Preview: Slava’s SnowShow at Sunderland Empire

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 Slava’s Snowshow arrives in Sunderland this Christmas

Slava’s SnowShow

Sunderland Empire 

Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 December 2024

Tickets: https://tinyurl.com/SundSNOWshow 

Slava’s SnowShow, the multi award-winning global phenomenon that recently celebrated 30 years enchanting people of all ages worldwide, returns to the UK this year after a seven-year hiatus. The show will visit Sunderland Empire from 3 – 7 December 2024. Tickets will be on sale from 10am on Thursday 11 July.

“DAZZLING! GUARANTEED TO MAKE EVEN THE GLUM THAW INTO HAPPINESS.” - Observer

***** "THEATRICAL BRILLIANCE" - Sunday Times

Slava Snowshow 2 greenz in giant spider web by Aya Rufin

Immerse yourself in the whimsical world of Slava’s SnowShow, a spellbinding spectacle where laughter and wonder collide. It’s a celebration that knows no bounds, uniting people of all walks of life in a shared moment of joyous folly.

Slava’s SnowShow is a cavalcade of chaos and charm that invites you to leave the everyday behind and indulge in pure, tender delight.

Join us for an unforgettable experience that promises to sprinkle a little magic into your life and remind you of the joy in being wonderfully silly.

Slava Snowshow 3 clowns in bubbles by Aya Rufin

After conquering the world’s leading cities many times over, Slava’s SnowShow, a visual and musical extravaganza, offers a dream-like vision that overflows with theatrical magic and humorous antics. The production is set within an absurd and surrealistic world of ‘fools on the loose’, a work of art in which each scene paints a picture: an unlikely shark swimming in a misty sea; clowns and the audience tangled up in a gigantic spider’s web; heart-breaking goodbyes with a coat rack on a railway platform; audience members hypnotized by giant balloons; and an out-of-this-world snowstorm that’s sure to leave audiences spellbound.

Slava Snowshow Colour balloons in the audience by Veronique Vial

Slava’s SnowShow is the recipient of more than 20 international awards, including an Olivier Award for Best Entertainment, a Drama Desk Award, and a Tony Award nomination. In addition to unanimous public acclaim, the production is a darling with critics who have declared it “a thing of rare theatrical beauty not to be missed” (Daily Telegraph) and confessed, “my heart leapt… [SnowShow] induces waves of giggles and sighs of pleasure.” (New York Times).

Slava Snowshow In the Snow Storm by Andrea Lopez 

Born in a small town in central Russia, Slava Polunin discovered the art of pantomime in high school. As he grew to adulthood in Leningrad, he developed an eccentric version of the form, which he lovingly dubbed ‘Expressive Idiotism.’ From 1979 on, Slava quickly became a fixture on Russian stages and TV, sharing his gifts and continuing to redefine the art of clowning with his poetic and poignant approach to comic performance. This discovery would reach its zenith with Slava’s SnowShow, which burst onto world stages at the 1996 Edinburgh Festival to universal praise and wonder.

Slava Snowshow Greens on the ship by Veronique Vial

Since its debut, the work has travelled all over the world, with more than 12,000 performances in over 225 cities and 40 counties.

 

Tickets:

Slava’s SnowShow will bring the art of clowning to Sunderland Empire from Tuesday 3 – Saturday 7 December 2024. ATG+ Pre-sale tickets available online now. General on sale at 10am on Thursday 11 July at https://tinyurl.com/SundSNOWshow *

*A £3.95 transaction fee applies to online bookings.

Notes:

Recommended for children 8 years and over

For safety reasons, we would also like patrons with younger children to be advised to sit in the circle, due to the large inflatables that come off the stage and into the stalls.

The SNOWSHOW company is made up of a number of performers; it is rarely known in advance which clowns will perform at which performance.

 

Preview: The Railway Children at Newcastle People’s Theatre

A beloved children’s classic pulls into the People’s Theatre next week

The Railway Children 

by E. Nesbit, adapted by Mike Kenny

Newcastle People’s Theatre

Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 July 2024 

All aboard for Mike Kenny’s delightful adaptation of E. Nesbit’s The Railway Children, the much-loved story of family, adventure, and trains!

When their father suddenly leaves under mysterious circumstances, Bobbie, Peter, Phyllis and their mother must move to a small cottage in rural Yorkshire where life is very different.

The children meet new friends, save the day and divert disasters, and along the way discover a world full of imagination, love and resilience.

Actors Ashton Matthews, Joe Moore and Stephanie Moore who play the Waterbury children Bobbie, Peter and Phyllis took a trip to Tanfield Railway last month where its heritage steam train proved to be the perfect co-star for some photographs (link below)!

