Preview: Handbagged at Northern Stage

Handbagged Brings the Queen and Thatcher Back to the Stage 

— With a 1980s Remix

Handbagged 

Newcastle Northern Stage 

Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 May 2025

Theatre lovers in Newcastle are in for a sharp, satirical treat this May as Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch’s reimagined production of Handbagged arrives at Northern Stage from 13 – 17 May. This clever comedy by Moira Buffini—about the imagined conversations between Queen Elizabeth II and Margaret Thatcher—is part of a major national tour produced in partnership with the National Theatre through its Theatre Nation Partnerships network.

Directed by Alex Thorpe, this new interpretation brings fresh musical life to the iconic clash of two formidable figures. Handbagged has been infused with a cappella arrangements and “reworking of 80s pop classics” composed by Kate Marlais, played out against Katie Lias’ golden contemporary set and Ryan Day’s award-winning lighting design.

“I am thrilled to welcome this multi-talented cast to Hornchurch as we prepare to embark on the most ambitious TNP tour to date,” said Thorpe. “As we reexamine these fierce and famed women, joining this ensemble company is some of the UK’s most exciting creative talents, realising Moira Buffini’s satirically funny comedy. Performed on Katie Lias’ golden contemporary set and propelled by Kate Marlais's reworking of 80’s pop classics and the award-winning Ryan Day’s lighting – this truly extraordinary team is not to be missed.”

The play examines the complex decade-long relationship between the Queen and her Prime Minister, blending historical insight with biting humour. Two pairs of actors portray the women in different stages of life: Emma Ernest (Much Ado About Nothing, Shakespeare’s Globe) plays the younger ‘Mags’ (Margaret Thatcher), while Morag Cross (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child) embodies the elder ‘T’. Meanwhile, the younger Queen Elizabeth II (‘Liz’) is played by Helen Reuben (Cabaret, English Theatre Frankfurt), and the older ‘Q’ by Sarah Moyle, known to many as Valerie from BBC’s Doctors.

The four leads are joined by a dynamic ensemble: Cassius Konneh and Dennis Herdman take on 17 additional roles between them, with support from Tiajna Amayo and Jane Quinn rounding out the company.

As part of the National Theatre’s Theatre Nation Partnerships initiative—spanning 13 partners across 14 areas—Handbagged aims to reach new and diverse audiences, especially those with limited access to live performance. Between 2022 and 2025, the programme will reach an estimated 500,000 people through touring productions, community engagement, and school outreach.

Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch, which co-produces the tour, continues its mission to deliver bold theatre to regional audiences. A previous winner of UK Theatre’s Most Welcoming Theatre Award (2016–2018) and London Theatre of the Year 2020 (The Stage Awards), the venue is proud to push boundaries in both style and storytelling.

Handbagged promises a royally entertaining night out, full of political bite, nostalgic flair, and musical surprises. It is suitable for ages 10+ and plays at Northern Stage from 13–17 May.

Photos: Manuel Harlan

Tickets: https://northernstage.co.uk/whats-on/handbagged/

REVIEW: Kinky Boots the Musical at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Kinky Boots the Musical

Theatre Royal Newcastle

Until Saturday 10 May 2025

This crowd-pleasing, Tony-winning musical has been revived by The Curve,

Leicester as a vehicle for Strictly Come Dancing icon, Johannes Radebe. Justly

celebrated as a charismatic and technically dazzling dancer, Johannes now

shows, alongside the rest of this excellent cast, that he can also deliver as a

singer and actor.

Though seemingly the most English of musicals, detailing the struggles of a

Northampton shoe factory to reinvent themselves as makers of boots for drag

queens and cross-dressers, Kinky Boots actually originated in the US, with

songs by 80s pop legend Cyndi Lauper and book by Broadway veteran, Harvey

Fierstein. Lauper even took the 2013 Tony award for best score, something no

woman alone had ever achieved before. The central role of Lola was created

by the estimable Billy Porter, something of an icon himself.

Known as a tough role to cast and to play, it seemed brave of director Nikolai

Foster to take a chance on a dancer with no track record of singing or acting.

