Spring 2025: 20 Must-See Theatre Shows in Newcastle

Theatre Royal

Opera North returns to Theatre Royal this spring with a mesmerising production of Mozart’s magical fairy tale The Magic Flute. They’re also staging The Magic Flute Lite – a shorter version of the opera perfect for families and kids. (6^th – 7^th March 2025)

Film meets theatre in March when The Shark Is Broken rolls into town. A hilarious look at the behind-the-scenes drama during the making of Steven Spielberg’s 1975 film Jaws, this play is perfect for film fans. (18^th – 22^nd March 2025)

Things are set to get spooky in April with Ghost Stories – a trio of terrifying tales that a sceptic professor sets out to debunk. Be warned: this spine-chilling play isn’t for the faint-hearted! (22^nd – 26^th April)

Local legend Joe McElderry is introducing the next generation of talent in May with Something in the Water – a cabaret revue-style show featuring the brightest young talents from across the North East. Book tickets and you’ll also get bragging rights to say you saw these talented young ‘uns before they got famous! (18^th May 2025)

Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Another local legend – Si King of Hairy Bikers fame – is stopping by Tyne Theatre & Opera House this March. He’ll be recounting his journey in life so far, from his start in Kibblesworth to his life-changing friendship with his late, great Hairy Bikers co-star Dave Myers and travelling the world. (23^rd March 2025)

Who says panto is just for kids? Not the P*ssed Up Panto team who are bringing their liquored-up production of Sleeping Beauty to Newcastle in late March. One cast member, voted for by the audience, will complete a drinking challenge as the rest of the cast attempt to keep things going – hilarity is guaranteed! (27^th March 2025)

The comedy continues when local funnyman Lee Kyle brings his new show Bottle It to the Tyne Theatre stage. He’s been throwing messages in bottles into the sea for a while now and he’s even got some replies – hear him hilariously recount his tale this April! (18^th April 2025)

A spell-binding evening is on the cards with The Magical Music of Harry Potter: Live in Concert in May. The Magical Film Orchestra will be playing the best and most-loved music from the popular film franchise and there’ll even be a special guest from the movies too – perfect for Harry Potter fans! (22^nd May 2025)

Alphabetti Theatre

Alphabetti Theatre is always putting on great, unique productions and Digging Up Newcastle is no different. Set in the year 4040, the one-act comedy follows a couple excavating a site full of relics from the 21^st century. What local Toon artefacts will they find and what will they make of them? (7^th March 2025)

Written and performed by Scottish playwright JD Stewart, Gay Boy follows a gay man teaching English in South Korea who spends his free time trying to sleep with as many men as possible, but is his hyper-sexuality all a front? Find out in this frank and provocative staged reading. (13^th March 2025)

Following its sell-out run at Edinburgh Fringe, Stuart Laws Has To Be Joking comes to Alphabetti Theatre in April. Funny and honest, the show features the titular comedian recounting being diagnosed with autism in his late thirties. (16^th April 2025)

Prepare to be moved when Matthew Seager’s play In Other Words – a four-time recipient of the Molière Award – takes to the Alphabetti stage in early May. Following the love story of couple Arthur and Jane, it’s a touching exploration of the effects of Alzheimer’s disease connected by the music of Frank Sinatra. (1^st May 2025)

Live Theatre

Penned by Catrina McHugh, Rupture is a female-centric play that befittingly makes its debut at Live Theatre ahead of International Women’s Day this March. Created in collaboration with women from HMP Low Newton, the play explores the realities of being a mother in prison through the eyes of Destiny, a woman who escapes to the prison roof following a “code blue” incident. (5^th – 8^th March 2025)

March also sees the acclaimed Elysium Theatre Company come to Live Theatre for the first time with The Moth. Inspired by a true story, the play chronicles a chance meeting between two men that changes their lives forever dealing with themes of race, war, redemption and forgiveness. (14^th – 15^th March 2025)

There’s more female-centric theatre to enjoy at Live Theatre later in March with Unruly. Written and performed by Vici Wreford-Sinnott, this powerful play follows disability rights activist Marina in the wake of her best friend’s death as she unpacks her life and the personal cost of campaigning. (22^nd March 2025)

A mix of music, dance and fantasy, Penguin is a one-man show from disabled Syrian artist and refugee Hamzeh Al-Hussien. Join him at Live Theatre in April as he takes you through his journey as a refugee, from his Syrian village to the Za'atari camp in Jordan to his new home in Gateshead. (9th – 12th April 2025)

Northern Stage

And finally, over to Northern Stage where annual poetry event The Geet Muckle Slam returns this March. Twelve poets will go head-to-head in a friendly war of words in a bid to become the Geet Muckle Slam Champion. Who wins? You decide! (20^th March 2025)

Improvised and interactive, Murder She Didn’t Write promises plenty of fun for Northern Stage audiences. Brought to you by theatre company Degrees of Error, this sell-out show sees its cast improvise a murder mystery on the spot and it’s your job to solve it! (12^th April 2025)

Newcastle Puppetry Festival returns for its sixth edition this April and Northern Stage is acting as its hub once again. The theatre is hosting a series of events throughout the festival’s run with highlights that include a Q&A with puppeteer William Steele and A Million Tiny Ants, a collection of stories and songs from shadow puppet maestro Matthew Robins. (24^th – 27^th April 2025)

Ever wondered what was said behind closed doors in the weekly meetings between Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher during the latter’s time as prime minister? Moira Buffini’s clever political comedy Handbagged ponders just that at Northern Stage this May, imagining the untold conversations of two of the most powerful women in British history. (13^th – 17^th May 2025)

With so many amazing productions to catch in Newcastle this spring, theatre-lovers are certainly spoilt for choice. So, which shows will you be seeing?

Main image: Newcastle Theatre Royal at night, Photo courtesy Theatre Royal