Preview: Miss Saigon at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 Newcastle Theatre Royal to open brand-new production of Miss Saigon in 2025

Miss Saigon

Newcastle Theatre Royal 

Saturday 4 – Saturday 25 October 2025

Michael Harrison in association with Cameron Mackintosh is delighted to present a new touring production of the global stage sensation, Miss Saigon and audiences in Newcastle will be the first to see the epic spectacular when it opens at Newcastle Theatre Royal in October 2025 before embarking on a major UK tour.

Miss Saigon has been performed in 33 countries, in 15 different languages and has won 75 major awards including 2 Olivier Awards, 3 Tony Awards, and 4 Drama Desk Awards. Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical has been seen by over 38 million people worldwide, the new production will be touring the UK in 2025/26.

In the last days of the Vietnam War, 17-year-old Kim is forced to work in a Saigon bar run by a notorious character known as The Engineer. There she meets and falls in love with an American GI named Chris, but they are torn apart by the fall of Saigon. For 3 years Kim goes on an epic journey of survival to find her way back to Chris, who has no idea he's fathered a son.

This year marks 35 years since Miss Saigon made its West End premiere and became one of the most successful musicals in history. The original Broadway production, which played for almost 10 years, opened in 1991 and was attended by more than 6.3 million people. 

Cameron Mackintosh’s latest London production of Miss Saigon opened in London in May 2014 to record-breaking advance sales and critical acclaim, followed by a UK tour in 2017. During this run, the spectacular 25th Anniversary Gala Performance featuring appearances by the original cast, including Jonathan Pryce and Lea Salonga, took place, and was filmed for television and cinema and continues to be shown around the world.

Of the new revival, Cameron Mackintosh comments: “35 years after Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical Miss Saigon first opened to international success, I am delighted that this powerful heart-wrenching love story has remained timeless around the world. The story of two young people - an American soldier and a Vietnamese girl - who fall in love as their lives are torn apart by war, ultimately causing a mother to sacrifice her life for her child has become a worldwide hit, as well as one of the most popular musicals ever in Asian countries, with separate companies regularly playing in Korea, Japan, the Philippines and Singapore.

“The recent hugely successful Sheffield Crucible production took a contemporary look at this great musical and that inspired producer Michael Harrison and I to also take a fresh look at Miss Saigon and create a modern version that can play many theatres that the original was unable to do. 

“Directing this exciting new production is Jean-Pierre van der Spuy, who recently directed the acclaimed Australian Opera production of Miss Saigon and with Matthew Bourne is co-directing my hugely successful new production of Oliver! in the West End. Like the phoenix that is so central to the show’s story, Miss Saigon will rise again next year - a legend reborn!”

 

Newcastle born producer, Michael Harrison, behind the hugely popular Theatre Royal Pantomime and the acclaimed touring production of The Drifters Girl which opened at the Grey Street venue in 2021, adds “It is thrilling to be collaborating with Cameron on a brand-new production of Miss Saigon. Millions of people around the world have been moved by its riveting story, messages of family and enduring love, and by Boublil and Schönberg’s majestic score. I am delighted that we can now bring this story to audiences throughout the country in a brilliant and modern production.”

Newcastle Theatre Royal’s Chief Executive Marianne Locatori continues, “It is a pleasure to be working with Michael and Cameron to bring the highest quality touring productions to the North East. It’s great for the team at the theatre, and for talent development because we’ll have creatives in the building. There’s excitement in being around that period of initial creativity that you can’t get during a week as part of a long tour. It’s also great that audiences in Newcastle will get to see the show before anybody else and we’re looking forward to welcoming long-time fans of Miss Saigon and those who will be experiencing it for the first time, to our venue in 2025.”

Miss Saigon has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg with lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. and Alain Boublil, adapted from original French lyrics by Alain Boublil, with additional lyrics by Michael Mahler. Jean-Pierre van der Spuy directs this production.

Full casting and production team are still to be announced.

Tickets:

Tickets can be purchased after the booking dates below at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

Booking dates:
Friends Plus – Mon 2 Dec, 10am
Friends – Wed 4 Dec, 10am
Flexi Priority Pass/Advantage/Groups/Schools – Fri 6 Dec, 10am
Public – Tue 10 Dec, 10am

Preview: Lou Sanders at Newcastle Tyne Theatre

DANCING ON ICE STAR LOU SANDERS HITS THE ROAD WITH A NEW STAND-UP SHOW FOR 2025

Lou Sanders - No Kissing In The Bingo Hall

Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Thursday 6 March 2025

Enormously enjoyable hour of stand-up from one of comedy’s most unique voices….

