News: Newcastle Theatre Royal and Northern Pride Join Forces for Family Day of Celebration

Newcastle Theatre Royal and Northern Pride Join Forces for Family Day of Celebration

LGBTQIA+ Families and Young People Invited to Enjoy Free Pride Festivities at the Theatre Royal

 Theatre Royal CEO Marianne Locatori
and Northern Pride’s Director Ste Dunn

With Newcastle Pride just around the corner, organisers are teaming up with the iconic Newcastle Theatre Royal to deliver a vibrant and inclusive day of celebration for LGBTQIA+ families and young people. On Saturday 19 July, the Theatre will transform into a colourful Family & Youth Zone, offering a packed schedule of free events for all ages – from toddlers to teens and everyone in between.

Running from 12pm to 4pm, the day promises a joyful mix of entertainment, creativity, and community spirit. Attendees can enjoy everything from face painting and interactive storytelling with Bookwrym, to a high-energy live performance by Urban Kaos. The fun continues with musical activities including an ‘Express Yourself’ workshop and a lively Lip Sync Battle presented by Curious Arts.

Throughout the day, the Theatre Royal will also host a selection of stalls and pop-ups from local organisations, including Action for Children, Newcastle Mela, YMCA, and ATOMS, offering both support and fun, hands-on activities.

To round off the celebration, North East cabaret star Gloria Love will take to the temporary Unfolding Theatre stage inside the Theatre for a fabulous teen disco — the perfect end to a Pride party made for all.

Marianne Locatori, Chief Executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal, said: “We’re excited to be working with Northern Pride and to be flying the Pride flag until the festival weekend, celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community here in the city. It’s important that local people, businesses and allies are visible in showing their support. There’s no better way than by partnering with Newcastle Pride festival.”

“It’s great to be providing a creative space where families can join in on the festivities and take part in free activities. The Family & Youth Zone is set to offer a fantastic programme, so there’s something for all members of the family — from young children to teens and adults.”

As Pride flags wave high above Grey Street, this partnership between Northern Pride and Theatre Royal highlights the importance of inclusion and connection. Whether you’re part of an LGBTQIA+ family, a queer young person looking to meet others in a safe space, or simply an ally wanting to share in the celebration, the Family & Youth Zone offers something for everyone.

Ste Dunn, Director of Northern Pride, added: “It’s important that Pride is inclusive and there are opportunities for everyone of all ages to get involved should they wish to. Our Family & Youth Zone offers so many exciting ways for families to celebrate in their own way. We’re incredibly grateful for the support of Theatre Royal and are looking forward to a wonderful day.”

Details:

For more information and a full programme of activities, visit www.northern-pride.com.

Stage schedule at the Family and Youth Zone

● Urban Kaos – 1pm-1.30pm

● Express Yourself – 1.30pm-2pm

● Storytelling – 2pm-2.30pm

● Lip Sync Battle – 2.30pm-3pm

● ATOMS – 3pm-3.30pm

● Storytelling – 3.30pm-4pm

● Teen Disco – 4pm-5pm

News: Darlington Operatic Society Brings Award-Winning Musical Come From Away to the Hippodrome

 🎭 Darlington Operatic Society Brings Award-Winning Musical Come From Away to the Hippodrome

The North East’s vibrant theatre scene is set for a heartwarming highlight this autumn, as Darlington Operatic Society presents the Olivier and Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away at Darlington Hippodrome. Running from Wednesday 22 October to Saturday 1 November, this production promises a powerful blend of music, humanity, and storytelling.

Directed by Jo Hand with musical direction by Steven Hood, Come From Away tells the extraordinary true story of 7,000 airline passengers grounded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland in the aftermath of 9/11—and the local community that opened their hearts and homes in response.

“This is a show about compassion and connection,” said director Jo Hand. “Our cast is exceptional, and we’re already seeing the emotional impact this story can have—even in rehearsal.”

With an audition process praised for its depth of talent, many roles will be double cast, offering even more local performers the opportunity to shine. The cast includes over 30 dedicated performers, including Charlotte Sisson, Emma Louise Dickinson, Cameron Jackson, James Bearpark, Zoe Kent, Lucy Ivison, and Hamish Sams, to name a few.

