18 Must-See Theatre Shows Coming to Newcastle in Early 2023

Newcastle is home to a thriving theatre scene and in the coming months the city’s world-class theatres are set to stage a whole host of must-see productions – from musicals and comedy shows to dramas and opera. Ahead of World Theatre Day on 27th March, we’ve rounded up the best and biggest shows coming to a Newcastle theatre near you.

(Image: The Mousetrap by Matt Crockett)
 

Theatre Royal 

The world’s longest-running play, Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap celebrates its 70th year with a stunning production of murder most foul. This celebrated whodunnit is justifiably popular – can you solve the mystery of the killer in the midst? (6th-11th February).

You’ll be left wanting more when Theatre Royal’s production of Annie comes to town! Poor orphan Annie escapes the dastardly Miss Hannigan when billionaire Mr Warbucks offers her a fairytale Christmas, but her real family are surely just a day away… (7th-11th March).

The acclaimed Opera North present their production of Tosca, a tale of love, blackmail, revenge and murder; Puccini’s iconic score and passionate portrayal of humanity at its very best and very worst is a real triumph (23rd & 25th March).

See in the spring with a stirring Broadway production of Titanic The Musical, which tells the fateful tale of the legendary ship with a multi-award winning production based on the stories of real life passengers (27th March-1st April).

(Image: Dave Gorman)
 

Tyne Theatre & Opera House 

Comedian Dave Gorman is known for his fiendishly clever wit, amply displayed on the likes of his hit TV show Modern Life Is Goodish and Googlewhack Adventure. Now, his attention is turning to the unlikely hero of modern technology in his new show, PowerPoint To The People! (18th March).

Religious and cultural traditions are tackled in spectacular musical splendour in the classic musical Fiddler on the Roof, in which milkman Tevye attempts to reconcile Jewish traditions with his strong-willed and independent daughter, resulting in a fusion of comedy and pathos (12th-15th March).

If you’re a fan of the film Moulin Rouge, Come What May will be the musical extravaganza you’ve been waiting for. Based on the hit Baz Luhrmann movie-musical, this all-singing, all-dancing tribute features classics including Come What May, Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend and Lady Marmalade, and a few hits from other iconic movie musicals too! (26th March).

On a completely different note, you’re invited to spend An Evening with Fran Lebowitz - social commentator, cultural satirist and all-round purveyor of urban cool - as she dissects modern American life with typically dry wit (17th April).
 

(Image: The Devil Danced in our Eyes)
 

Live Theatre 

Live Theatre is well known for amplifying unheard voices, and JonLuke Mckie's The Devil Danced in Our Eyes tells the funny and moving tale of young Jamie as he deals with the death of his Granda, his burgeoning sexuality and the dangers of the internet (17th-18th February).

Footie fans will find much to enjoy in Love It If We Beat Them, an identifiable tale of football, politics and the labour of love set against the backdrop of when Newcastle United almost won the Premier League season under Kevin Keegan (2nd-25th March).

Later in the season, To Be A Young Man sees North East songwriter Nadine Shah team up with acclaimed writer Jackie Thompson for a deeply personal and often darkly comedic story of recovery, friendship and loss (4th-20th May).

(Image: The Nature of Forgetting, National Taichung Theatre)

Northern Stage 

In An Evening Without Kate Bush (yes, you read that right!) Sarah-Louise Young and co-creator Russell Lucas pay homage to the wonder that is Kate Bush in a joyful and utterly unique show which delves into the mythology of one of Britain’s most influential musical stars (8th February).

The Nature of Forgetting is an unusual and deeply moving non-verbal show about early onset dementia from one of the UK’s leading theatre companies, Theatre Re, who combine live music with striking visual theatre (17th-18th February).

Comedian Grace Campbell’s hugely successful (and likely to be highly explicit!) brand-new show is about her twin obsessions: herself, and men. A Show About Me(n) takes a look at obsession, validation and fiery opinions! (4th March).

Northern Ballet reprise their wonderful production of Ugly Duckling - perfect for youngsters and the young at heart. Follow the Ugly Duckling as she attempts to overcome her troubles and learns to love herself and those around her in a beautiful show which fuses live ballet, music and theatre (14th-15th April).

(Image: Jacob Hawley)

Alphabetti Theatre 

Independent theatre Alphabetti can always be relied upon to offer up a wealth of interesting shows which intrigue and delight. Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light is an exploration of self-discovery and freedom, as quirky and kind Elsa meets Carmen and discovers who she really is in an immersive and touching performance (31st January-18th February).

Person Spec takes the theatre setting and turns it on its head, as the audience are witness to a job interview – and help decide if the candidate is right for success! (28th February-18th March).

Award-winning comedian Jacob Hawley’s new show BUMP tackles themes around mental health, social class, drugs and...erm...antipasti. Lauded as the ‘voice of his generation’ by comedy website Chortle, this will be a must-see intimate performance before Hawley goes on to much bigger stages (11th March).

With these shows and many more in the pipeline, Newcastle’s theatre scene is full of drama, intrigue, comedy and tragedy! The question is, what will you see next?!

(Main image: Annie)