On Tuesday 11th and Wednesday 12th June, 2013 Enter CIC once again presented their musical The Wind Road Boys, this time at the Gala Theatre, Durham with five shows. After 
the success of the show’s premiere at Sunderland Empire in August 2012 there was a great demand for the return of The Wind Road Boys. With the show’s main focus being about mining we decided that the Gala Theatre, Durham (named after the Durham Miners’ Gala) was the perfect venue to bring back the show.
“…absolutely fantastic!…”
Our young people have worked so hard in the past few months to really bring together the success of the premiere and use that as a stepping stone to raise their confidence and aspirations to take the show to the next level.
This show in many ways is completely different to the show we saw at the Empire with some new scenes, a new song and a new cast of principal roles.
In March, 2013, Enter CIC’s production team travelled to London and held auditions for The Wind Road Boys at RADA (Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts) studios. We auditioned over 30 West End performers and picked five cast members to play lead roles in the show. The role of George Turner was played by Glen Joseph (star of Buddy the Musical). The role of Helen Highwater was played by Laurie Scarth (Tracey Turnblad, Hairspray and Sister Mary Patrick, Sister Act). The role of James Waltham was played by Rob Eyles (Ray, Dreamboats and Petticoats). The role of Mary Turner was played by Georgia Whyte (Mountview Theatre Arts) and the role of Imagination was played by Jonny Landels (Richard Burton Theatre Company).
“…brilliant…”
The principal cast joined up with our young people two weeks before the curtains went up and they knew they were working on something special when they saw our young people perform a few of the scenes and songs from the show. As a collective team everyone worked really well together and we knew that the show was going to be something special.
We were absolutely delighted to welcome the Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham Mrs Susan Snowdon (pictured right). 
The Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham is Her Majesty The Queen’s personal representative in the county. Also on Wednesday night our local MP Phil Wilson (pictured left) attended and was blown away by the performance. We would also like to thank Councillor Pauline Charlton, Councillor Amanda Hopgood and Councillor Brian Avery for their continued support of Enter CIC. We even had a star from film in the audience! Matthew Lewis (pictured below right), who played Neville Longbottom in the hit film series Harry Potter watched the Wednesday night performance and then met the cast backstage. The young people were star struck by his appearance.
Our production is a great educational vehicle so we invited a number of schools in the County Durham area to attend the show. We would like to thank Tudhoe Colliery Primary School, Shotton Hall Primary School, Finchdale Primary School, Roseberry Primary School, New Brancepeth Primary School, Ferryhill Station Primary School, Wingate Junior School, Whitworth Park School, Cotsford Junior School, Easington Village C of E Primary School for attending our event.
“…excellent!…”
Our young people have yet again proved that they can deliver excellence and the standing ovations they received throughout the five shows was a real credit to their hard work and dedication at Enter CIC. We have received some fantastic feedback and some really great photographs from the show. Please take a look below. To keep up to date with Enter CIC, why not follow us on Twitter.com/entercic @entercic or like us on Facebook.com/entercic.
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FEEDBACK FROM THE SHOW
“Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to attend The Wind Road Boys. What a terrific performance. You portrayed our heritage skilfully and sensitively. Your cast were superb. I know how much planning and hard work goes into a production and all involved are to be congratulated on the standard of performance. I have this morning read with great interest your mission statement ‘Aspirations and opportunities’. You are certainly reaching your goals as Linda and I experienced on Wednesday evening you are giving young people the opportunity to enrich their lives. It was a privilege and a pleasure to meet you all. Please pass on my best wishes to your team and cast.”
Sue Snowdon, Lord-Lieutenant, Her Majesty The Queen’s personal representative
“I was so pleased to accompany Sue last night at the Gala Theatre. The production was outstanding, amazing and so good.”
Linda Smith County Durham Lieutenancy Office
“It was a great night. The performance was brilliant and I know everyone enjoyed it – the standing ovation said it all.”
Mr Phil Wilson, MP Sedgefield
“IT WAS ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!! I was able to attend with my colleague and we were both bowled over. In a way, I knew what to expect because I knew the standard of your productions, but my colleague Julie was blown over. We laughed and cried and the message about communities was right on the money.”
Carole Payne Head of Early Intervention and Involvement Durham County Council
“I made the show on Wednesday night…it was fantastic!! Well done to you and everyone involved…it was very emotional.”
Louise Fewster, Head of News, Star Radio
“It was fantastic to see the show and learn about what you do. As I mentioned at the time, it certainly is quite unique and something that we greatly admire. Congratulations once again on the show, particularly the standing ovations”
Ryan Macaulay, Josef Weinbergers Ltd
“The whole show was so touching and gave everyone the feeling of community spirit and a look back to the hard times encountered in the past.”
Pauline Crathorne, County Councillor, Ferryhill
“Thank you so much for last night we all loved it and are excited at the prospect of the show at the Cathedral. I was at Finchdale School today and they told me how much they had also enjoyed The Wind Road Boys.”
Councillor Amanda Hopgood, County Councillor, Durham
“Can I just say thank you so much for inviting me last night to the Wind Road Boys, I absolutely loved it, it was fantastic, well done to everyone, and I know the vice chair and his wife and Cllr Avery loved every minute of it. Well done all of you and thank you again!”
Paula Nixon, Community Development Project Officer, 4 Together Area Action Partnership (AAP)
“I took my partner and two children (aged 11 and 9) to see The Wind Road Boys and we absolutely loved it. I thought it was a very moving show and the quality of performance was amazing.”
Christine Rackley Head of Grants and Donor Services County Durham Community Foundation
“We had a great night, especially when we went back stage and met the cast. I not sure what you modified on the 2nd half, but I thought it was better than the Sunderland Show.”
