Preview: Scott Turnbull's Unexpected Item in the Bagging Area

Surreal Comedy Meets North East Soul: Scott Turnbull's Unexpected Item in the Bagging Area Hits the Road

There’s (flash of thunder and lightning)... something unexpected in the bagging area!

Award-winning actor, writer, theatre-maker, and 2024 Tees Valley Artist of the Year Scott Turnbull is taking his brand-new comedy-theatre show, Unexpected Item in the Bagging Area, on a riotous six-date tour across the North East this May. Blending surreal humour, physical theatre, and an affectionate dose of Teesside grit, Turnbull’s latest work is a must-see for fans of boundary-pushing live performance.

Kicking off with a sharing at GIFT Gateshead on Saturday 3 May 2025, followed by performances at ARC Stockton from Wednesday 21 to Friday 23 May 2025, and concluding at Live Theatre Newcastle on Thursday 29 and Friday 30 May 2025, this absurd and darkly comic play promises “singing sausages, life-sized cockroaches and an escaped killer on the loose” — all set inside a spooky 24-hour garage on the edge of town.

Turnbull describes the show as “a story of familial love played out using contemporary folklore and pop culture references.” At its core are two siblings, Our Mark and Ken, doing everything they can to keep their dead dad’s local business alive — even if that means tangling with big tech, secret sauces, and supernatural chaos.

“I use comedy alongside my creativity as an emergency exit from the brutal reality of living in… Stockton-on-Tees,” says Turnbull. “I love where I live, and I couldn’t think of anywhere better or worse to ply my trade… I’d like to share those stories through my own unique comedic lens in the very surroundings of where my work comes to life.”

With a style that’s been likened to The Mighty Boosh meeting Vic and Bob for a pint at The Sun Inn, Turnbull’s signature blend of heartfelt absurdity and working-class celebration is on full display. Expect physical comedy, live music, and plenty of wild surprises in this immersive performance co-produced by ARC Stockton in association with Live Theatre and GIFT, and supported by Arts Council England and Tees Valley Combined Authority.

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Catch Unexpected Item in the Bagging Area at:

🛒 GIFT Gateshead
Station East, Hills St, Gateshead
Saturday 3 May 2025, 6pm
Pay What You Decide (Suggested Donation £8), 18+
More info

🛒 ARC Stockton
Wednesday 21 – Friday 23 May 2025, 7pm
Pay What You Decide, 16+
More info

🛒 Live Theatre Newcastle – Unearthed Festival
Thursday 29 – Friday 30 May 2025, 7.30pm

More Info

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Are you ready to clock in for the strangest night shift of your life?

Oasis vs Blur – The Battle That Rocked the Nation at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 Oasis vs Blur – The Battle That Rocked the Nation Brings Britpop Mayhem to Newcastle Theatre Royal

Oasis vs Blur – The Battle That Rocked the Nation

Newcastle Theatre Royal 

Tuesday 7 July - Saturday 11 July 2026

This summer, prepare to be thrust back into one of the most iconic pop culture clashes in British history as Oasis vs Blur – The Battle That Rocked the Nation comes storming into Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 7 July to Saturday 11 July 2026. This riotous new stage comedy relives the legendary Britpop face-off that defined a generation – a time when two bands didn’t just fight for chart dominance but came to symbolise a cultural civil war between North and South, cool and chaos, swagger and style.

Set against the backdrop of London in 1995, The Battle tells the story of the infamous week when Britpop heavyweights Blur and Oasis released singles on the same day – unleashing a frenzy of fan devotion, media speculation, and musical one-upmanship. This was no mere chart competition; it was a battle for the soul of British youth. On one side stood Blur: the sharp, art-school darlings of the South, led by the impossibly photogenic Damon Albarn. On the other: Oasis, the gritty Manchester rockers fronted by the warring Gallagher brothers, bringing Northern bravado and untouchable swagger to the stage.

