2025 is in full swing and continues to be a great year in many cities for theatre, with Newcastle being no exception. Whether it be a touring production featuring your favourite stars, a show that you want to catch again or a fresh-faced production showcasing new talent, there is something for everyone to watch in the toon.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe at Theatre Royal, Tue 25 Feb – Sat 1 Mar 2025
What better way to celebrate the 75th anniversary of C.S. Lewis’ classic novel by stepping through the most famous in the world Wardrobe and into the Magic Kingdom of Narnia for an evening (or afternoon) later next month. Follow Lucy, Edmund, Susan and Peter on a journey of wonderment, awe and adventure where they meet new friends and foes along the way.
Rupture at Live Theatre, Wed 5 Mar – Sat 8 Mar 2025
It’s not just a world of fantasy and magical escapism that the Newcastle theatre scene can offer you. If raw, gritty reality is what you want then Rupture is the show for you. A unique piece of contemporary theatre written by award-winning campaigner for disadvantaged women, Catrina McHugh MBE and uniquely co-created by women from HMP Low Newton, Rupture follows the story of what it’s like to be a mother whilst in prison. Catch it if you can this March at the slightly more intimate venue of Live Theatre located on Newcastle’s famous quayside.
Pygmalion at People’s Theatre, Tue 18 March – Sat 22 March 2025
George Bernard Shaw’s Pygmalion is also making its way to the Tyneside City this spring. Following Eliza Doolittle’s transformation from flower girl into Duchess or in other words from rags to riches, this is an incredibly humorous story centred around class, conflict and societal acceptance. It’s a play that was the inspiration behind My Fair Lady has been captivating audiences for years. This production is bound to be no different!
RSC First Encounters: The Tempest at Northern Stage, Wed 9 Apr – Fri 11 Apr 2025
A storm is coming…but the good kind (I promise!) This April, at Northern Stage, located on the Newcastle University campus, RSC First Encounters has made Shakespeare’s The Tempest relevant for a new generation of theatregoers. This adaptation uses an edited version of the original play to make it accessible to a younger audience. However, do not fear, the question of whether or not Prospero will take his revenge still sits at the heart of the play, along with stormy weather, a magical island and 90 minutes of manic, bloody anguish and mayhem.
In Other Words at Alphabetti Theatre, Thu 1 May 2025
The music of Frank Sinatra, enduring love and memories. To put it frankly, what’s not to love about this humorous and equally moving drama by Matthew Seager coming to the intimate venue of Alphabetti Theatre, for one night only in early May. This play has now been seen by over 300,000 people across the globe and explores Arthur and Jane’s journey with Alzheimer’s disease. It promises to warm your heart as much as it breaks it and is certainly not one to be missed.
Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at Theatre Royal, Tue 10 – Sun 15 June 2025
As promised at the start of this article, touring productions that feature your favourite stars are coming to Newcastle this 2025. Andrew Lloyd Weber and Tim Rice’s smash-hit musical, Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, starring X Factor Winner and South Shields’ very own Joe McElderry will be parachuting into Newcastle’s Theatre Royal this June for a whole week. With countless pop and musical theatre classics (oh and colourful coats) to keep everyone entertained, this show is guaranteed to be an absolute dream!
Hopefully, this article has encouraged you to book your next theatre trip up here in the toon, whether it be a unique piece of contemporary theatre with Live Theatre’s Rupture, a camp tramp down memory lane with Joseph And The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat at Theatre Royal or a bit of simplified Shakespeare at Northern Stage. We sincerely hope you have found something that you can enjoy!
Words by Cory Gourley
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