A special production of John Godber’s Happy Jack is being performed at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme this April to celebrate the Victoria Theatre Company’s 60th anniversary of theatre making.
Happy Jack, Godber’s very first play written when he was 25, will feature double BAFTA and multi award-winning couple, John Godber and Jane Thornton (Scary Bikers, Shafted, Sunny Side Up!) in the show which brought them together over forty years ago.
They play lifelong lovers Jack, a stoical, stubborn and truculent miner, and Liz, his effusive optimistic long-suffering wife. Between them, they rub along in an old-fashioned marriage, creating lasting memories with an affection for each other that is as deep as the pit Jack works in. They are a working class couple who don’t ask for much, and who are learning to live with what little they have.
Happy Jack vividly captures life at the coalface, in the pit village, on the donkeys and by the fireside. These were the halcyon years before the Miners’ Strike, but life was hard, money was scarce and everything was a struggle. It aches with the ups and down of ordinary family life – making for a political, but also hilarious and touching performance.
How much do the tickets to Happy Jack?
Tickets are on sale now, priced from £18.50 – £27.50.
How do I book tickets to Happy Jack?
Tickets are now on sale and available from the Box Office, by calling 01782 717962 or visit the New Vic Theatre’s website here.
How long is the show for and what are the timings?
The show starts on Thursday, 21 April until Saturday, 30 April 2022 with evening shows at 7.30pm and matinee shows at 2.15pm on Thursday and Saturdays.
Where is New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-Under-Lyme?
New Vic Theatre
Etruria Road
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 0JG
The theatre has a large car park, with a £1.50 charge after 6pm on show days. Only contactless card payment is currently accepted for parking charges.
The theatre café is open 10am to 3pm, Monday to Saturday – then from 5.30pm for pre-show meals.
Booking is required for pre-show meals 5.30pm onwards, via their booking system at this link.
About The New Vic Theatre
Founded in 1962, the New Vic is the producing theatre for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. With around eight major productions a year, its varied programme includes contemporary drama, new commissions, adaptations and classics. Recent productions have toured nationally and internationally, and have transferred to London and Manchester. The New Vic has developed extensive and award-winning community involvement. It works regionally, nationally and internationally through its education department and New Vic Borderlines, which aims to change the lives of the most disadvantaged members of the community. The New Vic is funded by Arts Council England, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
About John Godber Company
The John Godber Company was established in 2011 with the purpose of allowing the playwright John Godber to continue expressing himself through the dramatic form. After having seen how the board of a theatre can destabilise a company John and his playwright/director/actor wife, Jane, decided to create their own company in order to keep control of their work.
As Artistic Director Godber had steered Hull Truck from bankruptcy in 1984 to the West End, an international reputation and finally a purpose built £15million theatre which he helped design and raise the money for, which opened in 2010. Shortly after the new theatre had opened the then Artistic Director, Gareth Tudor Price, was made redundant, and Godber, in a gesture of support to his long time friend and artistic colleague, left Hull Truck, after a relationship of twenty six years.
The John Godber Company, which has a base in East Yorkshire has a number of production outlet opportunities; often producing national tours out of Theatre Royal Wakefield, and partner-productions at Hull New Theatre and East Riding Theatre amongst others. The John Godber Company believes in putting the artist at the centre of the theatrical creative process.
Keeping you safe
They want you to have the best experience possible when you visit the New Vic. To help you enjoy your visit, they’ve put some measures in place to help all visitors feel as comfortable as possible.
• Please feel free to wear a face covering whilst at the New Vic, when walking around the venue and during the performance.
• They ask all guests to be mindful of fellow audience members when at the theatre, who may prefer to continue to keep a distance from other theatregoers whilst in their spaces.
• They have hand sanitiser stations positioned around the theatre, free to use by all. They are maintaining their high levels of cleanliness throughout the building, ensuring all spaces and contact surfaces are regularly sanitised.
Feeling unwell? If you, or a member of your party, are exhibiting symptoms of Covid19 prior to your visit, they politely ask that you do not attend the theatre. If this is the case, please speak to a member of their Box Office team who will be able to talk you through options to exchange your tickets.
You may also want to read this:
Review: Same Time, Next Year at the New Vic Theatre
Review: Coppelia – A Mystery at New Vic Theatre
Review: Marvellous at the New Vic Theatre in Newcastle-under-Lyme
Photo Credit: New Vic Theatre/