Full-time cutie pie Lou Sanders announces her biggest UK tour to date for 2025 with a brand-new stand-up show ‘No Kissing In The Bingo Hall’.  The critically acclaimed stand-up and co-host of award-winning Unforgivable will perform at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House on Thursday 6 March 2025.

An internationally acclaimed stand-up comedian, Lou presents her most personal show yet (but fully clothed). Lou said of the show: “Just like Tom Cruise does all his own stunts, I'm going to do all my own jokes!”.

Lou has toured her live shows to packed houses across the world and regularly receives rave reviews. One of Britain’s most original comedians, Lou is consistently a critic’s and audience favourite who has been named a top comedian to see by publications including The Guardian, The Scotsman, The List, The Mirror and the Evening Standard.

Away from the stage, Lou published her debut book, the delightfully gritty memoir ‘What’s That Lady Doing? False Starts and Happy Endings’ which she said, “seems to have connected with women over thirty-five, alcoholics and other vulnerable cross sections of humanity”. Delving into a rich variety of topics including her sexual harassment, overcoming shame, trauma, and discovering spirituality with her trademark humour, honesty and vulnerability. The book was described by The Guardian as “a moving, hilarious and generally astonishing memoir”, and made the top ten biographies on Audible. She also writes regular columns for The Guardian and Metro.

Earlier this year, Lou starred on ITV’s Dancing On Ice and she could also be found in the fourth series of Unforgivable, crowned Best Entertainment Programme at the Broadcast Digital Awards. Lou recently hosted an episode of Live at The Apollo which aired on BBC One recently. Lou is also a previous Taskmaster champion, and she has been featured on The Late Late Show with James Corden (CBS), 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown (Channel 4), QI (BBC Two), Travel Man (Channel 4), Hypothetical (Dave), 8 Out of 10 Cats (Channel 4) to name a few of her TV appearances. Lou can regularly be heard on The Unbelievable Truth (BBC Radio 4), while she has been a guest co-host on live radio shows on Virgin Radio, BBC Radio 5 Live and Radio X with names including John Robins, Elis James and Ed Gamble.

Tickets can be purchased from:

https://www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/whatson/lou-sanders-no-kissing-in-the-bingo-hall/ 

Preview: The Cramlington Train Wreckers on tour

New play about the 1926 General Strike goes on tour across the region

 

Following the national success of Wor Bella (about WW1 women footballers), Tyneside-based playwright Ed Waugh will present his new work in November, which is about the Cramlington Train Wreckers.

 

Ed, who has the distinction for a local writer of having had a record five plays produced at Newcastle's prestigious Theatre Royal, writes about forgotten working class stories and his latest play is set during 1926 General Strike when striking miners uncoupled a rail on the mainline Edinburgh to London railway.

 

As we rapidly approach the centenary of Britain's only General Strike, the most notorious incident of that societal unrest in May 1926 happened when miners inadvertently derailed the Flying Scotsman on the mainline Edinburgh to London railway at Cramlington in Northumberland. 

 

"The event happened on May 10, seven days into the nine-day General Strike, which was the biggest rupture in society since the civil war of the 1640s. The intention was to take up a rail then wave down and stop a blackleg coal train that the miners felt was undermining the strike," explained Ed, whose other hit plays include Hadaway Harry and Carrying David.

 

“Unfortunately for the perpetrators, they inadvertently derailed a passenger train carrying 281 passengers. It could have been mass murder!”

 

Ed continued: "Thankfully, the volunteer driver had been warned of trouble ahead and slowed down, meaning when the engine and five carriages were derailed no-one was killed. The  only injury was minor, to a man's foot. Most people were treated for shock and bruises and continued their journey from Newcastle.”

 

Eight Cramlington miners were sentenced to a total of 48 years for their involvement in the highly controversial event that made national and international headlines.

 

The "Wreckers" were eventually released early due to pressure from the trade union rank and file, politicians and the judiciary itself, who saw the original sentences as too harsh. 

 

Ed, who also penned The Great Joe Wilson and Mr Corvan's Music Hall, said: "Let's not forget, the General Strike started after the coal owners told the miners they had to take a 40 per cent cut in wages. Stanley Baldwin, the then Conservative prime minister, also said every other section of the working class had to take pay cuts "in the national interest".

 

"Like the rest of the British coalfields, all of the pits in Northumberland, and the North East as a whole, were solidly behind the strike, as were the railway workers, and other sections of the British workforce, like the engineers. The country came to a standstill.

 

“More than 10,000 strikers were arrested during the General Strike, some just for picketing. There is strong evidence that the Cramlington miners were used by the Government and judiciary as an example against working class resistance.”