David Cadman, Enter CIC, Director
“We really enjoyed The Wind Road Boys on Wednesday. It was absolutely fantastic – I cried so much it was ridiculous but there were also some very funny parts (Mr Salt and Mr Corrigan were amazing). The young people were incredible and so talented and the little ones are so cute. I’m sure you’ve heard it from lots of people but it’s an amazing thing that you are doing with the young people and it’s been a pleasure to have worked with you and them – I hope we can work with you again in the future.”
Helen Barker, Head of Community Participation, Beamish Museum
“You’ve done it again! This was even better than the Sunderland performance and that was excellent!
A truly uplifting and emotional experience for all of the members of Northern Acchord who were`Proud` to share the stage with some very talented young stars of the future. You never cease to amaze us with your abilities. Keep up the good work.”
Dave Tyson, chair Northern Acchord
“Dear Andrea & Paul, Thank you for inviting us to take part in your wonderful musical, again the guys thoroughly enjoyed it and would do it all again, or something new. I must congratulate you on the behaviour of the children, they were so quiet and polite and they always said thankyou when we held doors or stood back for them. They were a credit to Enter and you. Many thanks again”
David Percy, Northern Acchord
“Firstly, I would like to congratulate you all on your outstanding performance of The Wind Road Boys. I was fortunate enough to see it on the Tuesday afternoon with my Yr 6 class from Cotsford Junior School, in Horden – the class had been covering Britain since 1948; taking particular interest in their mining community. I was so overwhelmed with the performance; the actors both young and old and the emotion that they all brilliantly portraid throughout! So much so, that I booked for the evening performance on the Tuesday too – with my family. Amazing! Thankyou for enlighting us all on the lives of the ‘miners’ and helping us to understand”
Michelle Bainbridge
“I was privileged to attend the Wednesday evening performance of The Wind Road Boys, at Durham’s Gala Theatre. What a great show your organisation and its youthful members put on. It was indeed truly worthy of a place in the West End, and we thoroughly enjoyed it. Many talented performers led us on a journey, with laughter, charm, pathos and hope. But amidst many memorable performers, I will remember the enthusiasm and obvious enjoyment of the youngsters, which is what the stage is all about. Please convey my appreciation of the performances to the cast and crew, and I wish you many future success’s as you build upon this.”
Malcolm Marsden
“Well done to all who took part in last night’s show (12th June) at Durham Gala Theatre. It was a brilliant show full of excellent actors young and old. A moving story told with lots of pride and passion. Good luck to all for the future Im sure a lot will go on to more success on stage.”
Keith Mollon
Dear Friends, You never fail to amaze me, you seem to raise the bar in every project you tackle. Once again your performance at the Gala Durham was of the highest possible standard and you should all take great acclaim from this. I really felt the warmth between the cast and the audience on Wednesday night – long may it last.
Derek Staines
“Was absolutely fantastic! Everyone did great! Made me cry! Keep up the good work guys!”
Amber King
“Dear Andrea and all the staff at Enter CIC. We would like to thank you for all your hard work, long hours and commitment over the last 6 months. The show was off the charts and extremely professional. Our daughter Beth has been attending Enter CIC since January and always speaks highly of the staff and teaching. Thank you for all you do at Enter CIC. Well done”
Julie and Tim Sutherland
“Was absolutely brilliant. Really appreciate the time and effort spent by all at Enter and was so proud of Joe. Difficult to distinguish some of the upper school from the actual employed actors – the two solicitors should go far. You are all true professionals!”
Wendy Houston
“It was absolutely amazing and the new song under the banner was fantastic all the kids were amazing and they deserved the standing ovation”.
Lyndsey Maddison
“That was stunning – loved all the new bits – Salt and Corrigan were hysterical – Under the Banner was amazing against the video background. Didn’t think Sunderland could be topped but well done, amazingly fantastic.”
Anne Hall
“What an awesome show. I didn’t think it could get any better than last year but you’ve all surpassed yourselves. Well done.”
Hazel Clements
“Well another cracking performance from Enter CIC you were all fantastic pleased i took plenty of tissues again lol and I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for giving my daughter a chance to have such an amazing experience”
Joanne Simmons
“Was absolutely fantastic loved every second of it tonight”
Emma Whelan
“Well done to All at Enter crew and cast great performance tonight at the Gala theatre thanks for everything you do with Jake he made me so proud”
Craig Lee
“Well Done To All at Enter fabulous night at tonight’s performance, and second what Craig said. Appreciate everyone’s help with Jake he does us all proud and has so much fun as well Thank you.”
Dawn Lee
“Wow!! After watching show last year at Sunderland I didn’t think it could get any better but Durham Gala’s show last night had me crying and laughing again! Absolutely outstanding performance once again and all the hard work by everyone involved certainly paid off – WELL DONE”
Tracy Gough
“Was an absolutely brilliant night, thoroughly enjoyed it, was so professional, congratulations one and all!”
Michael Wileman
“How fantastic this show was, I laughed and cried my way through it. Brilliant professional”
Helen Rutherford
“Tonight was fantastic! I really didn’t think last years show at the Empire could be bettered, but boy you all blew it out of the water. It was poignant, heartwarming and heart breaking all in one! So so very proud of everyone involved, and you all should be of yourselves! A local story told by local heroes, and soooooo much talent! Well done”.
Julie Gibson
“What a night! It was fantastic I thought it was good at Sunderland but tonight was amazing! Thank you so much for making it possible for my daughter to have all of these amazing opportunities. Well done everyone”.
Lesley Obrien
“What an amazing opportunity for the youngsters. The show was FABULOUS, made me cry! Well done to everyone involved you should be extremely proud of what you have achieved”.
Rachel Raper
