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Necessity is the mother of invention. Or indeed insanity. I mean, it is a bit of a crazy idea, really. "Let's put on a Victorian Gothic classic involving a huge, elaborate palace, a mad prince, thousands of villagers, a plague...

Posted by Fiona Handscomb on December 9, 2008 3:42 PM

Aladdin Opening Night Is Upon Us!

We can't believe it's arrived so quickly but TONIGHT is opening night for our mystical pantomime, Aladdin! It's been so exciting to watch out glittering, Oriental set being built. Everyone keeps catching bits of rehearsals as they walk through the...

Posted by Sunderland Empire on December 5, 2008 12:40 PM

Another national award for Pitmen play

They've dug deep and produced a North East masterpiece: The Pitmen Painters now adds to its ongoing success with another national award. The play - by Billy Elliot author Lee Hall - which premiered at the re-opening of Live Theatre...

Posted by The Journal on December 2, 2008 9:20 AM

Much Ado about Hexham

Queen's Hall Artistic director Geof Keys has adapted Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing. The production is set in the North East in the 1950s and will play at the Queen's Hall from November 27-29. He said: "Much Ado has always...

Posted by The Journal on November 21, 2008 12:25 PM

Multi-talented Stocksfield actor to star in own play

Stocksfield Player Alex Swan is a man of many talents. A teacher by day, he has not only written the Players' latest offering but is also directing the production. And, as if that weren't enough, he is playing the lead...

Posted by The Journal on November 20, 2008 9:52 AM

Paul Michael Glaser arriving this week

Things are starting to hot up at the Sunderland Empire this week, as panto time has not so much crept up on us, but rather jumped out before anyone could shout 'it's behind you!' It's a really exciting time with...

Posted by Sunderland Empire on November 11, 2008 12:38 PM

Smash-hit Ashington play takes theatre award

IT'S been a huge hit with audiences in Newcastle and London and now home-grown play The Pitmen Painters has won a prestigious theatre award. The newly-announced award by the Theatrical Management Association is the icing on the cake for Lee...

Posted by The Journal on October 29, 2008 12:04 PM

Indian dance company to play Hexham venue

Hexham is to play host to one of the world's foremost Indian dance companies. The Kala Chethena Kathakali theatre company will perform the show Kathakali at the Queen's Hall on Friday October 24. Kathakali, meaning 'story play', embraces drama, dance,...

Posted by Kim Carmichael on October 22, 2008 1:13 PM

More entertainment throughout October at Alnwick Playhouse

Alnwick Playhouse's packed itinerary continues throughout October with some singing, swing, film and fun. Ruth Notman plays on Friday October 24 at 7.30pm. The acclaimed 19-year-old folk-singer and songwriter from Nottingham was a finalist in the 2006 BBC Radio 2...

Posted by Richard Fletcher on October 16, 2008 11:28 AM

Quality performances at Alnwick Playhouse

Some exotic sights and sounds are coming to Alnwick Playhouse over the next few weeks -- as well as some from a bit closer to home. Chumbawamba, armed with acoustic guitars, accordion, trumpet and five-part harmonies, bring their recognisable sound...

Posted by Richard Fletcher on October 13, 2008 11:31 AM

Play remembering Ashington miners could get national award

A hit play about Ashington miners is up for a prestigious award. North East production The Pitmen Painters recalls the miners of Ashington who took up painting and captured the national imagination between the wars. Lee Hall's play, commissioned by...

Posted by Richard Fletcher on October 3, 2008 1:39 PM

Thriller debuts in Hexham

An award-winning play with a challenging theme is set to make its debut in Hexham. Frozen, a play which has been likened to TV shows such as Silent Witness, portrays the emotional fallout that surrounds the actions of a child...

Posted by Graeme Whitfield on September 19, 2008 3:13 PM

Live Theatre Writers Group

Last Thursday night I had to make a decision as I had double booked - should I go to my monthly Book Club Meeting (for which I have to admit I hadn't read the prescribed book) or the Live Theatre...

Posted by Two Point Four Children on July 16, 2008 3:31 PM

49. Stuart Griffiths, Birmingham Hippodrome

Name: Stuart Griffiths Position: Chief Executive, Birmingham Hippodrome Sector: Arts & Culture 2007 Placing: new entry...

Posted by Power 50 on July 15, 2008 10:11 PM

Theatres in the spotlight

By Jenny Waddington The search has started once more to find the elite of Coventry and Warwickshire with the prestigious Lloyds TSB Commercial Godiva Awards. As the event enters its fifth year, companies in the lifestyle, tourism and leisure industry...

Posted by Esh Capelo on June 20, 2008 10:16 AM

You'd be a twit to miss these opportunities -

I remember reading Roald Dahl's The Twits as a class at primary school and like thousands of children - I loved it (especially the horrible bits like the glass eye and the worm spaghetti.) It's naughty and not too...

Posted by Susan Humphreys on April 30, 2008 9:00 AM

Memories of mum as a Hippodrome dancer

The old Hippodrome has fond memories for Mount Nod man Brian Warner. Brian, of Sutherland Avenue, spent many hours there as a youngster watching his mother perform as one of the famous Zio Angels dance troupe....

Posted by John West on April 2, 2008 11:55 AM

Performers Theatre School

We offer classes in drama, dance, singing and musical theatre for children and young people aged 3-18. We also run holiday schools. There are opportunities to take pare in shows, festivals and examinations. We have pupils from across Merseyside, Cheshire...

Posted by Trinity Mirror Cheshire on January 16, 2008 9:52 AM

Wizard of Oz at Stockton Arc

CHRISTMAS just wouldn’t be Christmas without THE WIZARD OF OZ, and the festive favourite is being staged at Arc, Stockton, thanks to the performing arts team at Stockton Riverside College....

Posted by Julie - Administrator on November 30, 2007 9:51 AM

Harlequin Theatre

Harlequin Theatre Tel: 01477 533024 Email: jenny.hindmarch@virgin.net Website: www.harlequinplayers.co.uk...

Posted by Aaron on June 14, 2007 12:45 PM