 

Such is the interest in the subject, Ed and the Wisecrack Productions team have spoken to more than 2,000 people in the North East on the subject over the past 18 months. The Wisecrack team are working with a large number of community groups and schools to highlight why the General Strike happened, and its consequences. 

 

Ed continued: "The story of The Cramlington Train Wreckers is one of high dramatic tension and has become an important part of North East folklore and British history, although largely forgotten today. With the centenary approaching, the new play is important to assess the events in an informed, dramatic and entertaining manner.”

 

He added: "Were the Cramlington Train Wreckers terrorists or workers trying to defend their livelihoods, family and community against an economic onslaught ("the carnival of reaction") that actually took place after the General Strike ended?"

 

The Cramlington Train Wreckers, which is supported by Arts Council England, will tour the North East in November. Venues are: Gosforth Civic Theatre, The Glasshouse Gateshead, Playhouse Whitley Bay, Alnwick Playhouse, Hexham Queen's Hall, Cramlington Learning Village Theatre, Bishop Auckland Town Hall,  The Witham (Barnard Castle), Westovian Theatre (South Shields).

 

On The Web:

For further details visit www.cramlingtontrainwreckers.co.uk

Tickets:

 

 

CRAMLINGTON LEARNING VILLAGE 

THE CRAMLINGTON TRAIN WRECKERS Tickets, Thu, Nov 7, 2024 at 7:30 PM | Eventbrite

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-cramlington-train-wreckers-tickets-951841562737?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

GLASSHOUSE GATESHEAD

The Cramlington Train Wreckers | The Glasshouse (theglasshouseicm.org)

 

BISHOP AUCKLAND TOWN HALL

The Cramlington Train Wreckers (bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk)

 

HEXHAM 

The Cramlington Train Wreckers | Queen's Hall Arts Centre (queenshall.co.uk)

 

 Barnard castle

The Cramlington Train Wreckers - The Witham

 

PLAYHOUSE WHITLEY BAY

Cramlington Train Wreckers - PLAYHOUSE Whitely Bay (playhousewhitleybay.co.uk)

ANLNWICK

 

GOSFORTH CIVIC THEATRE

The Cramlington Train Wreckers Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite  2.30pm & 7.30pm

 

WESTOVIAN THEATRE

THE CRAMLINGTON TRAIN WRECKERS at Westovian Theatre event tickets from TicketSource

 

Preview: Blood Brothers at Darlington Hippodrome

 BLOOD BROTHERS ON NEXT WEEK AT DARLINGTON HIPPODROME

The Bill Kenwright Ltd UK tour of Blood Brothers arrives at Darlington Hippodrome next week.

Bill Kenwright's legendary, award-winning production of the international smash hit musical, Blood Brothers continues to tour across the UK and is coming to Darlington Hippodrome next week.

Vivienne Carlyle is returning to the iconic role of Mrs. Johnstone, having received nightly standing ovations for her powerful and poignant performance in the West End production. Sean Jones and Joe Sleight return to the production as twins Mickey and Eddie, with Gemma Brodrick reprising the role of Linda.

Also returning to the cast for 2024 are Sarah Jane Buckley (Mrs Lyons), Scott Anson (Narrator), Tim Churchill (Mr Lyons), Chloe Pole (Donna Marie), Alex Harland (Policeman/Teacher), Graeme Kinniburgh (Postman/Bus Conductor) and Jess Smith (Brenda), with James Ledsham (Sammy), Ben Mabberley (Perkins) and Dominic Gore (Neighbour) joining the production.

Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving tale of twins separated at birth, who grow up on the opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with tragic consequences. The superb score includes A Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It's Not True. 

 

Tickets:

Blood Brothers runs at Darlington Hippodrome from Tuesday 12 to Saturday 16 November 2024. To book visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk or call the Box Office on 01325 405405

REVIEW: War Horse at Sunderland Empire

War Horse

Sunderland Empire

Until Saturday 16 November 2024

Running either side of Remembrance Sunday, this show is a poignant reminder of some of the sacrifices made during the Great War. Based on a war novel by Michael Morpurgo about the First World War, the tale moved to the stage in 2007 ahead of the 2011 Steven Spielberg movie.

Amongst the men and boys there was slaughter,  but animals too paid the ultimate price. In order to make this story work on stage, the focus is made on a 16 year old lad Albert (Tom Sturgess) passing himself off as 19 so he can join the war effort and his horse Joey.

The play begins as Joey is bought in auction by a farmer Ted (Karl Haynes) in competition with his brother Arthur (Gareth Radcliffe). Pride ensures that he has paid over the odds so the young horse has a lot to prove. The farmer's wife Rose (Jo Castleton) decides that their son should raise the beast. 