The Railway Children captures all of the angst and exhilarations of childhood, and promises to be a heartwarming summer treat for all ages.

The Railway Children runs from Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 July on the Main Stage.

Photos: Paul Hood (With thanks to David Watchman, Nicola Irving and Tanfield Railway)

Tickets: 

The Railway Children by E. Nesbit, adapted by Mike Kenny

Tuesday 16 – Saturday 20 July 2024

People’s Theatre, Stephenson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 5QF

Tickets are available from the People’s Theatre Box Office on 0191 265 5020 (option 2) and online at www.peoplestheatre.co.uk 

 

This amateur production of ‘The Railway Children’ is presented by arrangement with Nick Hern Books

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Preview: Ghost Stories at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 West End Hit Set To Terrify Newcastle Audiences

Ghost Stories 

Newcastle Theatre Royal 

Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 April 2025

After exhilarating audiences across the globe with record breaking, sell-out productions and a smash hit film, the Olivier-award nominated, supernatural sensation, Ghost Stories “An immaculately crafted evening of entertainment” (Time Out) will be visiting Newcastle Theatre Royal.

Now even more spine-tingling and terrifying than ever, the production was last seen in the UK in 2019 when the show celebrated its latest West End Run. Following this, it embarked on a UK tour in early 2020, which was cut short by the pandemic.

When Professor Goodman, arch-sceptic out to debunk the paranormal, embarks on an investigation of three apparent hauntings – as recounted by a night-watchman, a teenage boy, and a businessman awaiting his first child – Goodman finds himself at the outer limits of rationality, and fast running out of explanations.

 

Enter a world full of thrilling twists and epic turns, where the ultimate love-letter to horror is imagined live on stage. A fully sensory and electrifying encounter, Ghost Stories is one of London’s best reviewed plays of all time and will keep you on the edge-of-your-seat. This is a theatrical experience like no other.

After exhilarating audiences across the world with record breaking, sell-out productions and a smash hit film, Andy Nyman and Jeremy Dyson’s Ghost Stories is "Genuine scary fun” (Sunday Times), a worldwide phenomenon more spine-tingling and fantastically terrifying than ever. 

Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman say of the return of their celebrated terrifying tales: “We are beyond excited that Ghost Stories will be scaring the hell out of audiences around the country in its first ever full national tour. It’s fifteen years since we first brought screams, laughs, jumps and killer twists to the theatre and we can’t wait to do it again. Are you brave enough to book?” 

2018 saw the release of the film version of Ghost Stories. Based on their own play, the film was written and directed by Andy and Jeremy, and its cast included Martin Freeman, Alex Lawther and Paul Whitehouse. The film has been hailed as a ‘Modern Horror Classic’ and was voted number 16 in Empire magazines list ‘The Greatest 25 Horror films ever made’.

Andy Nyman is a multi-award-winning actor, director and writer who has earned acclaim from both critics and audiences for his work in theatre, film, and television. This year he will be starring opposite Imelda Staunton at the London Palladium in Hello, Dolly! and his extensive television credits include The Capture and Unforgotten as well as a highly acclaimed performance as Winston Churchill in Peaky Blinders. Later this year Andy can be seen playing Gov. Thropp in the anticipated blockbuster film WICKED.

  

Jeremy Dyson is best known as the co-creator and co-writer of the multi-award-winning comedy show The League of Gentlemen. His play Ghost Stories, co-written with Andy Nyman was nominated for an Olivier award, and has enjoyed three separate West End runs since debuting in 2010.

Jeremy has worked as script editor on numerous award-winning TV comedies including Bad Education and Tracey Ullman’s Show and has written for many other TV shows including Killing Eve and Good Omens. His latest book, The Warlock Effect co-written with Andy Nyman was published in 2023.

Please be advised that Ghost Stories contains moments of extreme shock and tension. The show is unsuitable for anyone under the age of 15. We strongly advise those of a nervous disposition to think very seriously before attending.

Tickets:

Ghost Stories plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Tuesday 22 – Saturday 26 April 2025. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

Preview: Roll for Initiative: The Wizard’s Tower at Newcastle Dance City

 Gaming meets theatre in an interactive comedy fantasy quest adventure! 

Luna Attic Productions presents
Roll for Initiative: The Wizard’s Tower

Newcastle Dance City

Thursday 25th July 2024

After a successful run at the 2023 Newcastle Fringe Festival, then followed by multiple sell-out shows at Alphabetti Theatre, Roll for Initiative are back with their fantasy-quest inspired show The Wizard’s Tower!