We have referred to the casting of celebrities to sell tickets before now on

North East Theatre Guide and not always favourably. Whilst recognising the

financial imperative to put ‘bums on seats’, it is always a shame when the

‘name’ can’t deliver the goods. On this occasion, at least, that is not a concern.

Glowing with star quality and looking as glamorous as anyone could hope,

Johannes also brings a tuneful voice, a heartfelt delivery and a relatable,

fleshed-out characterisation to meet the challenge. It need hardly be said that

he also dances with his customary panache.

Whilst Lola draws the spotlight, the engine of the show could be said to be

Charlie, the struggling factory owner who puts everything on the line to save

his factory. This role is hugely vocally demanding, needing a powerful rock

tenor with an extensive range. Dan Partridge, with his tousled hair and rugged

charm, delivers everything an audience could want, both musically and

dramatically. Among many knockout numbers, I’m Not My Father’s Son, the

heartrending duet between Lola and Charlie at the end of Act one, admirably

showcases both performers’ skill and sincerity, and underlines the engaging

dynamic between the two characters which is the true heart of the show.

Courtney Bowman is funny and likeable as Lauren, the factory hand who falls

for Charlie, and her powerful voice gives full value to the richly comic number,

The History Of Wrong Guys. Local theatre legend, Joe Caffrey, gives a

convincing portrayal of the chauvinistic and homophobic factory hand, Don,

and Scott Paige brings lots of laughs as factory foreman George, gradually

finding his own kinky side. This production makes a lot of the two lead

characters’ younger selves and Leo Hollingsworth and Jesse Manzi were well

up to the task, the former also showing some of the dance skills he’d used

playing Billy Elliot.

A crew of sassy and joyously diverse, cross-dressing ‘Angels’ contrasted nicely

with the down-to-earth factory crew, all playing their part with great style to

deliver Leah Hill’s terrific choreography. Robert Jones’ solid set and effective

costumes, plus additional costumes by Tom Rogers for Johannes, made the

show look as good as it sounded under Sioned Evans’ musical direction.

This is a memorably heart-warming and joyous production and if there are any

tickets left, I advise you to grab one. If last night’s audience are any guide, you

can be guaranteed a fab-u-lous evening!

Review: Jonathan Cash

Photos: Pamela Raith

Tickets: https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/whats-on/kinky-boots-2/ 

REVIEW: Dogs On The Metro at Newcastle Live Theatre

Dogs On The Metro 

Newcastle Live Theatre 

Until Saturday 17 May 2025

Written by Emilie Robson

Directed by Maria Crocker.

The winner of the North East Playwriting Award has arrived at Live Theatre for a couple of weeks. It may by a local play about a couple of local teenagers who ride the local transport network and talk in the local dialect but show has much broader impact with its themes.

They said "Jen and Dean take a ride on the Metro. It’s something that they’ve always done. But far from an ordinary journey this one takes them back and forth through days, months and years. As the carriage hurtles on, they navigate their way through the tunnels of memory and perception to come to terms with a pivotal event that changed everything."

The set up for the show appears, initially to be straightforward enough. Sarah Balfour and Dean Logan appear as Jen and Dean. The go up and down the Metro from their native South Shields for days out. Much seems to centre around watching people coming and going as they sit in the Greggs at the airport. Watching people, watching their community. It has to be said though that the action tends to be on the Metro itself and they tend to discuss themselves, their friends and the dogs that have popped off at the last stop.

Jen, in particular, frequently breaks the fourth wall to discuss live with the audience but both teens are, at times, unreliable narrators. They'll say something happened or was said and the other one will correct them by saying "but you did not do that/say that, did you?" Having said that - they did talk like kids do. At times embellishing the positive truth and trying to underplay the embarrassing stuff. The two of them like to go to parties, via the Metro. They are excited about prom and it is clear that they get on. 

Amy Watts design replicates the interior of one of our original metro cars. Matthew Tuckey's sound design often sounds like an underground train until a change of scene when Drummond Orr's lighting gives an impression of the rapid movement of the train from the lights above as the cast change an aspect of their appearance before the next scene. Despite a number of such changes, the pace and momentum of the show is maintained and the 70 minutes passes quite rapidly - which means the audience is quickly propelled into the nub of the matter.