Creating the actions and movement of each horse is literally on the shoulders of a team of three who create the mannerisms that help bring the beast, and ultimately the story to life. The puppetry makes this production stand out, in my opinion, head and shoulders above the later films adaptation. Joey as a Foal was operated by Diany Samba-Bandza, Jordan Paris & Eloise Beaumont-Wood, and they cleverly showed the young horses first nervous moves. Older Joey was brought to life by: Rianna Ash operating the head, Lewis McBean in the centre/heart and Michael Larcombe in the hind quarters.

Joey the horse and its family are put through their paces with challenges such as ploughing a field, given that the horse isn't naturally a breed that would be selected for such work. This gives a real challenge for the horse operatives to bring the animal emotionally to life.

Then war breaks out. Men enlist, full of hope that the campaign will be over by Christmas, and horses are bought for good money by the army for the anticipated campaign. 

This is a family friendly story and school children make up a significant proportion of the audience. For some children, this will be the entry point of empathising with those who gave their lives so that they can enjoy their current freedoms. To that point the story is, perhaps, somewhat sanitised when compared to, say, All Quiet On The Western Front. That is not to say that people and horses don't die and the leaders have a mad Blackadder quality. The black space at the rear of the stage is used to good effect to leave some nasty stuff to ones imagination.

A large ensemble cast fill in a variety of roles from villagers, soldiers and medical staff. Clearly some rapid costume changes are needed as the changes are seamless. It is interesting that a decision was made to make the French and Germans speak English, resulting in the repeated situation of two groups of people talking English on stage and saying "but I don't understand what you are saying as I cannot speak your language" on stage on a number of occasions. We are shown that both sides of the war consisted on ordinary people who had been sucked into the theatre of conflict.

A few contemporaneous songs add a folk voice to a number of the scenes. The single pure sounding female voice was used to add emotive context to the scene.

It is easy to see why the show gets the praise that it has enjoyed since it first opened. The horses come alive and a great piece of storytelling make this a theatrical firm favourite. 

Review: Stephen Oliver 

Photos: Brinkhoff-Moegenburg

On the web:

Instagram: @warhorseonstage 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/warhorseonstage/?locale=en_GB 

Twitter: @warhorseonstage

#ad

Tickets are sale from our affiliate ATG Tickets:

Ticket link - https://prf.hn/l/zpB4V5X 

Interview: Hairspray at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 Brenda Edwards Makes Her Directorial Debut

Hairspray 

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Monday 11 – Saturday 16 November 2024

Brenda Edwards makes her directorial debut on the 2024/25 Hairspray UK Tour having previously delighted audiences as “Motormouth” Maybelle when Hairspray last lit up the stage at Newcastle Theatre Royal in 2018. The Loose Women and X Factor star recently made a popular return to the Grey Street venue playing Mama Morton in the smash-hit musical Chicago earlier this month.

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Joanne Clifton will star as Velma Von Tussle, and Neil Hurst will perform as Edna Turnblad when Hairspray visits Newcastle. We caught up with Brenda to find out more about how she is settling into her new off-stage role...

What is Hairspray the Musical about?

Hairspray is about championing the underdog. A young girl, Tracy Turnblad, has big dreams and wants to be famous. She wants to be liked, she wants to be loved, she wants to get the boy! She is judged by some people for how she looks. Unfortunately, it is still very relevant to the world we're living in today where you're dealing with racial tension, discrimination and people just not being able to be themselves.  Everybody has a dream, and everybody should be able to pursue that dream. I just want audiences to leave feeling inspired by Tracy.

 

In this show you're making your debut as a director. What made you want to switch from performing?

The producers approached me, and because I've been behind the scenes and on the stage performing in this great musical as Motormouth Maybelle, I have another way of looking at it. I'm not going to be changing the central story, because it's fantastic, but I’ll be investigating and developing it a bit more and getting people to think about it in a slightly different way. 

Hairspray the Musical was created more than 20 years ago and is set in 1962. How is its examination of racial discrimination in the 1960s relevant in 2024?

Hairspray addresses the story of something that really happened in 1962: the TV channel was there but black people were not allowed to be on television. It's crazy. I think it's important for people to not feel scared to talk about discrimination, whether that be sexual discrimination or racial discrimination. It's a topic that I think needs to be spoken about more than it is.

Velma Von Tussle is a very difficult character and embodies the racism that flared up in the USA in the 1960s in response to the Civil Rights Movement. Do you think she ever learns anything or changes her attitudes in this story?

