News: Double the Festive Fun at Queen’s Hall Hexham with Two Magical Family Shows This Christmas

Double the Festive Fun at Queen’s Hall Hexham with Two Magical Family Shows This Christmas

Queen’s Hall Hexham is set to dazzle families this December with two brand-new Christmas productions, brought to life by the creative team behind last year’s hit Jack and the Beanstalk.

In the Main Theatre, audiences aged 6 and over are invited on a howling adventure with Red Riding Hood (6 December – 3 January). This magical retelling sees Red Little journey from Hexham through the enchanted woods of Northumberland, with original music and puppetry creating a festive experience full of wonder.

Red Riding Hood, 6 December – 3 January

Meanwhile, in the Studio, little ones aged 6 and under can enjoy The Great Big Christmas Wrapping Disaster (6 – 31 December), a delightfully mischievous show packed with festive fun, music, and puppetry. When elf Wish is given the biggest job of the year—wrapping all the presents—things don’t quite go to plan!

The Great Big Christmas Wrapping Disaster, 6 - 31 December

Both productions come from Triple Treat, a new collaboration between Bob Nicholson, Paula Penman, and Caroline Liversidge. Their previous Halloween shows for Northern Stage—The Gingerbread Man and The Bat with No Bite—were sell-out hits.

Bob Nicholson shared his excitement: “It's fantastic to be back in Hexham for Christmas this year! I’ve been making Christmas shows with Kitchen Zoo for Queen’s Hall since 2019, so as you can imagine the audiences in Hexham mean a lot to me. Last year I made the biggest show I’ve ever made, Jack and the Beanstalk, which was a wonderful experience and I’m so pleased to be bringing the Christmas magic to Queen’s Hall this year with Triple Treat.”

Kitchen Zoo, which closed last year after eight years of creating theatre for young audiences, left a legacy of beloved shows like The Three Bears and Hey Diddle Diddle. Bob will direct The Great Big Christmas Wrapping Disaster, while Red Riding Hood will be directed by Paula Penman.

Paula added: “I’ve been an actor in Christmas shows at Queen’s Hall a number of times throughout the years including playing Jack’s Mam last year in Jack and the Beanstalk, so I’m really pleased to be back in Hexham this year directing Red Riding Hood. It's also the first time Triple Treat have made a Christmas show, so expect lots of festive fun!”

Bob Nicholson, Paula Penman and Caroline Liversidge in Triple Treat Rehearsals

Caroline Liversidge spoke about the creative process: “We’re currently assembling a creative team of wonderfully talented people from across the region as well as casting, which is no mean feat for not one but two Christmas shows! We’ll be working with some familiar faces and hopefully some new ones too who will all bring their talents and genius. It's really exciting to be working at Queen’s Hall and with their marvellous team, we can't wait for you to see the shows.”

Katy Taylor, Artistic Director and Chief Executive of Queen’s Hall Arts, said: “We’re absolutely delighted to be working with Bob once again this year, and to be welcoming back Paula and collaborating with Caroline for the first time... Once again, we’re raising money through our Theatre Tickets Fund. Every £10 donated helps make it possible for a local child to experience the magic of live theatre.”

Queen’s Hall is also offering free tickets to Emergency Services staff on Saturday 6 December at 2.30pm, as a heartfelt thank you for their dedication.

Tickets:

🎄 The Great Big Christmas Wrapping Disaster runs 6 – 31 December. Tickets from £9.50.

🐺 Red Riding Hood runs 6 December – 3 January. Tickets from £13.

🎟 Book now: www.queenshall.co.uk | 📞 01434 652 477

💝 Donate to the Theatre Tickets Fund to help a child enjoy the magic of live theatre.

REVIEW: The Bench at North Shields Exchange 1856

The Bench 

North Shields - The Exchange 1856

Thursday 28 May 2025 and then on tour

Written by Jeff Brown 

Directed by Olivia Millar-Ross 

A play centred around two people, a premiership footballer and a single mother, and a park bench is touring across the North. By combining two passionate areas the play scores highly on many fronts.

Jeff Brown was on the television screens across the region for many years as the presenter of BBC Look North. He regularly discussed the sports news and it is clearly something he is passionate about. Perhaps less well known by the general public is that Jeff is a theatre regular. We frequently see him both at the big shows but, more frequently, supporting the smaller shows across our region. I'll even go as far as to say that he might even see more theatre in a year than I do! It is natural then that sport features in his second play. He has seen plenty of theatre to understand what makes for an engaging story - and that is the case with The Bench.

