Sunderland Stories: Tales of heartbreak, loss and humour to be screened in lockdown theatre project

Some of the Sunderland Stories which will be broadcast

Sunderland Stories - a project from Sunderland Culture - explores unheard voices from the city and showcases the unique talent and writing styles of aspiring playwrights in Sunderland.

Starting on June 9, a new story will be shared every Tuesday at 8pm for six weeks on Sunderland Culture’s YouTube channel and social media.

Helen Green, Head of Performance at Sunderland Culture, said: “Sunderland has so much untapped talent and I am delighted that we are able to shine a light on just a few of the emerging writers in the city with the Sunderland Stories project.

How to Bumble Like A Boss by James Whitman. Performed by James Hedley

“The range of ideas submitted was fantastic - funny, sad, absorbing and thought provoking, these stories bring to life Sunderland characters.”

Following a call out for stories to be submitted, a selection panel that included TV playwright Garry Lyons chose six monologues, all from writers whose work has never been shown in public before. Professional actors were then paid to perform and record the plays in their own homes.

Parting Shot, written by Alan Parkinson and performed by Paul Dunn, kicks off Sunderland Stories when it is released next Tuesday, June 9, and tells the tale of someone trying to convince themselves they are doing the right thing despite being desperately unhappy.

Running order:

Beer Goggles by Jo McCullock. Performed by Christina Berriman Dawson

::Parting Shot by Alan Parkinson. Performed by Paul Dunn – Tuesday 9 June, 8pm

::Beer Goggles by Jo McCullock. Performed by Christina Berriman Dawson – Tuesday 16 June, 8pm

::Gaps by Julie Wilson. Performed by Jackie Phillips – Tuesday 23 June, 8pm

::How to Bumble Like A Boss by James Whitman. Performed by James Hedley. – Tuesday 30 June, 8pm

::Keep Granny’s Clock by Catherine O’Neill. Performed by Judi Earl – Tuesday 7 July, 8pm

::Nasty Pasties by Thomas Kelly. Performed by Corinne Kilvington – Tuesday 14 July, 8pm

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

Keep Granny’s Clock by Catherine O’Neill. Performed by Judi Earl

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you.

How to subscribe to the print edition

It’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of. Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.