The Battle doesn’t just recount the headlines – it throws audiences into the backstage brawls, the Brit Awards bust-ups, and the emotional chaos of a generation obsessed with identity, rivalry, and musical rebellion. It’s a "wickedly funny dive into one of the greatest rivalries in rock history", packed with big laughs, even bigger egos, and a reminder that the ‘90s weren’t just about the music – they were about pride, class, and chaos.

The play marks the first foray into theatre for writer John Niven, known for his sharp wit and scathing satire in books like Kill Your Friends and O Brother. Reflecting on the inspiration behind the script, Niven says:

“1995: a time long before music splintered into a billion different TikTok feeds. When music was so central to the culture that two pop groups could dominate the entire summer, the evening news and the front page of every newspaper in the country. We're going to take you back there. I've never written for the stage before, and it has been an absolute blast to do so for the first time with a producer as supportive as Simon and a director as talented as Matthew.”

That director is none other than Matthew Dunster, whose prolific theatre career includes 2:22 A Ghost Story, Shirley Valentine, The Pillowman, and Olivier and Tony-nominated productions across London’s West End and Broadway. Dunster remembers the original chart battle vividly:

“I remember the Battle of the Bands. I remember the charts that week. Music mattered. I remember being in my twenties in 1995. What a wild time. Full of energy, naughtiness and hilarity. Just like John Niven’s play. I’m so delighted to be working with John on such a punchy, hilarious and revealing comedy about two of the best bands of all time, Blur and Oasis.”

Behind the scenes, producer Simon Friend brings personal nostalgia to the production:

“Throughout my sister’s teenage years, she had an enormous poster of Damon Albarn on her wall, and I remember her falling out with friends over which band they loved more. Ever since, this story has been in the back of my mind, and I was delighted that John Niven agreed to write it because there is no more qualified or hilarious chronicler of this world, and combined with Matthew Dunster directing, we have a fearless team recreating the sweaty mid-‘90s carnage of The Battle of Britpop.”

The creative team are no strangers to hits. Niven, who grew up in Ayrshire and now lives in Buckinghamshire, spent a decade in the music industry before becoming a bestselling author and acclaimed screenwriter. The Battle is his theatrical debut – a venture that promises to channel all the biting commentary and musical mayhem he’s known for.

Matthew Dunster, originally from Oldham and now based in South East London, has worked with the Royal Shakespeare Company, National Theatre, Royal Court, Young Vic, and Shakespeare’s Globe. With four Olivier nominations under his belt and a recent Broadway run of Hangmen garnering five Tony nominations, his presence at the helm ensures that The Battle will be more than just a nostalgia trip – it’s set to be a theatrical event brimming with style, substance, and no small amount of swagger.

Tickets:
Oasis vs Blur – The Battle That Rocked the Nation runs at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 7 July to Saturday 11 July 2026. Tickets can be purchased via www.theatreroyal.co.uk or by calling the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

Booking opens on Thursday 22 May 2025, with priority booking available as follows:

• Friends Plus – Monday 12 May 2025

• Friends – Thursday 15 May 2025

• Flexi/Groups/Schools – Tuesday 20 May 2025

So whether you had Damon’s poster on your wall, shouted “Mad fer it” at the telly, or just want a sharp, hilarious look back at the most gloriously petty week in pop history – get ready to pick your side, grab your tickets, and relive the battle that truly rocked the nation.

Were you Blur or Oasis?

Preview: SIDES at Newcastle People’s Theatre

Fresh Northern Voices Take the Stage with “SIDES” at the People’s Theatre

SIDES 

Studio Theatre at Newcastle People’s Theatre 

Monday 5 - Saturday 10 May 2025

New comedy-drama “SIDES,” winner of the prestigious People’s Play Award, premieres next week at the People’s Theatre in Heaton.

There’s something special cooking at Uncle Del’s sandwich shop — and it’s not just the paninis. “SIDES,” a new play by Bolton-based writer Alex Joynes, blends humour and heart in a slice-of-life workplace comedy that explores what it means to move on, fit in, and find your place between the bread of everyday life.

