A Tyne and Wear Metrocar is set to make its West End debut! Whilst admittedly its not a real Metrocar, it will be a life-sized replica of 4001 which is part of the set for the play Gerry & Sewell, a play previously seen in Newcastle and now due to play the Aldwych Theatre for just 11 days this January.
Gerry & Sewell is based on Jonathan Tulloch’s novel The Season Ticket and the cult film Purely Belter. Its written and directed by Olivier award winning Jamie Eastlake and co-produced by Newcastle Theatre Royal. It tells the story of two Gateshead lads who are desperate to see Newcastle United play.
Cathy Massarella, Managing Director of Nexus, said: “Metro is a north east icon – so to learn that the replica train is going to be part of Gerry & Sewell’s run on the big stage in London’s West End is amazing news.
“The Aldwych theatre is a prestigious venue, so it’s fantastic that our familiar logo and yellow train will be featuring there.
“The set is based on Metro carriage 4001, which was the first Tyne and Wear Metro prototype train that arrived at our test track in 1975, five years before the system opened to the public in August 1980.
“It’s a great backdrop for such a brilliant play, which has had much local acclaim and is now getting the chance to showcase to wider audience down in London, showcasing our region and its culture. I wish the actors, and all of the Gerry & Sewell team, every success with the production down in London.”
- Gerry & Sewell will be at the Aldwych Theatre from 13th to 24th January. It will then return to Newcastle to play the Theatre Royal between 9th and 13th June.