The amazing Northern Stage have released their program of shows for Autumn 2022 and boy is it exciting. I challenge any theatre in the country to have such a packed and varied schedule. There are brand new takes on familiar favourites including a riotous new production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Sat 29 Oct – SAT 12 Nov) and a contemporary spin on The Importance of Being Earnest (Tue 4 – Sat 8 Oct). Powerful new dramas explore race, the climate crisis, disability, queer politics and the experience of refugees, alongside family shows and great nights out for fans of dance, comedy and cabaret.
There's another chance to see award-winning and critically acclaimed shows audiences might have missed the first time around, including Pilot Theatre’s stage adaption of Malorie Blackman’s Noughts & Crosses (Tue 18 – Sat 22 Oct) , balletLORENT’s family ballet Rapunzel (Thu 29 – Sun 2 Oct) and Northern Stage’s magical adventure set on the streets of Newcastle, The Sorcerer’s Apprentice (Sat 3 Dec – Sat 7 Jan).
Northern Stage Artistic Director and Joint Chief Executive Natalie Ibu says "We are inviting audiences and artists to Northern Stage to figure out ways through this messy, confusing and ever changing world we live in ... with bold new productions about the things everyone is talking about ....and because, sometimes, all you can do in the face of the tough stuff, is laugh, we’ve got events that offer pure escapism and a great night out."
"For anyone who thinks Shakespeare isn’t for them, there is literally no better company than Not Too Tame to make you reconsider - I fully expect to fall back in love with the Bard and I am hyped to be co-producing A Midsummer Night’s Dream with them and Shakespeare North Playhouse. It’s going to be wild! And I can’t wait to see Denzel Westley Sanderson’s thrilling new take on The Importance of Being Earnest for English Touring Theatre.”
Visiting companies include multi-award winning Fat Rascal Theatre with their hit parody musical Unfortunate: The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch (20-24 September) - the untold story of legendary queer queen, Ursula the Sea Witch from The Little Mermaid. And the ever amazing Kitchen Zoo are bringing their Christmas brilliance in HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE: A Christmas Spectacular (Sat 19 Nov – Sun 8 Jan).
A selection of forthcoming shows is below - full details are available www.northernstage.co.uk/
ALL THE BEDS I HAVE SLEPT IN Phosphoros Theatre Thu 8 – Fri 9 Sep,
A brand new play by this energetic, emerging company of lived experience refugee performers, exploring the seam of kindness and care that lies within their experience of leaving their homelands to seek asylum. Age Recommendation: 12+
MOTHER’S RUIN Fri 16 Sep, 7pm
A funny, heart-warming, gin-soaked exploration of modern-day motherhood, full of original live music plus tips on how to fail miserably at meeting everybody’s expectations. Age Recommendation: 14+
RAPUNZEL AFTER DARK Fri 30 Sep – Sat 1 Oct, 8:30PM
Exclusively for adult audiences, Rapunzel After Dark is a bold retelling of a well-known fairytale by one of the world’s leading feminist poets, Carol Ann Duffy. Narrated by Lesley Sharp (The Full Monty; Scott and Bailey; Three Girls) and choreographed and directed by Liv Lorent MBE. Age Recommendation: 16+
Please don't get the 2 Rapunzel shows mixed up !!
NOTFLIX Sat 1 Oct
The ‘Spice Girls of improv’ return in their five star, sell-out, totally improvised musical comedy, Notflix. Inspired by audience suggestions, the all-female cast improvise the musical version of your favourite films, creating movies with 100% more singing, 99% more women and a full live band.
SOFIE HAGAN – FAT JOKES Tue 11 Oct
New show from Edinburgh Comedy Award-winner Sofie Hagan, who published her debut book Happy Fat in 2019 and is the creator and host of the wildly successful podcast Made of Human. Age Recommendation: 16+
QUIET REBELS Wed 12 – Thu 13 Oct
Quiet Rebels is stories of white working-class women who crossed the colour line to marry men of the Windrush generation. Women who lived with the ignorance of racism and social stigma directed against them and their families, but who are the foundations of today’s multi-cultural communities. Age Recommendation: 13+
THE BIRD IN THE WINDOW Sat 15 Oct 10am, 2pm
A joyous, energetic, rollercoaster of a show, about the fun times we spend together, and how these memories stay with us forever. Age Recommendation: 5+
THE GINGERBREAD MAN Tue 25 – Sun 30 Oct, 10am, 2pm
This Halloween, the Gingerbread Man is...ALIIIIIVE! With live music, puppets this show for little ghouls under 7 and their families is a spooky Halloween treat! Age Recommendation: Under 7s and their families
THE SUGGESTIBLES’ IMPRO PANTSO 15 & 16 Dec
No Script. No Score. No Kids! Newcastle’s infamous improv comedy troupe is back with their hilarious epic misadventure into the unknown. Taking inspiration from your suggestions, the devilishly talented team will spin your ideas, woven into new imaginings of our Sorcerer’s Apprentice stage, into a magical musical tale of good versus evil. Age Recommendation: 18+
HEY DIDDLE DIDDLE: A CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR Sat 19 Nov – Sun 8 Jan
From Kitchen Zoo (makers of sell out family shows WOLF! and The Three Bears), join the stars of The Hey Diddle Diddle Travelling Cabaret as they jump over the moon, climb up the water spout and twinkle like diamonds in the sky. Age Recommendation: Under 6s and their families
THE SORCERER’S APPRENTICE Sat 3 Dec – Sat 7 Jan
The Sorcerer's Apprentice returns to cast its magic this Christmas, putting a modern Northern Stage spin on a classic tale. A magical adventure through the streets of Newcastle (but not as you know them). Age Recommendation: 5