Roll for Initiative is an interactive performance combining theatre with popular role playing games like Dungeons and Dragons. It is an interactive show blending theatre, improvisation, and interactive gaming into live playable audience experiences where no two shows are the same. Roll for Initiative is created largely by the audience for the performers to act out in a choose-your-own-adventure style theatrical experience; from creating the characters, building the locations, and rolling the giant 20 sided dice to determine the outcome of events.

The Wizard’s Tower is Roll for Initiative’s debut show, taking inspiration from the fantasy genre in a comedy quest adventure. Starting in a tavern, the audience is guided through the show by the Quest Master (who facilitates the show); from the creation of the Heroes through to the quest they will tackle and the creatures they’ll meet along the way, culminating in a final boss battle in The Wizard’s Tower. How our heroes reach the tower and what happens en-route is all completely down to the audience interactions, suggestions, and the rolls of our giant 20-sided dice.

The show is produced by Luna Attic Productions, the creative space for actor/director Michelle Bayly. Michelle’s work draws upon her passion for bringing communities together, collaboration, creating magical stories, and thinking of new ways to engage a wide range of audiences to enjoy a variety of productions. Post pandemic, Michelle wanted to create a live interactive show, mixing theatre and gaming together. Recognising the wish for audiences to feel more actively involved during shows, and seeing an ever increasing gaming and tabletop fan base, Roll for Initiative was born. 

The Roll for Initiative team is made up of a team of actors, musicians, comedians, improvisers, and directors: Graham Oakes, Hazel Dixon, Liam Scarth, Michelle Bayly, Helen Doyle, Jake Wilson Craw, Lewis Black, Michael Curry, Adam Harrison and Casey Railton.

On The Web:

Website: linktr.ee/rollforinitiativeshow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rollforinitiativeshow
X: @RollForShow
Instagram: @rollforinitiativeshow
Tiktok: @rollforinitiativeshow

Tickets:

Tickets: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/newcastle-fringe-festival/roll-for-initiative-the-wizard-s-tower/2024-07-25/20:00/t-lnrndva
Age Recommendation: 15+ with adult recommended. Under 15's may attend accompanied by an adult, but we warn there may be strong language and adult themes mentioned within the show from audience suggestions.

Box Office: 0191 261 0505

Venue: Dance City, Temple Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4BR
Date: Thursday 25th July 2024
Time: 20:00 (arrive for 19:30 to create your character sheets)
Running time: 2 hours with a 15 minute interval

News: Festive Comedy show Laffs4Kids heads to Utilita Arena Newcastle this December

Festive Comedy show Laffs4Kids heads to Utilita Arena Newcastle this December

 Laffs4Kids is coming to Utilita Arena Newcastle on Sunday, 15th December!

Produced and compered by Jason Cook, the event is a fantastic feel-good Christmas show bringing together some of the best comedy stand-up acts, well known faces from TV and some extra special guests too.

Laffs4Kids is not only a great show, it raises money to support the Cash for Kids Mission Christmas appeal which aims to ensure every child wakes up to a gift on Christmas Day. Audience members are asked to bring a gift with them on show day which will be given to a local child living in poverty. This generous Geordie audience have donated a total of 88,000 toys since Laffs4Kids began in 2015. For many people Laffs4Kids kick starts the festive period with the audience returning year after year and in 2024, the time has come for a BIG move to the Utilita Arena! 

There are over 40,000 North East children living in poverty who will potentially wake up to nothing on Christmas Day and we need your help! Everyone attending Laffs4Kids is asked to bring along a toy or gift which will be given to a local child. Gifts should be new, unwrapped and can be dropped off with the Cash for Kids team on show day for ages 0-18 years of age’

Tickets:

Please note that the show is for 16+.

Tickets for Laffs4Kids at Utilita Arena Newcastle on Sunday 15th December go on sale from Friday 12th July at 10:00AM from www.ticketmaster.co.uk.

Preview: Bat Out of Hell - The Musical at Sunderland Empire

 Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical returns to tour the UK - 

Visiting Sunderland Empire from 18 - 23 August 2025

Following a successful UK, Ireland and International tour from 2021 - 2023 the Award-winning Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical, featuring Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf’s greatest hits, will return to tour the UK in 2025, with performances at Sunderland Empire from Monday 18 - Saturday 23 August 2025.

Inspired by the spectacular arena tour of Australia and New Zealand, this reimagined show promises to be a thrilling experience, featuring a dynamic eight-piece rock band on stage and sprawling multi-level platforms that will transport you through the diverse worlds of Bat Out of Hell, from Raven’s bedroom to the depths of the Lost’s underground domains.