Set in a modest sandwich shop on the edge of Bolton, SIDES introduces us to Terry, who's about to clock out for good; Charlie, ready to step up and take the reins; and Beth, caught somewhere in the middle. As the handover unfolds, so do questions of purpose, identity, and how many prawns really belong in a sandwich.

Joynes, who cut his teeth in the Liverpool Everyman Young Writers Programme and now works at the Bolton Octagon, brings a sharp ear for dialogue and a warm, comedic touch to his debut full-length play. “I’ve always loved stories set in workplaces,” he says, “especially how people’s attitudes to work reveal who they really are.”

The People’s Play Award — dedicated to spotlighting new Northern voices — has a strong track record, with previous winners including Canoeing for Beginners’ Mike Yeaman and Oscar-winner Peter Straughan (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy). With SIDES, Joynes joins an impressive alumni list and marks himself as one to watch.

Catch SIDES in the Studio Theatre at the People’s Theatre from Monday 5 to Saturday 10 May. Tickets are just £16/£13.50 and available now via peoplestheatre.co.uk or by calling the Box Office on 0191 265 5020.

SIDES is served up nightly at 7.30pm. Don’t miss this charming new comedy that proves even the smallest workplace can serve up the biggest stories.

Preview: Gateshead International Festival of Theatre (GIFT) 2025

 

Celebrating 15 Years of Artistic Innovation: GIFT 2025 Brings Bold New Work to Gateshead

The Gateshead International Festival of Theatre (GIFT) is back with a vibrant, thought-provoking programme marking its 15th anniversary. Taking place from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 May 2025, this year’s edition continues GIFT’s tradition of fostering artistic experimentation, collaboration, and dialogue between artists and audiences.

Founded in 2011 by Festival Director Kate Craddock, GIFT has grown into a beacon for contemporary performance in the North East, offering audiences a rare chance to experience innovative works that might not otherwise be seen in the region.

“During its 15th year I am reflecting on the evolution of GIFT and its agility, perseverance and strength in adapting to the changing landscape of Gateshead, the arts, and the world we live in,” said Craddock.
“As a Festival, it opens up an invitation for audiences to have a genuine exchange with artists, and I’m excited to see people connect and engage with artists from across the UK and Canada this year.”

This milestone year embraces themes such as climate emergency, environmentalism, mental health, identity, community engagement and play, with events spanning performances, exhibitions, workshops, and critical conversations across Gateshead.

2025 Festival Highlights

Here’s a look at what’s on at GIFT this year:

🎭 Performances

• Voicing the Peat Bog – Jo Hellier & Yas Clarke (UK)
  2 May, 7pm, Caedmon Hall
  A haunting, bodily performance exploring human connection with ancient peat bogs, developed during a local residency.

Voicing the Peat Bog by Jo Hellier and Yas Clarke (UK)  © Yas Clarke

• Unexpected Item in the Bagging Area – Scott Turnbull (UK)
  3 May, 6pm, Station East
  A hilarious, eerie work-in-progress set in a 24-hour diner with a mysterious twist.

Unexpected Item in the Bagging Area – Scott Turnbull 

• Nightwalker – Hannah Sullivan (UK)
  3 May, 8pm, Orbis Community West Street
  An audio-led exploration of women’s experiences walking at night.

Nightwalker Sunset. © Hannah Sullivan

• Close-Up – Vincent Gambini (UK)
  3 May, 9am–5pm, Café under the Spire
  One-on-one sleight-of-hand magic performances – illusion meets everyday life.

 Close Up - Photo: Vincent Gambini

• Starter for Ten – Various Artists (UK)
  4 May, 7.30pm, St Mary’s Heritage Centre
  A night of eclectic 10-minute works-in-progress showcasing North East talent.

🖼️ Exhibitions & Installations

• In A Strange Place – MIA + ERIC (Canada)
  26 April–28 June, Gateshead Central Library
  A slow-motion, meditative video installation featuring land keepers and their forest rituals.

