World premieres, a musical favourite and cutting-edge comedy are among the shows on offer at theatres around Newcastle this May.
With the weather, finally, improving and most of us eager to get out and about, the city 's attractions are vying for attention and among them our much-loved theatres are doing their bit in ensuring they have something on offer to suit all tastes. Whether you are looking for some good-fashioned entertainment; a taster of something new; an experience to shake you out of your comfort zone or simply a good laugh then you need look no further than your doorstep.
We've picked out a list of theatre shows in Newcastle which have caught our eye and which have tickets still available for sale for anyone keen to arrange a post-work mid-week outing or a weekend get-together with friends that makes a change from the usual pub catch-up. The ideas include stage premieres, which guarantee a decent-size chunk of thought-provoking theatre; a comedy star, a musical favourite and a chat about books.
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The White Card - Northern Stage
Newcastle is hosting the UK premiere of this play about white privilege by internationally-renowned writer Claudia Rankine until May 14, ahead of a three-month tour which will end in London.
It centres around a heated debate which ensues when a wealthy white couple invite a talented black artist to dinner and it is " a courageous and clever debate-play" says Northern Stage's artistic director Natalie Ibu, who adds: " There ’ s never been a more urgent need for this play and the discussions it will force about race in the UK."
The drama, set in America but just as relevant in the UK says Natalie, is a co-production involving Leeds Playhouse, Birmingham Rep and Soho Theatre. Following on from its recent premiere of Red Ellen, the theatre says it is fitting that the city is hosting this other first, given that the people of the region have a long history of activism and fighting for social justice and equality. See www.thewhitecard.co.uk.
Opolis - Alphabetti Theatre
There's a last chance to see this psychological sci-fi thriller by Ali Pritchard, artistic director of the Newcastle theatre, which is a two-hander set in a plausible future reality in the wake of some undisclosed crisis.
It sees one woman consumed by the virtual life of the sinister Opolis and another seemingly desperate to escape the digital world. Pritchard's play was apparently inspired by people's habit of recording experiences on their phones rather than live them in the moment so prepare for a cautionary tale.
It's on until May 7 and its last day has both a matinee and evening performance. See www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk
Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat - Theatre Royal
Jason Donovan stars in this new production of the famous Webber-Rice musical which will open a near two-week run in Newcastle on May 24 following two hit seasons at The London Palladium.
The award-winning musical - which includes stand-out track Any Dream Will Do - will run until June 4 and among the available ticket options are ' Babes in Arms ' deals of £2 tickets for children aged two and under who can sit on an adult's lap.
For more about the show and to book see www.theatreroyal.co.uk.
We Are The Best! - Live Theatre
Another world premiere, this one at the quayside theatre will launch the new season - the first for its joint chief executives Jacqui Kell and Jack McNamara - and it is the stage adaptation of a cult film.
Live Theatre's production of Lukas Moodysson's punk hit - which he based on the graphic novel Never Goodnight by his wife Coco Moodysson - is refusing to be ignored, promising " a glorious, high volume, slice of anarchy".
The film, featuring a band of misfits in 1980s Stockholm, has been adapted here by Rebecca Glendenning so expect a Geordie twist. And big hair. It will run from May 26 to June 18: see www.live.org.uk.
Joe Lycett - Tyne Theatre & Opera House
TV favourite Lycett - and new presenter of Travel Man - is on his first tour in years and has come up with a title for his show which certainly grabs the eye on the posters, mainly because it fills them.
Joe Lycett: More, More, More! How Do You Lycett? How Do You Lycett? is promising more jokes, more comedy anecdotes and "more inappropriate and arguably disturbing paintings" and all will be revealed for Newcastle fans when it stops off at the city theatre for a double date from May 6-7.
The shows will start at 7.30pm. Book at tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk.
A Bunch of Amateurs - People's Theatre
The Heaton theatre will be staging its amateur production of the comedy play - which Private Eye's Ian Hislop and Spitting Image's Nick Newman adapted from their own 2008 film - from May 10-14.
Audiences are in for a treat as two extremes of the thespian world collide when a fading Hollywood star, in a bid to revive a fading career, accepts the lead role of King Lear only to find that it's in the wrong Stratford - with an am-dram society in a village hall and not professionals in the home of the RSC.
See www.peoplestheatre.co.uk for information and tickets.
Willy Vlautin with Kathryn Williams - Gosforth Civic Theatre
This event on May 9 is being presented at the amateur theatre by Forum Books to celebrate the publication of the paperback version of Vlautin's The Night Always Comes.
The uthor and musician will be talking "Portland, Americana, music, writing and more", it says, with Mercury Prize nominee Williams who last year published her debut novel The Ormering Tide. The bookshop, which now has three North East branches, is looking forward to hearing, along with the audience, more about what it describes as two of its favourite books.
See the www.gosforthcivictheatre.
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