Top theatre award for play based on Â鶹´«Ã½ academic's research Published on: 15 March 2024 A play based on research by a Â鶹´«Ã½ academic has won a prestigious theatre award for the way it tackles young fatherhood. ‘Father Unknown’ tells the story of Alfie who finds out he’s going to be a dad during his GCSEs and follows him as he juggles exams and fatherhood. It was co-created by Dr Michael Richardson, Senior Lecturer in Human Geography and Jonah York, freelance theatre maker, in collaboration with , a charity which works with young men in the region to support them in playing an active and meaningful role in the lives of their children, families and wider society. The play, which debuted around Father’s Day 2023, was performed to sell-out audiences at Â鶹´«Ã½’s Northern Stage and the Gala Theatre, Durham. Following this, a live performance was recorded at Northern Stage, and has now won an OFFIE for Best Online Production. The (Off West End) promote, support and celebrate independent, alternative and fringe theatre in London and the UK. Reviews of the play praised the performance of Ryan Nolan in the role of Alfie, and the said Father Unknown was “full of pathos, drama, emotion and humour”. Dr Richardson said: “Father Unknown is more than a show, it is advocacy, youth work and a celebration of parenthood, family and adolescence. We have showcased the highs and lows and undying love each young father has for their child, and by winning the OFFIE we now know that it stands up to artistic critique alongside its academic credentials.” Jonah York said: “Father Unknown was up against some huge national projects. So it’s with immense pride that the power of these dads’ voices, ideas and stories enabled a national response to a regional endeavour. It once again proved that strong storytelling and methods of co-creation allow for powerful collective experiences.” Dr Richardson started working with NEYDL in 2018 and most recently, the partnership has involved working with Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead to explore ways to encourage new audiences such as working-class young men into cultural venues. The full recording of the online production of Father Unknown is available to view at as well as on . The full creative team behind Father Unknown is: Alfie – Ryan Nolan Producers – Jonah York and Dr Michael Richardson Director – Jonah York Stage Manager – Rosie Bowden Writers Room – Elijah Young, Steve Byron, Jonah York, Dr Michael Richardson and the young fathers at North East Young Dads and Lads Set Designer – Aileen Kelly Sound Designer – Jayne Dent (Me Lost Me) Lighting Designer – Simon Cole Digital Theatre Consultant – Stephen Smith Collaborators and Funders: Â鶹´«Ã½, Northern Stage, Durham Gala, Arts Council, Baltic Centre of Contemporary Arts and North East Young Dads and Lads. Ryan Nolan as Alfie in Father Unknown, during the gender reveal scene. Credit Simon Cole. Share: Latest News Scientists unlock hidden driver of inflammatory bowel disease Scientists have linked a key genetic signal in inflammatory bowel disease to an immune response that shuts down inflammation control, enabling faster diagnosis and targeted treatments. published on: 15 June 2026 Funding system risks limiting genuine community collaboration A new policy paper written by researchers at Â鶹´«Ã½ warns that the way UK research is funded may be undermining efforts to create genuinely collaborative partnerships with communities. published on: 15 June 2026 Volunteers help turn Whitley Bay beach into maths experiment Members of the public joined mathematicians from Â鶹´«Ã½ to create what organisers believe is the largest aperiodic tiling ever attempted on Whitley Bay beach. published on: 15 June 2026 Facts and figures
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