Customs House, South Shields

Customs House, South Shields

Posted: 01 Mar 2012

To Wit To Woo

Valentine’s Night meal at the Customs House, South Shields

This could have been corny but as so often the Customs House at South Shields got it just right. A Valentine’s Night featuring a two course meal with scenes from some of Shakespeare’s plays dramatised in the round.

The nine-strong cast, including jazz singer Grace Ellen, provided an entertaining evening of scenes from: ‘As You Like It’, ‘Twelfth Night’, ‘The Taming of the Shrew’, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, ‘Measure for Measure’. ‘Hamlet’ and ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ along with the reading of a thoughtful selection of sonnets.

Thirty-six guests – paying a bargain £20 a head – assembled in tables surrounding the stage with a sonnet left for each guest.  A choice of four starters saw one of us go for the pate and warm bread while the veggie one of us enjoyed the roast red pepper soup. From the choice of five main courses, the veggie option was a vegetable and quorn chilli while cod wrapped in bacon with a tomato sauce was the preferred option of the non-veggie dishes. 

Being in best romantic mood – and watching our waistlines after two good courses – we both passed on the option of a dessert for an extra £3.25 having enjoyed both the dinner and the drama.
 
If the Customs House offers something similar next year don’t hesitate. It was a great night out – and rarely for one of the nights of the year where it’s easy to feel fleeced, it was outstanding value for money.

Rob & Barbara Mason