News: Newcastle Theatre Royal announce Aladdin - a brand-new panto for 2025/26

Newcastle Theatre Royal announce Aladdin - a brand-new panto for 2025/26

Whilst cast and crew are in rehearsals ahead of diving into this year’s pantomime, The Little Mermaid, Newcastle Theatre Royal and Crossroads Pantomimes are delighted to announce that a brand-new version of Aladdin will fly into the Grey Street venue in 2025/26.

In celebration of Danny and Clive’s 20th year as the stars of the Theatre Royal panto, audiences will enter a whole new world of pantomime with a brand-new version of Aladdin. Michael Harrison’s retelling of the legendary story is set in the Royal Kingdom of Pantomania, where a whole host of fairytale characters come together in a pantomime for the 21st century where wicked witches meet dancing geese, colliding with one very magical flying carpet!

Chris Hayward once again dons the Dame’s frocks as Aladdin’s mum, Mother Goose, and Joe McElderry returns as The Spirit of the Ring. This is Aladdin as it’s never been seen before - with a Tyneside twist! With brand-new sets and costumes designed especially for Newcastle Theatre Royal, Aladdin promises to be a Genie-us of a pantomime.

Michael Harrison, Producer and Director of the Theatre Royal pantomime said: “We’re absolutely delighted to announce the return of Danny, Clive, Chris and Joe next Christmas in a brand-new staging of Aladdin. Opening spectacular new pantomimes at the Theatre Royal is becoming somewhat of a tradition, with our new production of The Little Mermaid opening in a few weeks time, and following the huge success of Pinocchio last year.”

Chief Executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal, Marianne Locatori added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Danny and Clive back to the venue for their 20th season! Many of our audiences have grown up watching pantomimes here, and they are a huge part of that tradition. We’re looking forward to being able to celebrate this milestone by welcoming audiences to watch a version of Aladdin unlike any they have ever seen before.”

“Later this month we’ll be opening yet another brand-new pantomime, The Little Mermaid and we’ve already sold more than 75,000 tickets. Rehearsals are now underway, and we can’t wait to share the finished show with our audiences, every year we’re sure the production can’t outdo the last, yet they still keep getting better and better!”

Tickets:

Aladdin plays Newcastle Theatre Royal Tuesday 25 November 2025 – Sunday 11 January 2026. This year’s pantomime – The Little Mermaid - plays Tuesday 26 November 2024 – Sunday 12 January 2025.

Tickets for Aladdin are on sale from Thursday 14 November 2024 to Friends Plus members and Monday 18 November 2024 to Friends of the Theatre Royal. Flexi members, Groups and Schools can book from Thu 21 Nov 2024 and public booking opens on Tuesday 26 November 2024.

Tickets for both shows can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.

Relaxed performances: Sun 7 Dec 2025, 12pm & Wed 7 Jan 2026, 12pm
Audio Described: Tue 9 Dec 2025, 7pm
BSL & Captioned performance: Thu 11 Dec 2025, 2pm & 7pm   

 
Website: theatreroyal.co.uk
Box Office: 0191 232 7010
Groups Sales: 0191 232 7020

Facebook: /NewcastleTheatreRoyal
Twitter: @TheatreRoyalNew
Instagram: @NewcastleTheatreRoyal

News: War Horse Visits Beamish Museum to Commemorate Remembrance Day

War Horse Visits Beamish Museum to 

Commemorate Remembrance Day

 

 

To mark 110 years since the start of World War One and to commemorate Remembrance Day, last week on Thursday 7 November, the iconic puppet of the National Theatre’s War Horse, ‘Joey’, visited Beamish Museum’s Home Farm to remember not only the men and women lost in the First and Second World Wars but the animals who served, too.

 

The National Theatre’s production War Horse, which is currently playing at Sunderland Empire until Saturday 16 November, features ground-breaking puppetry work by South Africa’s Handspring Puppet Company, which brings breathing, galloping, charging, horses to thrilling life on stage.

 

Joey travelled to the living, working museum to meet their Clydesdale horse, Mick, who is a real-life example of a working horse that would have been used in World War One. Also in attendance were Beamish Museum’s engagement staff, who recreated First World War soldiers.

