Curated Culture 01.04.25
Our weekly recommendations round up from North East stages and cultural venues
Hello and welcome to our latest Tuesday inbox drop, which we assemble to spotlight things we think are worth your consideration, which are happening at the region’s cultural venues and attractions.
It’s been another bumper week for new subscribers. If this describes you (high five for signing up!), may we suggest you hang around for a trio of admin bullets*.
*CNE regulars can scroll on by to details of this week’s newsletter prizedraw.
Every Tuesday, this mailout delivers:
At least 10 featured listings of things we think you should get in front of over the next couple of weeks;
All the stuff from previous Curated Culture mailouts which is STILL SHOWING; and
The NOW BOOKING section, which exists to draw your attention to listings from further into the future, which you can get booked in early.
The Tuesday newsletter is also the place to get involved with our weekly prizedraw - giving Cultured. North East subscribers an exclusive chance to win tickets to something great.
This week, Newcastle Theatre Royal have been kind enough to give us a pair of tickets to see acclaimed Canadian company Ballet BC on May 27, at 7.30pm.
All the show details and instructions on how to enter can be found at the end, but there’s no rush! There’s lots to savour between here and there.
See you soon and thanks as always for your support
Sam (Wonfor) and Dave (Whetstone)*
*Like Chas and Dave but with less hair and better accents
PS: If you haven’t liked/followed/high fived us on our socials, you can rectify that on Facebook, Instagram and Blue Sky
MUSIC: Songs of the North East
Where: Various venues across the North East
When: April 3 to May 23
Bookings and info: Via venue websites
Songs of the North East (if in doubt, make sure the tin accurately describes what’s inside!) sees concert and opera stars Graeme Danby and Valerie Reid perform songs and ballads dating from the 1800s to the present day.
Meanwhile the stories behind songs like Joe Wilson’s Keep Your Feet Still Geordie Hinny; Mark Knopfler’s Sailing to Philadelphia; Sunderland songwriter Eric Boswell’s I Waited on the North Dock; and the traditional Durham folk song Rap ‘er te Bank will also be told.
Writers Tom Kelly and Graeme Thompson describe the show as a celebration of North East heritage and culture as revealed by generations of musicians and songwriters.
Venues on the tour include: The Phoenix Blyth (April 3); The Maltings, Berwick (April 4); Consett Empire (April 5); Queens Hall, Hexham (April 11); Princess Alexandra Theatre, Yarm (April 29); The Customs House, South Shields (May 8); The Exchange, North Shields (May 9); Arts Centre Washington (May 21); and Ponteland Methodist Church (May 23)
EXHIBITION: Ali Cherri/Laura & Rachel Lancaster
Where: Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead
When: Friday, April 11, 6pm to 11.30pm
Bookings and info: baltic.art
The new spring exhibitions at Baltic both open to the public on April 12 and run through until October 12 but this is your chance to attend the preview the evening before.
Tickets are free (donations welcome) but must be booked. They give early access to both exhibitions with a director’s welcome, a drinks reception and, after the galleries close, DJ sets by Ross Millard and Paul Smith, well known for their association with The Futureheads and Maximo Park respectively.
Twins Laura and Rachel Lancaster are painters based in Newcastle where they were educated before going on to win widespread acclaim. This eagerly awaited first major exhibition displaying their work side by side is titled Remember, Somewhere.
Lebanese artist Ali Cherri, inspired by archaeological artefacts and the natural world, will show new work in his exhibition, How I Am Monument, on Baltic’s level 4.
The artist, who will also give a talk in the gallery on April 12, explores violence against bodies, objects and nature in regions of conflict and regards history and cultural value as influenced by colonialism, nationalism and geopolitics.
Read more: Work of Tyneside photo artist goes to auction
MUSIC: The Lindisfarne Story
Where: Various North East venues until April 12
When: April 3, 5, 6, 8, 11 and 12
Bookings and info: lindisfarnestory.co.uk
Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell are back on the road with the latest instalment from the rich history of the North East's folk rocking legends.
Once again offering audiences an intimate, insightful, and entertaining journey through the legendary North East band’s history, this latest incarnation of the story focuses on their debut album, Nicely Out of Tune.
