Curated Culture 17.12.24
Our weekly cultural casserole featuring stuff-to-see recommendations from venues and attractions all over North East England
Welcome to this week’s newsletter featuring a helpful sprinkling of ideas of things to get in front of across the region’s cultural stages, venues and attractions.
If you’re a regular reader, you can skip the next couple of paragraphs, but for newcomers (HELLO!), this is the mailout which does its best to make sure you don’t miss the things you wished you’d known about.
Every Tuesday, we gather together a healthy collection of featured listings - events, shows, gigs and more that we reckon are worth your time over the next couple of weeks.
Meanwhile our STILL SHOWING section rounds up everything which has been highlighted in previous Curated Culture newsletters - and which is still available to get in front of.
Think of our NOW BOOKING section as a pair of binoculars through which you can see cultural delights that are happening further into the future - and book in the ones you want on your wall planner… or pick up some last minute Christmas pressies.
Now then… I know I’ve just laid out the usual turn of events for a Tuesday. But it’s bloody Christmas, isn’t it?
So, with that in mind, it’s time to mention that this will be the last Curated Culture of 2024 and so will allow its featured listings fortnight guidance to slip a bit into the New Year… I mean, no-one will know what day it is once Monday comes around.*
*Remember to also check out our mammoth North East Christmas Shows roundup (featuring more than 75 pantomimes and other theatre productions, gigs, concerts and events etc) if you’re looking for festive inspiration between now and the dawn of 2025.
The Tuesday newsletter will be back in your inboxes on January 7 with a special edition including a round up of things we already know we’re looking forward to in 2025.
Culture Digest will be with you on Friday (December 20) and there will be a Cultured. North East Christmas Quiz dropping in between December 25 and January 1 with some fantastic prizes to get the New Year off to a cracking start.
OK, seasonal housekeeping over. Sort of.
For this week’s newsletter prizedraw - which always offers Cultured. North East subscribers an exclusive chance to win tickets to something great - we’ve gone all in on Christmas spirit and have TWO separate prizedraws this week.
The first is a family ticket (two adults and up to three children) for a visit to Christmas at the Palace at Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland up to December 31.
The second is 4 x tickets for Brutus Gold's NYE Disco Extravaganza at The Fire Station, Sunderland on December 31.
All the info and details of how to be in with a chance of winning can be found at the end… but don’t forget to soak up all the goodwill content between here and there.
See you soon and all the best festive wishes
Sam and Dave*
*Like Chas and Dave but with less hair, Santa hats and better accents
PS: If you haven’t liked/followed/high fived us on our socials, you can rectify that on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter and Blue Sky
Read more: Raising a Glass(house) to 20 years on music
THEATRE: Les Miserables
Where: Utilita Arena, Newcastle
When: January 2-5
Bookings and info: utilitaarena.co.uk
Cameron’s Mackintosh’s large scale production of the beloved Les Miserables stops off on Tyneside as part of a world tour.
The musical phenomenon has clocked up a storming four decades in London, but this production has been specifically designed for the arena stage. Bring it home, kids.
Read more: Review - The Little Mermaid at Newcastle Theatre Royal
COMEDY: Sophie Duker - Daddy I Love Her
Where: Gala Theatre Durham
When: January 16
Bookings and info: galadurham.co.uk
Stand up comic and Taskmaster champion, Sophie Duker returns to Durham - and she’s bringing her (sugar) daddy issues with her.
Arguing silliness should be the preferred option over common sense, prepare for ‘an unhinged’ - but we reckon still very funny - evening.
Read more: Review - The Velveteen Rabbit at balletLORENT
EVENT: Family New Year’s Eve Party 2024
Where: Gosforth Civic Theatre
When: December 31, 12pm and 4pm
Bookings and info: gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk
The delightful daytime New Year’s Eve celebration for families is back on the cards at Gosforth Civic Theatre.
DJs will be spinning tunes for dancefloor lovers of all ages, meanwhile there will also be craft tables, snacks and a fully functioning bar. Boxes ticked all over the place! There are a pair of two-hour party sessions, both culminating with a big screen countdown.
Read more: Review - Blitzen on Tyne at Live Theatre
CLASSICAL: 007 in Concert
Where: Sage One, The Glasshouse
When: December 30
Bookings and info: theglasshouseicm.org
Step out of Christmas for a night and into the drama of James Bond. Royal Northern Sinfonia and guest conductor Timothy Redmond will be joined by, West End stars Louise Dearman and Oliver Tompsett for a string of big Bond tunes.
