Josey the Musical
2023 and 2024, various locations and events across Northumberland
In 2023, Novo Theatre partnered with singer-songwriter Katie Doherty to create a brand new musical inspired by the 19th Century Northumberland heroine and social reformer Josephine Butler.
“Josephine Butler was remarkable in so many ways, as a passionate campaigner for human rights and a champion of society’s outcasts. But I admire her most for her determination to give women a voice, and the courage to use that voice to make the world a better place. Her story inspires us to use our voices too, in the cause of justice and mutual support.”
-Jane Robinson.
Josey began life as a 20-minute audio musical with the ambition of developing the production into a full touring musical.
Written by Katie Doherty, directed by Joe Hufton and commissioned by The Space Arts, the first phase of the project is available to listen to, for free on Spotify and has been listened to over 1,000 times since it launched on 8th March 2023.
A series of workshops, with women of all ages across Northumberland to discuss women’s rights and activism today inspired the script. 20 young women from two Northumberland schools were involved in five workshops and 15 women attended three ‘cuppa and a chat’ zoom sessions.
The digital musical also features a community choir of women from across Northumberland as well as voices from young women from local schools, Cramlington Learning Village and Duke’s Academy in Ashington.
A series of ‘Listening Parties and Historical Talks’ were held in community venues across Northumberland (Spittal, Great Whittington, Blyth, Longhoughton, Wooler and Felton) attended by over 60 people.
This was a chance to take our audio musical on the road to audiences across Northumberland. Bryony Taylor, a researcher and arts event producer who recently completed a PhD at Northumbria University, led a historical talk on the life and times of Josephine Butler.
After listening to Bryony’s talk, audiences were then able to listen to Josey, the Indignant Daughter, in a shared listening experience.
“Really liked the way the evening ran. Discussion was a nice length to get across some powerful points without feeling like it dragged. The music was amazing. The way the director gave his comments before the final presentation was perfect”
Live performances
The first of two live performances of Josey took place at Alnwick Playhouse in November 2023.
134 people joined us for an empowering evening of live music and debate. Singer-songwriter Katie Doherty performed some of the music live, accompanied by professional musicians and the Alnwick Playhouse Community Choir.
Katie was also joined by a panel of guest speakers;
Dr Catherine Donovan, Professor of Sociology and Head of Department at Durham University.
Sara Bryson, the Lead Organiser for Tyne & Wear Citizens, a broad alliance of civil society institutions who work together for social justice and the common good.
Karen Langdon, Vice Principal of the Josephine Butler College, Durham University chaired the discussion.
“Really liked the way the evening ran. Discussion was a nice length to get across some powerful points without feeling like it dragged. The music was amazing. The way the director gave his comments before the final presentation was perfect.” Audience feedback
“Fascinating subject matter that’s both thought provoking & relevant. Such catchy tunes too!”
And in March 2024, the final live performance of Josey in the R&D phase, headed to Newcastle for a performance in The Common Room. 110 people attended the performance.
“Absolutely blown away, so well thought out and very moving to watch.”
“Amazing and can’t wait for it to be on the stage.”
Credits and Thanks
Audiences support our ambition to develop the full stage performance of Josey.
In November 2025, Novo Theatre secured funding from the Garfield Weston Foundation, which will go towards the costs of producing the show in partnership with Indignant Arts and Northern Stage, with plans to premiere at Northern Stage, Newcastle in 2026/27, and ambitions for a subsequent national tour.
We continue to fundraise for this production. If you are interested in finding out how you can support and the associated benefits please contact info@novotheatre.org.uk
Writer and Composer: Katie Doherty
Sound Designer: Matthew Tuckey
Additional Sound Design, Mixing and Mastering: Andrew Cadie
Director: Joe Hufton
Dramaturge: Maria Crocker
Sound Engineer: Adam Forster
Producer: Lizzie Vogler
Actors (Digital Musical): Michael Blair, Karen Traynor
Young Girl: Betsy Sutton
Piano, lead vocals and prepared piano - Katie Doherty
Bass synth - Andrew Cadie
Drums and prepared piano - Adam Forster
Historical Talks: Bryony Taylor
Voices: Young people from Cramlington Learning Village and Duke’s Academy, Ashington, Further Stages at Stagecoach North Tyneside and members of the choir and their friends and families.
The digital piece features a community choir of women from across Northumberland. They are: Rachel Forster, Swee Gaik Seow, Christine Gardner, Sarah Gray, Rachel Gray, Sarah Hodgson, Jacqui Lille, Cath MacNaught, Sandra Whitton.
Listening Parties and live performances:
Historical Talks: Bryony Taylor
Actors (Live Performance at The Common Room) Zoe Lambert and Chloe Millar, accompanied by musicians Katie Doherty, Jeremy Bradfield and Andrew Cadie.
Panel members at Alnwick Playhouse: Dr Catherine Donovan, Sara Bryson and Karen Langdon.
The Alnwick Playhouse Community Choir
Novo Theatre:
Business and Operations Director: Andrea Perrett
Marketing and Audience Development: Kathryn Row
Participation Producer: Louise Taylor-Asheg
Commissioned by The Space Arts.
Photography: Von Fox Promotions.
The R&D phase of Josey the Musical has been supported by: Arts Council England, Northumberland County Council, People’s Postcode Lottery and Scops Arts Trust