The issue of consent between teens raises its ugly head. In an era when lads can find themselves watching online content that gives them a false impression that certain behaviours are acceptable. This the play becomes a vehicle to discuss the parameters of acceptable consensual behaviour. Certainly the show is thought provoking and one does worry about the drip of toxic material that is fed to the youth of today.

Live Theatre has always been brave with the content that it wants to reflect onto the audience. We are lucky to have this powerhouse of new writing on our doorstep. They also nurture young actors and Dean Logan is a fine product of their youth system. It is wonderful to see two promising local actors appearing using their natural accents too. No dialect coach was needed here! 

This is a well paced show with a pair of canny actors who make the characters relatable. The show would not work if we did not care about Jen and Dean (and too often young people are seen as a problem rather than the future.) The topic is a tough one but it needs to discussed. Emilie Robson's play is timely, challenging and engaging. I'm glad I had the opportunity to see it.

 

Review: Stephen Oliver

Photos: Von Fox Promotions.

Tickets:

Dogs On The Metro plays at Live Theatre from Thursday 1 to Saturday 17 May 2025 with tickets priced from £11 to £26.  For more information and to book tickets go to www.live.org.uk

Approx. 70 mins no interval

Age recommendation 14+

Please be aware that this play contains scenes involving consent and sexual violence.

BSL performance (13 May)

Audio Described Captioned performance (14 May)

Preview: Goldilocks and the Three Bears Darlington Hippodrome

 Roll Up, Roll Up to see panto join the circus!

Goldilocks and the Three Bears 

Darlington Hippodrome 

Friday 5 – Wednesday 31 December 2025

Brendan Cole to lead the cast of Goldilocks And The Three Bears with the return of Josh Benson and Jamie Jones

Darlington Hippodrome has announced that Darlington panto favourites Josh Benson and Jamie Jones will return for a third season, this year joining the circus as Joey the Clown and Dame Betty Barnum. 

The much-loved pair will join previously announced Brendan Cole, who headlines the show as The Evil Ringmaster, Baron Von Bolshoi. Brendan appeared on every season of Strictly Come Dancing since it began in 2004 up until 2017. In 2022, Brendan starred in ITV’s Saturday night entertainment programme Dancing on Ice, making it through to the final. 

Josh Benson is known and loved in Darlington as one of the most energetic panto comics to take the Hippodrome stage. As a cabaret entertainer, Josh has performed at the Leeds City Varieties Music Hall, London’s Charing Cross Theatre, and the Phoenix Arts Club. He is also a regular at the incomparable Brick Lane Music Hall. Josh has previously appeared as the panto comic at Chesterfield’s Pomegranate Theatre, York Theatre Royal, Brick Lane Music Hall, and Halifax’s Victoria Theatre.

On returning for a third season, Josh said: “I can’t wait to be back with my ‘panto gang’ at the Hippodrome for a hattrick season! Darlington audiences are so much fun to perform for… and I’m so excited to be bringing them some more daft antics this Christmas.”

Jamie Jones trained as an actor and graduated from Staffordshire University with a First-Class Honours degree in Musical Theatre. Alongside performing on stage, he is also a keen writer and director for various production companies across the UK. His scripts have been performed to great acclaim, with new titles being regularly added to his growing repertoire. Throughout the year, Jamie designs and creates all his own costumes for the upcoming pantomime season, adding fabulous new pieces to his ever-expanding and glamorous wardrobe.

On coming back to Darlington for panto, Jamie said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to be returning to the beautiful Darlington Hippodrome this Christmas as Dame Betty Barnum in Goldilocks and the Three Bears! Expect fabulous costumes, sumptuous scenery and laugh out loud comedy. This year's show promises to be one of Darlington's biggest yet, so come and join us in the Big Top for some festive panto magic!”

For four weeks only Darlington Hippodrome will be transformed into a sensational circus, where everything is possible, and anything could (and will) happen. This festive extravaganza is packed with riotous comedy, extraordinary special effects, hair-raising stunts and international circus acts!

Tickets:

So… roll up, roll up to see panto join the circus, and be swept away by a pantomime spectacular that’s just right. Goldilocks and the Three Bears will run at Darlington Hippodrome from Friday 5 – Wednesday 31 December 2025. For full details or to book call the Box Office on 01325 405405 or visit www.darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk 

Interview: Peter James’ Picture You Dead at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 Who Said Crime Doesn’t Pay?