In a Strange Place by Mia + Eric. © Artists Own

• GIFT for Gateshead – Kate Craddock (UK)
  26 April–23 June, Gateshead Central Library
  A nostalgic exhibition celebrating GIFT’s 15 years of international performance.

• RADIOMATON – MARIBÉ – SORS DE CE CORPS (Canada)
  2–4 May, The Glasshouse Centre
  A participatory digital installation exploring truth, media and embodiment.

• Building of Spines – Quarantine (UK)
  28 April–2 May, Gateshead Central Library
  A collaboratively written book as a portrait of the library and its community.

Building of Spines © Kevin Jamieson

🧠 Talks & Conversations

• Participation - People, Process, Place
  3 May, 12.30pm, Caedmon Hall
  With Kate Daley and MIA + ERIC, on embedding participants in artistic processes.

• Evolving Relationships with Audiences
  4 May, 12pm, St Mary’s Heritage Centre
  A discussion on changing audience-artist dynamics, with Kate Craddock and Helen Freshwater.

🧰 Workshops

Professional Development

• GROW Your International Network – Hannah Slimmon
  2 May, 10.30am, Wailes Room
  Practical guidance for artists aiming to take their work abroad.

Creative Workshops for All

• Voicing the Peat Bog
  2 May, 1.30pm–5.30pm, Caedmon Hall
  Vocal and sensory explorations of the peat bog, culminating in an evening performance.

• Just Enough Madness – Payal Ramchandani
  3 May, 10am, Caedmon Hall
  A family-friendly introduction to the South Indian dance form Kuchipudi.

• How to Become a Dandy in a Day – Ziza Patrick
  3 May, 2pm, Shipley Art Gallery
  A playful, stylish workshop embracing identity and expression.

• Work Party for Cheats – Art Business Ltd.
  4 May, 2pm, Orbis Community
  A collaborative session to finally finish those lingering tasks—through any means necessary.

• Open Research – Revisiting Roger Casement in the Amazon – Mark Maughan
  4 May, 5pm, St Mary’s Heritage Centre
  A live-link conversation with Indigenous communities in Colombia, discussing histories of resistance and performance.

Pay What You Decide

True to its inclusive ethos, GIFT 2025 uses a "Pay What You Decide" model—allowing audiences to engage with international art and innovation, regardless of their budget.

“GIFT has developed a reputation amongst artists as a place to experiment and test out new ideas in front of a supportive festival community,” said Craddock. “It echoes the Festival’s ethos of exploration, exchange and experimentation.”

Whether you’re a theatre enthusiast, an artist, or a curious local, GIFT 2025 offers a unique opportunity to see the world from a fresh perspective—and maybe even take part in shaping it.

📅 Plan Your Visit

GIFT 2025 takes place 2–4 May, with some exhibitions starting as early as 26 April. Full programme and tickets available at:
🔗 www.giftfestival.co.uk

Follow along at @GIFTfestival and #GIFTfestival

Interview: Pig Heart Boy at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 Bringing Pig Heart Boy To Life On Stage

Pig Heart Boy 

Newcastle Theatre Royal 

Tuesday 29 April – Saturday 3 May 2025

Based on Malorie Blackman's classic children's book, the stage version of Pig Heart Boy has been hailed by reviewers as "beautiful, hilarious, thoughtful and special" and "a stunning production of a well-respected story". Having opened in London, Pig Heart Boy is making its way around the country, and is being performed at Newcastle Theatre Royal this week until Saturday 3 May with its creator saying "Though I wrote the story a while ago, it is still as relevant today as it was when first published."

Leading man Immanuel Yeboah agrees. "It speaks to issues that affect young people," says the actor, who plays schoolboy Cameron in Winsome Pinnock's adaptation, "and it addresses the need for more organ donors, especially in the black community."

In the story Cameron is diagnosed with a serious heart condition and is in urgent need of a transplant. He is offered a new heart, but with a shortage of human donors the heart in question belongs to a pig named Trudy. Tensions at home and school ensue as Cameron is faced with a life-changing decision, then becomes a media sensation.

The character is a joy to play for Immanuel, who says: "He's cheeky, intelligent and shy but he has a confidence underneath that shyness, which is shown through how articulate he is in describing to the audience what is happening to him. I'm really enjoying delving into his emotions and testing my own heart through his story - asking myself 'Do I have a good heart?' and 'What is my relationship with my friends and my family?'"

The stage adaptation, he feels, honours the spirit of the book. "The thing I respect about Malorie is that she doesn't patronise young readers. She really tells it like it is. Like the novel, the play is very emotional, very physical and intense, but it's balanced beautifully with the playfulness of it."

Blackman is a celebrated British author and former Children's Laureate. She wrote Pig Heart Boy in 1997 to explore childhood illness, identity and the profound choices we make to survive. 

Christine During, who plays Cameron's school crush Julie and his mother Cathy in the stage production, read it when she was aged eight or nine and recalls: "I went on to read Noughts and Crosses and now doing this show has given me the urge to go back and look through her full catalogue of stories. I've always loved this particular story because it's about resilience, having a purpose in life, understanding what your goal is and the fact that that can change depending on what is going on in your life at the time. It's about relationships, all of those different dynamics and how layered they can be."

She's passionate about the need for organ donors in the black community. "There aren't a lot of black people on the donor list. That means that with a young black boy like Cameron their chances of finding a donor are much slimmer because you need somebody who shares a very similar genetic make-up. This play shines a light on how important it is to have conversations around what it is that we do with our bodies after we're gone - the relationship between the physical and the spiritual and how they can be separated so that your body can be used for betterment after your demise."

How significant is it being in an all-black cast, in a show based on a book by a black writer? "It ensures authenticity and we're honouring the story in the way that it needs to be told. With the language that is used, the reactions our characters have, the world that it builds, all that needs to feel real - whether that's for a black family watching themselves on stage or for a white family, an Asian family, anyone. It's about being welcomed into this space and seeing that we go through the same things but this mannerism or that word is expressed in this particular way for people of Afro-Caribbean heritage."

Christina Ngoyi plays Cameron's best friend Marilyn, a doctor and scientist named Dr. Ehrlich, TV presenter Rhys Evans and a newspaper reporter. She was familiar with Malorie's books from school and was especially fascinated with the subject matter of Pig Heart Boy. Relationships are one of the key themes of the story for Ngoyi, who says: "It's really beautiful seeing how Cameron interacts with everyone and how everyone interacts with him as a child who has an illness. It shows audience members grace and compassion and how those can go a long way."

Christina sees theatre as an equally therapeutic experience for the audience. We hold people's emotions, we navigate them through the story and we allow them to feel these things that maybe they didn't even realise they needed to tap into. That's such a beautiful thing."

As a creative arts therapist as well as an actor, Phoenix salutes the healing power of theatre. "Creative arts therapy is about understanding the power of creativity, what it does to the brain, creating new neurological pathways, helping you work around what you've gone through. In school my drama teacher said 'You allow people in the audience to have a cathartic experience, you are able to connect with them and take them on this journey, and you've got the power of emotion in your hands'. That has stayed with me. They can cry, they can laugh, then they leave feeling lighter."

Representation is as important to Olivia as it is to her co-stars. "It's beautiful to have these black stories showcased and to have that representation. Then on the flip-side of that it is nice for other people to learn about our worlds and our stories, people that aren't from our culture that actually might feel uncomfortable asking these questions. This show is a warm invitation to come and see an insight into our world."

Bringing young people into the theatre is crucial. "That's the reason I'm sat here talking with you today," Freeman smiles. "I think it's a beautiful thing to be able to open the minds of children and show them that it's art but it's also a job that they too can do if they really set their hearts and minds to it."

Photos: Ali Wright

Tickets:

Pig Heart Boy plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Tuesday 29 April – Saturday 3 May 2025. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

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Preview: Sunny Side at Newcastle Dance City

Northern Rascals explore mental health, adolescence and change in Sunny Side

Sunny Side

Newcastle Dance City

Wednesday 18 June 2025

Renowned dance-theatre company Northern Rascals are taking their raw and emotional show Sunny Side on a UK tour this Spring. The Yorkshire-based company will seamlessly combine theatre, contemporary dance and spoken word to explore the modern young male experience and the struggles many men face from adolescent to adulthood. Touring in partnership with Andy’s Man Club, a men’s suicide prevention charity, this deeply moving show will raise awareness of the often-overlooked mental health crisis affecting young people across the UK.

Sunny Side centres around K as he navigates the tumultuous adolescent journey whilst combatting his personal and social development after the world has been on pause. Set in an unspecified Northern English town, K is increasingly losing his sense of identity and lacks emotional support in the once familiar world around him. In this ever-changing and uncertain environment, K travels through the past, present and future to reconnect.

Four years in the making, this powerful show delves into the very real mental health epidemic in the UK. Sunny Side was developed using the real-life experiences of over 1,420 young people aged 14 – 30-years-old across the UK. This testimony has been collected by Northern Rascals to lead into an authentic and informative production where audiences can resonate with unspoken narratives in society and highlights the company’s commitment to showcasing raw honesty and creating socially impactful work. The show tackles sensitive issues surrounding mental health using multiple disciplines to form an accurate portrayal of the modern youth experience. Sunny Side opens conversations around these prevalent problems and encourages people to raise awareness and reach out for support.

Co-Artistic Director Anna Holmes comments, Sunny Side is a response to our personal, and the collective experiences of local young people who have grown up in the Calder Valley and in similar areas across the North. Over a period of 4 years, we’ve worked with over 1420 young people to question what home means and how our fostering environment impacts the path that we can take and the future that seems available to us. What became apparent across our research is that our young people are anxious, trapped and overwhelmed by an ever-changing world where our future seems difficult to place. Sunny Side is a response to that. 

The show prompts conversation on vital topics, questioning why is there a mental health epidemic in young people? 

Why is suicide the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, particularly of young men? 

Why does that seem even more apparent in a small Yorkshire town that is celebrated for its liberal and progressive environment? 

How can we fix it? Sunny Side may not provide the answer, but it provokes conversation and provides a vital, urgent insight into the internal world of our young people.

Cast

Soul Roberts (he/him)

Sophie Thomas (she/her)

Ed Mitchell (he/him)

Creatives

Co-Artistic Director Anna Holmes (she/her)

Co-Artistic Director Sam Ford (he/him)

Acting Coach/Dramaturg Geoffrey Colman (he/him)

Set Designer Caitlin Mawhinney (she/her)

Lighting Designer Barnaby Booth (he/they)

Digital Designer Aaron Howl (he/him)

Production Manager Adam Goode (he/they)

Composer Wilfred Kimber (he/him)

Photos: Elly Welford 

Tickets:

Wednesday 18 June 2025

Dance City, Temple Street, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4BR

https://www.dancecity.co.uk/performance/272299/sunny-side-northern-rascals/ 

Running Time 85 minutes

Age Guidance 14+, Sunny Side explores sensitive and potentially distressing

topics related to mental health, loneliness and societal pressures

faced by young people. There is also the use of haze and flashing

lights.

Preview: Mrs. Doubtfire at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 Hellooo Newcastle!

Mrs. Doubtfire 

Newcastle Theatre Royal 

Wednesday 23 September – Sunday 11 October 2026.

Beloved Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire will be packing up her suitcase and hitting the road next year as her West End and Broadway musical Mrs. Doubtfire tours the UK and Ireland for the first time and will be coming to Newcastle in 2026.

Mrs. Doubtfire the musical
(original London cast).
Photo: Manuel Harlan 

 A hilarious and heartfelt story about holding onto your loved ones against all odds, Mrs. Doubtfire is the musical comedy for all ages. Out-of-work actor Daniel will do anything for his kids. After losing custody in a messy divorce, he creates the alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives. As his new character takes on a life of its own, Mrs. Doubtfire teaches Daniel more than he bargained for about how to be a father.

The UK and Ireland tour of Mrs. Doubtfire will star Gabriel Vick as Daniel Hillard who is delighted to be bringing the beloved character to life on tour, following his acclaimed performances in the West End. 

He said: “I am delighted to be bringing the beloved Mrs Doubtfire direct from London to audiences throughout the UK and Ireland. The musical is full of the moments you know and love from the film and also packed with brilliant new songs. It is heartwarming, hilarious and going to be so much fun for the whole family.  See you there, Poppets!”

  

Mrs. Doubtfire the musical
(original London cast).
Photo: Manuel Harlan 

Producer Jamie Wilson added: "On behalf of Kevin McCollum and myself, producing Mrs. Doubtfire in the West End has been an incredible experience, and we're delighted that audiences across the country will now get to embrace everybody’s favourite nanny for themselves. Gabriel Vick's performance as Mrs Doubtfire is truly remarkable, bringing so much warmth and charm to the character. He is a true star on stage, and we are so proud to have him leading our talented cast."

NICE TO MEET YOU, POPPETS!

Beloved Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire will be packing up her suitcase and hitting the road next year as her West End and Broadway musical Mrs. Doubtfire tours the UK and Ireland for the first time. The hit comedy musical will visit Newcastle Theatre Royal next year (Wed 23 Sep – Sun 11 Oct 2026), we caught up with the star of the show before she hits the road...

Mrs. Doubtfire, we are so excited to hear that your story is coming to the stage in musical form! What can audiences expect from the show?

 

They can expect a real treat, poppet! And the good news is – you can bring the whole family! With Mrs Doubtfire the Musical, audiences can expect a heart-warming and hilarious story about love, family, and the lengths a parent will go to for their children. And it suitable for all ages, even old grannies like me!

 

How do you think the show will help brighten audiences' days, especially during these challenging times?

 

Oh, I do believe that laughter is the best medicine, dear – but do be warned that reactions to Mrs. Doubtfire The Musical may include chortling, guffawing, watering of the eyes and uncontrollable shaking of the shoulders. Symptoms may persist long after viewing. But heaven knows, we could all use a good laugh! Plus there’s a tug on the old heart-strings from time to time. Oh, and run-by-fruitings. Let’s not forget the importance of those!

 

What do you hope audiences will take away from the show after seeing it?

 

Well, they will be selling T-Shirts and fridge magnets dear, so I hope they leave with…Oh wait, I see what you mean.  Well, Mrs Doubtfire The Musical celebrates keeping families together against all the difficulties that life throws at you. And that’s not all I’ve had thrown at me, dear. Ever dodged a tomato? It takes skill, I tell you. But I hope audiences will leave feeling even more uplifted than my latex falsies.

 

Mrs. Doubtfire the musical
(original London cast).
Photo: Manuel Harlan 

Mrs. Doubtfire, what are you most looking forward to about the UK tour of the show?

 

Oh, I’m so excited to take my story on the open road poppets! I’ve read all about those crazy rock-n-roll tours, and I’m really looking forward to cutting loose; staying up past 9pm, a glass of sherry, then binge watching Antiques Road Show. I may even leave the duvet ruffled! But in all seriousness, dears, I’m looking forward to hearing the laughter from all you lovely audiences as you see how we’ve transformed this beloved story for the stage. It has everything you’d want in a musical; catchy tunes, dazzling dance, and loads of laughs. It’s a show that leaves a smile on every face – and a big cream pie on mine!

 

Further casting is to be announced.

Tickets:

Mrs Doubtfire plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Wed 23 Sep – Sun 11 Oct 2026. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

Friends Plus – Mon 12 May

Friends – Thu 15 May

Flexi/Groups/Schools – Tue 20 May

General – Thu 22 May