It is a set of two halves (I know - try fewer football references). On the left is a smart modern flat, representing what one might expect to be leased by a young footballer. On the right is the partial chaos of a flat owned by a young parent. Baby stuff sharing space with sentimental photos. In the centre of Lee Ward's set is The Bench - a unifying piece of furniture around which the whole play gambles that the audience will connect to.

Hannah Marie Davis appears on the stage first as Vicky, a young single mother who has had to quit her job in order to look after her mother. As someone who is caring for two the last thing she needs to be sanctioned for 3 months from her benefits for having the audacity to leave employment in order to provide a caring role.  Joining her at the park bench is young footballer Adi (Jason Njoroge) who is fairly forward in asking if he can sit  there and firing questions at the young mother and her baby. As Adi approaches the bench Vicky is singing Frère Jacques and he assumes she can also speak French. There is an awkward exchange between them. She is not into football and does not recognise him, he seems confident and quite forward. 

A lad (Dan Howe) walks by and recognises Adi as the recent signing who is struggling to do much more than warm the bench at matches since his signing from a second division French side. The lad has a go at him with the sort of comments usually reserved for the internet's keyboard warriors.

So the whole premise of the show is set up. A couple of different people who both like to sit at the same park bench keep meeting up and chatting. Each revealing a bit more of their back story as they grow more confident in the other. The footballer recognises that Vicky has literally no interest in football so she doesn't make demands on him, whilst she is wary of men in general as, for example, the father of her child made a very sharp exit in her life when she announced that she was pregnant.

Adding to the layers in the show are two supporting roles that represent the two differences in background. David Nellist is the pushy wheeler-dealing Mike - a football agent who makes a tidy living out of the talents of young footballers. He looks after the affairs of Adi, acting as a surrogate parent at times, though with his own interests very much at heart. On Vicky's side is best mate Becs (Abigail Lawson) who knows Vicky's past and is keen to support her and look out for her. The writer uses these two characters to flesh out the situation that Adi and Vicky find themselves in. Both are being swept along as the future is an much decided by others as is it directly through their own actions. Both supporting actors do well in how they convincingly flesh out the plot.

The show is supported by Show Racism The Red Card and whilst the show acknowledges the racism a BAME footballer, that has arrived on these shores from the Democratic Republic of Congo, via France, will endure but doesn't make a massive song and dance over it.

Likewise, the current practice of leaving vulnerable people without an income as the rules state that they must be sanctioned is mentioned. Whilst some of the effects of such are policy are shown, the show neatly side steps getting too political and leaves the audience to make up their own mind.

The ensemble works well together in creating an interesting night at the theatre. There seems to be a number of pauses in the action as the scene changes which give a number of opportunities for reflection. It is a personal opinion but I do find myself at odds with the decisions made by Vicky. I'm surprised - both by the fact she stays put in the park when a stranger approaches in a park and starts firing questions, and when she acts the way she did at the end (no spoilers here). I get she is proud and independent but this is a matter of survival. Still, it gave us something to discuss on the drive back from North Shields.  

Review: Stephen Oliver

Tickets:

For full tour dates, visit: www.carolewproductions.com/the-bench 

Suitability: Approx. 2 hours including an interval

Duration: 14+

Remaining Tour Dates & Venues

• Thursday 29 May, 7.30pm - Askham & Helton Community Centre, Cumbria*

• Friday 30 May, 7.30pm - Kentmere Institute, Cumbria*

• Saturday 31 May, 7.30pm - Hamsterley Village Hall, County Durham*

• Sunday 1 June, 7.30pm - Great Whittington Village Hall, Northumberland*

• Wednesday 4 June, 7.30pm – Middlesbrough Town Hall

• Thursday 5 June, 7.30pm – Arts Centre Washington

• Friday 6 June, 7.30pm - Alnwick Playhouse

• Sunday 8 June, 3pm – St Johns Hall Meadowfield, County Durham

• Tuesday 10 June, 12.45pm & 7.30pm – Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham

• Wednesday 11 June, 7.30pm, Thursday 12 June, 1pm & 7.30pm, Friday 13 June, 7.30pm and Saturday 14 June, 7.30pm - Live Theatre

• Tuesday 17 June, 7pm - Monkwearmouth Academy, Sunderland

• Wednesday 18 June, 1pm & 7.30pm – Bishop Auckland Town Hall

• Thursday 19 June, 7.30pm - Saltburn Community Theatre

• Friday 20 & Saturday 21 June, 7.30pm – The Customs House, South Shields

*These dates are presented as part of the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme.

