On Wednesday I went to a lunch with Tim Davie (DG of the BBC) where he announced that the Beeb is going to invest £25,000,000 into the Region. There is a commitment to a new sit com set here, lots of training a development, some digital jobs AND Newcastle is their first City of Comedy! Naturally this is very exciting news for all of those in the business up here. 

This came hot on the heels of news on Monday that Fulwell73 are opening an office in Sunderland. Hopefully these two things will be enough of a spark to really reinvigorate the sector and allow us all to have our stories seen on screens across the world.

Building story worlds in the last of the summer sun.

A dear friend shared this video (well a clip from this video) on Facebook, and it was literally like going back in time for me. Watching it now in September 2021, I'm acutely aware of what a special place the Tyne Theatre was (and still is). 

Chirpy Chappies Comedy Café was on a Friday night in the Bistro of the Tyne - it was founded by Dave Johns (who actually gave me my first paid gig in the "business"). The license meant alcohol could only be served with a meal - and so massive pots of chilli con carné or broth were made up every Friday!

​Davey succeeded in bringing many of the top acts from the circuit to Newcastle. Just look at the (now) household names who were on show - and how YOUNG they all look.