Featuring what would become classic Lindisfarne tracks such as Lady Eleanor, Winter Song, Clear White Light and We Can Swing Together, it seems ridiculous that the 1970 album didn’t chart until more than a year after its initial release, following the success of follow up LP, Fog On The Tyne.
“That album was the foundation of everything that came after - it captured the essence of Lindisfarne,” says Ray.
THEATRE: Goodnight Mister Tom
Where: People’s Theatre, Newcastle
When: Until April 5
Bookings and info: peoplestheatre.co.uk
Michelle Magorian’s debut novel was published in 1981 and became an international bestseller, winning the Guardian Children’s Fiction Award and being a Carnegie Medal runner-up.
Set during the Second World War, it tells of young William Beech who is evacuated to the countryside and taken in by Tom Oakley, a grumpy and reclusive widower in his sixties.
A bond develops between the pair but then William is summoned back to London by his strict mother.
It’s a tough tale that has nevertheless warmed hearts. A film version was released in 1998 and David Wood’s stage adaptation was premiered in 2011, winning an Olivier Award as best family show.
The People’s bill it as “a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit and a testament to the enduring power of kindness, compassion and how love can heal even the deepest wounds”.
Read more: Culture Digest 28.03.25 - Our round-up of arts and culture news
CLASSICAL: Red Priest
Where: Morpeth Methodist Church
When: Thursday, April 10, 7.30pm
Bookings and info: morpeth-musoc.org.uk
Celebrated around the world for their flamboyant playing, the ‘baroque superstars’ of Red Priest bring Morpeth Music Society’s season to a close in fitting style.
The group promises a programme featuring Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Corelli and others from the period – all delivered with panache.
It was in 1997 that the group – subsequently called “wildly virtuosic” by the New York Times – was formed by recorder player Piers Adams, violinist Julia Bishop, cellist Angela East and the late Julian Rhodes on harpsichord (his place occupied since 2011 by David Wright).
Red Priest is named in memory of Antonio Vivaldi – famous as the composer of The Four Seasons – who was ordained in 1703, aged 25, and became nicknamed il Prete Rosso (the Red Priest) because of his red hair.
Red Priest have delighted audiences in the region before but this will be the group’s first visit to Morpeth.
Read more: A new chapter starts for The Lindisfarne Story
COMEDY: Deidre O’Kane - O’Kaning It
Where: Northern Stage, Newcastle
When: April 11
Bookings and info: northernstage.co.uk
Irish stand-up and actor Deirdre O’Kane brings her excellently-named show to Newcastle later this month.
Known for her sharp wit and for mining laughs from the human condition, the long-time comic is currently starring in Ireland’s take on Amazon’s popular new comedy vehicle, Last One Laughing.
Fans of comedy Moone Boy, The Deidre O’Kane Show (obvs) and talent show, The Big Deal will also recognise her.
THEATRE: National Theatre Connections
Where: Newcastle Theatre Royal
When: April 7 to 11, 7pm nightly
Bookings and info: theatreroyal.co.uk
Teenage performers from across the region take over the Theatre Royal stage as part of National Theatre Connections, the National Theatre’s annual youth theatre festival, founded 30 years ago.
First, youth theatre groups each choose one of 10 newly commissioned plays to perform in their home venue.
Then each group gets to perform at a major regional theatre (in this case the Theatre Royal) – and finally, 10 groups from around the country will be chosen to perform at the National Theatre in London.
In Newcastle there will be two performances each evening with an interval featuring the following youth theatre groups or schools…
Monday: Bright Minds Youth Theatre, Sunderland, and Newcastle College Performance Academy; Tuesday: The Witham Youth Theatre, Barnard Castle, and Jarrow School; Wednesday: River Tees Secondary Academy and Gateshead College; Thursday: Stockton Riverside College and Carmel Performing Arts; Friday: Page2Stage, Eaglescliffe, and Newcastle Theatre Royal Youth Company.
The chosen plays include Fresh Air by Vickie Donoghue and You 2.0 by Alys Metcalf.
