success in related fields include pop star Neil Tennant (singer-songwriter in the Pet Shop Boys), comedian Ross Noble and BBC Radio producer Ian Gardhouse. People's Theatre Arts Group For many years, the People's had been closely associated with the Tyneside Music Society and the Tyneside Film Society, both of which hired various venues in Newcastle for their monthly performances. Both societies joined the People's Theatre in the move to its new home. The former cinema's screen and projection facilities were retained and the conversion included a purpose-built art gallery in the theatre bar. So theatre, film, music and art operated together under the People's Theatre Arts Group banner. The People's Play Award The theatre also hosts the People's Play Award. It is a biennial playwriting competition co-hosted with New Writing North in 1992. Its object is to encourage writing for live theatre from writers living in the north of England. The prize for the bi-annual award was originally £500 (now £2000) and a production of the winning play by the People's Theatre. Originally, the 2nd and 3rd placed plays would receive a rehearsed reading at the People's Theatre, however, this practice has now ended. There have been eleven People's Plays so far and each call for entrants has attracted around 40 contenders. Previous winners 1993: "The Eyes of Another Race" by David Farne 1995: "Lord of the North" by Sidney L. Chalton 1997: "A Rhyme for Orange" by Arthur Craven 1999: "The Big Marrow" by Carina Rodney 2001: "Bloodlines" by Norrene Rees 2003: "Sticky Fingers" by Tony Glover 2005: "My Mam Was An Ice-cream Blonde" by Alison Carr 2007: "Lucky Numbers" by Mike Yeaman 2009: "Pig Stew" by Fiona Veitch-Smith 2011: "Ersatz" by Kevan Ogden 2013: "In My Father's House" by Patrick Robertson References Further reading External links Young People's Theatre PTAGarchives Theatres in Newcastle upon Tyne British theatre awards