I want to show the two sides of Velma, the bigoted side of her that is just her way or no way, but also her vulnerability. The thing with Velma is she kind of hates everybody. It's not just a racial thing. There’s also the question of nature or nurture, with somebody like her daughter Amber, she's picked up her mother's ways. But I'd like to be able to show that even though it's too late for her mother, maybe, Amber can grow?

I know you're very passionate about inclusion and diversity, how much were you able to be part of bringing the team of cast and the creative together for this production?

I've always been about inclusion. And, with this show about racial discrimination as well other discrimination, it’s important that backstage as well as front of house as well as on stage, is fully representative. I think we have that down with this cast and the crew.

As part of that, you held open auditions and that’s how you found your Motormouth Maybelle!

Yes, I was very, very proud of that. Again, it's about inclusion and just giving an opportunity to somebody who would not necessarily have had it. And we found our Motormouth Maybelle, Michelle Ndegwa, and she's got a beautiful voice. As soon as she started singing, I got the goosebumps, I'm excited just thinking about her voice and getting that chance to work with her and develop the Motormouth Maybelle character and for everybody else to hear her beautiful voice that’s got so much soul and gospel heart.

Do you have a favourite song or number in the show?

I love “Big, Blonde and Beautiful” because it's a fun song and it goes through so many different levels, so many different gears. By the time I used to finish that, I was absolutely knackered!

What experience have you had touring in the North of England?

I love Newcastle! Last time we were there I had the pleasure of staying across the road from the theatre right in the middle of the centre of the city. It’s fabulous, it’s another city who know how to have a good time.

What do you want audiences to take away from Hairspray the Musical?

Life is short. So come and spread the joy of bringing everybody together as one happy community. Forget your troubles for one night and come along and have some fun with Hairspray.

Photos: Ellie Kurttz

Tickets:

Hairspray plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Monday 11 – Saturday 16 November 2024. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

Preview: Little Miss Christmas at Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre

Patti Boo Rae & Alphabetti Theatre present the World Premiere of 

Little Miss Christmas

Newcastle Alphabetti Theatre 

Tuesday 10th – Saturday 21st December 2024

Written, directed and performed by Patti Boo Rae

Everyone knows Patti Boo Rae is a shoo-in for the coveted Candy Cane Crown. That’s why, this year, she’s competing unopposed—or so she thinks.

This December, Alphabetti Theatre is hosting this year’s Little Miss Christmas pageant starring the inimitable Patti Boo Rae.

Join Patti as she puts a Christmassy twist on all the pageant classics: Interview, Swimsuit, Evening Wear, Talent, and of course, Coronation.

Expect a night of queer pageantry with a festive twist. There will be live vocals, lip syncing, singalongs, and a boat load of laughs.

Patti Boo Rae says “This isn’t a regular show, this is a cool show. You can sing along, and you can cheer, and you can applaud, and you can throw flowers, and you can have your phones out as long as you’re takin’ pictures of me, okay?”

Little Miss Christmas will be the perfect festive treat for Christmas parties and Alphabetti have special offers available for larger groups! Their Candycane Package offers 20% off tickets for parties of 10 or more, giving you incredible value on a night filled with fabulous fun (terms apply). Or, if you're looking to add a bit of sparkle to the occasion, go for the Mistletoe Package at just £18 per person, complete with a glass of prosecco on arrival for groups of 6 or more.

Get ready to raise a glass and create your very own pageant sash at our pre-show crafting event, Sip & Sash! Happening right before performances of Little Miss Christmas, this crafting social invites guests to tap into their creativity while enjoying a festive drink with friends. With all materials provided, attendees can design and personalize their own sash to wear proudly to the show and take home as a keepsake. Free to attend, but booking is essential.

Patti may be sure the crown is hers, but with a different guest artist every night, no two shows are the same and surely, she can’t win them all. Stay tuned to the Alphabetti Socials to see the guest artists announced over the 12 Gays of Christmas.

Patti Boo Rae:

Patti Boo Rae is the rootinest tootinest cowgirl east of the Atlantic; the UK's premiere southern songstress; the Annie Oakley of drag. Wherever she goes, Patti dazzles audiences with her vocals and unique brand of "cuntry-western" cabaret. No two Patti shows are alike, but one thing is for sure: you're in for a wild ride.

Photos: Victoria Johnson 

Tickets: £15 - £3

Age Recommendation: 16+

Access: 

Relaxed: Saturdays at 18:30

Enhanced touch tour: Tuesday 17th Dec

Audio described: Wednesday 18th Dec

For press inquiries, contact: bar@alphabettitheatre.co.uk

For more information, visit: www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk/littlemisschristmas