Musical Director Steven Hood added, “The score is full of heart, rhythm, and resilience. Our cast is more than ready to meet the challenge.”

Known for its uplifting message and emotional resonance, Come From Away is an unmissable production for North East theatre lovers.

Don’t miss this unforgettable celebration of humanity, hope, and harmony.

Tickets:

📅 Dates: Wednesday 22 October – Saturday 1 November
🎟 Tickets: Call 01325 244659 or book online at darlingtonos.org.uk
📍 Venue: Darlington Hippodrome

Preview: Dan Bastianelli – Identity at The Newgate Social, Newcastle

🎭 Preview: Dan Bastianelli – Identity

📍 The Newgate Social, Newcastle upon Tyne
📅 29 July 2025 | 9:00 PM | 50 mins
🎟️ Tickets via Newcastle Fringe

Fresh from two consecutive sell-out runs at the Edinburgh Fringe, award-winning magician Dan Bastianelli brings his mind-bending new show Identity to Newcastle Fringe for one night only — and it’s anything but your average magic set.

Part sleight-of-hand, part self-reflection, Identity uses magic as a mirror to explore who we really are. Through a carefully woven mix of illusion, storytelling, and psychological insight, Bastianelli invites audiences to question the world around them — and their place in it.

Can we trust our senses? Can we even trust ourselves?

Bastianelli, Vice-President of the Edinburgh Magic Circle, is known for pushing the boundaries of what magic shows can be — infusing them with emotional depth and philosophical punch. In Identity, he trades cheap thrills for genuine connection, making this show a standout in the Newcastle Fringe programme.

“Perfectly Performed Magic” ★★★★ – WorldMagicReview.com

Suitable for ages 12+, Identity promises a unique blend of mystery, thought, and theatrical craft — perfect for fans of Derren Brown or anyone craving something more meaningful from their Fringe experience.

🪄 Who are you really? Come find out.

---

Dan Bastianelli – Identity
📍 The Newgate Social, NE1 5TG
📆 Tuesday 29 July 2025
🕘 9:00 PM (50 mins)
🎟️ £12 / £6 concessions

👉 Book now 

Preview: Get in, loser – Mean Girls: The Musical is coming to Sunderland Empire!

 Get in, loser – Mean Girls: The Musical is coming to Sunderland Empire!

🎭 The wildly popular, award-winning Mean Girls: The Musical will bring its fetch brand of high school chaos to Sunderland Empire from Monday 6 to Saturday 11 April 2026, as part of its hotly anticipated 2026–2027 UK and Ireland tour.

Based on the cult 2004 Paramount Pictures film, the stage musical adaptation of Mean Girls has become a global sensation, earning critical and audience acclaim on both sides of the Atlantic. Featuring a razor-sharp book by comedy icon Tina Fey, music by Jeff Richmond, and lyrics by Nell Benjamin, the show delivers all the savage wit and iconic one-liners fans know and love — plus a killer soundtrack and explosive choreography.

From Screen to Stage

Mean Girls: The Musical had its world premiere in Washington, D.C. in 2017 before making a splash on Broadway in April 2018, where it ran to packed houses at the August Wilson Theatre. A hugely successful U.S. national tour followed, along with a second American tour and, most recently, a West End run at London’s Savoy Theatre from June 2024 to June 2025, seen by over 330,000 people. The show also scooped Best New Musical at the 2025 WhatsOnStage Awards.

The musical returned to the screen in 2024 with a new film version — a reinvention of the original story packed with fresh performances and musical numbers, once again under the guidance of Tina Fey.

Welcome to North Shore High

The story centres on Cady Heron, a smart, home-schooled teenager who finds herself thrown into the chaotic world of American high school. When she crosses paths with The Plastics — the school’s reigning queen bee Regina George and her loyal sidekicks Gretchen and Karen — Cady gets drawn into a high-stakes battle of popularity, power, and pink. But as her plot to bring Regina down spirals out of control, Cady realises that high school is tougher than the African savannahs she’s used to.

