Play Hard

9 shows to book in the next month ahead of World Theatre Day

From award-winning West End musicals to critically acclaimed local standouts, here’s the theatre North East audiences will be raving about in the next month.

Written by Becky Hardy
Published 25.03.2023

DISNEY’S LION KING

When: Until 6th May

Where: Sunderland Empire

Set against the majesty of the Serengeti, with 232 puppets featured in each performance, breath-taking choreography and songs that will give you chills, this is The Lion King like you’ve never seen it before.

Tickets: from £20.00

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TITANIC THE MUSICAL

When: 27th March – 1st April

Where: Theatre Royal, Newcastle upon Tyne

In this theatre adaptation of the tragic love story, you’ll follow the voyage of the legendary RMS Titanic in 1912 and the lives of those on board. Based on true stories, the musical revolves around the hopes and dreams of the passengers, from Third to First Class.

Tickets: from £15.00

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A red-haired woman in an orange jumpsuit sits underneath a table. She looks at something off camera with a shocked look on her face. She is one of the performers in the No.9 theatre production.

NO. 9

When: 7th – 8th April

Where: Northern Stage, Newcastle upon Tyne

Rosa needs to learn how to use a washing machine, buy her own groceries, get up for uni on time and… report a sexual assault. Returning to the stage after a critically-acclaimed sold out run in 2022, No. 9 uses humour and sparkle to follow Rosa as she weaves and uppercuts her way through archaic injustices. 

Tickets: from £10.00

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RAPUNZEL

When: 8th – 9th April

Where: Tyne Theatre & Opera House, Newcastle upon Tyne  

Be enchanted by this pantomime production of the much-loved fairy tale, Rapunzel – with comedy legend Bobby Davro and Britain’s Got Talent winner Matt Pagan (of Collabro) making this show a fun-filled Easter outing for the whole family.

Tickets: from £19.00

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WHERE IS MRS CHRISTIE?

When: 13th April

Where: Middlesbrough Theatre

Agatha Christie was one of the greatest thriller writers of all time. In 1926, she was at the centre of a mystery herself – her crashed car was discovered in Surrey and the famous author was missing for 11 days. She was eventually found at a luxury hotel in Harrogate and claimed amnesia ever since. Neither the press nor the police believed her…

Tickets: £16.50

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THE WIZARD OF OZ

When: 16th – 18th April

Where: Princess Alexandra Auditorium, Yarm

Follow Dorothy, Toto and their quirky friends as they set off on their adventure over the rainbow. This pantomime adaptation of the much-loved classic will bring all the magic of Oz to life as Dorothy uses her brains, heart and courage to save Oz from the Wicked Witch of the West.

Tickets: from £16.00 

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Tales from a Thousand and One Nights Queen's Hall Arts Centre Hexham

TALES FROM A THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS

When: 18th April

Where: Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham

Scheherazade tells stories – exhilarating stories full of fun, danger, wonder and passion – but will it be enough? Can a story save a life? Dragonboy Productions breathe new life into some of the funniest and most entertaining folk tales from The Arabian Nights in an evening of stylish, ensemble theatre and live music.

Tickets: from £10.00

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GREASE

When: 19th – 29th April

Where: Darlington Hippodrome

Grease is the word you need to write in your calendar this April, as the show-stopping spectacle hits the stage once more at Darlington Hippodrome. Follow greaser Danny and girl-next-door Sandy as they navigate the ups and downs of teenage love and remain hopelessly devoted to this musical classic.

Tickets: from £16.00

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The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists The Maltings Berwick upon Tweed

THE RAGGED TROUSERED PHILANTHROPISTS

When: 29th April

Where: The Maltings, Berwick-upon-Tweed  

This enduring and absorbing classic follows a year in the life of a group of Edwardian painters and decorators struggling for survival within a stagnating England. Featuring projection, political conjuring tricks, live music and song, this show will have you laughing and, when you leave, joining the fight against injustice.

Tickets: from £13.50

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