 

This tour of War Horse follows the 40^th anniversary of the publication of Michael Morpurgo’s global best-selling novel, which has now sold over 35 million copies in 37 different languages worldwide.

 

 

Rhiannon Hiles, Chief Executive of Beamish Museum said:

 

“It was wonderful to have War Horse here and to see the actual Joey with our horse Mick. It was quite emotional when he came out of the hemmel. I felt a bit choked up and had a tear in my eye. It’s significant for us to host this, not just because we’re partners with Sunderland Empire, but because it’s brilliant to work together with anchor institutions across the north, especially at this time of year.

 

Yesterday being Remembrance Sunday, the staff came down into our 1900s Town - but we’re not just about the men and the women who fought and lost their lives, we’re also about the animals and we promote that as part of what we do, so to have had Joey here is very emotional. When you think about what took place back then, it was very significant and made quite a lot of impact for people. I know it’s a puppet, but it doesn’t feel like a puppet. It feels real.”

 

When asked about the significance Michael Morpurgo’s War Horse still has today, local actor Owen Dagnall from County Durham, who plays Albert, said:

 

“It’s the humanity in it. It’s based on Joey and the bond he has with Albert. It’s humanity in its purest form. We need humanity - the rawness of it is very special. It’s very captivating.”

 

Hartlepool puppeteer Lewis McBean who plays Heart of Joey said:

 

“There’s so much war happening and I think both World War One and World War Two made such big impacts upon everyone all over the world. Of course, we’ve built our future from that point on and war, no matter which one it is, teaches you lessons of how we act, the human condition and how we deal with things. What’s nice (about the show) is although war is the backdrop, it explores a lot of the relationships and how people deal with war in those moments, as well as how we connect and the decisions we make.”

 

At the outbreak of World War One, Joey, young Albert’s beloved horse, is sold to the Cavalry and shipped to France.  He’s soon caught up in enemy fire, and fate takes him on an extraordinary journey, serving on both sides before finding himself alone in no man’s land.  Albert, who remained on his parents’ Devon farm, cannot forget Joey. Though still not old enough to enlist, he embarks on a treacherous mission to find him and bring him home.

 

War Horse, adapted by Nick Stafford and originally directed by Marianne Elliott and Tom Morris has become the most successful play in the history of the National Theatre, winning more than 25 major awards and has been seen by over 8.3 million people worldwide. Creative development for this all-new tour has been led by Tom Morris and revival director Katie Henry and is co-produced with Michael Harrison, Fiery Angel, and Playing Field.

North East Theatre Guide Review link

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REVIEW: Hairspray at Newcastle Theatre Royal

Hairspray 

Newcastle Theatre Royal

Until Saturday 16 November 2024

There is something wonderfully joyous, fun and fabulous about Hairspray. It has the feel good factor and yet there is a strong moral compass. Whilst it is based upon the values of Baltimore in 1962, the 2002 musical is based upon a popular movie from 1988, so it is woke before woke became a thing.

It is worth nothing that in 1988 there were still barriers for non-white people to get roles on television. Here's the thing though - this show starts like a David Lynch movie - in which, on the surface, everything is fabulous and rosy. It is only when you remove the veil that the issues over racism, misogyny and body shaming start to surface. In many ways, presenting the issues whilst keeping the show generally happy and chipper helps convey the message across.

This tale centres around Tracy Turnblad (Katie Brace), a schoolgirl who rushes home from school in order to watch her favourite teenage dance show on television with her best mate Penny (Freya McMahon). Now the "Corny Colins Show" is not without its issues. Dancers get pregnant and music styles are evolving. As one such dancer, Brenda (Nina Bell), needs to leave the show for nine months, Tracy sees her opportunity to live the dream and so she applies to do an audition. Life's plans rarely run smooth and so it proves to be the case for Tracy.

Racism is a feature of the story as the programme's producer, Velma Von Tussle (Joanne Clifton), doesn't hide her feelings and her only concession is that the show has a dedicated episode for the dancers of colour once a month. That episode has a different presenter, Motormouth Maybelle (Vanessa Dumatey) and it is her son Seaweed (Shemar Jarrett) who teaches Tracy some new dance moves to help her get on the show.

