David Almond

David Almond was born and raised in Felling, Gateshead. When he was young he found his love of writing when some short stories of his were published in a local magazine.

David's book Skellig has been chosen as the North East Read with 100 of the books being placed in unusual and interesting spots around the North East. If you find one of these special books read it - log on to asaplive.com and then leave the book somewhere else for the next person to find. The books will start appearing from Sunday 28 September.

"It's great to have Juice happening right here in NewcastleGateshead - a place that's rejuvenating itself and moving boldly into the future. It's dead right that Juice is a festival for the young and the young at heart. I love the way that many of the events show that young people are capable of producing works of art that are worth being seen by everyone. It all emphasises the fact that young people are active citizens. So get involved, explore your own talents, take an active part in the rejuvenation of this wonderful part of the world. Enjoy the festival." - David

Skellig
8yrs+
An enchanting contemporary opera of David Almond’s award-winning novel. Skellig is both magical and thrilling, dark and sinister as it leads audiences of all ages into the coarse world of an ambiguous angel and transcends all preconceptions of traditional opera.Michael is desperately worried about his premature baby sister: between anxiety about her and the
move to a new house, Michael’s parents don’t have much time for him.

Exploring the condemned garage at the end of the new garden, Michael finds a half-dead, spiteful old tramp. Skellig is a filthy, smelly, ungrateful old man, who feeds off dead bluebottles, Chinese takeaway, Newcastle Brown Ale and the dead mice that the owls bring him. However, Michael and his new friend Mina look after him, wondering about the bumps where his shoulder blades are and why he has such an affinity with owls.

Composer: Tod Machover, Librettist: David Almond, Director: Braham Murray

Date: 24, 25, 27, 28, 29 Nov
Time: 7pm
Location: Hall One, The Sage Gateshead
Price: £7 and £19.50 (under 19s £5 all areas)
Box Office: 0191 443 4661
Metro: Gateshead Bus: Quaylink Q1 The Sage Gateshaed
www.thesagegateshead.org/skellig

Meet David Almond
8–13yrs
David has written a new story especially for the Great North Run Cultural Programme, Harry Miller’s Run, which tells the tale of a young boy taking part in the Junior North Run and his chance encounter with Harry Miller, an old man with a fantastic story to tell. David will read the story at a special event at Seven Stories where he’ll also talk about writing for the Bupa Great North Run and his plans for the future.

Date: Sat 4 Oct (following the Junior and Mini North Run)
Time: 4.30pm–6.30pm
Location: Seven Stories
Price: Free but ticketed – booking essential
Box Office: 0845 271 0777 ext 715
Metro: Manors Bus: Quaylink Q2 Lime Street
http://www.sevenstories.org.uk/

Winged Tales of the North
8yrs+
This new and exciting exhibition will give you a flavour of David’s impressive body of work to date. Take a journey through the extraordinary experiences of his young characters as they find wonder in the world and in themselves.

Date: Thurs 2 Oct–Sun 2 Nov
Time: Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 11am–5pm
Location: Seven Stories
Price: Adult £5.50; Child £4.50 Family Ticket: £16
Box Office: 0845 271 0777
Metro: Manors Bus: Quaylink Q2 Lime Street
www.sevenstories.org.uk