Preview: An Audience with Coronation Street at Sunderland Empire

An Audience with Coronation Street

Sunderland Empire – One Night Only, 

Sunday 21 September 2025

Weatherfield’s most famous faces are swapping the cobbles for the spotlight this autumn as An Audience with Coronation Street rolls into the Sunderland Empire for a strictly limited, one-night-only appearance. On Sunday 21 September, fans of the world’s longest-running soap will have the rare chance to step behind the scenes of the iconic ITV series, in an evening packed with star stories, live interviews, and surprise revelations.

Hosted by This Morning’s Sharon Marshall, this unique live show offers Corrie devotees an intimate glimpse into life on-set at one of the UK’s most beloved dramas. Expect plenty of humour, insider anecdotes, and touching memories from a cast that has helped shape British television history.

Appearing live on stage will be fan favourites Jack P Shepherd (David Platt), Julia Goulding (Shona Platt), Sam Aston (Chesney Brown), and Jodie Prenger (Glenda Shuttleworth). The night also boasts a mystery Corrie legend set to join the panel in a surprise twist that’s sure to set tongues wagging. Could it be a beloved past character, a long-standing icon, or a recently returned fan favourite? Only one way to find out.

This is more than just a Q&A — it’s a celebration of over six decades of storytelling, filled with laughter, heartfelt nostalgia, and a chance to see the nation’s favourite soap stars as you’ve never seen them before.

A Brief History of Coronation Street

Coronation Street first aired on 9 December 1960 and was created by Tony Warren as a snapshot of working-class life in the fictional Manchester suburb of Weatherfield. Originally intended as a 13-episode serial, it quickly captivated audiences and has since grown into a cultural institution, with over 10,000 episodes to its name. Known for its rich characters, dramatic storylines, and mix of humour and heartbreak, Corrie has won numerous awards and holds the Guinness World Record as the longest-running TV soap opera. Generations of viewers have grown up with the show, making its characters household names across the UK and beyond.

Tickets:

#ad

Tickets for An Audience with Coronation Street go on sale Friday 30 May at 10am via ATGTickets.com/Sunderland*. Don’t miss your chance to spend an evening in the company of Coronation Street royalty.

*Transaction fee of £3.95 may apply. 

Preview: The Bodyguard at Sunderland Empire

Superstars Announced for 2026 Tour of The Bodyguard Musical – Coming to Sunderland Empire

The Bodyguard 

Sunderland Empire

27 April to 2 May 2026

A powerhouse cast has been revealed for the eagerly awaited UK and European tour of The Bodyguard, the smash-hit musical based on the iconic film. Set to captivate audiences once again with its blend of romance, suspense, and unforgettable music, the production will grace the stage of the Sunderland Empire from 27 April to 2 May 2026.

Sidonie Smith will lead the cast as superstar Rachel Marron, joined by Adam Garcia as bodyguard Frank Farmer, Sasha Monique as Nicki Marron, and Matt Milburn as Sy Spector. At select performances, Rachel Marron will be played by Mireia Mambo, with further casting still to be announced.

⭐ International Star Power

Sidonie Smith, a celebrated musical theatre performer across Europe, brings a wealth of experience—and familiarity with the role. She previously portrayed Rachel Marron to critical acclaim in the German production of The Bodyguard in Stuttgart. Her extensive international résumé includes standout performances in Disney’s Tarzan, Chicago, Sister Act, West Side Story, and Cabaret.

Adam Garcia, known for his Olivier-nominated turns in Saturday Night Fever and Kiss Me, Kate, steps into the role of Frank Farmer, the stoic bodyguard with a complicated heart. Garcia’s wide-ranging stage and screen credentials include Wicked, 42nd Street, Coyote Ugly, and most recently, a crowd-favourite appearance on The Masked Dancer.

Joining them is Sasha Monique, fresh from dazzling UK audiences in Hairspray and The Book of Mormon, and Matt Milburn, a familiar face from Coronation Street and Hollyoaks, bringing his television charisma to the role of music exec Sy Spector.

Covering select performances as Rachel Marron, Mireia Mambo adds further sparkle to the lineup. With credits in Newsies, A Chorus Line, Sunset Boulevard, and Evita, she’s no stranger to the big stage or the role—having starred as Rachel in The Bodyguard’s Spanish tour.