Expect sharp dialogue, explosive dance routines, and a score packed with memorable tunes, as Mean Girls: The Musical dives deep into themes of identity, fitting in, and the cost of trying to be "cool."

A Must-See Musical for a New Generation

Directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Aladdin), with stunning scenic and costume design by Scott Pask and Katrina Lindsay, this vibrant production combines Broadway spectacle with a sharp, contemporary edge.

Photos: Brinkhoff-Mögenburg

#ad

📅 Mean Girls: The Musical runs at Sunderland Empire from Monday 6 to Saturday 11 April 2026.
🎟️ Tickets go on public sale from Thursday 3 July at 10am via ATGTickets.com/Sunderland
(A £3.95 transaction fee may apply to online bookings.)

Don't miss your chance to sit with The Plastics. Just remember — on Wednesdays, we wear pink.

News: Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell to Make Newcastle Debut in 2025

 Matthew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell to Make Newcastle Debut in 2025

🎭 Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures return to Newcastle Theatre Royal in summer 2025 with the acclaimed production of The Midnight Bell, playing from Tuesday 8 to Saturday 12 July 2025 — marking its first visit to the city.

Set amidst the smoky pubs and shadowy streets of 1930s Soho and Fitzrovia, The Midnight Bell tells a series of interwoven tales of desire, loneliness and fleeting connection. The story unfolds around the titular pub, where a collection of emotionally tangled characters gather each night in search of meaning, belonging, or perhaps just one more drink.

Inspired by the writings of celebrated English novelist Patrick Hamilton (Hangover Square, Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky), the show captures the bleak poetry and bitter humour of lives on the margins. Hamilton’s evocative world of working-class London, drawn from his own boozy Soho experiences, finds new life through Bourne’s distinctive choreographic lens.

First premiered in 2021 to glowing reviews, The Midnight Bell earned five nominations at the 2022 National Dance Awards. Matthew Bourne won for Best Modern Choreography, while Michela Meazza was recognised for Outstanding Female Modern Performance. However, this upcoming tour marks the first time North East audiences will have the chance to experience it live.

Matthew Bourne said:

“The Midnight Bell, with its entangled tales of lonely souls looking for love, was the piece that brought us back to national touring after the pandemic. I'm thrilled to be bringing this heart-felt piece to new audiences — please join us… mine’s a gin and tonic!”

As always, Bourne collaborates with an award-winning creative team, including Terry Davies (music), Lez Brotherston (set and costume), Paule Constable (lighting) and Paul Groothuis (sound), promising a visually and emotionally rich evening of dance theatre.

Renowned for reinventing classic stories — from Swan Lake to Edward Scissorhands — New Adventures brings its signature mix of drama, elegance and emotional power to this original and intimate tale.

Photos by Johan Persson

🎟️ Tickets for The Midnight Bell are on sale now via www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

News: Adèle Anderson to Star in Joyous Hit Musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 Adèle Anderson to Star in Joyous Hit Musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Cabaret legend Adèle Anderson takes on the iconic role of Bernadette as the glitter-filled musical returns to the UK stage.

The sparkling, high-octane musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert rolls into Newcastle Theatre Royal from Monday 6 to Saturday 11 April 2026, with the inimitable Adèle Anderson leading the cast as the elegant and fiery Bernadette.

A beloved member of the acclaimed satirical cabaret trio Fascinating Aïda since 1984, Anderson brings a rich blend of wit, warmth and world-class vocal ability to the role. Her career has spanned over four decades, earning accolades including three Olivier Award nominations. With stage credits ranging from She Loves Me at Sheffield Crucible to Closer to Heaven at Above The Stag, Anderson is no stranger to commanding the spotlight – and audiences are in for a treat.

Adele Anderson 

Speaking about her role, Anderson said: “Bernadette is a warm, witty, caring and compassionate character, whom audiences will love... In the current climate it is vital that people see this character as a human being who is secure in herself, who loves, laughs and cries and, most importantly, earns respect.”