Peter James’ Picture You Dead

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 13 – Saturday 17 May 2025

Peter James has sold 23 million copies of his crime thrillers worldwide. With 21 consecutive UK Sunday Times number ones, he’s also a New York Times best-seller, and his murder mysteries have been translated into 38 languages. Now, Picture You Dead, the latest stage adaptation of Peter James’ work is on route to Newcastle Theatre Royal, 2 years after DCI Grace’s previous visit to the venue.

Peter met producer Josh Andrews at a party in 2010 and they hit it off immediately. “We have similar taste.” Writing books and writing stage plays are two quite different disciplines, of course, quite apart from the fact it would be torture, says Peter, slimming down 120,000 words or so on paper into a 25,000-word script for two hours of theatre.

What made the book such a pleasure to write in the first place, says Peter, was that he had the great good fortune to meet real-life forger David Henty, 65.

“Back in 2015, I co-wrote a book, Death Comes Knocking: Policing Roy Grace’s Brighton, with former Commander of Brighton and Hove Police, Graham Bartlett. It was Graham who introduced me to Henty.”

 

Twenty years earlier, Henty had been a highly successful passport forger specialising in fake watermarks. When the police eventually kicked in the door of the forgery factory, Henty was arrested, along with his co-conspirators, and subsequently sentenced to five years in prison. It was to be the very making of him.

 

His relatively harmless white-collar crime meant he had a pretty easy time of it inside. “I quickly found my way to the art room where I could paint to my heart’s content under the watchful eye of a couple of teachers.” What he couldn’t have predicted was his innate talent.

 

He has the rare gift of being able to copy the work of any painter from Fragonard to Caravaggio (“He’s my favourite: I love the drama in his paintings”), from Van Gogh to Rembrandt, from Picasso to modern-day Banksy. And he can fool almost anyone that these paintings are genuine originals. “It’s what gave me the idea of the plot for Picture You Dead,” says Peter.

The stage version stars Peter Ash, fresh from his memorable and moving portrayal of Paul Foreman in Coronation Street, for which he won various awards including the 2024 National Television Award for Best Serial Drama Performance. He was on the soap for six years in total and is much looking forward now to touring the UK.

The role of the forger intrigues him. “He’s obviously very talented and passionate about his art. He’s got a history with Roy Grace from when he used to forge passports.” With big money changing hands, there’s going to be skullduggery along the way.

 

And fisticuffs? “I must be careful what I reveal but yes, I think we can say there’ll be thrills and spills. It’s going to be quite a ride.” 

 

For actor George Rainsford, 42, who played Ethan Hardy in Casualty for nine years, this will be his second turn round the block having played Roy Grace in the successful UK tour of Peter James’s Wish You Were Dead in 2023.

“In Picture You Dead, he’s back in Brighton at work and doing what fans will recognise. He’s heavily involved in a live case with all its twists and turns.” This one is going to be a bit different, he thinks, because it takes place in a number of locations. 

 

The 22-gig tour means he’ll be on the road for the better part of half the year. “Funnily enough, Picture You Dead came out in novel form when I was on the last tour as Roy Grace. I downloaded the audio version and listened to it when I was running.” Could we be sitting here in. two years’ time with George about to tackle Roy for a third time? “Never say never,” he says, with a broad smile.

 

Jodie Steele, 33, plays Roberta Kilgore, who plays in the darker aspects of the art world. “I’ve made it my business wherever possible,” she says, “to play baddies: so much more fun and something to get your teeth into. Quite different, I should add, from real life because I’m a total softie.”

 

Picture You Dead will be her first thriller in a busy career dominated by musicals: Heathers, Blanche in Bonnie and Clyde, Wicked, and Catherine Howard in the all-conquering SIX. Most recently, she toured in a new production of Filumena starring Felicity Kendal.

Jodie’s delighted, she says, to be in the stage adaptation of a Peter James book because her older sister, Chloe, is his biggest fan. “She’s read all 21 of his Roy Grace thrillers. The stories are like jigsaw puzzles. He’s a sort of modern-day Agatha Christie.”

