Heather
Bringing the North East WWII home front to life
Heather has written Wor Hoose, an original stage and radio play performed in authentic Northumbrian dialect about North East communities on the WWII home front.
New Northumbrian Play Wor Hoose Brings WWII Home Front to Life Through Dialect, Radio, and Live Theatre
North East England – A powerful new play celebrating the resilience, humour, and spirit of the North East during the Second World War is set to debut across multiple events in 2026.
Wor Hoose, written by North East playwright @Heather Laurence, is an original stage and radio production performed in authentic Northumbrian dialect. Set in the North East of England during the turbulent years of World War II, Wor Hoose captures the everyday lives, stoicism, and humour of communities on the home front. Written entirely in the region’s distinctive dialect, the play offers audiences an immersive and culturally rich experience rooted firmly in Northumbrian heritage.
The production will be presented in two distinct formats.
The first, The Wor Hoose Radio Experience, blends modern production techniques with traditional storytelling. Designed to evoke the atmosphere of a 1940s wireless broadcast, the performance transports audiences back to a time when radio served as the primary source of news and entertainment during wartime. Combining authentic dialect with period-style presentation, the show recreates the shared listening experience that united communities throughout the war.
The inaugural performance of The Wor Hoose Radio Experience will take place at The Northumberland Gathering on 11 April at 4:00 PM at St Robert’s Church Hall.
The second version of the play will be performed as a live stage production at the Northumbrian Revival Festival, held at West Bendridge Farm on 6–7 June. The festival promises a vibrant celebration of regional heritage and wartime culture, featuring historical re-enactments, live bands, and 1940s-themed entertainment. Festival highlights include the popular VDub Shack Bar, with camping available for visitors wishing to stay overnight. A vintage charabanc shuttle service will also operate regularly from Heighley Gate Garden Centre, making it easy for day visitors to attend.
For those unable to attend the earlier performances, audiences will have another opportunity to experience the production when The Wor Hoose Radio Experience returns on 1 August at The Word in South Shields, where tickets will be available here:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/1983540295419?aff=oddtdtcreator
Through humour, authenticity, and heartfelt storytelling, Wor Hoose shines a light on North East identity and the enduring strength of its communities during one of the most challenging periods in modern history.
Keep Up With Heather!
Website: https://focusonthene.click ,
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.laurence.17/
Wor Hoose Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61584117574353
