LANGUAGE:  FRENCH
SUITABLE FOR: Adults & 12 YEAR OLDS and up

Where it all began...

The first TSF production, an inventive and original adaptation of Molière's classic play L' Avare (The Miser) by Adrian Norman. Reviewers raved about the new exciting theatre company that broke the language barrier and predicted a long career ahead for TSF...
'After the interval, I'd forgotten they were speaking French.' Audience member

Director: Adrian Norman
Design: Kate Robinson

Cast:

Alan Bruce: Cléante
Susannah Fraser: La Flèche
Rebecca Robinson: Elise / Maître Jacques
Mikkel Harder Munck - Hansen: Valère / Maître Simon
Sarah Kemp: Ansleme / Froisine
John Cobb: Harpagon
L' Avare toured Schools and Venues in England and Scotland in 1991

1993

LANGUAGE: French 
Suitable for: 7-11 year olds

One of our first shows specifically designed to go into school halls or gyms and to be played in traverse, ie. with rows of students  seated on either side of the playing area. (as seen here)
This allows for greater contact between the audience and acting team, creating more rapport and interaction with students.
La Belle et La Bete was adapted from the well known fairy tale, written by French novelist Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve and published in 1740 in La Jeune Américaine et les contes marins. The production was inspired by the 1946 French film version, directed by Jean Cocteau.

Director Adrian Norman
Actors: Sarah Kemp, John Cobb, Michael Sullivan

LANGUAGE: FRENCH
SUITABLE FOR: 7-11 YEAR OLDS

Adapted by Zannie Fraser, our excellent puppeteer colleague who has worked with us on Candide, Pigboy, Le Chat Noir and more recently The Golden Conch Shell. She now runs Luminous Tales in Norwich.  Zannie  proves that  puppeteering in all its forms can  help stimulate the imagination and bring audiences of many different ages into the world of myth and fantasy.

Cast included Icelandic actor Augusta Skulasdottir, another student of Philippe Gaulier from Paris. Our international connections continue to grow. 

Director: Debra Maurice

LANGUAGE: French, Spanish, Portuguese, English
Suitable for: Adults and Students 14 and up

Candide

Adapted by Edward Kemp from the novel by Voltaire, TSF's production of Candide won the 'Spirit of the Fringe' award at the Edinburgh Festival in 1993. Performed by an international cast with live music, the audience were taken with Candide around the world on his Grand Tour in search of his lost love.

"All's for the best in this the best of all possible worlds." - or is it?

Directors: John Cobb & Adrian Norman
Composer/M.D: Ieuan Goch ab Enion
Set and Costume Design: Cath Hieatt
Stage Manager: Michael Sullivan

Cast:

Candide: Mikkel H. Munck Hansen
Pangloss: Adrian Norman
Cunégonde: Zannie Fraser
Baron's son/ Cacambo: Sarah Kemp
Old Woman/Martin: Carla Candiotto

Candide toured to 12 venues across the UK.

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH
SUITABLE FOR: 7-11 YEAR OLDS

A Change in the Weather

Théâtre Sans Frontières presented Peter Mortimer's exquisitely crafted tale of humour, heroism and villainy, in a production that is full of colour, extraordinary characters and wickedly funny words.

Deep inside a dark and daunting castle, a truly lazy king gives crazy orders to his sinister servant Croak - "The High Keeper of the Keeping". Outside is a world of eternal sunshine, where nothing has ever changed...

Who is the cool girl who talks to the elements and can achieve what the King and Croak cannot? And why is Queen Lachryma always crying? Follow the mysterious girl's battle with King and Croak as she attempts to bring about A CHANGE IN THE WEATHER 

Director: Sarah Kemp
Set & Costume Design: Cath Hieatt
Composer: Jim Kitson
Lighting Design: Andrew Biscoe
Stage Manager: Thom Lester
Choreographer: Tim Rubidge

Cast:

Girl: Andrea Puerta
Croak: John Cobb
King: Jim Kitson
Queen: Kat Davison

'A Change in the Weather' toured to 17 venues across the UK with 25 performances.

LANGUAGE: French 
Suitable for: 7-11 year olds

Contes d'Afriques - Folk tales from West Africa
Toured schools in UK

Cast included Jim Kitson, Carla Candiotto, Becky Jameson, Andrew Turnbull
Director Sarah Kemp
Fantastical animals and spirits from other worlds enmeshed in ancient tales of magic, mystery, fun and adventure.