 

Fiona Wade is Freya Kipling married to Harry, an innocent couple who go to a car boot sale where they buy a painting she’s not keen on but that Harry likes. In time, it’s discovered that there may be an original beneath the painting which, when exposed, could be worth a small fortune. Or is it a forgery?

Fiona bowed out of Emmerdale last year after more than a decade - “It was a long run and it changed my life. But I wanted to take the gamble of seeing what else was out there so I asked to be written out of the soap. I very much believe in the power of positive thinking and my gamble has paid off.”

“Touring in a production is a lovely way to see the UK,” says Fiona, 45. And she’s a huge fan of crime novels. “So now, I’m going to start working my way through Peter James’s long list of thrillers, beginning, of course, with Picture You Dead.”

 

Last word to Peter himself. So, what is it about whodunits, in his opinion, that appeals to the reading – or theatre-going – public? “People love being scared,” he says, “although in a safe way. Bad things happen in the world so it’s satisfying to see them resolved. And there’s no harm in throwing in a little gallows humour along the way.”

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.

News: Tyne Theatre & Opera House Secures National Lottery Funding to Restore Historic Gallery Seating

Tyne Theatre & Opera House Secures National Lottery Funding to Restore Historic Gallery Seating

Newcastle’s iconic Tyne Theatre & Opera House has announced a major milestone in its ongoing restoration efforts, thanks to generous support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The Grade I listed Victorian theatre, a much-loved fixture in the heart of Newcastle upon Tyne, has been awarded £247,500 to begin crucial restoration work on its gallery tier. This work, set to commence in Summer 2025, will see the return of traditional sightlines and an increase in capacity—enhancing both the comfort and experience of future audiences.

Photo: Neal Ferry

At the heart of the restoration is the removal of a timber overlay that was installed in 1986, which currently obscures original seating rows. The upcoming works will not only improve visibility and reduce the need for obstructive handrails, but also restore the historic layout with newly designed heritage-style seating that balances authenticity with twenty-first-century comfort.

“Historically, the Tyne Theatre & Opera House is a venue that has been saved numerous times through the hard-work and dedication of the community,” said Jonathan Higgins, CEO of the Tyne Theatre & Opera House. “Not only is this testament to how valued this venue is but also highlights how crucial volunteers are in helping charities like the Tyne Theatre & Opera House Preservation Trust. From Trustees, to maintenance, to research volunteers, we’re incredibly grateful for all volunteer support, past, present and future, which ensure this heritage gem can be enjoyed by future generations.”

In addition to the physical restoration, the theatre is launching a moving new initiative: “The Seat of Memories”. This digital recording project will collect and preserve personal recollections from the public about their visits to the venue. These recordings will be added to the theatre’s growing performance database, which already includes all known shows from 1867 to 1919, and will be expanded to include films from the building’s time as a cinema.

Project Director David Wilmore added, “Restoring the gallery is the beginning of an ambitious project to fully restore the whole site in a sympathetic manner that also caters for 21st century comfort. We are incredibly grateful to the National Heritage Lottery Fund for their continued support on this journey of re-discovery which will focus on our local arts communities.”

The project has been warmly received by The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

“We’re delighted to be supporting the Tyne Theatre & Opera House with their ambitious restoration project to ensure that it continues to be a venue that brings joy to its audiences,” said Helen Featherstone, Director of England, North. “We are also excited to be supporting ‘The Seat of Memories’ project, which means that money raised by National Lottery players will not only preserve the fabric of the building, but also the treasured memories of theatregoers.”

The fully restored gallery is due to reopen in Autumn 2025, marking a major step forward in the theatre’s long-term vision.

This latest development follows the successful completion of an earlier restoration phase, which included the installation of an energy-efficient heating system, the unveiling of the 1867 Café Bar, and the transformation of the former Bistro Bar into the 1867 Hall—a flexible new space for performances, community events, and hospitality.

As the Tyne Theatre & Opera House celebrates 10 years of independent, not-for-profit operation, it continues to reinvest every penny of box office, venue hire, and bar income back into maintaining and enhancing this architectural treasure.

To support the theatre or explore its upcoming programme, visit: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk