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