The Fish Quay was alive with energy as a sell-out audience gathered for Se Gæst | The Guest.
A powerful and emotive production by acclaimed North East choreographer Anthony Lo-Giudice is currently on tour throughout the North of England.
The event raised an incredible £1,036.45 for the North East England Fishermen’s Mission, a charity supporting fishing families and coastal communities across the UK.
The atmosphere was electric as audiences filled the transformed North Shields Fish Market, which had been beautifully cleaned and prepared by the North Shields Fish Quay team – who, as one guest put it, “made the fish market smell of anything but fish!”
“It’s been one of the most moving performances of the tour so far,” said Anthony Lo-Giudice.
“To perform this piece in a community so deeply tied to the sea, and to do it in support of such an important charity, felt truly special. The generosity of everyone who came out – audiences, volunteers and the Fish Quay team – was overwhelming.”
The Fishermen’s Mission’s Area Officer Peter Dade added: “We’re incredibly grateful for this support. Every penny raised will go directly toward helping fishermen and their families through difficult times. The response from the North Shields community has been fantastic – it’s wonderful to see art and local heritage come together for such a positive cause.”
The event also featured uplifting pre-show performances from Mouths of the Tyne Community Choir, North Tyneside Youth Dance, and Helix Arts’ Falling on Your Feet company, bringing together an intergenerational cast aged 8 to 85.
With such an enthusiastic response, organisers are already exploring a return event for summer 2026, likely in June or July.
Anyone wishing to experience The Guest for themselves can book for the final performance of this current tour at Dance City on 11 December.
Performers:
Michaela Wate
Caroline Reece
Alex Rowland
Alex Thirkle
Molly Procter
Brendan Murphy
Hannabiell Sanders
Andrea Jones
Puppet design: Saya Naruse
Dramaturgy: Karen Traynor
This work was developed with communities across the country and is rooted in the spirit of the North East.
Supported by North Shields Cultural Quarter as part of North Shields 800, Port of Tyne, The North of England Fishermen’s Mission and Arts Council England.
