The North East theatre world has come together to pay their respects to the Queen, with plans to dim lights, play the national anthem and open books of condolence to honour her memory.
Performances, however, will otherwise continue as normal, in line with national guidance. Among those sharing messages of sorrow and support for the Queen 's family was the Theatre Royal in Newcastle which, having been granted its royal licence by King George III, has maintained its connections over the years including visits by the now-King Charles.
Marianne Locatori, its chief executive, said: "We will be flying our flag at half-mast and, as a mark of respect, during the national period of mourning we will ask audiences to join us in a silence and play the national anthem before every performance."
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She added: "The trustees, management and staff of Newcastle Theatre Royal wish to express their sorrow following the announcement of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and our thoughts are with the Royal Family and everyone at this sad time. "In accordance with the wishes of the Royal household we will continue with performances as scheduled."
For now at least, shows which are due to take place at theatres across the region will go ahead as planned. The decision follows national advice for performances to continue in the wake of the much-loved monarch's death and throughout the period of mourning.
Whether this might change after that mourning period is unclear, with Marianne adding: "This will be reviewed when details of the funeral arrangements are announced and any changes will be communicated to customers as soon as possible."
Northern Stage in Newcastle immediately observed a minute's silence on Thursday night on hearing of the Queen's death, little more than half an hour before the start of a performance of the play All The Beds I Have Slept In. At the same time it offered "condolences to the family at a time of national mourning".
The theatre will continue to dim its lights for two minutes each evening as a mark of respect, with a period of silence held at the start of every performance. "This will continue during the period of national mourning up until the funeral," added a spokeswoman.
The current local response is in accordance with a statement from UK Theatre and Society of London Theatre following Thursday night's guidance from DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) for scheduled theatre performances to go ahead as planned that night - and during the official period of mourning - with lights dimmed; a two-minutes’ silence, the national anthem and the opening of books of condolences prior to the performance as a mark of respect.
The Customs House in South Shields is among the theatres following this guidance to the letter, saying its book of condolence will be opened "prior to all performances".
Jacqui Kell, executive director of Live Theatre on Newcastle Quayside, confirmed its current show, Reasons You Shouldn't Love Me, will continue. She said: "Live Theatre staff and board are saddened by death of Her Majesty The Queen and our thoughts and condolences are with her family and all those mourning her loss.
"After consultation with the visiting theatre company, we have made the decision to continue with this weekend's performances. We will review scheduling of performances of the next production, Your Voice Your Future: North East, once we have further information on arrangements for the funeral."
Sunderland Empire also confirmed on Friday morning that performances will continue as normal for now. In a statement it said: "In accordance with the wishes of the Royal household, this evening's and future performances will continue. We will share any further updates when we can. Thank you for your understanding."
The statement released on behalf of theatre bodies UK Theatre and Society of London Theatre said: “We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The theatre industry is thankful for all the support and patronage Her Majesty has shown throughout her lifetime.
"We would like to convey our deepest sympathy to the Royal Family at this time of national mourning.”
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