North Pennines Playwrights, a group of local writers, have been working together to write a new stage play that celebrates the lead mining heritage of our area.
Lead and Silver is inspired by North Pennines National Landscape’s Land of Lead and Silver project. It is the story of a fictional family living in the mid-nineteenth century and the hardships endured by both men and women as the Industrial Revolution took hold.
The play centres on family drama and conflict, featuring an array of tough characters who modern audiences can relate to.
The writers won a LOLAS community grant which enabled them to work with a professional mentor and launch the play at Weardale Wordfest 2024.
“We have had amazing support from the teams at both North Pennines National Landscape and Weardale Wordfest,” says writer Jo Rendall. “It was standing room only at our launch event!”
The writers recently completed a fourth draft of the script and are now ready to share their work with members of the community, get feedback and find out whether there is interest in putting on a community production in our area.
They will be holding a FREE page-to-stage workshop on Saturday 14 March 2026 at Stanhope Methodist Church School Rooms, which will be led by Jake Murray, artistic director at Elysium Theatre, Durham.
“Anyone can come along,” says Jo. “You don’t need to have stage experience. You won’t be expected to learn any lines!”
The writers hope there will be lots of interest from members of the community and the workshop will be well attended.
Sign up for a place at the workshop by emailing:
Please mention if you or the person you are booking for is aged eighteen years or under.
