Culture Digest 24.10.25
A round up of the arts and culture stories which caught our attention over the past week or so...
Screenwriting debut for Newcastle playwright with BBC short Doppelgänger
North East playwright Alison Carr is making her screenwriting debut with Doppelgänger, a new short film produced by Newcastle-based Candle & Bell Films as part of the BBC’s Long Story Short series.
Due for release on BBC iPlayer and BBC Three in early 2026, Doppelgänger began life as a spec script submitted to a BBC Writers call-out at the end of 2024 where it was selected for development into a 15-minute film.
Alison was paired up with the Newcastle and Gateshead-based production company and worked closely with producers Maria Caruana Galizia and Zahra Zomorrodian to bring her story to life.
Directed by Zak Harney, filming took place on location in Heaton and Pelaw over the summer with a cast headed up by Sarah Balfour and also including Jack Robertson, Adam Davison and Raul Kohli.
The project marks an exciting new chapter for Alison, who has a brimming back catalogue of theatre work which has graced stages all over the UK and beyond, including Iris, The Last Quiz Night on Earth, The Soaking of Vera Shrimp and the North East Culture Award-winning A Street Like This.
Candle & Bell described the shoot as “a dream,” celebrating the chance to make something “vibrant and fun” with a local cast and crew. Behind-the-scenes images have already been shared online - and will be of particular interest to those who count cafe Heaton Perk on Heaton Park Road as their local.
Look out for our interview with Alison in coming days…
Two decades of Field Music: Sunderland band revisit their debut
Sunderland’s Field Music are marking 20 years since their self-titled debut with an expanded two-disc reissue, a Bandcamp listening party and celebratory smattering of dates including a sold-out stomping ground show at The Fire Station.
The anniversary edition of the album features the first-ever vinyl release of their 2006 B-sides set Write Your Own History, plus three rare/unreleased recordings from the band’s formative years and new liner notes by former NME writer James Snodgrass.
Formed by brothers Peter and David Brewis - originally with keyboard player Andrew Moore - Field Music have been a defining force in Sunderland’s music scene since making their entrance in the early 2000s.
Since their debut, another 20+ albums have followed. They’ve earned a Mercury Prize nomination (in 2012 for Plumb), written a film soundtrack; launched side projects like School of Language and The Week That Was and most recently started a crowd-pulling tribute band, The Fire Doors.
Blethyn and Riseborough to attend Tyneside screening
In last week’s Culture Digest we told you about the upcoming release of Dragonfly, a film which has been getting all the applause wherever it has been screened ahead of its UK release next month.
This week we can tell you that its stars, celebrated actors Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn will be back in the North East in November for a special screening of the movie at the Tyneside Cinema.
It will be a homecoming for the former, who hails from the North East, and a home-from-homecoming for the latter who will be forever Vera in many people’s eyes.
Also present for a post-screening question and answer session will be the film’s director, Paul Andrew Williams.
In Dragonfly – described by Peter Bradshaw in The Guardian as “a haunted, social-realist thriller” - Brenda Blethyn plays Elsie, a lonely pensioner whose life is transformed when she acquires a new neighbour, the younger Colleen (Riseborough), who begins to care for her.
Exhibition: Shipyard Faces and Intriguing Spaces
It is said that throughout the ages only the wealthy or powerful had their portraits painted.
But shipyard worker Tommy and his cat Tiger bucked the trend thanks to artist Peter Burns.
Peter painted Tommy at the Wallsend Swan Hunter yard where they both worked – Peter as a plater and Tommy as a general labourer.
At 5ft 1ins, Tommy’s choice of footwear was waders. Like the majority of yard workers, he had a nickname and his was ‘The Duke of Wellington’.
“Tommy was a real character. He adopted Tiger from the population of feral cats at the yard and he loved him. That painting is one of my favourites,” said Peter, 81, who lives in Low Fell in Gateshead.
Now around 70 of Peter’s paintings and drawings from across the last 50 years will go on show in an exhibition titled Shipyard Faces and Intriguing Spaces at the Old Low Light heritage centre on North Shields Fish Quay from October 28 to December 20.
Cultural Spring awarded £1m to continue community arts work
Award-winning arts project The Cultural Spring has secured £1 million from Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme, underpinning its work in Sunderland and South Tyneside for a further three years.
The project, which began in 2014, aims to increase participation in arts and culture in areas where involvement is traditionally low.
Project director Emma Horsman said: “We’re thrilled to have been given this vote of confidence by ACE and look forward to continuing our work in Sunderland and South Tyneside. For more than 10 years now, we’ve helped change the way arts and culture are viewed in both places.”
She added: “What we’re particularly proud of is the legacy we are creating in our communities and the arts organisations and practitioners we’ve helped develop such as We Make Culture, Southpaw Dance Company and Dominic Wilcox from Little Inventors.”
Graeme Thompson MBE, chair of The Cultural Spring steering board, said: “It has made a genuine difference in people’s lives across the communities we serve. So many people have started their cultural journeys with us, or have been able to develop a talent or interest because of the work we do in local venues with local artists.”
The new funding will support projects running from 2026 to 2029.
Pleasure garden exhibition extends into Newcastle's Pink Lane
A year ago, when Newcastle’s Forth Lane was restyled the Forth Lane Gallery and adorned with specially commissioned artworks, there was a joyous ‘unveiling’.
But fingers were crossed, metaphorically at least. How long would these bright and rejuvenating creations last?
