Tuesday 25th January – Saturday 12th February

Frustrated by the lack of interesting roles for mature women, Northeast actors Jaqueline Philips
and Judi Earl have collaborated with writers Gary Kitching and Steve Byron to bring Tree to
Alphabetti Theatre this January. The world premiere will explore what it really means to be
honest and to lie, to be lonely and alone, and to live and be alive.

This funny, heart–breaking production follows the chance meeting of Hazel and Rowan. Rowan is
a liar and a fantasist; she lives vicariously through the internet and flirts with dangerous
conspiracies. But when she meets Hazel who, conversely, is grounded, worldly and honest, she is
forced to confront the fragility of life and what it means to be human – can Rowan revaluate
how she lives her own life?

Determined to write roles for older women that avoided the classic tropes of mothers,
grandmothers and wives, Tree explores humanity in the post–truth era outside the gendered
lens. Directed by Rachel Glover, this series of cosy and uncomfortable conversations is
underscored by classic songs that deal with counterbalance like Joni Mitchel’s Both Sides Now
and Ethel Merman’s Everything is Coming Up Roses.

Gary Kitching comments, Tree started as a simple request from two fantastic actors from the
Northeast during the 2020 lockdowns. Sick of being asked to play mothers and grandmothers,
they asked Steve and I, having seen our previous collaboration Bacon Knees and Sausage Fingers,
if we would write for them. We quickly decided that we would. We hope that the piece brings to
life the complexity and nuances of our performers and well as of honesty, morality, and ‘being’ in
general.

The Worriers is a growing collective of artists brought together by Gary Kitching, Steve Byron &
Ali Pritchard. Previous award–winning shows include Bacon Knees and Sausage Fingers, Wilfred,
Walter, Floorboards, Sucking Eggs and Rocket Girl.

Tree:  Dates Tuesday 25th January – Saturday 12th February
Captioned Performance: Wednesday 2nd February
Audio Described Performance: Wednesday 9th February
Relaxed Performance: all Saturday Matinees

Location Alphabetti Theatre, St James’ Blvd, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4HP

Box Office Booking essential. Tickets are Pay What You Feel and are available from
https://www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk/tree

Facebook @AlphabettiTheatre
Instagram @alphabetti_theatre
Twitter @alphabetti

Running time 60 minutes   Notes 12+, discussion of mental health and sexual references.

Writers Gary Kitching and Steve Byron
Director Rachel Glover
Stage Manager Andrea Scrimshaw
Producers Esther Fearn
Matt Jamie
Ali Pritchard

Cast Judi Earl
Jacqueline Phillips