Skyfall, Goldfinger and The World is Not Enough will all be on the setlist, alongside many more. We’re betting it will be explosive in the best possible way.
Read more: Review - Beauty and the Beast at Gala Theatre Durham
THEATRE: The Berwick Broadcasting Corporation: Gremlins
Where: The Maltings, Berwick
When: December 21
Bookings and info: maltingsberwick.co.uk
Seven years after their triumphant debut live performance of 1940’s-style radio plays (starting with Titanic!), the Berwick Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) are back with an new play which puts Santa at the centre of a Stephen King classic tale and an adaptation of the 1980’s creature feature Gremlins! We are in.
Read more: Roger Melly will be getting his **** Chris Donald poster signed. Will you?
MUSIC: Dr Feelgood
Where: The Cluny, Ouseburn, Newcastle
When: December 19
Bookings and info: thecluny.com
The past couple of years have seen two new album releases from the legendary rhythm and blues act, who were first formed in the early 70s on Canvey Island and have a back catalogue containing classics Roxette, Back in the Night, Milk and Alcohol and See You Later Alligator.
The current line up features the rhythm section Kevin Morris on drums and Phil Mitchell on bass; the return of Gordon Russell on guitar; and Robert Kane (formerly of the Animals) who joined in 1999.
THEATRE: SIX
Where: Stockton Globe
When: December 17-January 2, 2025
Bookings and info: stocktonglobe.co.uk
International musical smash hit SIX has moved into Stockton Globe this week for a looooong and welcome stay.
Using powerhouse pop to tell the history of Henry VIII's six wives, each take their turn at the mic to tell their own tale - and seize the story back. It’s really quite incredible.
Read more: Review - Present at Live Theatre
MUSIC: Lindisfarne
Where: Newcastle 02 City Hall
When: December December 21
Bookings and info: academymusicgroup.com
In recent(ish) years, Lindisfarne’s legendary Christmas concerts have returned to the City Hall… and they’re back this year.
The current live incarnation of the North East’s beloved folk-rock band features founding member Rod Clements alongside long-time members Dave Hull-Denholm, Steve Daggett, Ian Thomson and Paul Smith.
Run For Home, Clear White Light, Lady Eleanor, Meet Me On The Corner, Fog on the Tyne… I mean, we could be here all night.
COMEDY: Big Mouth Comedy Club NYE Special
Where: Middlesbrough Town Hall
When: December 31
Bookings and info: middlesbrough.gov.uk
Bringing in the New Year with belly laughs is always fun - so if you’ve not sorted your plans out yet, why not consider the big comedy bash at Middlesbrough Town Hall.
North East comedy treasure, Matt Reed will be MCing his ass off, introducing a line up including star circuit stand up, Simon Wozniak and Rob Thomas.
There are also pies, peas and dancing. Happy new year indeed.
Read more: Review - A Christmas Carol at Northern Stage
MUSIC: Jez Lowe’s Lost Christmas
Where: Sage Two, The Glasshouse
When: December 22, 2pm and 8pm
Bookings and info: theglasshouseicm.org
A whistle-stop tour of the musical traditions from all over the North East is on the cards from award winning songwriter Jez Lowe and his toe-tapping folk music quartet The Bad Pennies.
Prepare for good humour, seasonal songs and wonderful musicianship.