"The special effects were excellent and you could follow the stories easily. We recommend them for all ages."

Year 6 students, Hexham Middle School

"....enjoyment and laughter with the bonus of learning - an excellent performance".

Year 9 students, Haydon Bridge High School

"Théâtre Sans Frontières marry text to action so well we think we're bilingual." The Guardian

LANGUAGE: FRENCH
SUITABLE FOR: 9-13 YEARS, KS2/3
Magic, mischief, wisdom and wonder encompass these two folk tales
from the island of Mauritius. The two tales draw on a wealth of Mauritian
folklore, steeped in a history that brings together Madagascan, Indian,
African and European cultures.

Tales:
L'Arbre aux Gâteaux et L'Homme au Banjo.

"Their simply fluent French was easy to follow and gave an extra spice to the evening. It was a wonderful experience. I haven't enjoyed myself so much for a long time." Hexham Courant

"An enthralling, highly educated performance. The visual effects were tremendous."
Mrs K. Hunter, South Tyneside Middle School, Northumberland

"I thought the play was really good, it was an excellent way of learning French and it was amusing. The monster was really good". Student, Glendale Middle School, Wooler, Northumberland

Cast:
Tizan        Becky Jameson /Katie Tranter
Witch       Helen Iskander/ Gael Le Cornec
Ogre/Banjo Man  John Cobb

 Puppetry and shadow puppetry        Zannie Fraser

Director Sarah Kemp

LANGUAGE: SPANISH 
Suitable for: Adults and Families

In 1998 the world celebrated the 100th anniversary of the birth of Federico García Lorca, Spain's greatest modern poet and dramatist

Cuentos de Amor, a collage of Frederico Garcia Lorca's short pieces and poems was commissioned by Northern Stage's Lorca Fiesta to commemorate and celebrate the Spanish poet. It was performed in Northern Stage's foyer throughout the festival staged by Alan Lyddiard.

The Lorca Fiesta staged at the Newcastle Playhouse was the biggest centenary event outside Spain, and also the most fun. It included dance, theatre and music, and a conference on the impact of Lorca's life and work,
attended by poets, academics, theatre professionals, and Spanish aficionados.


Director: John Cobb
Devised by the Cast:

Gustavo Gelman (Argentina)
Sarah Kemp (UK)
Andrea Puerta (Columbia)
Jim Kitson (UK, musician)

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH 
SUITABLE FOR: Adults, students 14 and up

DIAMONDS IN YOUR POCKETS was a startling coup de théâtre written by internationally acclaimed Bloodaxe poet Linda France and performed by award-winning Tynedale company Théâtre Sans Frontières. Tackling 'The Big Three'- Chance, Luck, Destiny - DIAMONDS IN YOUR POCKETS was an incisive and compassionate burlesque of our lottery culture.

Following the death of their mother, two sisters are left with a strange bequest, a riddle which stands between them and their inheritance.

As the audience were drawn into their bizarre world of fate and lucky numbers, they had to face how much and how little, we are in control of our own lives. An exuberant marriage of intense physical theatre with Linda France's lyrical and at times brutally pragmatic poetic voice, DIAMONDS IN YOUR POCKETS was a triumphant insight into our scratch-card society.

Director: Sarah Kemp
Designer: Cath Hieatt
Lighting Design: Andrew Biscoe
Stage Manager: Michael Lambert

Cast:
Helen: Grace Kirby
Sophie: Rebecca Robinson
Quentin: John Cobb
Mother's Voice: Barbara Robinson

Diamonds in Your Pockets toured to 17 venues across the UK.

LANGUAGE: German 
Suitable for: 11-14 year olds
1998

Grimm Tales was our first venture into a German show for schools. Freely adapted from Grimm, the witch was splendidly performed by an accordion playing Martina Schwarz in a white wig. Cast also included Toby Park (from Spymonkey).

Direction was by John Cobb and Franziska Shutz from Berlin, who like us had studied with Philippe Gaulier in Paris. Franziska later came and directed Islands for us.

