Spring is set to see a new season of great shows flourish around the North East just as more of us are keen to get out and about to make the most of what hopefully will be some better weather.
Theatre in and around Newcastle have a packed programme of events to enjoy in March and now is the time to book them, especially as one happens to be a world premiere with tickets already selling fast. Love It If We Beat Them combines what are two of the most popular talking points - football and politics - in a new drama which is to have its debut run at Live Theatre, transporting audiences back to the nineties when those subjects were as big a topic of conversation as they are now.
We have picked out a few upcoming show highlights for those looking for ideas and keen to have something to look forward to. They also include a classic ballet and some traditional brass band entertainment too. And 'Space Man' Sam Ryder will be here too - on March 23 at the O2 City Hall - but, as you might imagine, tickets to see the Eurovision favourite, who was nominated for best new artist at the 2023 Brit Awards, have been snapped up.
However, there are plenty more music treats in the pipeline. For other ideas see here for our round-up of festivals planned for the North East this year as many already have tickets on sale. And here are 10 top suggestions of 2023 events you may want to mark in your diary too.
Love It If We Beat Them
Live Theatre, March 2-25
With football never far from Geordies' minds, this new play - all set to kick off its premiere run at the Newcastle quayside theatre - will be a reminder of previous nail-biting times for Newcastle United and of political turmoil. Written by Rob Ward and starring David Nellist and Jess Johnson, the drama is set in 1996 against the backdrop of the infamous Premier League season when the team almost won under the management of Kevin Keegan.
It also explores a time of change in the identity of the North East under Tony Blair’s government, with the character of Len deciding to run as a local Labour MP candidate but finding himself up against Victoria, from Manchester, who arrives as a potential New Labour front-runner. It's a play about hope, power and principles and tickets to see it are already selling fast. Book here.
Swan Lake
Sunderland Empire, March 9-11
Principal dancer Momoko Hirata can be seen in the starring role of Birmingham Royal Ballet's production of what has to be one of the best-loved ballets of all time as it makes a tour stop in Sunderland. In the double lead role of Odette and Odil, she is both the White Swan and the Black Swan and the dancer, who began learning ballet at the age of five in her native Japan, says the technical challenge of playing two, very different, characters is "incredibly demanding" but she loves it and is sure audiences will too.
"Swan Lake is so iconic - everything that you think of when you think of ballet is in there- and there’s something for everyone, from the big numbers to the sets and costumes and beautiful music," she said. The tale of Prince Siegfried and the Swan Queen Odette is described as 'ballet’s greatest love story' and those technical skills on display will include Momoko performing the famous 32 fouettés (a revolving kicking move) and the 16 swans dancing all in a line in perfect sync.
Audiences should look out too for local ballerina Emma Price in the show which is a revival of Sir Peter Wright’s lavish production and will include The Royal Ballet Sinfonia performing Tchaikovsky’s music live. See here to book.
Titanic The Musical
Theatre Royal March 27 - April 1
It might be difficult to imagine a musical about the tragedy of the Titanic but by all accounts this show is quite something, with the original Broadway production winning a total of five Tony Awards and the shows now clocking up a 10-year anniversary of its London premiere. Capturing the night - of April 14, 1912 - that the doomed ship struck an iceberg on her maiden vogage from Southamptom to New York, it focuses upon the hopes and dreams of the passengers.
There were vast differences among them, with Third Class travellers including many immigrants dreaming of a better life in America and Second Class ones with aspirations of their own. And then there were the millionaire barons in First Class - but all were to share the same fate.
This show, described as 'stunning and stirring' is based upon real people on board the mighty ship when it sank with the loss of 1,517 souls. To book tickets for its Newcastle run see here and if you really like booking ahead then this year's pantomime Pinocchio has been on sale Theatre Royal for some time now and the theatre has just announced that Joe McElderry will be joining the cast again, this time as as Jiminy Cricket.
Honorary Fellows Dinner
The Customs House, March 23
A one-off event this one, which follows news that the South Shields theatre is to welcome local writer Peter Flannery and political journalist Kevin Maguire as new honorary fellows. Both will be attending a dinner event there and tickets are on sale now to join them for a night which pretty much guarantees some lively chat over a three-course meal.
The Customs House Academy, launched to mark the theatre's 150-year anniversary, honours achievements of 'exceptional individuals' who have local connections and who have made major contributions to the world of arts and entertainment. Award-winning playwright and screenwriter Flannery is perhaps best known for hit BBC series Our Friends in the North while Maguire, described as a 'Shields lad', is associate editor of the Daily Mirror and a frequent contributor to Sky News and the BBC.
Acting as host will be another well-known face: Jeff Brown, from Look North, who was himself inducted into the academy last year. Executive director Ray Spencer said: “Our Honorary Fellows are fantastic role models for the young people of the area, as they represent what can be achieved in the field of arts and entertainment with dedication and hard work”.
They include the likes of Sarah Millican, Jason Cook, Chris and Rosie Ramsay, Jade Thirlwall, Joe McElderry, Nadine Shah, Jamie Lambert, John Woodvine and Tom Kelly as well as the artist Bob Olley who has just donated a body of his work to South Shields Museum & Art Gallery where his paintings, capturing local coal and ship-building heritage, are being displayed on the first floor.
Space for the dinner event is limited so those keen to attend should buy their tickets, which include the meal and a glass of fizz upon arrival, sharpish by calling 0191 454 1234 or visiting online here.
Kin
Northern Stage, March 1-4
Award-winning theatre company Gecko is making a return to the Newcastle theatre with four performances of this new touring show which is inspired by an epic journey made by artistic director Amit Lahav's grandmother Leah in 1932 when she fled from Yemen to Palestine to escape persecution. And it's a story that will be told in the company's unique physical theatre style.
It's about about migration and will explore themes ranging from racism to empathy which no doubt will strike a chord with many. Amit said the show stems from a conversation he had in 2017 with his gran when he visited her, then in Israel. They talked about her journey and family history and, adding that all families have migration stories of some kind, he added: "We exist both where we’ve come from and where we’re going: this is what I wanted to explore through the creation of Kin." See here for booking information.
Levellers Acoustic Tour
Tyne Theatre & Opera House, March 17
Following the success of a previous acoustic tour, with an accompanying new album, the band are doing the same again five years on and the new tour includes a stop-off at the Newcastle theatre. And it promises to be an opportunity for local fans to enjoy a whole new and more intimate experience.
The folk rock favourites, who formed back in 1988, will be introducing new member Dan Donnelly too. To book see here.
North of England Brass Band Championships
Gala Theatre, Durham, March 11-12
In what sounds like a stomping weekend, bands from all over the North will be sounding off in the city theatre in a two-day competition with hopes of qualifying for the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain in Cheltenham. It also sounds a bit like the film Brassed Off; either way, it promises drama and plenty powerful, stirring music.
The daily action will get under way at 10am, with performers split into sections and competition for section titles conclude on the Sunday. Among those taking part will be last year’s championship section winners, the NASUWT Riverside Band from Chester-le-Street.
Find out more here, including information about tickets. A weekend pass, which includes a discount, is also available to those who want to attend both days.
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