It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas and here at troublehouse we’re doing our bit to help the North feel just that little bit more festive! Whilst many will spend the last month of 2017 relaxing in front go a log fire with a mug of mulled wine and slice of chocolate log, Heather and Rick thought there’ll be plenty of time for all that in the New Year and decided instead to continue the running theme of keeping themselves as busy as possible…

troublehouse was formed from the idea of supporting the theatre industry in two of the North’s powerhouse cities; Newcastle and Manchester. It seems fitting therefore that this Christmas both Heather and Rick have been involved in seasonal productions back home.

Heather returned to the North East and the Live Theatre, Newcastle to reprise her role of ‘Rosie’ in Nina Berry’s The Terminal Velocity of Snowflakes. This Christmas sees the charming story of friendship, romance and fate move from its debut space in the studio to the Live Theatre’s main stage. The production, directed by Graeme Thompson, has drawn praise once again from both public and press and you can read some of the highlights below.

Meanwhile Tick has spent the last six weeks working in partnership with This Solid Ground: a creative agency who specialise in property marketing. This December they are working together to open up The Vaults of 186 Deansgate, Manchester, to the public as a venue for a new pop-up theatre space.

In partnership with Henry Boot Developments, Rick will direct Alan Ayckbourn’s black comedy Seasons Greetings with proceeds going to to the Forever Manchester charity.

The grade II listed building suited in the heart of the city will stage the Ayckbourn’s festive classic for just four nights from 18th – 22nd December. The strong cast of nine local actors includes troublehouse alumni Eleanor Dixon and Ben Rigby as they return once more to Deansgate following 2014’s ‘Time Of My Life’ also by Ayckbourn.

It’s fair to say that 2017 has been a great year for troublehouse thanks to the ongoing generous support from our fellow Northerners! With plans already in the making for 2018 that simply leaves us to say to all our family, friends and followers: Have a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year!