If you happen to catch the 5.50pm train from Newcastle to Edinburgh on Wednesday, June 7, be prepared to hear the dulcet tones of a drag queen or the faint sound of a guitar wafting down the carriage.
In a brand-new collaboration with the Edinburgh Fringe, train operator Lumo is putting on a one-off extravaganza dubbed ‘Culture Train Live’. It will see live entertainment taking place in two of the carriages, hosted by Geordie drag queen Mutha Tucka and featuring comedian Gavin Webster, magician Robert Reed, musician Joe Edward and more. Passengers will also get a complimentary beer, supplied by Donzoko Brewing Company. What’s not to love?
After the train reaches Edinburgh, passengers are invited to hop back on and sing their way back to Newcastle with some ‘carriage-oke’.
Mutha Tucka said: ‘Newcastle is a melting pot of home-grown talent, many of whom perform at the Fringe in Edinburgh. It’s amazing to be given a stage with a difference by Lumo – the Fringe is meant to be a bit random and a lot of fun – and that’s exactly what you can expect on Lumo’s Culture Train Live!’
Martijn Gilbert, managing director of Lumo, added: ‘We are very proud to be based in Newcastle and wanted to find a way to showcase the performing arts scene in the city. The Edinburgh Fringe is the world’s greatest festival and we want Newcastle residents to realise it is on our doorstep and very easily accessible by train.’
This show-on-rails is the perfect way for you to warm up your laughing muscles before the Fringe starts on August 4. Tickets for Culture Train Live start from £33 and are available here.
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