Live Theatre Newcastle Serves Up a Scorching Summer Season: A Preview of Unmissable Shows
There’s something sizzling on the Newcastle Quayside this summer, and it’s not just the sunshine. Live Theatre Newcastle – one of the UK’s leading new writing theatres – is serving up a bold and vibrant Summer 2025 season, packed with boundary-pushing drama, laugh-out-loud comedy, powerful LGBTQ+ stories, and more than a few surprises.
For those unfamiliar, Live Theatre is a cornerstone of Newcastle’s cultural scene. Set in a beautifully restored warehouse right on the Quayside, the venue is known for nurturing new voices, championing northern talent, and creating space for theatre that sparks conversation. With its intimate setting, it offers a rare closeness between performer and audience that makes every show feel personal, immediate, and electric.
This summer, Live Theatre’s programming is nothing short of spectacular, welcoming some of the most exciting touring companies and homegrown talent to its stage.
A Season Brimming with Pride, Power and Playfulness
There’s also a literary twist with Book of Crow on Tuesday 17 June. Presented by New Writing North and Live Theatre, this genre-blurring performance is a poetic dialogue between a woman and a sardonic crow, voiced by Emmerdale’s Natalie Ann Jamieson. With live music from The Shining Levels and dance by Alicia Meehan, it promises to be an atmospheric, multi-sensory experience.
Stars, Satire, and Spectacle
The legendary Josie Lawrence arrives on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 June with What Next? – a daring, unscripted one-woman show where the audience helps shape the story. No two performances will be the same, as Josie is joined by a live musician in what’s sure to be a spontaneous and unforgettable theatrical adventure.
Later in June, Bet’n Lev Theatre’s Remythed (Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 June) breathes new life into ancient myths, offering a joyful and queer reimagining of legendary tales. This promises to be a thoughtful and celebratory retelling for modern times.
From Friday 27 to Sunday 29 June, the groundbreaking Trans Performance Now festival comes to Live Theatre, curated in collaboration with Northumbria University and Curious Arts. This weekend-long celebration of trans-led UK theatre and performance is a vital platform for trans voices, creativity, and stories.
If that weren’t enough, The Gallifrey Cabaret crash-lands on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 July – a cosmic, queer drag and cabaret night inspired by the sci-fi legacy of Doctor Who. Expect galactic glamour, otherworldly antics, and more than a few sonic surprises.
Returning Favourites and Fierce New Voices
A major highlight sees the return of Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story from Wednesday 9 to Saturday 12 July. Created by Awkward Productions, this award-winning, no-holds-barred drag spectacular combines multimedia, puppetry, and joyful queer chaos to reframe the story of the People’s Princess in the most hilariously irreverent way.
On Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 July, When We Were Young from Geez A Break Productions pulls back the curtain on 1990s gang culture in Glasgow. Forget the tabloid stereotypes – this is a funny, heartfelt, and unapologetically honest exploration of working-class life and survival.
The 90s theme continues on Thursday 17 July with It’s The Economy, Stupid! by Worklight Theatre. Set during the era’s economic turbulence, this play brings the cold facts of recession to vivid life through one family’s struggle, offering a powerful reminder of the people behind the politics.
Local experimental artist Me Lost Me (Jayne Dent) takes to the stage on Friday 18 July to launch her new album This Material Moment. With live visuals and full band support, this is set to be a boundary-pushing live music event, with support from Burd Allen.
A Grand Finale with Mark Thomas
The season wraps up with a major coup: Ordinary Decent Criminal, running Wednesday 23 to Saturday 26 July. Co-produced by Paines Plough, Live Theatre, and Ellie Keel Productions in association with Synergy Theatre Project, this new play stars the ever-provocative political comedian Mark Thomas as Frankie, a recovering addict navigating life’s next chapter. Written by Ed Edwards, it promises to be sharp, funny, and unflinchingly honest.
Why Live Theatre?
Live Theatre continues to be a vital space for stories that matter, staging work that challenges, entertains, and champions underrepresented voices. Whether you’re a regular or a first-timer, this summer season is the perfect invitation to dive in.
From laugh-out-loud comedy to raw social commentary, cosmic drag to trans-fronted theatre, this is a programme that dares to be different.
Tickets:
For tickets and full show details, visit live.org.uk or call the box office on (0191) 232 1232.