- Play Hard
- 16th Sep 2023
- 0
- 10 minutes
Your ultimate autumn show guide for theatres in the North East

What’s on at the theatre, you ask? We run down the season’s big hitters across the North East at local institutions like Theatre Royal Newcastle, Sunderland Empire Theatre and Durham Gala Theatre.
You Heard Me
20th – 21st September
ARC Stockton
You Heard Me is for anyone who has been underestimated. Anyone who has been told to shut up. Anyone who has been afraid to walk home.
It’s a true story about the power to re-make, re-mould and disrupt. A celebration of a single moment of noise that freed Luca from an attack. This is a show about refusing to stay quiet.
This show exists because, without using her voice, Luca wouldn’t.
Content warning: this show at ARC Stockton contains references to sexual violence.
Tickets: Pay what you feel
I, Daniel Blake
26th – 30th September
Gala Theatre Durham
Dan is a carpenter. A Geordie through and through. Just on the mend after a heart attack. Katie has just arrived from London. Finally got a council house for her and the kids. A fresh start.
Adapted from Ken Loach’s award-winning film by Dave Johns, who actually played Daniel Blake in that film, I, Daniel Blake is one of the most important stories of a generation. Head to Gala Theatre Durham to get a glimpse behind the headlines and the stark reality of what happens when the political system is stacked against you.
With 14.5 million* people living in poverty in the UK, this is not fiction. It is reality.
Tickets: from £25.00
Macbeth
27th September – 7th October
Northern Stage Newcastle
This visceral, contemporary co-production between Northern Stage Newcastle, English Touring Theatre, Shakespeare North Playhouse and Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg promises to be one of the season’s pinnacles of Newcastle theatre as it reimagines the classic tale of a divided nation tearing itself apart.
When the Macbeths see their chance at the crown, why shouldn’t they take it? But, of course, things don’t go to plan. Dreams quickly turn to nightmares, humanity erodes and nature stirs….
Tickets: from £10.00
Mrs Roosevelt Flies to London
28th September
Alnwick Playhouse
In October 1942, Eleanor Roosevelt, wife of the President, takes a dangerous trip to wartime London to visit US troops and see how to British – most importantly, the British women – are coping.
In her last days, as the Cuban Missile Crisis pushes the world to the brink of final catastrophe, Eleanor relieves her journey from bomb-damaged Buckingham Palace to midnight factories, but also recalls her life: from unhappy child to unconventional wife, to becoming, in President Truman’s words, ‘First Lady of the World.’
Alison Skilbeck’s critically acclaimed one-woman show is a fine example of the sensitivity of North East theatre, revealing the public and private life of one of the most extraordinary women of the 20th century.
Tickets: from £18.00
Annie
2nd – 7th October
Sunderland Empire Theatre
The smash-hit West End production of Annie – starring strictly judge Craig Revel-Horwood as Miss Hannigan – comes to Sunderland Empire theatre for one week only this October.
With its Tony Award-winning book and score, including the unforgettable songs ‘It’s a Hard Knock Life’, ‘Easy Street’, ‘I Don’t Need Anything But You’ and ‘Tomorrow’, you can bet your bottom dollar you’re going to fall in love with this childhood classic all over again.
Tickets: from £13.00
The Cold Buffet
5th – 28th October
Live Theatre Newcastle
Making an appearance at family get-togethers is the only time Ellis can muster the strength to visit home. The awkward small talk, the underlying tension, avoiding conversation and slighting comments are a few things he prepares himself for.
When it begins to become tradition at these occasions for true feelings to be unearthed, is it time for Ellis to cut ties?
A delicious North East family saga at Live Theatre Newcastle – one of the most inventive theatres in Newcastle – laced with dry humour and a good dose of interpersonal tension.
Tickets: from £10.00
Sh!t-faced Shakespeare: Much Ado About Nothing
7th October
Tyne Theatre & Opera House Newcastle
Stumbling out of their London local (Leicester Square Theatre) and straight onto the stage of one of the most iconic theatres in Newcastle – hoping to not get, erm, bard along the way – Sh!t-faced Shakespeare go on tour with an all new production of their hit show, Much Ado About Nothing.
Sh!t-faced Shakespeare is the classic combination of a hacked-to-bits Shakespeare script, half a dozen professional actors and a bucket load of booze. Sounds classical to us…
Warning: Sh!t-faced Shakespeare is an adult show for big sensible grown ups and therefore contains rude stuff!
Tickets: from £25.00
Do You Believe in Ghosts?
8th October
Middlesbrough Town Hall
This experiential ghost story is guaranteed to be unlike anything you’ve ever experienced before. Are you feeling brave?
This haunting night of North East theatre will reveal all the secrets of what goes on when the spotlights go dark. Follow the rules: keep your hands inside the car (so to speak) and you’ll be safe, as Middlesbrough Town Hall reveal all the tales that every theatre has to tell.
So, book tickets – go on, we dare you.
