Nowt Like This in America 2023.

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BBC Radio Tees and Lisa McCormick interview Alan Spence about his new play "Nowt Like This in America."

Nowt like this in America - Radio Interview - YouTube


Feb 24th, 2009. 


The story of a family, a community and an industry. 

New play is a first at theatre.


        21 Nov 2009 Evening Gazette by CHRIS HOLE

 

IT’S not often that Saltburn plays host to a world premiere. But this week, the curtain went up on Teesside playwright Alan Spence’s first offering Nowt like this in America. The story depicts one Teesside family’s struggles through the 1980 steel strikes. The Wilkinson family are seen enjoying life to the full but we then witness their struggles as the strikes begin and their lives and futures are thrown into turmoil.


The story follows the family to the modern day showing how the strikes have shaped each of their lives and the effects it has had on their relationships – with friends and with each other.

The small cast consists of a number of strong, convincing performers who draw you in and create a level of empathy. The moving storyline is set against a background of newspaper headlines and stories which add to the atmosphere and help describe the changing face of the industry over time and the bigger picture created by the steel strikes.

Middlesbrough-born writer Alan Spence manages to inject a real Teesside spirit into the story with local references, settings, and at times a touch of humour. In his programme notes he admits the play was years in the making, but this has allowed him to bring the story right up to date and tell a tale of struggle and solidarity which is just as relevant right now, as it was when he originally sat down to write his story.

What: Nowt like this in America.

Where: Saltburn Community Theatre.                       

When: Until Saturday.


Verdict: Well worth a look.

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