A new month is upon us - and if you're looking for ways to keep yourself entertained in April, you need look no further than Newcastle city centre.
From the Utilita Arena and O2 City Hall to the Theatre Royal and Northern Stage, there's certainly no shortage of star talent in this neck of the woods. There's a whole host of music concerts, stand-up gigs and theatre plays to look forward to throughout April - and luckily there are still tickets left for plenty of shows so you can grab yourself some last-minute seats.
This month sees Strictly stars among the famous faces descending on Newcastle as they embark on UK-wide tours of brand new shows - and there's plenty of emerging local talent to catch too, so there really is something for everyone this April. Take a look below to see some of the entertaining evenings you can have in Newcastle city centre over the next few weeks.
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Utilita Arena
- The Matt Goss Experience, April 21 - Join legendary Bros frontman, Matt Goss, in an unmissable night of his biggest hits, new original music, and a personal tribute to one of the greatest songwriters ever, Cole Porter.
- Olly Murs, April 22 - The X Factor star returns with his first album in over four years, Marry Me.
Visit the Utilita Arena website to book tickets.
O2 City Hall
- Ryan Adams, April 8 - Praised as 'one of rock's most talented songwriters', Ryan Adams has produced albums for esteemed musicians including Willie Nelson, Jesse Malin, Jenny Lewis and has collaborated with some of music’s most influential artists such as Weezer, Fall Out Boy, America and many more.
- Nadiya and Kai: Once Upon A Time, April 27 - The Strictly couple star in a stunning show that highlights their different backgrounds, showcasing their incredible ballroom journeys whilst shining a spotlight on their love affair with dance.
- Jon Richardson: The Knitwit, April 29-30 - The latest stand-up show from the 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Cats Countdown star sees him ask the important questions in life: Will the recycling be put out on the right day? Who is going to smooth over the top of the margarine? How many lights are on upstairs when everybody is downstairs?
Visit the O2 City Hall website to book tickets.
NX Newcastle
- The Damned, April 7 - With special guests The Nightingales, David Vanian, Captain Sensible, Monty Oxymoron, Paul Gray and Will Glanville-Taylor stop off in Newcastle on their UK tour ahead of the release of brand new album Darkadelic.
Visit the NX website to book tickets.
Theatre Royal
- Treasure Island, April 5-6 - Featuring dastardly pirates, tropical islands and a mermaid you’ll never forget, set sail on the Jolly Todger with Jim Lad, Long John Silver and a whole host of other characters for a hilarious voyage across the seas.
- Dada Masilo's The Sacrifice, April 11-12 - Featuring live music on stage, The Sacrifice is inspired by The Rite of Spring, combining the European heritage of this monumental piece of music with the uniquely rhythmic and expressive movements of ‘Tswana’, the traditional dance of Botswana.
- Stewart Lee: Basic Lee, April 13-15 - After a decade of ground-breaking high concept shows involving overarched interlinked narratives, massive sets and enormous comedy props, the comedian enters the post-pandemic era in streamlined solo stand-up mode.
- Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty, April 18-29 - With an unforgettable score by Tchaikovsky, sumptuous sets and costumes, evocative lighting and masterly storytelling, the beloved fairy tale is brought to life by the uniquely talented New Adventures company.
- Johannes Radebe: Freedom Unleashed, April 30 - Strictly star Johannes is joined by a diverse, world-class cast of talented dancers and singers in this melting pot of South African rhythms and huge party anthems – with a touch of ballroom magic thrown in to make this a pulsating and jubilant celebration of culture, passion, and freedom.
Visit the Theatre Royal website to book tickets.
Live Theatre
- Live Encounters: Nadine Shah in Conversation, April 6 - A Q&A with Tyneside singer Nadine Shah about creativity, formative influences and her upcoming play To Be A Young Man, in conversation with Toby Amies.
- Reading: The Taxi Driver's Daughter, April 13 - When her mother is sent to prison for assaulting a police officer with a stiletto shoe, fifteen-year-old Caris goes gently off the rails. Adapted from the novel by Julia Darling.
- Reading: Wet House, April 14 - When Andy, an idealistic young graduate, gets a job in a wet house, a homeless hostel where residents can drink alcohol, he is plunged into a twilight world where the rules about what is right and what is normal have become a little blurred.
- Live Encounters: Stewart Lee, April 15 - Comedian Stewart Lee talks art and ideas with Neil Jackson. With live music by Mariam Rezaei and Angharad Davies courtesy of Tusk Festival.
- Reading: An Experiment With An Air Pump. April 15 - Read by Roger Allam, this internationally acclaimed play is set in Newcastle 1799 - in world of scientific chaos, cloning and genetic engineering, the cellar of the same house reveals a dark secret buried for 200 years.
