Culture Digest 14.03.25
Our regular round up of some of the arts and culture stories from across the North East, which caught our attention over the past seven days
Song for Sammy
The Sunday for Sammy Trust is marking its 25th anniversary throughout 2025 and one its beneficiaries has contributed to the celebrations.
North East musician Joe Allan, who has received grants from the charity, has written and performed a song - Carrying the Weight Around - that embodies its mission of empowering and supporting aspiring artists in the region.
Performing under the name Ernie, Joe recorded the track at Blank Studios in Newcastle, collaborating with producer Josh Ingledew and fellow artist Imogen Williams, lead vocalist of Imogen and the Knife, another recipient of the Sunday for Sammy Trust’s support.
Joe said: “The track highlights that it’s possible to have a successful career in the arts no matter where you’re from. The North-South divide in the creative industries is real, but it shouldn’t stop anyone from pursuing their passions.
“There’s incredible talent here, and I hope the song inspires others to keep going.”
Sunday for Sammy producer Ray Laidlaw praised the song’s message: “This is exactly what Sunday for Sammy is all about. We’ve harnessed the talents of Joe and Imogen to highlight the incredible impact of 25 years of support for North East artists.
“It’s a privilege for the charity to be able to give a helping hand to the region’s young performers, and we’re now looking ahead to a very exciting year of celebrations.”
Earlier this year it was announced that the Sunday for Sammy fundraising concerts would return on February 15, 2026. Tickets are on sale for the Utilita Arena events here.
Read more: Curated Culture 11.03.25 - Our what’s on recommendations
Ian Shaw on Jaws and playing his dad
One of the great blockbuster movies of the 1970s, Jaws burst onto the big screen with long-lasting effect, painting the great white shark as humanity’s underwater nemesis and putting umpteen holidaymakers o…
Trio of North East production companies earmarked for BBC support
The announcement of this year’s recipients of the BBC Small Indie Fund included three independent production companies from the region.
Candle and Bell (Gateshead), Northern Child, and Schnoobert Productions (both Newcastle) have all secured support through the fund, which provides mentorship, strategic investment, and networking opportunities to help small production companies across drama, comedy, film, entertainment, factual, daytime, and children’s content grow.
Meanwhile Candle and Bell has also been selected for the BBC Radio & Music Indie Development Fund, receiving support from the BBC audio division.
As you would imagine, all three are cock-a-hoop happy and determined to squeeze every last drop of benefit out of the opportunity.
Lisa Laws, development director at North East Screen said: “The BBC Small Indie Fund is an increasingly competitive award, and we’re thrilled to see three North East companies selected this year.
“Their inclusion in the fund is testament to both the BBC’s commitment to diversify their suppliers and potential of the North East’s screen sector. With tailored mentoring and investment from the BBC, these companies will be able to scale up, secure new commissions, and continue to put our region’s talent on the national and international stage.”
Timely exhibition highlights complex motherhood
An exhibition in Newcastle Cathedral, appropriately starting with International Women’s Day and ending on Mothering Sunday, focuses on complex motherhood and how difficulties can be overcome.
You’ll find it in the far corner of the building, diagonally opposite the main entrance, a white booth with pictures outside as the centrepiece and with other pictures and poems arranged around it.
The pictures, including paintings, sketches and fabric pieces, are mostly dramatic and vibrant. The greater clue as to why it’s called A Story of Hope lies in the poems which express powerful emotions – remorse, defiance and determination as well as hope.
Newcastle launch for spellbinding show
A new musical is to premiere at the Theatre Royal next year and among the first to fall under its spell (hopefully) will be some 5,000 North East schoolchildren who will get in free.
And if you think that’s weird, you’d be right.
Weird is the name of the show being concocted by Michael Harrison, Wallsend-born producer of the Theatre Royal panto and many other hits.
He and his creative team have high hopes for their version of Shakespeare’s Macbeth from the perspective of the three witches – or “weird sisters” as they call themselves in act one, scene three.
Artists highlight North East & Ukraine shared heritage
Pop-up exhibitions and flash mob performances have their place but projects initiated by D6 dig deep – quite literally in the case of its latest, (Re)Grounding - and evolve over time.
Laurels Theatre looks for support from the crowd
Whitley Bay fringe venue, Laurels has launched a £10,000 crowdfunding campaign to support its ongoing work to ‘develop new work, champion working class voices and support local talent’.
Known for developing, platforming and producing bold stories from North East theatre makers - Gerry and Sewell enjoyed two sell out runs there before transferring to Live Theatre and then Newcastle Theatre Royal - the theatre has snuggled itself into North Tyneside’s cultural landscape.
Now bosses Steve Robertson and newly appointed head of theatre and programming, Alison Stanley are hoping everyone who value’s what they’re trying to do will help them keep doing it and ‘be part of our story’.
For more information and to donate, visit the crowdfunder page.
St Oswald’s Art Trail will be back… but they’re keeping us guessing!
We’ve had Snowdogs, Elmer elephants and Shaun the Sheeps… but what will be next for the St Oswald’s Art Trail?
The return of the popular fundraising character trail, which sees individually decorated (and sponsored) sculptures pop up all over the region has been confirmed for 2026, which marks 10 years since the Snowdogs and the 40th anniversary of the Hospice itself.
Organisers at the Newcastle charity promising that ‘a very familiar face’ will be front and centre - and will be revealing all next month. Our fingers are crossed for Bagpuss.
Kynren keeps a Victorian Village in one piece
Kynren’s new daytime theme park, The Storied Lands has acquired a much-loved exhibit from the Flambards Theme Park in Cornwall - ensuring it remains together.
The ‘extraordinary’ Victorian Village was at risk of being broken up and sold in individual lots following the park’s recent closure.
But now it will all be brought to life in a new walk through experience, transporting visitors to Victorian England - from the heart of Bishop Auckland - as part of the new Storied Lands attraction, the UK’s first live action historical theme park, opening in 2026.
Anna Warnecke, CEO of Kynren, said: “The detail and authenticity of the Flambards Victorian Village make it an incredible foundation for a truly immersive experience at The Storied Lands.
“We are not simply relocating it; we are transforming it into a vibrant, theatrical journey where visitors will feel as if they have stepped back into the heart of Victorian England. We cannot wait to unveil this spectacular experience as part of our new Park.”
For more information about The Storied Lands, visit the Kynren website.
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Lamplights Arts Centre to be brought back into community use
The future of a former civic hall in County Durham - known to many at the Lamplight Arts Centre - has been secured.
Durham County Council’s Cabinet has accepted an offer for Stanley Civic Hall with Lamplight Arts Centre proposing to transform the building into a social enterprise offering a space for stage and screen productions, amateur dramatics, sporting activities and more.
Cllr James Rowlandson, Cabinet member for resources, investment and assets, said: “As well as offering a place where local people can come together and enjoy a range of arts and cultural activities, a redeveloped Lamplight Centre will also support the regeneration and economic development of the town centre, helping the entire community to thrive.”
Lanterns on the Lake to headline North Tyneside music festival
Mercury Music Prize nominees, Lanterns on the Lake will be getting the party started for A Stone’s Throw Festival in North Shields.
The band, who haven’t played in the region for a couple of years, will play King Street Social Club on May 24 ahead of the busy day-long festival, which kicks off the following day at venues across the town.
All festival details and booking details via the website.
Quirky and colourful exhibitions not to miss
Two eagerly awaited exhibitions (and it can’t be just by me) are coming up soon in Sunderland at the Northern Gallery for Contemporary Art (NGCA). They will – I just know it – make us smile and provide a colourful snapshot of contemporary North East life.