The show has a rich vein of humour, much of it coming from Tracy's parents: Edna (Neil Hurst) and Wilbur (Dermot Canavan). Their duet (You're) Timeless To Me was both funny and touching. You end up caring for these two characters much more than some that you may find in a show.

There is some great singing too. Tracy's love interest Link Larkin (Olly Manley) is fine with It Takes Two, accompanied by the other great feature of the show - the dancing. The real singing powerhouse in the show has to be Vanessa Dumatey who not only showed what a fabulous voice and singing range she had in a couple of show stopping numbers, but also her stage presence.

The show is popular because it is funny, absurd at times. But the show has lasted because it has a soul.

This Brenda Edwards directorial debut is an evenly paced affair which keeps the audience interested. As a former performer in the show, she clearly knows the material and how to make it resonate with audiences.

The only niggle was that the projection on the rear screen seemed to me to be slightly out of focus and slightly blurred which was off putting as it kept catch my eye rather the action on the stage itself.

Hairspray, so named due to the sponsorship of the television show and Miss Hairspray competition, is a fun ride that is a modern musical with a rare advantage - memorable songs. I cannot be the only one with You Can't Stop The Beat as the earworm on my way home.

Review: Stephen Oliver

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: Big Family Christmas Show at Newcastle Stand

A modern, alternative family comedy show.

The Big Family Christmas Show!

Newcastle Stand Comedy Club,

14,15, 21 and 29 December 2024

The team behind The Stand Comedy Club’s pantomime are back with the fastest and stupidest hour of alternative family comedy you’ll see all year! 

It isn't a panto, but it is an absolute melee of songs, sketches, character and stand up from some of the best comedy performers in the region and, unlike lots of other Christmas shows it’s modern and affordable.

Hannah Walker and Lee Kyle are back from the original team (Northeast Theatre Guide’s Third Most Entertaining Pantomime 2018) and are joined by Elaine Robertson and Kelly Rickard for a show that you must not miss.

They’ll be bringing fun for all ages without patronising the kids, come along and see something different this year.

Written and performed by some of the most popular comedy performers in the region, this will be a show that is unique to Newcastle’s festive season. 

They aim to bring genuine adult quality comedy for a family audience.

The Big Family Christmas Show! is made by experienced comedians and actors who know how to make children laugh and also appeal to adults.

The whole feeling will be different to a pantomime and the kids will experience a genuine comedy club; an exciting world where they’ll feel grown up and will be hearing more modern messages than you’ll hear at your average panto.

The creators believe that there are modern audiences out there who want something newer and fresher for their children and, crucially, made by excellent comedians so it’ll be really funny too.

“Our main goals for this show is to make it as affordable as possible, include more up-to-date positive messages for young people and to be the stupidest adults they’ve ever seen. I really think we’ll manage!” explains Lee Kyle

“I can’t wait to work on what I’m sure will be a very silly and sparkly show with the best silly and sparkly people!” added Elaine Robertson

The Cast

Kelly Rickard 

Defying her relatively short time in comedy, Kelly has already headlined shows and written and performed acclaimed solo shows. It shouldn’t be a surprise as she’s already been an accomplished performer in other areas. A wonderful singer and actor she has had an incredibly varied career that has seen her tour Europe in musical theatre and perform for a number of years as part of the Old Vic theatre pantomime cast.

© Kelly Rickard 

Lee Kyle 

A stand up comedy favourite throughout the country, Lee is best known to the younger comedy patrons of the region for hosting stand up shows for kids and to adults for his recent solo show at the Tyne Theatre among lots of other work.  Having appeared on platforms as diverse as Radio 4 and CBBC, Lee is sure to raise huge laughs among audiences of every age.

© Lee Kyle

Elaine Robertson 

Elaine is one of the fastest rising comedy stars in the country and truly is, as she says, “A nice lass”.  A hit among those in the know in the North East, she opened a lot of eyes at the Edinburgh Festival this year when her show Delulu saw her pick up the ISH Panel Prize and she was recently nominated for the Sean Lock Comedy Award for embodying the alternative spirit. Kids may recognise her from her old job - She was a princess for children’s parties!