- Reading: The Filleting Machine & The Filleting App, April 16 - In this story of the Rutter family based on the book by Meadow Well author Tom Hadaway, Ma wants her children to aim for more than she had and Da believes his way of life as a fish filleter is good enough.
- Live Encounters: Chris Mullin Diaries, April 19 - Chris Mullin launches a new volume of his acclaimed diaries - from the demise of New Labour, through Brexit to the death of the Queen, he paints a vivid picture of our recent political history.
- Reading: Snookered, April 21 - Renowned Middlesbrough playwright Ishy Din's debut play about young men who meet in a snooker hall to commemorate the death of their friend.
Visit the Live Theatre website to book tickets.
Northern Stage
- Marty & The Party, April 4 - An adorable, cheeky show about fun, friendship and finding your groove - Join Marty as they discover what makes their heart dance, making new friends on the way.
- No. 9, April 7-8 - Rosa needs to learn how to use a washing machine, buy her own groceries, get up for uni on time - and how to report a sexual assault. A play that uses "sparkle and wit" to tell a story inspired by real events.
- Am I Alone In This?, April 13-15 - An intimate new play by Young Company Creators that explores all the ways in which the world we are living in can make us feel lonely.
- Ugly Ducking, April 14-15 - Retelling the famous Hans Christian Andersen fairytale, Ugly Duckling is described as "the perfect opportunity" for your little ones to enjoy live ballet, music and theatre for the first time.
- Worlds Apart, April 20-22 - Egg, 13, finds themself living with their eccentric gran and Mam in Seaburn, a town they barely recognise. Join Egg as they escape to the virtual reality world, where defeating evil space villains and the risk of getting sucked into giant black holes weirdly makes them feel safe.
- Protest, April 27-May 6 - Three girls prepare to stand up for what they believe in despite the injustices stacked against them in this new play exploring what it takes to make a difference, the power of friendship, and the importance of believing in your own voice.
- Shut Up and Dance!, April 28-29 - Newcastle University Dance Club showcases a range of dances from ballet to street, contemporary to tap, after spending a year competing across the country.
Visit the Northern Stage website to book tickets.
Tyne Theatre
- Epic 80s Singalong, April 2 - An interactive show where the crowd is the star, this show features hits from Prince, Madonna, George Michael, Bon Jovi, Whitney Houston, Journey and more.
- The Show Must Go On, April 5 - Each month different performers from the North East’s variety of local theatre groups and local talent take to the Bistro Bar's stage for an evening of musical theatre themed entertainment.
- An Evening With Priscilla Presley, April 6 -In intimate conversation with Radio and TV presenter Edith Bowman, Priscilla will share personal stories from her illustrious career, life and marriage to the King of Rock n Roll.
- Rapunzel Easter Panto, April 8-9 - Tyne Theatre and Opera House’s Easter Panto this year will be the enchanting Rapunzel starring comedy legend Bobby Davro, Britain’s Got Talent Winner – Collabro's Matt Pagan and Tyne Theatre panto favourite Lewis Denny.
- WEOS Musical Productions: Fiddler on the Roof, April 12-15 - Beloved by audiences worldwide, Fiddler on the Roof tells the story of Tevye, a milkman in the settlement of Anatevka, who is trying to maintain his Jewish religious and cultural traditions, whilst dealing with the strong-willed independent actions of his daughters.
- An Evening With Fran Lebowitz, April 17 - Social commentator Lebowitz will be live in conversation, sharing her take on "anything and everything"; from growing up in New Jersey and being expelled from her high school for being a bad influence on her peers, to moving to New York City in the 70's, and writing a column for Andy Warhol's Interview magazine.
- Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band: 25th Anniversary Tour, April 20 - To celebrate the announcement of the release of 'Trouble Is…25', The Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band are back on the road, and will be playing songs from their iconic album, 'Trouble Is…'.
- Test Match Special: The Ashes, April 21 - Join Jonathan 'Aggers' Agnew and Australia bowling legend Glenn McGrath for an evening of stories, memories, and predictions ahead of a massive Ashes summer.
- The Magical Music of Harry Potter, April 22 - The best music of all Harry Potter films and the musical with a symphonic orchestra.
Visit the Tyne Theatre website to book tickets.
Alphabetti Theatre
- Faun, March 28-April 15 - A celebration of queer community, full of heart, youth and pan pipes, following Ace who is 22, trans, queer and sofa surfing.
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Iris Brickfield, April 14 - Music from a two-piece synth-rock band based in Newcastle, whose debut EP 'Hold On My Lovers' caught attention from across the local music scene.
- Bethany Black, April 29 - A queer story of rural living, conspiracies, an unfortunate medical condition and PC building from comedian Bethany, who appeared as the first openly trans actor in Doctor Who.
Visit the Alphabetti website to book tickets.
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