Preview of Live Theatre Autumn Season

Live Theatre’s Bold Autumn Season Brings Brecht, Jimmy Nail, Sleaford Mods, and debbie tucker green to Newcastle

Live Theatre, Newcastle’s powerhouse of new writing, has announced a remarkable Autumn 2025 season that celebrates radical storytelling, political courage, and homegrown talent. Running from September through December, the season offers a packed programme of premieres, powerful revivals, music-infused theatre, and tributes to seminal voices in British drama.

From an edgy new work by ex-homeless writer gobscure to a rare musical performance by Jimmy Nail, Live Theatre continues to prove itself a unique cultural beacon — nurturing regional voices while collaborating with global artists and movements.

edgecity | 25–27 September

The season launches with edgecity, a striking and deeply personal new work from Newcastle-based writer gobscure, who brings a collection of monologues based on their lived experience of homelessness. Combining storytelling with live music, edgecity will feature texts such as mind the reality gap, die like chekhov, and yu can’t start revolutions sitting on yr arse.

Edgecity, Photo: Jack Neville

Among the performers will be Jason Williamson, frontman of post-punk band Sleaford Mods, bringing his uncompromising voice and presence to the stage. gobscure describes this production as “the biggest thing that’s ever happened to our words.”

Bad Lads (Graeae Theatre) | 2 October

Next, Live Theatre will host the opening night of Graeae Theatre’s Bad Lads, a hard-hitting new play by Mike Kenny, directed by Jenny Sealey, which exposes the horrors of the Medomsley Detention Centre in Durham. Based on survivor testimonies and years of research, this play promises to be a deeply moving, vital piece of documentary theatre.

Sealey notes:

“This is a crucial narrative. I am so pleased that Live Theatre has given Bad Lads a home — I know from experience it is a safe theatre to be in.”

Mother Courage and Her Children | 23 October – 1 November

A highlight of the season is the return of playwright Lee Hall (Billy Elliot, The Pitmen Painters) to Live Theatre with his bold new adaptation of Bertolt Brecht’s Mother Courage and Her Children. This political classic is staged by the newly formed Ensemble ’84 in collaboration with South Africa’s acclaimed Isango Ensemble, fusing song, politics, and powerful storytelling in a vibrant global production.

Hall describes the collaboration as:

“Arresting theatre with local talent about the big issues which affect us all... They are a beacon of hope for the future of theatre.”

Audiences can also join Hall on Friday 19 September for a special 25th anniversary celebration of Billy Elliot with original cast and crew.

Paulina Malefane (Mother Courage)
Photo: Keith Pattison

Big Ange | 6–22 November

Following the success of Gerry and Sewell, Jamie Eastlake returns to Live Theatre with Big Ange — the tale of a dinner lady who takes on the rise of the far right. The production promises a fierce mix of working-class heroism, dancing dinosaurs, political satire, and “an unhealthy amount of Neil Diamond.”

Eastlake, who began his journey on Live Theatre’s playwrighting course 15 years ago, says:

“It still feels surreal to call this my job... Big Ange promises chaos and unexpected political heft. I’m genuinely delighted.”

Celebrating debbie tucker green | 22–27 November

A rare treat for theatre lovers, Live Theatre will host a mini-festival celebrating the groundbreaking work of playwright and filmmaker debbie tucker green. With readings, screenings, and panel discussions, this event offers audiences the chance to explore the voice of one of Britain’s most innovative and uncompromising artists.

Artistic Director Jack McNamara said:

“Her body of work has no parallel in contemporary theatre... We’re grateful that debbie has endorsed this project and allowed us to bring her art to the North East.”

Crocodile Shoes: In Concert | 2–13 December

The year concludes on a high with a musical homecoming: Jimmy Nail returns to Live Theatre with a live preview of music from the upcoming Crocodile Shoes musical. With a live band and a deeply personal touch, Nail will perform songs from the hit 1994 TV series in an intimate setting for the first time in nearly 30 years.

Nail shared:

“I’m delighted to be returning to Live Theatre, keeping it in the family — my sister Val co-founded this place back in 1973. I’m looking forward to reacquainting myself with these songs.”

 

Also this Autumn...

• Metroland Comedy, described by Sam Fender as “F**g Brilliant!”*, return with a brand new comedy show in October.

• Families can enjoy a festive new production Where Do All The Kittiwakes Go at Christmas?, running, created in collaboration with local schoolchildren. 9–21 December

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🎟️ Booking Info:

• Friends Priority Booking opens: Tuesday 22 July, 12 noon

• General Sale: Wednesday 23 July, 12 noon

• 📍 Book online at: www.live.org.uk

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💬 Jack McNamara, Artistic Director, sums it up:

“We’re so grateful to have such a range of incredible people coming to our small but perfectly formed theatre. The desire to support new writing and collaborate across cultures is stronger than ever. Each season feels like a burst of energy — and this one might be our most powerful yet.”