Tickets: from £32.50
42nd Street
10th – 14th October
Theatre Royal Newcastle
It’s big. It’s bright. It’s a brand, spanking new production of ‘the original showbiz musical,’ 42nd Street coming to the Theatre Royal Newcastle this autumn.
Starring Samantha Womack, Michael Praed, Faye Tozer, Les Dennis and Nicole-Lily Baisden, this iconic song-and-dance spectacular promises to be a highlight in the Newcastle theatre calendar, featuring a hit parade of toe-tapping songs, including ‘42nd Street’, ‘We’re In The Money’, ‘Lullaby of Broadway’, ‘Shuffle Off To Buffalo’ and ‘I Only Have Eyes For You’.
Tickets: from £20.00
FLIP!
10th – 28th October
Alphabetti Theatre Newcastle
This powerful new satire at arguably one of the bravest theatres in Newcastle probes what it means to live freely under the shadow of social media.
Carleen and Crystal are influencers with cultural commentary that will have you in stitches. Love them or hate them, there’s no stopping their fast-growing online following.
Offline, Carleen has her reservations about their cyber personas, but she idolises Crystal and would follow her anywhere – even to FLIP!, the new social media giant that has everyone hooked. Superstardom, followers, fame, influence, money: it’s all just one click away. FLIP! is the answer to everything they’ve ever dreamed of. But is it too good to be true?
Tickets: from £10.00
Go Back For Murder by Agatha Christie
11th – 14th October
Middlesbrough Theatre
Sixteen years ago, Carla’s mother was convicted of murdering her husband and died in prison.
When Carla receives a letter from her mother beyond the grave, protesting her innocence, she makes a passionate attempt to clear her mother’s name…
Tickets: from £12.20
Death on the Mile
14th October
Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre Durham
Following their successful Edinburgh Fringe run, the Revue 2022/23 troupe are back for one final demonstration of peak Durham theatre – and one final mystery.
The troupe is set to perform at an old Manor House – what could possibly go wrong? A murder, that’s what. They must keep performing their sketches whilst the investigation ensues. But will they figure out whodunnit, or will the killer get the last laugh?
Content Warning: Strong language/adult themes
Tickets: from £6.00
Frankenstein
17th – 21st October
Darlington Hippodrome
This new story, inspired by Mary Shelley’s classic gothic novel, takes place at what feels like the very end of the world, whilst Europe is tearing itself apart. As two women hide from their past, one has a terrifying story to tell…
“I created life. You don’t believe me but it’s true. I didn’t start from scratch of course, but out of portions and odd ends I made something – alive. But what I created… it wasn’t a superhuman. It was a monster.”
Tickets: from £16.50
Beyond Caring
18th October
The Customs House South Shields
Meet Queenie, Elaine and Alex: resident, relative and carer at Cedar Point Care Home. A place where the corridors roar with laughter and ache with sadness and where outrageous antics mingle with tough conversations.
Beyond Caring is a powerful new piece of North East theatre that takes a frank, humorous and heart-breaking look at life behind the doors of a care home. Based on interviews with residents, relatives and staff, this play uncovers the reality of caring for others, looking after ourselves and getting older.
Tickets: from £10.00
Private Lives
24th – 28th October
Peoples Theatre Newcastle
Divorced couple Elyot and Amanda find themselves reunited while honeymooning with their new partners. Their unexpected meeting on adjoining hotel balconies reignites old passions … and problems.
This classic comedy of manners is packed with Noel Coward’s trademark wit and wordplay, and is sprinkled with some Newcastle theatre magic. A sublimely funny and high-spirited romp that fizzes with sophistication, fun and sexual chemistry.
Tickets: from £16.00
Reiver – Tales from the Borders
27th October
Maltings Theatre Berwick
The Reivers: lawless families who terrorised the Anglo-Scottish border for 400 years from Newcastle to Edinburgh, Carlisle to Dumfries, until King James I broke their power.
Living by blackmail, extortion, protection and theft, they grew to become some of the most powerful families of their time, with names we still recognise today: the Nixons, the Armstrongs, the Robsons and the Charltons.
This deft example of North East theatre weaves three tales of ordinary people caught in the Reivers’ web, who take a stand against their murderous ways.
Tickets: from £15.00
Pretty Woman: The Musical
14th – 30th December
Stockton Globe
Ok, so we know December doesn’t technically qualify as ‘autumn’, but we figured you wouldn’t want to miss the chance to nab tickets to this blockbuster in the Durham theatre calendar – because it’s sure to be a big night out. Big. Huge.
Pretty Woman: The Musical is finally embarking on a UK tour, so make a date to see Hollywood’s ultimate rom-com live on stage. Expect the iconic ‘80s love story as told by Julia and Richard in the classic film, but with added rock stardust thanks to songs written by Grammy winners Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance.
Tickets: from £13.00
For even more events listings this autumn and beyond, visit our What’s On calendar.
Comments