Read more: Laughter and life stories in store at Laurels
TALK: John Simpson, The Leaders & Lunatics Tour
Where: Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle
When: Sunday, April 6, 7.30pm
Bookings and info: tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
Still a few tickets left at the time of writing for this timely talk by the respected journalist and broadcaster.
With reference to the title, John Simpson has encountered plenty of leaders during his 60 years of reporting from around the world – and quite possibly some of them have also fitted the latter definition.
Falling within his remit will be the likes of Putin, Assad, Mugabe, Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein, all known for their notoriety.
But are there qualities they could be said to share with seemingly more benign figures such as Gorbachev, Mandela, Havel and Zelensky? And surely the evening won’t pass without mention of the man in the White House?
Billed as an event for our troubled times, John will talk first and then throw the floor open to questions in the second half of the show.
CLASSICAL: Cantate Domino
Where: St George’s Church, Jesmond
When: Saturday, April 5, 7.30pm
Bookings and info: cappellanewcastle.org.uk
The choir founded in 1960 as Cappella Novocastriensis has a new name, Cappella Newcastle (less Latin, less of a tongue-twister), and a new musical director, Drew Cantrill-Fenwick, who in September replaced Simon Lee who has taken up a new post in America.
Drew is also the musical director at St George’s and its virtuoso organist.
Cappella Newcastle adheres to its mission to perform “reflective and inspirational” sacred and secular music and will be joined on this occasion by the English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble (renowned period instrument group) and fellow choir Vox Populi (sticking to the Latin).
The programme focuses on 16th Century music composed for the Court Chapel in Munich with a highlight being Missa Bell' Amfitrit’ altera by Orlandus Lassus, feted in his day as one of the best. Music by Hassler, Milani and Gabrieli will also feature.
Tickets will also be available on the door and refreshments are included.
Read more: Theatre Royal 2026 shows - news of ticket dates
STILL SHOWING
Film: Billy Elliot the Musical, various venues across the region until April 2. North East venues include: The Gala, Durham, South Shields’ The Customs House; Alnwick Playhouse; the Vue cinemas in Gateshead and Cramlington; Showcase Stockton; Phoenix Theatre, Blyth; Jam Jar, Whitley Bay; Everyman, Newcastle; and The Maltings, Berwick.
Theatre: T*ts Up, Laurels Theatre, Whitley Bay, until Apr 12. Read our preview
Music: Smoove and Turrell - Acoustic, PILGRIM, Newcastle, Apr 4
Theatre: Penguin, Live Theatre., Newcastle, Apr 9-12
Exhibition: Sheila Fell – Cumberland on Canvas, Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, Apr 10-Jun 28
Music: Johnny Campbell, Vindolanda, Apr 2 from 5.30pm
Music: Eddi Reader, The Fire Station, Sunderland, Apr 2
Music: Michael Ball and Alfie Boe - Together at Home, Utilita Arena, Newcastle, Apr 2
Exhibition: Sunlight. Shadow, RePUBlic Gallery, Blyth, until April 19
Comedy: Lee Kyle - Bottle It, Tyne Theatre and Opera House, Newcastle, April 18
Theatre: Everywhere – triple bill, Live Theatre, Newcastle, April 2
Dance: Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, Newcastle Theatre Royal, until April 5
Exhibition: Joséphine: A Woman of Taste and Fashion, Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, until March 2026
Exhibition: Being, Ali Cook & Kate Sweeney, Vane, Gateshead, until April 5
Exhibition: Spring Welcome, Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, until Apr 13
Exhibition: Unravelling, Samantha Cary, Granary Gallery, Berwick, until May 18
Theatre: The Moth, various North East venues until April 8
Exhibition: Northumberland Open Exhibition, Woodhorn Museum, until June 1. Read David Whetstone’s full preview of the exhibition.
Exhibition: Spellbound, The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre, Northumberland, until April 6
Exhibition: Sustainable Clay, Hatton Gallery, Newcastle, until May 3. Read our review.
