Billy Elliot Writer Lee Hall Updates Alan Plater Play 'Close The Coalhouse Door'

By Nisha Joshi Location: Newcastle






Billy Elliot writer Lee Hall has helped update Alan Plater’s play Close the Coalhouse Door.

The production is set in a North East pit village and charts the major strikes, victories and disappointments in British mining history from the formation of the first unions in 1831.

The story is based on short stories by Sid Chaplin and is structured around music inspired by North East folk songs of each period.

Lee Hall was commissioned to revisit the piece with a new ending to bring it up to date, as the play was written before the critical 1984-85 miners' strike.

This latest version of Close the Coalhouse Door is a co-production between Northern Stage and Live Theatre and directed by actor and director Samuel West.

The play is on at Northern Stage until May 3 before touring the country.

It will return to the North East when it plays at Durham’s Gala Theatre from June 12-16.


Tyne and Wear Sky