Returning to the cast are Glenn Adamson (We Will Rock You, London Coliseum, Bat Boy in concert, London Palladium) as Strat, Katie Tonkinson (Bonnie and Clyde, UK & Ireland Tour) as Raven and original leading cast members Rob Fowler (MAMMA MIA!, UK & International tour, Tanz Der Vampire Das Musical, German tour) as Falco and Sharon Sexton (MAMMA MIA!, UK & International tour, Billy Elliot The Musical) as Sloane.

Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical wowed critics and public alike when it played limited seasons at Manchester Opera House, London Coliseum and London’s Dominion Theatre. The musical also had successful runs in Canada, Germany and New York, a residency in Las Vegas and the international tour took the show to the UK, Ireland, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. Bat Out Of Hell – The Musical won the Radio 2 Audience Award for Best Musical at the Evening Standard Awards and was nominated for 8 WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical.

Bat Out of Hell became one of the best-selling albums in history, selling over 68 million copies worldwide.  16 years after the release of the original album, Steinman scored again with Bat Out of Hell II: Back into Hell, which contained the massive hit I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That).

For the stage musical, the legendary and award-winning Jim Steinman incorporated iconic songs from the Bat Out of Hell albums, including You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth, Bat Out of Hell, I Would Do Anything for Love (But I Won’t Do That) and Two Out Of Three Ain’t Bad, as well as the previously unreleased song What Part of My Body Hurts the Most.

As the Lost boys and girls flee into the tunnels below the city from its ruler Falco, his teenage daughter Raven locks eyes with fearless leader of the Lost, the immortal Strat, and the immensity of their love-at-first-sight-obsessions threaten to destroy both of their families. Experience the thrill of the electrifying songs of Jim Steinman and Meat Loaf's epic collaboration: “Bat Out of Hell.”

Bat Out of Hell - The Musical has book, music and lyrics by Jim Steinman, direction by Jay Scheib, with musical supervision and additional arrangements by Michael Reed, additional choreography by Xena Gusthart, set and costume design by Jon Bausor, original costume designs by Meentje Nielsen, original wig designs by Linda McKnight, video design by Finn Ross, lighting design by Patrick Woodroffe, sound design by Gareth Owen, orchestration by Steve Sidwell, original casting by David Grindrod CDG and casting by Anne Vosser.

The West End & UK Tour of Bat Out of Hell – The Musical is produced by Michael Cohl, Tony Smith & David Sonenberg with executive producer Julian Stoneman.

 

Tickets:

Bat Out of Hell - The Musical will rock on Sunderland Empire’s stage from Monday 18 – Saturday 23 August 2025. ATG+ TheatreCard pre-sale tickets available 10am Friday 5 July. General ticket on sale 10am Monday 8 July at https://tinyurl.com/BatInSUnderland *

*A £3.95 transaction fee applies to online bookings.

Preview: Birdsong at Newcastle Theatre Royal

 

There is nothing more than to love and be loved 

Birdsong

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Tuesday 21 – Saturday 25 January 2025

Award-winning actor Max Bowden, best known for the roles of Ben Mitchell in Eastenders and Justin Fitzgerald in Waterloo Road, will star as Jack Firebrace in Birdsong, Sebastian Faulks’ epic story of love and loss, when it returns to the Newcastle Theatre Royal stage. 

The critically acclaimed show, adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and directed by Alastair Whatley, tells the story of one man’s journey through an all-consuming love affair and into the horror of the First World War.

In pre-war France, a young Englishman, Stephen Wraysford, embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their world upside down. As the war breaks out over the idyll of his former life, Stephen must lead his men through the carnage of the Battle of the Somme and through the sprawling tunnels that lie deep underground. Faced with the unprecedented horror of the war Stephen clings to the memory of Isabelle as his world explodes around him.

  

On taking on the lead role in a tour marking the 30th anniversary of the international best-selling novel, Max Bowden said: “I’m so excited to be collaborating with Original Theatre again on a project close to my heart. Birdsong highlights the tragedy of war, yet the beauty of humanity simultaneously through strong relationships under extreme circumstances, and I can’t wait to bring Jack Firebrace to life under their guidance.”

 

Alastair Whatley, Director of Birdsong and Artistic Director of Original Theatre, said “Max joined us to play the character of Tipper, a young soldier, in the 2016 tour of Birdsong and now the best part of a decade later returns to play the wonderful role of Jack Firebrace. I cannot wait to get back in the rehearsal room with Max to explore one of Sebastian’s most unforgettable characters.”

Photos: Michael Wharley

Tickets:

Birdsong plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Tuesday 21 – Saturday 25 January 2025. Tickets can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.