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Since 1990, the Alnwick Playhouse has been a cherished space for both professional and amateur creatives, weaving itself into the very fabric of Alnwick since 1925. Stepping into the building for the first time last Friday, I was pleasantly surprised by the inviting atmosphere I immediately felt. Though I had my laptop in hand, ready to work, I quickly found myself captivated by the vibrant scene around me. People from all walks of life came together, warmly greeting one another as they celebrated the community spirit of My Life Productions’ film night. Any sense of being an outsider faded away when a couple passed by on their way to the bar, exchanging a friendly smile and a cheerful hello that made me feel right at home.
The event itself was held in the Bill Hugonin Auditorium, named after the first chairman of trustees of the Alnwick Playhouse. I was seated up front, and without a stage, the setting felt wonderfully intimate—a sentiment I could sense even from those in the back of the 250-seat cinema. Big shout outs to the hosts of the evening who were the very comedic double act of Kris and Kevin. They did a brilliant job of make the night feel personal and trying to keep things as upbeat as possible, to no small effort, amongst some very tough subjects covered.
It was delightful to see performers and creatives mingling together, including actor Con O'Neill, known for his work in Our Flag Means Death, Happy Valley, and The Penguin, who was seated among the audience. It was at this moment that I spotted a group of passionate Our Flag Means Death fans, who I would later learn had traveled over five hours to be part of the evening's celebration.
The evening featured a diverse array of projects, including a heartfelt piece on the climate crisis created by a student climate club. It was truly inspiring to hear young voices speaking so openly about the state of the world. Another poignant film, set right in the Alnwick Playhouse where we gathered, addressed bullying and the importance of standing up for friends. The young actors delivered powerful performances that resonated deeply, you can actually watch this piece on YouTube here. Additionally, there was a moving piece centered around Alnwick at Christmas, offering a beautiful glimpse into how the community feels about their hometown which can also be viewed on YouTube.
Another deeply moving short was presented as a late submission from Brad Aaron Headley—a trailer for his upcoming documentary about his journey running the next Great North Run. The film promises to capture an emotional and inspiring story, and it was clear from the audience’s reaction that the whole community stands firmly behind him. Witnessing this support was a beautiful moment, and I look forward to seeing how Brad’s journey unfolds next year.
The longer scripted pieces began with a beautiful collaboration between My Life Productions and the Chiva Community charity. Together, they crafted a moving and insightful look into the lives of children and young people born with HIV, exploring the ways this impacts—or sometimes does not impact—their lives. Sky Frances co-starred in this film, delivering a powerful and emotional performance along with their co-star. They went on to both write and star in the next project, once again captivating audiences with their exceptional talent and heartfelt portrayal.
“3/4” (Three Out of Four) marked Sky Frances’ impressive creative debut, where their performance was nothing short of extraordinary. Working alongside Kris Deedigan—director of other works showcased that evening—the two brought to life a poignant story of two individuals grappling with the profound toll of suicide in distinct ways. The film’s title reflects the statistic that three out of four suicides are men, and this short film sensitively portrays both the deep impact on those left behind and the desperation felt by individuals struggling with such thoughts. I sincerely hope this is a film that can be shared in full soon as I believe the world would benefit from seeing it.
*Edit to say you can view on YouTube here*
Then came the main event of the night: The Men, directed by Kris Deedigan and featuring the powerful performances of Con O'Neill and local talent Paul Maddison. The Men is truly breathtaking. Without giving away any details, this harrowing script deserves to be experienced with fresh eyes, and I hope it reaches a wider audience in time. Entering the story with minimal knowledge is essential to fully appreciate the shocking setup and heartbreaking conclusion. Con and Paul are perfectly matched—a seamless pairing of talent and vision that brings this powerful story to life.
Following the screening, we enjoyed a heartfelt Q&A with Con and Paul, hosted by Kris and Kevin Wathen—who also composed nearly all of the evening’s music. What struck me most about their interaction was the genuine friendship on stage. There was no sense of professional obligation, just four friends relishing the chance to work together, sharing endearing anecdotes about attending each other's weddings. It was a refreshing and delightful moment for a Q&A panel.
Con and Paul have collaborated for years, including on The Men. They revealed that each had written a script based on the same premise, though we saw Con’s version that night. Con humorously admitted that Paul’s was probably funnier, though I’ll have to take his word for it, given the film’s weighty theme.
When asked by an audience member, “How can someone get into film?” Con gave an honest and inspiring answer: “Just do it. There’s no such thing as a bad idea.” He urged budding writers to “finish the script, get that first draft done, because otherwise you never will.” My favourite quote of the night soon followed: “Film doesn’t have to be how you make a living, but it should be how you express yourself.” As someone who finds joy in writing about this remarkable event, yet does not make a living from it, I found his sentiment especially meaningful.
I won't share everything that was discussed, a lot of that was just for the audience present and I think all involved will appreciate those words staying somewhat private. I had the absolute pleasure of getting to talk to Con some more after the event with some other fans and it's an interaction and experience I will keep with me forever, he truly had so much time to give to those who wanted to talk to him and I hope he knows how appreciate we all were.
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