Often cited as one of the greatest dramas ever shown on television, ‘Our Friends in the North’ is returning to its spiritual home this October for a landmark production at the Theatre Royal.

Newcastle may indeed be the spiritual home of ‘Our Friends in the North’, but before it became that ground-breaking TV show it was first seen as a stage play—first at The Other Place in Stratford-upon-Avon in 1982, and then at the Barbican in London. Written by the Jarrow-born writer Peter Flannery, the original play focused on a narrower timeline than the TV show would, spanning the years 1964-1979. It was inspired by real-life political corruption in the north-east, specifically the sundry scandals surrounding “Mr Newcastle” and council leader T. Dan Smith, and architect John Poulson. The stage show—which included the likes of Jim Broadbent and Roger Allam among the cast—was a success and received an Olivier Awards nomination. But Flannery wasn’t done with the concept, and he always saw the narrative’s potential for a broader canvas. He pitched the idea of a television adaptation to the BBC not long after the play’s initial stage run, but it spent over a decade in development hell due to executive pussy-footing over political sensitivity (and the fact that it was going to cost an arm and a leg to produce). However, ‘Our Friends in the North’ finally hit our screens in 1996 with Flannery significantly expanding its scope. The 9-part show now stretched the narrative through to 1995, and in the process redefined the scope of what state-of-the-nation drama could do, seamlessly weaving together major post-war political history such as housing corruption, police bribery, the 1984 miners’ strike, and red in tooth-and-claw Thatcherite capitalism. But the show also went beyond mere polemic with Flannery giving us the intimate stories of four working-class Geordies across three decades. It helped launch a generation of future stars including Daniel Craig, Gina McKee, Christopher Eccleston and Mark Strong, and became a massive critical triumph, dominating the major industry honours. That was 30 years ago, but now—thanks to a joint production between Live Theatre, Eastlake Productions, and Newcastle Theatre Royal—the four friends are returning to where it all began: back on stage. Once again, Peter Flannery is on writing duties in this new production directed by Live Theatre Artistic Director Jack McNamara. This time round however, the production has been subtly rebranded to reflect the era it’s set, and is going by the name ‘Our Friends in the North: The Thatcher Years’. The focus has now shifted to two very specific and defining periods, and it uses them as a lens to explore how ordinary lives are shaped by political and social change. Kicking off in 1979, Britain is ready to usher in a new Prime Minister, and four friends are being pulled in different directions. Nicky (played by Ryan Nolan) is an ambitious and idealistic would-be politician drawn into the realities of power. Geordie (Scott Turnbull) is a former soldier whose life becomes increasingly shaped by his involvement in Newcastle’s criminal underworld. Tosker (Jack Robertson) is a self-made entrepreneur whose fortunes shift with the changing economic landscape of the 1980s. And Mary (Sam Neale) has her loyalty and resilience tested as the lives of her friends move apart. The action then shifts to 1984 with the miners’ strike dominating the news cycle while simultaneously reshaping communities and relationships across the country. Existing tensions are stretched to breaking point as the quartet face up to difficult choices about loyalty, identity and survival. Of this new landmark production, its director Jack McNamara comments: “We opened the doors on the casting process and saw hundreds of people from across the region. The quality was staggering and is testament to the acting talent that is out there in the north-east. I am grateful to every single person who came through the door or sent tapes, and I know a lot of new connections will be made as a result. The cast we have is truly exciting, ranging from some of our most established actors through to a member of Live’s Youth Theatre. It will be an ensemble to die for, and I cannot wait for them to take to Newcastle Theatre Royal’s stage and bring this iconic story home.” And that cast includes the likes of Meena Al-Nawrasy, Chris Connel, Trevor Fox, Jane Holman, Leo James, Cooper McDonough, Jude Nelson and Robert Punchard—in short, the cream of the north-east crop. Thirty years after it changed British television forever, Flannery’s masterpiece is now ready for a triumphant homecoming, with four of Tyneside’s most indelible characters primed, once again, to take centre stage. RM

Our Friends in the North: The Thatcher Years, 15-24 October, Theatre Royal, Newcastle, 7.30pm (matinees Thursday (22 October only) 2pm, and Saturday 2.30pm), from £19, theatreroyal.co.uk