Preview: When We Were Young at Live Theatre, Newcastle

A Raw Glaswegian Tale Comes to Newcastle

When We Were Young, 

Newcastle Live Theatre, 

Tuesday 15 & Wednesday 16 July 2025

This July, Live Theatre hosts the North East leg of a powerful new Scottish play that’s been making waves across the UK. When We Were Young—a five-star hit from Glasgow-based Geez a Break Productions—arrives in Newcastle on 15th and 16th July, promising a visceral mix of humour, heartbreak and social realism.

Set against the backdrop of early 2000s Glasgow, a city then dubbed “the murder capital of Europe,” this semi-autobiographical play follows the lives of a ‘Young Team’ navigating a world of violence, friendship and survival. It’s a raw, unflinching portrayal of working-class youth, but one delivered with warmth, wit, and deeply human storytelling.

With knife crime once again on the rise across the UK—particularly among young people—When We Were Young couldn’t be more timely. The production doesn't shy away from tough truths but balances them with genuine moments of levity and emotional depth.

Expect strong performances from a talented ensemble including Liam Lambie (Mooney), Dionne Frati (Michaela), Ross McAree (Tam), Clare Rooney (Mags), Candace Nicholson (Sammy), Elliot McLean (Gee), and Euan Ferguson (Joe). Critics have called it “captivating” (Daily Record), “beautifully presented” (Lisa in the Theatre), and “one not to be missed” (Theatre Blog).

As part of its first UK tour, this gritty and emotionally charged show is more than just a night at the theatre—it’s a story of friendship, survival, and stolen youth, delivered with urgency and compassion.

Tickets: 

When We Were Young, Newcastle Live Theatre, 

Dates: Monday 15th & Tuesday 16th July 2025

Time: 7.30 p.m.

Age guidance: 16+

Trigger Warnings:  strong language, violence, knife crime, blood, death. 

Tickets: https://www.live.org.uk/whats-on/when-we-were-young