November Club to delve into Northumberland's Textile Trade Legacy

November Club, renowned for its innovative and immersive storytelling experiences, proudly announces its latest commission: a captivating journey through the rich history of Otterburn Mill and the profound impact of the Northumberland textile trade on a global scale.

Set to debut in June 2025, this immersive production will transport audiences through 4-5 meticulously crafted spaces, both inside and outside Otterburn Mill. Many of these spaces, previously inaccessible to the public, will be unveiled for the first time, promising an exclusive and unforgettable experience.

Under the creative direction of Joe Hufton and the artistic vision of designer Amy Watts, the narrative of this unique show will come to life through writer Becci Sharrock.

Inspired by community engagement and grounded in historical research, Sharrock's script will illuminate the legacy of Otterburn Mill and the North Northumberland textile industry.

"Otterburn Mill holds a storied past, deeply intertwined with the fabric of Northumberland's history," says Joe Hufton. "Through this production, we aim to celebrate its heritage while inviting audiences to immerse themselves in the vibrant tapestry of its narrative."

The creative team, in collaboration with Otterburn Mill, Otterburn Primary School, and a dedicated steering group comprising community members with firsthand experience of the Mill, will research and craft an authentic portrayal of Otterburn's legacy.

Composer Bridie Jackson will infuse the production with a stirring score, enhancing the immersive experience for attendees. Audiences can expect to embark on this journey in intimate groups of approximately 10-15 individuals, with each departure promising a unique encounter with history.

"We are thrilled to embark on this journey with November Club and the esteemed creative team," says Otterburn Mill’s Louise Shaw. "This production not only pays homage to our rich heritage but also offers a fresh perspective on our legacy, inviting audiences to engage with history in a truly immersive manner."

Prepare to be captivated as November Club weaves together the threads of history, community, and creativity in a groundbreaking production that promises to leave a lasting impression on all who attend.

Meet the creative team:

Artistic Director Joe Hufton

Joe Hufton is an award-winning theatre director and current Artistic Director of November Club. He has directed work at Southwalk Playhouse, Theatre 503, The Egg, Salisbury Playhouse, The Vaults, Summerhall, Adelaide Fringe and Soho Playhouse New York. He has created award-winning shows for some of the biggest names in immersive and site-specific theatre including Les Enfants Terribles, Secret Cinema and Bombas and Parr. This included the Olivier Award Nominated ‘Alice’s Adventures Underground’. Joe likes to work in unusual spaces, finding untold stories and telling them in unexpected ways. Joe has led development and consultancy projects in the heritage and commercial sector based around site-specific story telling.

Writer Becci Sharrock

Becci is a writer and theatre maker based in Gateshead. Recent writing credits include Night Classes (Unfolding Theatre & ARC, Stockton), The Secret Garden (Queen's Hall, Hexham) and It Takes Two (Live Theatre). She has previously worked with and for a number of North East cultural organisations including New Writing North, The Word and Hexham Book Festival. She is a Creative Associate at Unfolding Theatre and was previously Writer in Residence at Beamish Museum. For this project, she's excited to dig into the rich history of Otterburn Mill and work with the rest of the creative team to translate that into an exciting and immersive theatrical experience.

Composers BRICK

BRICK are Bridie Jackson and Nick Pierce. They are Newcastle based composers and producers of music for theatre, dance, and sound installations.

BRICK recently produced the soundtrack for a contemporary dance production of The Little Prince, commissioned by The Customs House Theatre. BRICK are currently working on HOME - a dance piece created in collaboration with TeesDance Ltd.

BRICK also write and perform their own ‘dreamy acoustic’ music which they self-produce and release to critical acclaim; since their first single in late 2023, they have received glowing reviews in NARC magazine, The Crack, received play on BBC Introducing Radio Newcastle, and have spellbound audiences at live shows across the North East.

Designer Amy Watts

Amy watts is a recently returned North East, Set & Costume Designer . Graduating from Wimbledon College of Art with a BA (Hons) in Theatre De-sign and since has worked over a decade in the industry on a wide variety of different projects.

Designer: Stones in his pockets (Eastern angles) Three Acts of Love, Good Timin, West End Girls(Live Theatre) Bat with no Bite, Hound of the Basker-villes (Northern stage) Much ado about nothing (Creation Theatre), Hedda Gabler, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Reading Rep), Jack, Mum and the Beanstalk , Princess and the frog (Hull Truck), The Massive Tragedy of Mad-ame Bovary (Jermyn Street Theatre ), The Unlocked Door (Seaton Delaval Hall / November Club), The Wasp (Customs House), Hound of the Baskervilles (East Riding Theatre), The Remarkable Robin Armstrong’s Ex-traordinary Christmas Adventure (Hexham Theatre), Legend of Sleepy Hol-low (UK Tour), Story Project Rage, Romance and Resolution, Miss Hav-isham’s Wedding Night & 12 Poems of Emily Dickinson (Arcola Theatre), Grand Hotel, Lend me a Tenor, 9 to 5, King of Hearts. (London School of Musical Theatre).

The project has been made possible thanks to funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Ray Wind Funds Community Benefit Fund, Northumberland National Park Authority’s Communities Fund and The Barbour Foundation.