Culture Digest 25.04.25
Our weekly pick of arts and culture stories from around the North East that caught our attention
Lauren Laverne honoured at Music Producers Guild Awards
Sunderland-born broadcaster and BBC 6 Music presenter Lauren Laverne has received the Special Recognition Award at the 2025 Music Producers Guild Awards, held at a packed Troxy in East London this week.
Presented by Elbow frontman Guy Garvey, the award celebrates Lauren’s outstanding contribution to the UK music scene, particularly her enduring support for emerging artists and her influence on music culture over nearly three decades. Bravo!
Six of the Hexham Book Fest best
You can’t beat a book festival for the sheer range of topics covered in a short period - nor for the number of authors gathered in one place.
Sixty events over 10 days is the boast of the Hexham Book Festival team – headed by founding director Susie Troup and manager Gill Pugh - ahead of the 19th edition.
A festival that has grown in stature and popularity over the years has many friends and supporters, including the peerless David Almond who has called it “a leading creative force in the Northumbrian cultural landscape”.
David Whetstone has selected a personal half dozen picks from this year’s brimming programme.
Sam Fender drops bonus track ahead of historic St. James’ Park shows
North Shields’ Sam Fender has celebrated his 31st birthday with the release of Tyrants, a track from his Record Store Day EP Me and the Dog, following huge demand from fans.
It’s the latest highlight in what’s already been a massive year for the singer-songwriter with his third album People Watching debuting at number one and becoming the fastest-selling UK album of 2025.
Fresh off a sold-out North American tour and storming debut at US festival Coachella, Sam is gearing up for an emotional homecoming in June with a historic three-night, sold-out residency at his beloved St. James’ Park in Newcastle.
Tyrants had already become a fan favourite during his European and US tours, and its release on streaming platforms today comes after a wave of requests from audiences across the globe.
Opening Hours Cut at Three Northumberland Heritage Sites
English Heritage has announced major changes to the summer opening hours of three historic sites in Northumberland. Prudhoe Castle, Aydon Castle near Corbridge, and Brinkburn Priory near Morpeth will all see reduced access as the charity works to create a more sustainable model.
Brinkburn Priory will reopen for monthly guided tours from this Sunday, while plans for Aydon Castle and Prudhoe Castle tours are still being finalised. English Heritage has confirmed it will reopen Prudhoe Castle’s grounds for free daily access in the future, but no date has been set.
The charity, citing low visitor numbers and a "challenging environment," said the changes are essential to stay financially resilient. It also plans to work with local communities to host special events and exhibitions at the affected sites in the coming months.
The winning play now approaching...
It was a little over a year ago that Emilie Robson won Live Theatre’s inaugural North East Playwriting Award and naturally, with the premiere performance of her winning entry just days away, she’s excited.
Read more: Review - Ghost Stories at Newcastle Theatre Royal
Recognition at last for football heroine
A ‘forgotten’ footballer is to get the belated recognition she deserves this weekend as a headstone is unveiled on her previously unmarked grave in Jarrow Cemetery.
Mary Lyons died in 1979, her youthful achievements on the pitch having faded from most people’s memories, but on Sunday (April 27, 11.30am) a brass band will lead a procession to the grave for an unveiling ceremony led by former England ‘Lionesses’, Christine Knox and Aran Embleton.
All are welcome to attend.
Hartlepool Film Village Plans to Boost North East’s Screen Industry
Alison Gwynn, Chief Executive of North East Screen, has spoken to the BBC about ambitious plans to create a film production village in Hartlepool, aimed at transforming the region’s screen sector and economy.
Building on the success of Northern Studios - which has hosted productions like Jackdaw and Smoggie Queens - the proposed village will bring post-production, costume, editing and other key services to the town, enabling full-scale productions to stay local.
Alison said the development would help attract “bigger productions with bigger budgets” and provide much-needed space to match the industry’s rapid growth. Currently, Northern Studios can only accommodate one production at a time; the expansion will allow for more and larger projects.
The £31.5m project - supported by Tees Valley Investment Zone and the Levelling Up Fund - will also regenerate derelict buildings near local colleges, creating around 130 jobs by 2027. The North East Screen boss believes it will open new doors for students and regional businesses alike.
“This is about future-facing content - digital, music, podcasts - not just traditional TV,” she said.
GIFT – Gateshead festival keeps on giving
Performances, creative workshops, exhibitions, installations and conversations are on offer at the 15th edition of GIFT – that’s the Gateshead International Festival of Theatre – taking place over the weekend of May 2-4.
