What’s on in the North East this May

THEATRE

The Official RuPaul’s Drag Race UK Series Four Tour

4^th May – O2 City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne

Indulge in an evening with drag royalty, as all 12 queens – including Black Peppa, Cheddar Gorgeous and Dakota Schiffer – werk their way to Newcastle for a drag extravaganza to remember.

RSC Julius Caesar

9^th – 13^th May – Theatre Royal, Newcastle upon Tyne

A story of control, power and chaos, brought to life by the inimitable RSC, this new adaptation of Shakespeare’s timeless story poses the question: how far would you go for your political principles?

MUSIC

Swiftogeddon: The Taylor Swift Club Night

20^th May – Boiler Shop, Newcastle upon Tyne

This night is dedicated to worshipping Taylor Swift – run by fans, for fans. Dance the night away to non-stop Swifty classics, extended mixes, fan favourites and all the greatest hits.

Chastity Brown

25^th May – The Cluny, Newcastle upon Tyne

After experiencing the isolation of the 2020 lockdown, as well as the global racial reckoning that led to the riots just blocks from her home in South Minneapolis, Chastity Brown turned inward and created song after song – all reflecting her roots in Americana, folk, and soul music.

Candlelight Concerts: The Music of Adele

26^th May – York Minster

Rolling in the Deep, Someone Like You, Chasing Pavements, Hello, Easy On Me… reimagine all of Adele’s chart-topping hits in this immersive live experience in York’s majestic Minster – we think you’ll rediscover this ballad queen’s Love in the Dark.

COMEDY

Russell Howard

13^th – 14^th May – O2 City Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne

One of the UK’s favourite comedians – dubbed “the uplifting Comedy King” – Russell Howard promises to bring a Newcastle audience some much-needed comedy relief in his distinctly hilarious style.

DANCE

Rapunzel After Dark: BalletLorent

17^th May – Darlington Hippodrome

This adults-only retelling of the classic fairy tale – written by former Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy – centres around a Wife, her Husband and a solitary gardening Witch, who all share a grief-stricken longing for a child.

The Late Shows

19^th – 20^th May – Venues across Newcastle and Gateshead

Newcastle and Gateshead’s famous, late-night culture crawl is back for another year – bringing with it a renewed opportunity for us to step inside museums, galleries and private workshops after-hours for special activities, behind-the-scenes tours, performances and parties.

Comic Con: North East

27^th – 28^th May – Utilita Arena, Newcastle upon Tyne

The first ever Comic Con: North East will be stopping at the Utilita Arena to celebrate comic book culture and the best comic books around. You’ll get to meet creators, experts, characters and likeminded people across the two days, which will involve a range of activities, cosplay, panels, collectables and special guests…