Lee Hall and Peter Straughan are acclaimed award-winning writers for stage and screen. Both were born in the 1960’s, on opposite sides of the River Tyne in the North East, into working-class families, and both cut their teeth in the thriving publicly-funded theatre scene in Newcastle. They discuss writing 'in Geordie', the region's music tradition and long history of working-class people having a deep appreciation of the arts. They both bore witness to dismantling and very quick disappearance of the mining industry, which had given such a powerful sense of identity to the region. But are excited about the new story-tellers that could now emerge from non-white communities on Tyneside. They reflect on public funding of the arts post-war and in the 1960’s and where funding might come from now, the catastrophic impact of streaming on their profession and where the future may lie be for dramatists like them. Both believe in the power of unique human creativity and urge others to have a go and not ask for permission. Be obsessive about your art, make it in any place you can, and it can lead to a wonderful life.

Forged in the North is funded by New Writing North and Durham Book Festival, with support from Durham County Council, Durham University and Arts Council England. 

Produced by Hunter Charlton 
Researched by Lucy Valance
Mixed and mastered by John Scott
Presented by Fiona Hill
An Ember Production