"A thoroughly enjoyable afternoon's entertainment helping to bring the language alive, in a way which would be difficult to achieve in the classroom." Teacher, St Mary's Westbrook, Folkestone, Kent

"It was a really good chance to see what German I understood and it helped me to improve and use the language more in lessons." Student, Dowdales School, Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH & FRENCH
SUITABLE FOR: Adults  14 YEAR Olds and up
Le Mariage de Figaro

Le Mariage de Figaro was a breakneck celebration of intrigue, comic misunderstanding and love gone awry. Adapted by Edward Kemp from the play by Beaumarchais, it was performed by an international cast with flamboyant characterisation and visual storytelling.

Meet Figaro, the playful servant, as he prepares to marry his shrewd and quick-witted bride-to-be Suzanne. But the Count has other plans... and so does the Countess!

Director: John Cobb
Set and Costume Design: Cath Hieatt
Composer and MD: Jim Kitson
Lighting Design: Andrew Biscoe
Stage Manager: Thom Lester

Cast:

Eric Chevalier: Figaro
Samantha McDonald: Suzanne / clerk
Mark Stuart Currie: Bazile / Dr Bartolo / Antonio
Sarah Kemp: Marceline / The Countess Rosine
Nathalie Delia Wenta: Chenta / Brid'oison
Adrian Norman/ The Count
Le Mariage de Figaro toured to 26 venues across the UK.

LANGUAGE: French
Suitable for: Families , 12-16 and up

Performed by an international cast, LE MOULIN MAGIQUE is an ecological fable guaranteed to appeal to family audiences and all students of French - young and old.
The Mill does not turn. The Land is barren. The dastardly landlord demands rent. Jean-Pierre, the poor miller, appeals to the Wind and the Rain for help. A fantastical journey, strange weather, magic and mischief ensue. A delightful and humorous celebration of life using comedy, clowning, puppetry and specially commissioned masks from Trestle Theatre Company. LE MOULIN MAGIQUE was full of live atmospheric music, fast-paced action and startling comic invention.

A magical, mythical chuckle of a show.

Director: John Cobb & Sarah Kemp
Set & Costume Design: Cath Hieatt
Composer & Musical Director: Jim Kitson
Lighting: Andrew Biscoe
Stage Manager: Jonathon Garside
Assistant Stage Manager: Duncan Cave
Masks: Joff Chafer

Cast (from various productions):
Le Baron: Stewart Ennis/Jim Kitson/Jack Burton
Jean-Pierre: Guillaume Vant Hof/John Cobb
Claudine/Mme. La Pluie: Marie-Elizabeth Cornet/ Isabelle Schoelcher
M. le Vent/ Le Génie: Tim Licata/ Aron de Casemaker
       

LANGUAGE: FRENCH
SUITABLE FOR:  Adults, 14 YEAR OLDS and up

'Notre Dame de Paris' 1994

High above the city, a gargoyle watches the intricate dance between spider and fly. Caught in a web of desire, a beautiful girl appears to dangle from a gossamer thread - or is it from the scaffold?

Combining inventive physical theatre with live music, this international cast of actors takes the audience on an intoxicatingly delicious theatrical journey.

Numerous Hollywood film versions have ensured that Victor Hugo's novel 'Notre Dame de Paris' set in 1482 is the best known of all French Classics amongst the English speaking public. In 1994 TSF brought their verve, comic energy and inspiring visual theatre to this tale that won the 1994 Northern Electric 'Creative Award for the Arts'.

Director: Adrian Norman
Composer: Ieuan Goch ab Einion
Set and Costume Design: Cath Hieatt
Lighting Design: Ritchie Orr
Stage Manager: David Hayden

Cast:
Gringoire: Carlos Belda
Pheobus: Stephan Kriess
Esmeralda: Carla Candiotto
Quasimodo: Ieuan Goch ab Einion/ Jim Kitson
Frollo: Akihiro Nishida
Gudule: Sarah Kemp
Musician: Katherine Zeserson

The script was written by Adrian Norman with assistance from John Cobb and then translated into French by Grania Rogers. Notre Dame de Paris toured to 19 venues across the UK.

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH  and WELSH
Suitable for: 7-14 year olds

Set in a compelling landscape of giants, heroes and mythical beasts, Pig Boy is the tale of one boy-hero Culhwch, born in a pig-run yet destined to marry Olwen, daughter of the monstrous giant Ysbaddaden. Aided by his cousin King Arthur, follow Culhwch on his magical journey into the heartland of mythology, where formidable tasks are set and imagination makes all things possible.

Pig Boy was presented through the inspiring visuals, movement, mask and puppetry which are the hallmarks of this nationally acclaimed company. More than a game of Dungeons and Dragons, Pig Boy was a quest into comedy and conflict, legend and laughter.