North East role in world first Gladiator battle find
The first physical evidence of human vs animal gladiatorial combat in the Roman period has been revealed by a study involving North East archaeologists.
The research at a North site has uncovered compelling skeletal evidence of a human victim attacked by a large carnivorous animal, likely within the context of Roman-era spectacle combat.
While images of gladiators being bitten by lions have appeared in ancient mosaics and pottery, the discovery is the only convincing skeletal evidence using forensic experiments anywhere in the world of bite marks produced by the teeth of a large cat, such as a lion.
The findings centre on a single skeleton discovered in a Roman-period cemetery in York, a site believed to contain the remains of gladiators.
Singer Nadedja brings the sunshine with new single
Newcastle-based Brazilian singer-songwriter Nadedja is stepping into a new chapter of her music career.
Sousa extends stay, Wilson joins fold
The popular Dinis Sousa’s leadership of Royal Northern Sinfonia (RNS) has been extended until 2030 and his position upgraded from principal conductor to music director.
The announcement coincides with a first look at the upcoming 2025-26 classical season at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music.
Many will be delighted that the Portuguese conductor is to stay beyond his initial tenure in Gateshead, building on his successes with the North East orchestra and continuing his warm rapport with audiences.
For his part, he said RNS was truly special and a constant source of inspiration.
“I feel our bond gets stronger and stronger with each project, and I am incredibly happy that we get to extend our time together until the start of the next decade,” he said.
Read more: Review - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at Sunderland Empire
North East talent brushing up for the BAFTAs - Part I
Middlesbrough writer and actor, Phil Dunning will taking to the red carpet this weekend for the BAFTA Craft Awards (which should surely be called the CRAFTAs?)
Fiddles, Folk and Summer Vibes: Rothbury Festival Returns This July
Rothbury’s getting ready to come alive with music, dance and all round good times as the Rothbury Traditional Music Festival returns for its 47th year from July 11–13.
Set in the heart of Northumberland, this much-loved weekend brings together folk fans, families, and curious newcomers for three days of live music, workshops, and warm community spirit.
Started back in 1977 by local musicians including concertina and Northumbrian pipes legend Alistair Anderson, the festival has stayed true to its roots while growing into a key date in the folk calendar.
This year’s event boasts one of its strongest line-ups yet, with performances from acclaimed acts like the Lena Jonsson Trio, Brian McNeill, and Bryony Griffith & Alice Jones.
They’ll be joined by local legends, pipe bands, and the spontaneous pub sessions that give Rothbury its special atmosphere.
While it’s still proudly local, Rothbury draws musicians who ask to come back year after year - and it’s helped kick-start the careers of some pretty impressive acts along the way. If you’re after a weekend of traditional tunes and proper Northumbrian hospitality, this one’s hard to beat.
Memories in miniature: Vintage souvenir on show
Pioneering photographers Matthew Auty and Richard Ruddock put their money on an idea for a seaside views album the size of a pound coin to cash in on the growing number of visitors to the coast.
Part of their business partnership in Front Street in Tynemouth from the late 1880s was aimed at establishing the new postcard trade.
Now one of the tiny metal album booklets will be on show - and for sale - at the Great North Decorative Antique Fair at Newcastle Racecourse on Saturday and Sunday (April 26-27).
New exhibitions at Ushaw celebrate nature, art and a medieval treasure
Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens has launched two major exhibitions that explore the beauty of nature and contemporary printmaking as well as offering a rare chance to see one of the region’s treasures.
The Discovery of Birds brings to life Ushaw Library’s rich natural history collection, with rare books, intricate illustrations, and early scientific texts charting the development of bird art from the Renaissance to the 19th century. Alongside the exhibition, visitors can enjoy family-friendly bird-themed activities and trails.
Ushaw Editions showcases new work from artists Ade Adesina and Hugh Hamshaw Thomas, created during their 2024 residency. Inspired by Ushaw’s historic collections, their contemporary printmaking responses sit alongside the artefacts that influenced them.
At the heart of both exhibitions is the chance to see St Cuthbert’s Ring, a 13th-century treasure, rarely on public display. Both exhibitions are included with general admission throughout spring and summer. More information on the website.
Steph McGovern to be interviewed by Ann Cleeves about debut novel
Teesside broadcaster Steph McGovern has booked a special event at The Exchange 1856 in North Shields to help launch her debut thriller Deadline.
Inspired by her experiences in the media, Steph will be in conversation with acclaimed crime writer Ann Cleeves for what promises to be a smashing discussion about the book and her move into fiction.
Tickets are on sale now and include a signed copy of Deadline, which will be officially released on July 3.