The theatre scene in Newcastle feels especially vibrant at the moment, with all five theatres hosting a run of excellent performances. The summer is looking particularly busy so we thought we’d give you a heads-up on some of the great entertainment hitting the city’s stages over the next few months.
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Image: The Beekeeper of Aleppo
The highly acclaimed bestseller The Beekeeper Of Aleppo has been adapted for the stage by Nesrin Alrefaai and Matthew Spangler for a Nottingham Playhouse production, bringing this heartbreaking story of life in war torn Syria to vivid life. (6th-10th June)
Sister Act really needs no introduction (can it really be 30 years since the Whoopie Goldberg film version conquered the world?). But get ready for a brand new stage production of the hit show, this time starring familiar TV faces like Lesley Joseph, Lizzie Bea and Sandra Marvin. (19th-24th June, rescheduled from last year)
If you fancy a dizzy blend of history and pop, look no further than SIX, the award-winning smash hit musical that lets Henry VIII’s six wives finally tell their side of the story with an acclaimed set of songs. Its last Newcastle run sold out so don’t miss out this time round. (4th-8th July)
Neil Gaiman is fast becoming one of the most adapted writers of our times (think Coraline, Good Omens, Sandman and more) and this National Theatre production of his remarkable The Ocean At The End Of The Lane novel looks like a winner. Produced by the team behind War Horse and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, this play about childhood and loss looks like it’s going to be spectacular. (11th-22nd July)
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Image Wuthering Heights
Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights always lends itself to inventive adaptations and that’s what the Inspector Sands company are offering with their new version, which adds contemporary twists to a story already full of drama, violence and spectacle. (6th-10th June)
Born Lippy has been at the forefront of the city’s slam poetry/spoken word scene for a few years now, putting on thrilling events across the city, from stages to festivals to clubs. The Geet Muckle Slam sees twelve poets going head to head in a rhyme battle, with the audience deciding the winner. (15th June)
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Image: Stars
Anything billed as an ‘afro-futurist space odyssey’ is worth serious attention, and Stars seems likely to fulfil the promise of that description. This Tamasha/ICA co-production sends Mrs, an old lady, into space on a journey of sexual awakening, accompanied by a live DJ and cutting edge visuals. (19th-20th June)
The perennially popular Dinosaur World has expanded onto the stage with Dinosaur World Live, a show full of Jurassic-era thrills and information. It promises to be interactive and extremely exciting, as a Tyrannosaurus Rex, a Triceratops, a Giraffatitan, a Microraptor and a Segnosaurus all take to the stage. And there’s a meet-and-greet afterwards! (23rd -25th June)
The Tyne Theatre & Opera House
Gary Delaney was already a sought-after comedy writer before he started becoming a star in his own right via Live At The Apollo and Mock The Week. And now the lightning-fast gag-meister is taking his brand new Gary In Punderland show on the road, arriving in Newcastle for one night only! Don’t miss out! (10th June)
Show-stopping musical hits collide with world-class circus performers in Cirque: The Greatest Show, which features songs from the likes of The Greatest Showman, Hairspray and Rocketman alongside the very best aerialists, acrobats, and contortionists. It promises to be a feast for all the senses. (16th-17th June)
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Image: Zog
Everything Julia Donaldson creates is a sure-fire hit with kids and this new Zog musical, based on her collaboration with Axel Scheffler, is no exception. This new Zog adventure sees the loveable but hapless dragon do battle with Sir Gadabout The Great, with live songs from Joe Stilgoe. (20th June)
Murder mysteries have been a theatre staple for decades – just look at the success of The Mousetrap but Solve-Along-A Murder She Wrote takes things to the next level. A screening of the Angela Lansbury classic episode Sing A Song Of Murder is the jumping off point for an evening of audience participation, with quizzes, singalongs and prizes galore. (23rd June)
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Image: Burnout
Two young women argue about activism and climate emergency in Burnout, a new production from the Shy Bairns theatre company written by Nicole Acquah in collaboration with UK climate change activists. (2nd-3rd June)
Lawnmower Theatre Company productions are always interesting and worthwhile and Without Us – a collaboration with Murmur Theatre – promises to be no different. Development of Without Us started in 2019 but was halted by the pandemic so it’s been quite a journey to get this show about parental responsibilities and learning difficulties to the stage! (15th-17th June)
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Image: Ruth Lyon
Newcastle-based singer-songwriter Ruth Lyon came to prominence as part of festival faves Holy Moly & The Crackers but is now making waves as a solo artist too. This intimate performance of baroque pop should be magical. (14th July)
Also on a musical tip, join Lindisfarne’s Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell in song and conversation in The Lindisfarne Story, where the two musicians look at the legacy of one of Newcastle’s most loved bands. (15th July)
Join widely acclaimed poet and writer Degna Stone for their new performance piece The Lies, an examination of the nature of truth and of the lies we tell ourselves and each other, from children’s stories to politics. (23rd May-10th June)
Chop, Dissolve, Burn is a radical new production from Alphabetti & WANCS that grew out of the Newcastle Fringe Festival in 2021 and looks at disability, inequality, love and a vicious guide dog through a lens of black comedy and the macabre. (20th June-8th July)
Perhaps this year’s Newcastle Fringe Festival will result in something equally interesting? We’re promised ten whole days of the best the theatre can offer, with Alphabetti as the hub but with events across the city. There’s an accompanying Invigorate programme too, offering everything from workshops to talks to artist devopment opportunities. Keep an eye on the website for details. (18th-29th July)
[IMAGE: RAVEN BY TOM KINDLEY]
Getting its world premiere at Alphabetti is Raven, a show that sounds absolutely magical. It uses music, puppetry and storytelling to tell us about a wild child called Raven Varmint, but also about childrens’ mental health and family relationships. All this and a talking gargoyle! (15th August-2nd September)
With a summer of theatre ahead of us that’s as diverse and exciting as this, there’s surely something for everyone - whether your tastes lie in big boisterous musicals, thoughtful dramas or interactive murder mysteries! So book some tickets and be prepared to be transported somewhere special.