STILL SHOWING
Lecture: The Santa Saga, Lit & Phil, Newcastle, Dec 18
Dance: The Velveteen Rabbit, Gosforth Civic Theatre, Dec 20-22 (six performances)
Comedy: The Suggestibles - Impro Pantso, Northern Stage and Cumberland Arms, Ouseburn, Dec 19-20 and 21 respectively
Music: After Midnight’s Christmas Party, Cluny 2, Newcastle, Dec 20 and 21
Exhibition: Nerys Johnson - Disability and Practice, The Laing Art Gallery, from Dec 21
Theatre: Elf The Musical, Utilita Arena, Newcastle, Dec 30
Screen: Smoggie Queens, BBC Three and iPlayer
Screen: Mycelial, online screenings, until Dec 17
Event: AGLOW at Auckland Palace, Bishop Auckland, until Dec 31
Theatre: Seagulls and Sad Sad Stories, Laurels Theatre, Whitley Bay, Dec 9-23
Exhibition: We all came here from somewhere, BALTIC, until Feb 9
Exhibition: Sheila Fell - Cumberland on Canvas, Tullie House, Carlisle, until Mar 16, 2025 (coming to Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens after it closes
Exhibition: Framing Fashion, Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, until Mar 2, 2025
Exhibition: Romance to Realities: The Northern Landscapes and Shifting Identities, Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle, until April 26, 2025
Exhibition: Hannah Perry - Manual Labour, BALTIC, until Jan 19, 2025
Exhibition: Ted Holloway - A Bevin Boy Remembered, Mining Art Gallery, Bishop Auckland, until June 8, 2025
Exhibition: Mali Morris - Returning, Hatton Gallery, Newcastle, until Jan 11, 2025
NOW BOOKING
Jan 30- Apr 3: Mega Season Ticket for Cobalt’s Thursday 10 Gig Spring Season, Cobalt Studios, Ouseburn
Jan 30-31: DIG, Laurels Theatre, Whitley Bay
Jan 30: The Sound of Space: Sci-fi Film Soundtracks, Sage One, The Glasshouse
Jan 31: Holly and The Reivers, Gosforth Civic Theatre
Feb 12: Dan Byrne, The Cluny, Newcastle
Feb 13-Mar 8: Champion, Live Theatre, Newcastle
Feb 15: Elkie Brooks - The Long Farewell Tour, Sage One, The Glasshouse
Mar 6: Lou Sanders - No Kissing in the Bingo Hall, Tyne Theatre and Opera House
Mar 15: Arthur Smith and Claire Ferguson Walker, Gosforth Civic Theatre
Mar 19: Carousel - A Theatre Show by Ivo Graham, Northern Stage, Newcastle
Mar 20: David Gray, Newcastle 02 City Hall
Mar 27-Apr 12: The Lindisfarne Story - Nicely Out of Tune Tour, various North East venues
Apr 12: Sean Paul and Ashanti, Utilita Arena, Newcastle
Apr 16: Stuart Laws Has to be Joking, Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle
Apr 22-26: Ghost Stories, Newcastle Theatre Royal
May 9: China Crisis, Sage Two, The Glasshouse
May 13-17: Handbagged, Northern Stage, Newcastle
May 29-31: Greg Davies - Full Fat Legend, Newcastle 02 City Hall
Oct 10-12: Busted vs McFly, Utilita Arena, Newcastle
Oct 28-Nov 2: Here & Now, Newcastle Theatre Royal
COMPETITION TIME
Welcome to our Christmas special newsletter prizedraw, offering our subscribers TWO exclusive opportunities to win tickets to see or do something great. We really don’t know when to stop.
Here are the details:
Newsletter Prizedraw ONE
A family ticket (two adults and up to three children)* to Christmas at the Palace, this year’s beautiful addition to The Auckland Project’s festive programme.
Visitors can take in the splendour of 12 rooms inside Auckland Castle which have been decorated in lavish fashion for the season.
The State Rooms, St Peter’s Chapel and the Private Apartments have all been transformed with a touch of Christmas magic.
The ticket also includes the chance to see the magnificent 18th-century Neapolitan Nativity, which is on display in the Faith Museum.
*Please note: The prize is one family ticket - adults and up to three children - for Christmas at the Palace on any day it is open up until December 31. The prize can only be redeemed once.
Newsletter Prizedraw TWO
Four tickets to what sounds like an excellent way to wave goodbye to 2024 and dance into 2025.
After a near sell-out show in April, Brutus Gold’s Love Train is back at The Fire Station in Sunderland to celebrate New Year’s Eve in sequin-clad style.
Billed as ‘an immersive evening complete with an all-star cast of crazy characters and spectacular production’ the 70’s-soaked show will see DJs spinning a neverending supply of groovy tunes and discoball dancefloor fillers.
The show, which kicks off proper at 8.30pm on December 31, 2024, has entertained crowds all over the world, and we’re being promised a ‘party to remember’ including some delicious street food
HOW TO ENTER:
To be in with a chance of winning, simply email MePlease@culturednortheast.co.uk using the subject line(s):
HAPPY CHRISTMAS! for the family ticket to Christmas at the Palace (prizedraw one);
and
2025 WILL BE MINT! For the 4 x tickets for Brutus Gold’s Love Train NYE bash at The Fire Station in Sunderland (prizedraw two).
The deadline for both prizedraws is Thursday, December 19, 2024 (THAT’S THIS THURSDAY!) at midday (12pm).
The winners, who will be selected at random, will be notified within 24 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(s).
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.