🎶 A Legacy Reimagined

Based on the Oscar-nominated 1992 film starring Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner, The Bodyguard musical had its world premiere at London’s Adelphi Theatre. Adapted for the stage by Oscar-winning screenwriter Alexander Dinelaris (Birdman), and directed by Thea Sharrock, the show quickly became a West End sensation.

Nominated for four Olivier Awards, the musical’s success led to multiple UK tours and international acclaim, with productions seen by over 3.9 million people across 15 countries—including Germany, Australia, South Korea, and the United States.

At the heart of the story is a tense and tender romance between global music icon Rachel Marron and her bodyguard, Frank Farmer, as they navigate fame, danger, and unexpected love. Audiences can expect a sensational soundtrack packed with Whitney Houston hits, including Queen of the Night, I Will Always Love You, Run to You, and I Wanna Dance with Somebody.

🎟 Sunderland Empire Awaits

Don’t miss this thrilling theatrical event when The Bodyguard arrives at Sunderland Empire, 27 April – 2 May 2026. With an electrifying score and a newly announced cast of outstanding talent, this tour promises to be one of the hottest tickets of the year.

Tickets are on sale now via ATG Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/SundBodyguard2026
(Transaction fee may apply)

Preview: New Directions: A Season of Debut Comedy at The Stand, Newcastle

 🎤 New Directions: A Season of Debut Comedy at The Stand, Newcastle

Comedy director Lee Kyle (known for shows at Tyne Theatre and mentoring award-winning acts) brings a fresh wave of rising stand-up stars to Newcastle with New Directions – a series of monthly debut solo shows at The Stand Comedy Club. Handpicked and directed by Kyle himself, these shows promise laughs, insight, and a front-row seat to tomorrow’s comedy talent. Each night features a different comedian with their own unique voice.

🎭 What's On:

🔹 29th June – Matthew Wheelwright: Built Different

A deeply funny and thoughtful hour from “a test tube baby with jokes.” Matthew explores identity, origin, and what it’s like growing up literally built different. A nerdy, heartfelt debut.

🔹 31st August – Kelly Edgar: Dogfish

Surreal, silly, and smart, Kelly Edgar is a force of chaotic brilliance. This off-the-wall hour mixes theatre, stand-up, and Kelly’s unmatched comic presence.

“One of the most distinctive new acts in the region in years” – NARC.

🔹 28th September – Jack Fox: Rolls Royce

Rapper, comic, grandson of a comedy legend – Jack’s got stories. Expect charm, rhythm, and revelations from this genre-blurring performer.

“Brimming with humour” – NARC Magazine.

🔹 27th October – Sam Mayes: Come What Mayes

Working class, full of drama (literally), and overflowing with punchlines. A hilarious dive into anxiety, job-hopping, and late-blooming adulthood.

Think Tesco club card points and transferable chaos.

🔹 30th November – Kerris: Getting On

A stand-up/theatre hybrid unfolding backstage in real-time. Kerris reflects on her journey to the mic in a vulnerable and inventive show about resilience and self-discovery.

🔹 January (TBC) – Mike Wardley: Who? (Rescheduled from July)

Relatable, warm, and razor-sharp, Mike’s observational comedy connects instantly. A must-see for fans of story-driven stand-up.

“Natural funny bones” – Raul Kohli.

🎙️ “These are some of the most exciting acts in the country,” says Lee Kyle. “If you're a fan of comedy, or just love seeing raw talent in bloom, you need to be in that room.”

Don’t miss your chance to see the next generation of comedy stars before they take off.

Tickets:

Venue: The Stand Comedy Club, High Bridge, NE1 1EW

Time: 8:30pm | Tickets: £12/£10

Book now:  https://www.thestand.co.uk/news/new-direction

Preview: & Juliet at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 

✨ & Juliet — The Pop-Powered Shakespeare Reboot Taking Centre Stage in Newcastle

& Juliet

Newcastle Theatre Royal 

Tuesday 2 - Saturday 7 June 2025.

What if the greatest love story ever told didn’t end in tragedy? What if Juliet had the final say—and a killer soundtrack to back her up? Get ready for an electrifying twist on a literary classic as & Juliet, the smash-hit musical that took Broadway and the West End by storm, arrives at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 2 to Saturday 7 June 2025.