Directed by Olivier Award nominee Ian Talbot OBE, and choreographed by Matt Cole (Olivier Award winner for Disney’s Newsies), the production promises a visually stunning and emotionally resonant journey across the Australian Outback. The creative team also includes designer Andrew Exeter, whose striking set and lighting work will help bring this story to vivid life.

A Cult Classic With Heart

Based on the Oscar-winning 1994 film of the same name, Priscilla Queen of the Desert first hit the stage in Sydney in 2006 before taking the West End by storm in 2009, followed by Broadway in 2011. With its jukebox of disco classics — from It’s Raining Men and I Will Survive to Girls Just Wanna Have Fun — the musical has become a modern theatre favourite.

Yet beneath the glitter and glamour lies a poignant tale of friendship, identity and acceptance. The story follows three drag performers – Tick, Adam, and Bernadette – as they traverse the Australian desert in their battered bus, “Priscilla,” to deliver a show in a remote town. Along the way, they encounter prejudice, face personal demons, and ultimately celebrate the power of authenticity and community.

Priscilla Queen of the Desert is more than just a feel-good musical — it’s a joyful, defiant celebration of LGBTQ+ culture and resilience, brought to life through dazzling costumes, powerhouse vocals, and an unforgettable soundtrack.

Tickets:

Tickets for Priscilla Queen of the Desert at Newcastle Theatre Royal are on sale now at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or via the Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

News: Opera Comes Alive in Newcastle with ‘Opera Unplugged’ International Conference at Newcastle's Tyne Theatre & Opera House Opera lovers, scholars, and p

Opera Comes Alive in Newcastle with ‘Opera Unplugged’ International Conference at Newcastle's Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Opera lovers, scholars, and performers from around the world will gather in Newcastle this September for a landmark international event at the historic Tyne Theatre and Opera House. The venue has announced Opera Unplugged, a three-day conference running from Wednesday 3 to Friday 5 September 2025, promising a rare blend of scholarly insight, artistic exploration, and live demonstration in one of the UK’s most atmospheric Victorian theatres.

Designed to celebrate opera in all its complexity, Opera Unplugged will uncover hidden histories and spotlight the often-overlooked craft and innovation behind the grand performances. From stage machinery and historic lighting to forgotten works and revivals, the event offers a unique backstage pass to the rich world of opera-making.

“This is a rare opportunity to place Newcastle and our magnificent Grade I listed theatre at the heart of international opera dialogue,” says Conference Curator Dr. David Wilmore. “We’re uniting scholars, designers, technicians, and musicians in a truly interdisciplinary celebration of operatic heritage.”

Photo: Carl Joyce

The programme opens with a keynote address by Sir Thomas Allen CBE, the celebrated baritone and North East native, whose personal reflections on a lifetime in opera are set to launch the conference on a moving and memorable note.

Attendees can look forward to an impressive range of presentations and events, including:

• Tommaso Sabbatini on editing a rare 1903 production of Tosca at the Opéra-Comique

• Hannah Scott examining Scottish identity and costume on the Parisian stage

• A dedicated session on Oscar Barrett, with focus on The Corsican Brothers and The Lancashire Lass

• The exclusive unveiling of the Carl Rosa Opera Exhibition, showcasing rarely-seen artefacts and archives

• A keynote from Nicholas Payne, former Director of the Royal Opera House, on opera policy and advocacy

• Insights into the world’s first public opera house, Venice’s Teatro San Cassiano, from Paul Atkin and Jon Greenfield

• A live historic stage lighting demonstration

• A tour of the Tyne Theatre’s historic stage machinery

• Final-day sessions on opera-ballet in Britain, opera prompting, and gender in the German voice tradition

Whether you're a 19th-century theatre historian, a performer intrigued by forgotten techniques, or simply an opera enthusiast, Opera Unplugged offers an unmatched opportunity to engage with the living legacy of operatic performance.

“Opera Unplugged celebrates opera not only as performance, but as craft, as culture, and as collaboration,” the organisers explain, encapsulating the spirit of the event.

With limited delegate places available, early booking is strongly advised. For full details, programme information, and registration, visit:
👉 www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk/operaunplugged