Exhibition: Romance to Realities: The Northern Landscapes and Shifting Identities, Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle, until April 26, 2025
Exhibition: Ted Holloway - A Bevin Boy Remembered, Mining Art Gallery, Bishop Auckland, until June 8, 2025
Exhibition: Magna Carta and the North, Durham Cathedral Museum, Jul 11 until Nov 2
Music: The Young’uns Big Boro Bash, Middlesbrough Town Hall, Nov 15
Big screen: Expo Sunderland Pavilion, Keel Square, Sunderland, throughout 2025
NOW BOOKING
Event: Day Fever, Middlesbrough Town Hall, April 19
Theatre: Ghost Stories, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Apr 22-26
Comedy: Alexander Bennett - Emotional Daredevil, Alphabetti Theatre, Apr 23
Festival: Newcastle Puppetry Festival, various venues, Apr 24-27
Theatre: Rum, ARC, Stockton, Apr 24-26; also at Live Theatre, Newcastle, June 6-7
April 30: James - Exclusive warm up show, Middlesbrough Town Hall, Apr 30
Music: Roger Daltrey - Alive and kicking and having fun, Sage One, The Glasshouse, May 1
Music: Karine Polwart - feather and ether tour, The Maltings, Berwick, May 3
Theatre: Blackbird in the Snow, Laurels Theatre, May 6-17
Music: Bryan Adams, Utilita Arena Newcastle, May 8
Theatre: Handbagged, Northern Stage, Newcastle, May 13-17
Music: Across the Evening Sky - Josienne Clarke sings the songs of Sandy Denny, Gosforth Civic Theatre, May 15
Theatre: The Bench, various North East venues, May 22 to Jun 21
Theatre: Grounded, Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle, May 21-24
Theatre: Robyn Hood, Alnwick Playhouse, May 28-29; Gala Durham, May 29; Gosforth Civic Theatre, Jun 21; ARC Stockton, July 5; Queen’s Hall Hexham, July 6
Comedy: Chris Cantrill - Easily Swayed, The Stand Newcastle, Jun 14
Comedy: Kai Humphries - Fringe Preview, Darlington Hippodrome, Jul 9
Music: GemArts Masala Festival - Blossoming with Eeshar Sigh and Royal Northern Sinfonia, July 18
Theatre: SIX, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Aug 12-23
Event: Susie Dent - Word Perfect, Darlington Hippodrome, Aug 20
Comedy: Adam Kay - A Particularly Nasty Case, Northern Stage, Newcastle, Sept 4
Event: Sandi Toksvig, Gala Theatre, Durham, Oct 2
Music: Lindisfarne, ARC Stockton, Oct 3
Music: Deacon Blue, Utilita Arena Newcastle, Oct 6
Comedy: Josie Long - Now Is The Time of Monsters, The Stand Newcastle, Dec 4
2026
Comedy: Ross Noble - Cranium of Curiosities, Middlesbrough Town Hall, Feb 26
Music: Fisherman’s Friends, Sage One, The Glasshouse, April 11
Music: Mike Peters - From the Alarm. Love Hope Strength, Queen’s Hall, Hexham
COMPETITION TIME
Welcome to our latest newsletter prizedraw, offering our subscribers an exclusive opportunity to win tickets to see or do something great.
This week, we’ve got two tickets to Ballet BC at Newcastle Theatre Royal on May 27 at 7.30pm.
Canada’s leading contemporary dance company, Ballet BC are promising a powerful return to the UK, including a double date with Tyneside.
Hailed for their “superb, gorgeous energy” and “joyous technical expertise,” the Vancouver-based ensemble, who made a big impression during their 2018 visit, bring Johan Inger’s Passing - blending intimate storytelling with sweeping theatricality; and Crystal Pite’s reimagined Frontier, which promises a “mesmerising journey into the unknown”.
There is a free post show talk in the auditorium after the May 27 performance.
HOW TO ENTER:
To be in with a chance of winning, simply email MePlease@culturednortheast.co.uk using the subject line: Shall We Dance? (12pm) on Sunday, April 6, 2025.
The winner, who will be selected at random, will be notified within 48 hours of the entry deadline.
Terms and conditions: Only subscribers to the Cultured. North East newsletter are eligible to enter the Newsletter Prize Draw competition. Prizes are as stated - subject to availability - and non-transferable. No cash alternatives will be offered. You must be over 18 years of age to enter. The Editor’s decision is final.