This glittery, feel-good reinvention of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet imagines an alternate ending where Juliet skips the poison and reclaims her narrative. Instead of dying for love, she chooses to live for herself—launching into a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and heart-thumping pop anthems.

Created by Emmy-winning writer David West Read (Schitt’s Creek), & Juliet combines Shakespearean flair with modern sass, all set to the chart-topping soundtrack of pop music titan Max Martin. With hits like Britney Spears’ “...Baby One More Time,” Katy Perry’s “Roar,” Kelly Clarkson’s “Since U Been Gone,” and the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way,” it’s a jukebox musical like no other—bold, cheeky, and packed with 21st-century energy.

A Backstage Success Story

& Juliet first opened in Manchester in 2019 before transferring to London’s West End, where it played a hit run at the Shaftesbury Theatre. Critics and audiences alike raved about its originality, humor, and infectious score. It went on to win three Olivier Awards and earned a slew of Tony Award nominations when it opened on Broadway at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre in 2022.

The show has become a global sensation not just for its irresistible soundtrack but for its fresh, feminist take on a story that’s long been due for a remix. Under the direction of Luke Sheppard and with explosive choreography by Jennifer Weber, & Juliet has cemented its place as a must-see modern musical.

Why You Can’t Miss It

Whether you're a Shakespeare buff, a pop music fanatic, or just in need of a wildly fun night out, & Juliet delivers. Think of it as Shakespeare meets Spotify, wrapped in sequins and sprinkled with self-love. The musical balances comedy, romance, and empowerment, all while asking: What if Juliet’s story was only just beginning?

Curtain Up in Newcastle

Don’t miss your chance to see this exhilarating production as it stops off on its UK tour at the Newcastle Theatre Royal. Performances run Tuesday 2 – Saturday 7 June 2025, and tickets are expected to sell fast.

Tickets:

🎟️ Book now at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or call the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010. Because the only thing tragic would be missing it.

Photos: Matt Crockett

REVIEW: Boys from the Blackstuff at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Boys from the Blackstuff

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Until Saturday 24 May 2025

Writer: James Graham

Adapted from Alan Bleasdale's screenplay

Director: Kate Wasserberg

In 2023, playwright James Graham adapted Boys from the Blackstuff for the stage, collaborating closely with Bleasdale. The play premiered at Liverpool's Royal Court Theatre and was later performed at the National Theatre in London. This week the hard hitting and gritty drama lands at the iconic Grey Street venues.

George Caple (Chrissie) and Ged McKenna (George) 

Boys from the Blackstuff is a seminal British drama that began as a 1980 television play, The Black Stuff, written by Alan Bleasdale. This initial play introduced a group of Liverpudlian tarmac layers facing economic hardship. Due to its acclaim, Bleasdale expanded the narrative into a five-part series, Boys from the Blackstuff, broadcast on BBC2 in 1982. 

Jamie Peacock (Moss) and Amber Blease (Lawton)

The series delved into the lives of five unemployed men—Chrissie, Loggo, George, Dixie, and Yosser—as they navigated the challenges of joblessness in 1980s Liverpool, a city hit hard by industrial decline and high unemployment. The iconic character Yosser Hughes, portrayed on television by the fabulous Bernard Hill, became iconic for his desperate plea, "Gizza job," symbolizing the era's widespread despair.

Graham's adaptation aimed to retain the original's emotional depth while highlighting its continued relevance, as themes of economic hardship and social inequality persist.

Jurell Carter (Loggo) and George Caple (Chrissie)

George Caple gives Chrissie the dignity of a loyal family man who tries to hide his despair as he tries to makes ends meet on the dole. Jurell Carter presents Loggo as the resilient survivor, who, perhaps, has more options as he is not tied down by a family. 

Jurell Carter (Loggo), George Caple (Chrissie) and Ged McKenna (George)

The traditional old guard is represented by Ged McKenna's George, full of stories of how it used to be and trying to give advice to the others. George is a paternal figure to many. The attempt, in a corrupt system, to compromise and yet keep a sense of morality under pressure comes from former foreman Dixie, as portrayed by Mark Womack.

Jay Johnson as Yosser Hughes 

But just like the television series, the one character that lingers in the memory, as you leave the theatre is Bernard "Yosser" Hughes. Watching a man getting stripped of everything is heartbreaking. A dignified family man, Yosser is an early representation of mental health and masculinity in crisis. 

