Culture Digest 17.01.25
Our weekly round up of some of the arts and culture stories from across the North East, which caught our attention this week
Cultural innovations on Tyneside and Wearside win Government funding
The Government has pledged £5m to a new Centre for Writing, to be based in Newcastle, and an identical sum to Glassworks, a planned new world class facility for glass making in Sunderland.
The announcements came as Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy addressed a creative industries growth summit at The Glasshouse in Gateshead (formerly Sage Gateshead).
Establishing a Centre for Writing has been a key aspiration for Newcastle-based New Writing North for several years and the empty Bolbec Hall, on Westgate Road, was revealed last year as the preferred location.
The Glassworks announcement goes a long way to addressing concerns about the future of creative glassmaking in Sunderland following the university’s decision to close the National Glass Centre in 2026, citing the prohibitive cost of repairs.
The Culture Secretary – Manchester-born but a 2001 graduate of Newcastle University where she studied politics - chose the North East for a summit described as the first step towards delivering the Government’s creative industry sector plan, a key element of its industrial strategy.
Ashington Group anniversary gets film finale
Woodhorn Museum’s year-long programme of exhibitions and events celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Ashington Group is culminating with a new screen production.
PITMAN Rediscovered reimagines Eliot Smith Dance’s acclaimed stage piece, PITMAN - transforming it into an experience that brings six Ashington Group paintings to life via film and dance.
Recorded on location at Woodhorn - a site interwoven with the history of the Group, also known as the Pitmen Painters - and supported by Museum Northumberland, Ashington Group Trustees, and Arts Council England, the co-production between ESD and Jason Thompson, of Sound Ideas Media “breathes new life into the miners’ artistic legacy”.
Read more: Delving into a library of lectures at the Lit and Phil
Call out for memories of Muhammad Ali ahead of theatre premiere
During the four days Muhammad Ali spent on Tyneside in 1977, huge crowds came out to see the World Heavyweight Champion and sporting icon.
The now legendary visit, which saw Ali have his marriage blessed at the Al Azhar Mosque in Laygatea mosque, South Shields while also visiting boxing clubs, Eldon Square and the Mayfair Ballroom, offers a backdrop to Champion, a new play by Middlesbrough writer, Ishy Din, which will get its world premiere at Live Theatre next month.
Those who have memories, photos and other memorabilia from his visit are being invited to share them ahead of its opening at the Newcastle theatre on February 13.
Booker Prize winning author’s latest book on tour
Durham author Pat Barker’s latest book, The Voyage Home will be showcased across the North East with a number of dramatic readings.
Events in Blackhall Colliery, Lanchester, Consett and Barnard Castle will see the final instalment of Barker’s Trojan War Trilogy brought to life.
Tickets from eventbrite.
Memories stirred as Fish Quay tavern lands a lost treasure
Drinkers at the Low Lights Tavern, traditionally a fishermen’s watering hole on North Shields Fish Quay, have got their artwork back.
It was unveiled over a lunch of pints, pies and poignant memories – plus a few painful ones - in a pub brought back to life by Danny Higney.
The mural, painted directly onto the pub’s wallpaper in 1956 by Eddie Rowley has been returned to its rightful place after being found, preserved, by a local fisherman who was clearing his loft.
Read more: Curated Culture - Our latest what’s on recommendations
Disco rockers High Fade on Tyneside pilgrimage
Scottish three-piece High Fade return to the North East on Sunday as part of the opening weekend celebrations for Pilgrim - formerly known as Hoochie Coochie.
Simon Rushworth caught up with frontman Harry Valentino.
After the Moon comes the Sun to light up an historic building
Artist Luke Jerram, whose Museum of the Moon has wowed audiences at venues including Durham Cathedral and Hexham Abbey, is returning to the region in the spring with another spectacular creation.
His Helios, which has just premiered at Bath Assembly Rooms, is to make Seaton Delaval Hall the second stop on a UK tour.
The work, seven metres across and named after a Greek god, the personification of the Sun, seems certain be a powerful attraction at the popular National Trust property from March 19 to April 6.
Read more: Review - Murder on the Orient Express at Newcastle Theatre Royal
New season attractions at the People’s Theatre
The People’s Theatre has announced its spring/summer season, which is heartening considering it has begun the year with a cull of acting talent in the Agatha Christie thriller And Then There Were None.
Comedy, tragedy and the winner of the People’s Play Award are all coming our way once it gets underway following the February 10-15 production of Caryl Churchill’s acclaimed Top Girls, written during and inspired by the Thatcher years.
Programme unveiled for North Shields 800
A series of large scale murals on prominent buildings in North Shields will be one of the events marking the 800th anniversary of the founding of the town.
Other events in the 800 programme include The Living River - a view of the town’s history through the lens of the River Tyne; a documentary focusing on the cultural and musical heritage of North Shields; art trail, The Flight Home using life size herring gulls to share stories about the town; a community-crafted textile map; heritage theatre project, Deeds, Words and Danger inspired by local suffragette, Norah Balls; and a new permanent heritage exhibition at the Old Lowlight Heritage Centre.
‘Molly’ commemorates the women who kept the shipyards going during WWII
The "forgotten" women shipyard workers of Wearside have been honoured with a new sculpture.
Molly - a 6ft (1.8m) tall corten steel artwork has been installed on the riverside opposite the National Glass Centre to recognise those who kept the Sunderland shipyards running while men fought in World War Two.
The striking life-size sculpture, made by artist Ron Lawson from corten steel, was unveiled by Education Secretary and minister for women Bridget Phillipson.
Entries open for Sunderland Shorts Film Festival
Organisers of the 10th annual Sunderland Shorts Film Festival are accepting entries.
Taking place between May 12 and 18, the main event will once again be dedicated to showcasing the best short films from around the world on screens in the North East.
For all deadline dates and information, visit the website.