Pig Boy was devised by the Company in conjunction with Marcello Magni from Theatre de Complicite. It is from an original script by Diane Richardson, based on the tale of Culhwch and Owen from the Mabinogion.

Director: John Cobb
Asisstant Director: Magadalena Licata
Movement Director: Marcello Magni
Designer: Cath Hieatt
Composer: Alan Tall
Lighting Dersign: Ritchie Orr
Stage Managers: Michael Lambert & Kevin McCallum

Cast:

John Cobb: Taliesin / King Arthur / Ysbaddaden
Zannie Fraser: Mother / Olwen / gatekeeper / shepherd
Tim Licata: Culhwch
Sarah Kemp: Stepmother / Cei / Aunt
Pig Boy toured to 20 venues across the UK, and later across Ireland.

LANGUAGE: ENGLISH & FRENCH
SUITABLE FOR: Families and 12 years old and up
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
C' était l'époque de la sagesse, c'était l'époque de la folie.

Dickens' compelling tale of love, cruelty and mistaken identity was brought vividly to life by the award-winning international company Théâtre Sans Frontières. Performed by an international cast in English and French, the story bubbled with satire, spectacle and colourful Dickensian characters. Coupling a sedate, stiff- lipped England with the high passion and bloodlust of revolutionary France Théâtre Sans Frontières used their unique flair for narrative to take the audience on a journey into mystery, intrigue and suspense.

Don't Miss The Boat: Achetez Vos Billets, Tout De Suite!

'A Tale of Two Cities' toured to venues across the UK and also to Ireland in January 1999.
Directors: John Cobb & Magdalena Schamberger
Set Design: Graham Robinson
Costume Design: Kate Reeves
Composer & MD: Jim Kitson
Lighting Design: Andrew Biscoe
Stage Manager: Thom Lester
Assistant Stage Manager: Rivka Owen

Cast:
Juanjo Cuesta Duenas: Dr Manette / Barsad
John Cobb: Mr Lorry / Marquis St Evremond
Andrea Puerta: Lucie Manette / Gabelle
Sarah Kemp: Miss Pross / M. Defarge
Sophie Millon: Mme. Defarge / Mr Stryver
Stephan Kreiss: Charles Sarnay / Sydney Carton

SUITABLE FOR: 8-12 YEAR OLDS

Language: FRENCH

These splendidly blood-curdling versions of Little Red Riding Hood 

and Bluebeard, originating from the tales written by Charles Perrault in 1697 took
schools and audiences across the North East by storm. Performed in the highly physical visual style that has since come to be known as the company's
hallmark, the three North East based actors brought their experience of
international theatre to the local stage.

Director: Adrian Norman

Cast:

Sarah Kemp: Le Petit Chaperon Rouge / Anne
Michael Sullivan: The Wolf / La Barbe Bleue
Debra Maurice: Mother / Grandmother / The Girl

As well as touring to 24 schools in the North East, Le Petit Chaperon Rouge & La Barbe Bleue also went to the Edinburgh Festival, performing in St Mary's Cathedral, where reviewers praised this 'first class entertainment for children and adults'.

Further tours featured Mikel Harder from Denmark, Andrew Turnbull and Rebecca Robinson, one of our founders from Glasgow. 

LANGUAGE: FRENCH
SUITABLE FOR: families and 12 years and up

La Tulipe Noire
Set in 17th century Holland, La Tulipe Noire is a provocative cocktail of jealousy and love, the comic and the torturous. The prized Black Tulip of the title is sought after by a ridiculous set of characters, a mix of "The Draughtsman's Contract" and "The Pit and the Pendulum", in a race against time.

Directors: Simon Bolton & John Cobb
Set and Costume Design: Cath Hieatt
Composer: Jim Kitson
Lighting Design: Andrew Biscoe
Stage Managers: Keith Turnbull & Jonathan Garside

Cast:

Isaac Boxtel: Magdalene Schamberger
Cornellus Van Baerle: Tim Licata
Van Systens: Jim Kitson
Corneille de Witt: Stephan Kreiss
Prince Guillaume d'Orange: Sarah Kemp
Gryphus: Stephan Kreiss
Rosa: Sophie Millon

Adapted by Edward Kemp from the novel by Alexandre Dumas, La Tulipe Noire toured across the UK and Northern Ireland.