Jurell Carter (Loggo), Jay Johnson (Yosser) and Mark Womack (Dixie) 

Jay Johnson plays him in such a fantastic way that you are rooting for the man who is clearly struggling but receives little support. It would be easy to reduce him to an almost cartoon like character with his catchphrase "I can do that - Gizza job" but that is much more about his situation and desperation.

Mark Womack as Dixie Dean

Each of the lads felt convincing in their own situation. This is a powerful drama with an excellent supporting cast - from suffering wives to investigating officers for the dole. As the current job situation is not great for some, the show will resonate with those who didn't see the originals or did not live through this period in the 80s.

Reiss Barber (Snowy) and Jamie Peacock (Moss) 

This is a show that should be watched by any politician that wants to talk about a necessary period of hurt, or any boss considering redundancies - as they often forget the very human nature of such action.

I had high hopes for this show and did not leave disappointed.

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Alistair Muir

Tickets:

This week, the stage adaptation is being performed at Newcastle Theatre Royal from May 20 to May 24, 2025. The production is directed by Kate Wasserberg and features Barry Sloane as Yosser Hughes. Performances are scheduled for evenings at 7:30 pm, with matinees on Wednesday and Thursday at 2:00 pm, and Saturday at 2:30 pm. The show runs for approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including an interval .

https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/boys-from-the-blackstuff/ 

Review: Picture You Dead at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Peter James’ Picture You Dead

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Until Saturday 17 May 2025

Detective Roy Grace returns to the Theatre Royal stage to solve another mystery. The popular policeman finds that working in Brighton's art world can be murder.

The 2022 novel is the eighteenth one in the Roy Grace series and the adaptation from Shaun McKenna works well on the stage. There is a clear market for police procedurals and murder mystery shows. Of course the interval chat is always wondering how the tale will end. I had not read the book so it was all fresh to me.

Ben Cutler and Fiona Wade appear as the couple Harry and Freya Kipling. The show begins with them returning from a car boot sale and they have two purchases: a large 60s style swivel car that looks like it could be used by a James Bond villain and a painting that is nothing special but the frame along was worth the £20 asking price.

They notice that the picture looks like an overpainting so they seek advice from Dave Hegarty (Peter Ash) who is an artist that Harry had built a garage for. Dave had picked up painting whilst in prison and was previously in the business of creating fakes - but now just makes copies. He advises the couple to clear the top layer of paint off using acetone. Sure enough a new painting is revealed and they decide to take it to the filming of a television antiques valuation show. This then sets a series of events in motion...

Meanwhile George Rainsford appears as Roy Grace who is looking into a reopened cold case in which an art dealer had been killed. Along with sidekick Bella (Gemma Stroyan), who in fairness does probably more of the detective work by the end of the show, he finds himself looking into a complex web of issues.

Adrian Linford's set spilt into three clear areas which can keep the action flowing without any breaks. You have the Kipling's house on one side and another flat on the other that doubles for both forger Hegarty and the home of art dealer Stuart Piper (Nicholas Maude). A third area at the stage front can be anything from police corridor through to the set of Antiques Roadshow. One the positive side, the set allows director Jonathan O'Boyle to keep the action going. The only issue is that the action sometimes disappears out of view if you are set on the right hand side of the auditorium.

The show has villains but I'm not in the business of spoilers. The story reveals quite a lot fairly quickly so it ends up as a police procedural - with a few surprises along the way - rather than a straight murder mystery in which you are wondering whodunnit. As I said at the start, there is a market for this type of show and it is clear that Peter James has his fans who want to see his books brought alive. This show does a decent job of that. Sure, I could have happily trimmed 10 minutes off the first act but the better pace of the second half more than made up for the way the plot is set up at the start.

The programme has an article from the book's author Peter James about the origin of the story which is worth a read. He apparently was given the opportunity to go to lunch with an actual art forger called David Henty upon which the character Dave Hegarty is based upon. The article clearly flags up the similarities between the real criminal, who picked up painting in prison and went on the forge his own blue plaque for his house, and on stage Hegarty. Indeed, it is Peter Ash who gives the most pleasing performance in the show as his character feels properly fleshed out and fully formed    

The show is a decent police drama that has a satisfying ending. Perhaps too much is revealed too quickly - or that the ending is fairly easy to guess because of the signalling throughout the show - but it still makes for a nice entertaining evening at the theatre.

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Alastair Muir

Tickets:

Picture You Dead plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 May 2025. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.