Replica Metro train steals spotlight in Tyneside-based theatre production

An almost identical replica of a Tyne and Wear Metro train has been stealing the spotlight at Newcastle’s Live Theatre.

The mock-up version of the original Metro prototype, which has been designed with the 1980s colour scheme, is currently being used as the centrepiece for a theatre production - Gerry and Sewell. 

Gerry and Sewell tells the story of two lads from Gateshead, who are on a mission to see their beloved Newcastle United play at home. 

The Tyneside-based tale, which has been adapted and directed by Jamie Eastlake for the theatre stage, was originally told in Jonathan Tulloch’s 2000 book The Season Ticket, before being adapted into a movie, named Purely Belter - which starred the likes of Tim Healy and Charlie Hardwick.

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The theatre version - Gerry and Sewell -  has been met with rave reviews and a positive reception, with the set design of a Metro train, with the Metro cube and Metro logo as well as Whitley Bay platform sign. 

Nexus, the public body which owns and manages the Metro, said the prominence of the public transport service in the play, underscored its social and cultural importance to the region.

Customer Services Director at Nexus, Huw Lewis said: “It’s fantastic to see the iconic yellow Metro train providing the backdrop at Live Theatre Newcastle for this latest stage production.

“Metro is such a famous and well-known local brand, which is part of everyday life in North East England. The life-sized Metro carriage looks great on the stage. The set designers, and the team that built it, have done an outstanding job."

He continued: “We were thrilled when we saw that our train had been brought to life in the play, along with our familiar logo and iconic Metro station cube. It seems to be going down really well with the audiences just as much as the play itself.”