© Elaine Robertson 

Hannah Walker 

Hannah is an experienced actor who, as well as performing, she is also an acclaimed writer, bringing to life the successful one woman show An Evening With Savvy B and her recent Edinburgh Festival hit show, the award winning Gamble.  Hannah has also won fans throughout the region as being a co- host with alternative performance cabaret night PUG and The Six Twenty’s Mixtape events.

© Hannah Walker 

Tickets:

The Big Family Christmas Show!

Venue: The Stand Comedy Club, High Bridge, Newcastle

Dates: 14th,15th, 21st and 29th December 2024

Time: 1pm for one hour (!4th and 15th), 4pm (21st and 28th)

Age Recommendation: 5+

Cost: £10 (Adults), £6 (Under 18s)

Tickets from: www.thestand.co.uk/whats-on/newcastle

Preview: Matilda The Musical at Sunderland Empire

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The Royal Shakespeare Company to bring Matilda back to Wearside

 

 

 

 

 

 

Matilda The Musical

Sunderland Empire 

Wednesday 11 – Saturday 28 February 2026

 

It was announced today that the Royal Shakespeare Company’s smash hit production of Matilda The Musical, based on Roald Dahl’s beloved book, will embark on its second major tour of the UK and Ireland in October 2025 with the production visiting Sunderland Empire 11 – 28 February 2026.

Matilda The Musical - Photo: Manuel Harlan

 

The internationally renowned musical - which continues to play to packed houses in the West End at the Cambridge Theatre and has been seen by 12 million people across 100 cities around the world – will begin performances in Leicester on 6 October 2025.

Matilda The Musical - Photo: Ellie Kurttz

 

The show will celebrate its 15-year anniversary when it opens at Leicester Curve in October 2025, before travelling to Bradford, Liverpool, Plymouth, Sunderland, Edinburgh and Manchester where it will run through March and April of 2026.

 

This anarchic production, about a strong and determined heroine with a vivid imagination, has won over 100 global awards, including 24 for Best Musical.  A film adaptation made by the core creative team received its World Premiere at the London Film Festival in October 2022 and can now be watched on Netflix.

Matilda The Musical - Photo: Manuel Harlan

Written by Dennis Kelly, with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and developed and directed by Matthew Warchus, the production is designed by Rob Howell, with choreography by Peter Darling, orchestrations, additional music and musical supervision by Christopher Nightingale, lighting by Hugh Vanstone, sound by Simon Baker and special effects and illusions by Paul Kieve.

 

Denise Wood and Griselda Yorke, Executive Producers of Matilda The Musical explains: “We are delighted that the show is returning to Sunderland and that the Northeast will be able to see our extraordinary show again in such a beautiful and historic venue as the Sunderland Empire theatre.”

Matilda The Musical - Photo: Manuel Harlan

 

Writer Dennis Kelly added: ‘I’m delighted that Matilda’s going out on tour again in 2025. It’s great to get the chance to bring this little girl’s story to people in their home cities and towns, and to all those theatres where theatre really matters.’

 

Composer and lyricist Tim Minchin said: “When we first started working on the show, our aim was to make a lovely little jewel of a musical for the RSC’s Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.  We never imagined that all these years later it would still be running in the West End, have been made into a film, and is now about to embark on its second tour of the UK and Ireland. I’m deeply proud of Matilda The Musical, and every single talented person who continues to work on it with passion and enthusiasm.”

 

Matilda The Musical - Photo: Manuel Harlan

Director Matthew Warchus said: “I’m delighted that our production of Matilda The Musical is about to be seen live by a whole new generation of children and families in theatres across the UK and Ireland.  It’s a show we’re really proud of, and an inspiring story of courage that we really care about, so it’s genuinely wonderful to see it continue bringing joy to audiences of all ages.”

 

RSC Co-Artistic Directors Daniel Evans and Tamara Harvey said: “We’re delighted to be taking Matilda The Musical on tour again throughout the UK and Ireland.  After its premiere so many years ago in Stratford-upon-Avon, Matilda Wormwood’s genius is still teaching us that 'sometimes you have to be a little bit naughty’. We can’t wait to share her story with audiences up and down the country.”

 

Casting and further creative team details will be announced in due course.

 

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Tickets:

Tickets are now  online at ATGTickets.com/Sunderland*

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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