Culture Digest 11.07.25
A round up of some arts and culture stories from across the North East which caught our attention this week
Talent of Charlie Rogers recalled in book and exhibition
It’s “outrageous”, says Brian Rankin, that there’s only one painting by Charlie Rogers in the collection of Gateshead’s Shipley Art Gallery.
If he’s right about that, it’s an oversight that perhaps should be corrected – for Charlie, Gateshead to his core, is an artist on the up.
There’s an exhibition of his work opening on Saturday (July 12) in the gallery at Gateshead Central Library and Brian will be there, sitting at Charlie’s old table to sign copies of the handsome book he has compiled to tell his story.
It’s due to Brian that Charlie Rogers is back in the public eye where he rightly belongs.
Sycamore Gap stands tall again
A powerful new installation honouring the Sycamore Gap tree has opened at The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre on Hadrian’s Wall.
Created by artist Charlie Whinney and Creative Communities CIC, the sculpture features the preserved trunk of the original tree, now standing upright once more.
Rising around are three oak benched and a canopy of steam-bent wood, shaped like a giant sycamore leaf.
Shaped by community workshops and inspired by themes of nature, people, and place, the piece invites visitors to gather, sit, and reflect - just as they once did beneath the beloved tree felled in 2023. Entry to the exhibition is free.
Stage is set for North East star and Oscar winner in Old Vic premiere
North East actor Andrea Riseborough will return to the stage this autumn, starring alongside Oscar winner Susan Sarandon in the UK premiere of Mary Page Marlowe at The Old Vic.
The time-jumping drama by Pulitzer Prize-winner Tracy Letts marks Sarandon’s UK theatre debut and Riseborough’s first stage role in 15 years.
“It’s an honour to be taking on the role of Mary – amongst others – in Tracy Letts’ poignant play, alongside the extraordinary Susan Sarandon.
“I’m so very grateful to be working with Matthew again and thrilled to finally work at the Old Vic, a beautiful space.”
The in-the-round production runs from September 23 to November 1 and is directed by Matthew Warchus. Tickets are on general sale now.
Curtain rises on future of The Customs House with planning bid
Plans to refurbish and extend The Customs House in South Shields have officially been submitted for planning approval.
The project aims to future-proof the much-loved arts venue, expanding its cultural offer while preserving the character of the listed building. Lead designers, ID Partnership say the scheme will create a vibrant, welcoming space for the community, artists, and audiences.
If approved, work is expected to begin early next year, marking a major step forward for the town’s cultural scene.
Call for North East Blue Plaque nominations
The North East has a long and varied history ranging from its past as a frontier region, a cradle of Christianity, and a 19th-century inventive and pioneering industrial powerhouse.
But now Historic England is appealing for its people to nominate inspirational figures for inclusion in the organisation’s National Blue Plaque Scheme.
Last year the scheme was extended to cover the country outside London, but the North East has yet to have a plaque in place.
There are plaques installed from various bodies in the region such as local councils, civic and history societies, and voluntary groups, but Historic England is keen to receive more nominations from the North East for its scheme.
Deadline for entries is July 17.
Deadline extended for new women’s playwriting prize at Laurels
The deadline for the new Rose Fisher Award for Writing has been extended to June 30, giving more time for North East-based women and female-identifying playwrights aged 30+ to submit their work.
The winner will receive a £2,000 cash prize and a fully supported performance run at Laurels Theatre in Whitley Bay. Scripts must be complete. For more details or to enter, contact Alison Stanley at alison@laurelswhitley.co.uk.
Calling working-class writers: The Bee opens for submissions
The Bee, a new platform for working-class writers, opens for submissions on July 14.
Created to challenge the marginalisation of working-class voices in publishing, The Bee offers a literary magazine, website, podcast, and professional development space.
The Bee was developed by New Writing North following its success with A Writing Chance, co-founded with Michael Sheen. Writers can sign up to @beelitmag on Instagram for updates.
Young minds shoot for the stars at Durham space event
Astronomy and football collided in Durham as young minds tackled science at the Royal Astronomical Society’s National Astronomy Meeting 2025 this week.
Hosted by Durham University, the event brought 1,000 scientists to the North East and featured hands-on activities for local schools. Pupils from Catchgate Primary in Stanley took part in the Stargoal Project, where astronomers and footballers teamed up to explore how physics, gravity and data shape the beautiful game.
Dr Alis Deason and astronomer Sownak Bose took students onto the pitch to test how gravity affects a football’s flight, while cosmologist Ryan Cooke worked with Durham Women’s players Grace Ayre and Brooke Mackain on penalty strategies and game stats.
Elsewhere, pupils from West Rainton Primary explored a space adventure at Seven Stories' pop-up, and science ambassadors from Chilton and Woodham Academies joined filmmaker Carl Joyce and TIN Arts to perform PULSE — a dance inspired by space science.
Art, too, played a role. Local artists and schoolchildren collaborated on celestial-themed work, including Lizzie Lovejoy’s Celestial Fingerprints, unveiled at Durham’s Ogden Centre West.
Dr Lorraine Coghill of Durham University said the conference celebrated local engagement: “We are so pleased to be able to share the excitement, experience and inspiration of the conference, directly involving our local communities with all of the opportunities for learning, careers and creativity that it offers.”
Applications for the next Live Writes are LIVE
The curtain may have only just come down on Live Theatre’s latest Live Writes performances, but the Newcastle theatre is already encouraging the next cohort of new writers to get their short play ideas in.
The deadline for submissions in August 4. Visit the website for more information and to apply.