and filmmaker Neil Jackson plus Steve Wraith, Actor and Writer who explained…

There is a wealth of creative talent in the North East but a lack of opportunities for those creatives to express themselves. We approached Gateshead Council with our project and they helped us get the ball rolling.

It is so important for writers to hear their script read and performed by actors. If gives them a chance to hear audience reaction, what they like, what they don’t like, what makes them laugh or cry and what does and doesn’t work. 

Have any dates been planned for shows?

We have 5 dates filled already. We are launching with a comedy that I have written called ‘The End Of Our World’ which will be performed by Rod Glenn and Kathryn Sabourn on July 29th at 6pm. This will be our official launch night which will also see us officially launch our film company ANBOC Films Ltd. 

Is it free to enter and do the creatives get paid?

It is free and people can enter all year round. All script writers selected and actors cast will all be paid a fee for their work and performance. 

Has this initiative been done in Gateshead before?

There have been initiatives of this type across the region but this is a first for Gateshead town centre. 

What are your hopes for the project?

We hope to discover new talent across the region. We certainly feel that there is a gap in the creative world for this type of scheme. My experience of theatre locally as a professional actor is that it is very much a closed shop to the majority and it is difficult to get a break. We will be looking to break new talent each month and giving them a chance to gain some experience. Long term we would love to expand this across the borough of Gateshead. 

The scheme has secured backing from Gateshead Council, with funding provided through the North East Combined Authority (NECA). For more information contact >>>

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Alikivi   June 2026