Previous efforts to smarten up what Newcastle Arts Centre boss Mike Tilley described as a “filthy, grotty space” had ultimately failed. The grot had returned fairly swiftly.
But Mike was speaking this week at the unveiling of phase two of the scheme to smarten up this bit of Newcastle city centre – and exuding optimism.
It has resulted in new artworks joining those already installed on Forth Lane, the footpath running from Westgate Road along the side of the arts centre, and extra commissions appearing on adjoining Pink Lane.
Jumpin’ Hot Club celebrates four decades of grassroots music with exhibition
A new exhibition at St Mary’s Heritage Centre is celebrating 40 years of the Jumpin’ Hot Club, the long-running North East promoter known for bringing world-class grassroots music to local audiences.
Running until November 1, Jumpin’ Hot Club: 40 Years of Music, Community & Culture traces the organisation’s journey from its early gigs in The Bridge Hotel cellar to landmark festivals like Evolution and SummerTyne. The show features rare photos, posters and artefacts from decades of gigs spanning rockabilly, blues, folk, jazz and soul.
The exhibition opened with an intimate acoustic set from Smoove & Turrell, while the closing night (Nov 1) will see performances from acts including The Often Herd, Rob Heron, Errant Moose, Shipcote and Nev Clay.
Graham “Shippy” Anderson who co-founded Jumpin’ Hot with Adam Collerton, said: “We’ve been a supporter of artists and a champion of good music over four decades now, so we must be doing something right!
“The region has been a much worthier place culturally with Jumpin’ Hot Club, and I’m sure we’ve made countless music aficionados very happy - as well as ourselves.”
The exhibition is open Wednesday to Sunday, 1–5pm, with free entry.
George Clarke appointed Chancellor of Northumbria University
Architect, author and TV presenter George Clarke has been named the new Chancellor of Northumbria University, Newcastle.
Born in Sunderland, he is one of the region’s best-known figures, celebrated for George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces and The Restoration Man. He succeeds Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, who held the role for the past decade - and who, in a baton-passing twist, awarded Clarke his honorary doctorate when she first presided over graduations in 2015.
Founder of the education charity MOBIE, Clarke champions design innovation and opportunities for young people. He will officially take up the post on November 1 and lead his first graduation ceremonies in December.
Drumming up some 80s nostalgia
David ‘Greenie’ Green drums across the world but this month sees the Low Fell lad return to the region alongside bona fide 80s icon, Adam Ant. Simon Rushworth spoke with him ahead of a duo of gigs
Hartlepool joins Creative People and Places portfolio
Arts Council England has announced its new Creative People and Places (CPP) portfolio – to run from 2026 to 2029 - and there are to be three North East beneficiaries, including one new one, all south of the Tyne.
Continued support is pledged for The Cultural Spring, operating in Sunderland and South Tyneside, and for Borderlands which works with communities in Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland.
Joining the CPP portfolio for the first time will be Hartlepool with a project called Rock Pools which, according to the Arts Council, will “co-design a programme of creative activity celebrating Hartlepool’s rich diversity and identity”.
The three North East projects will see £2.5 million of National Lottery proceeds invested with a view to delivering more grassroots-led cultural experiences in places where involvement in arts and culture is below the national average.
25 years after 'Miss Pettigrew', Winifred's back in print
How nice to see Winifred Watson listed as a forthcoming North East literary attraction – and how delighted I imagine she would be.
Lindisfarne Festival shortlisted for national award
Northumberland’s Lindisfarne Festival has been shortlisted for Small Festival of the Year at the 2025 UK Festival Awards.
The nomination caps a milestone year for the event, which celebrated its 10th anniversary after being saved by new investors - the team behind Hardwick Live - alongside founder Conleth Maenpaa, who returned to oversee the festival’s comeback.
After a challenging period in which the festival’s future looked uncertain, organisers are hoping for a big wave of public support. Voting for the awards is now open at festivalawards.com meanwhile tickets are already on sale for the 2026 event (Sept 3-5) from the Festival website.
REVIEW: Mother Courage and her Children, Horden, County Durham
As Ensemble ‘84’s extraordinary production of Mother Courage and Her Children opens at Live Theatre for another run, here’s what David Whetstone had to say about the premiere production earlier this year.
Secrets of Bremenium revealed in record dig
Excavations at an outpost Roman fort in Northumberland have proved surprisingly fruitful.
The fifth consecutive season of digging at Bremenium fort in High Rochester in Northumberland National Park has delivered more artefacts and structural discoveries found than ever before.
Waterlogged conditions in the lower parts of a trench resulted in the survival of organic material including a preserved piece of fruit, possibly a plum.
Backed by National Lottery Heritage funding to the Redesdale Archaeological Group (RAG) the project brings together volunteers, Newcastle University students, archaeologists and the local community.
"It’s about getting voices heard"
When Laurels Theatre in Whitley Bay hosts the inaugural Rose Fisher Award for Writing next week (October 27), it will mark more than the giving of a new prize.
It’s a statement of intent from an organisation that has built its reputation on giving voice to underrepresented talent across the North East.
The award, created by Laurels’ head of theatre and programming Alison Stanley, was launched at the beginning of 2025, encouraging female-identifying writers over the age of 35 to get their scripts in the ring… with a chance of getting them on a stage.
Its aim was simple: to create opportunities for women whose stories are often sidelined, and whose routes into theatre can be blocked by circumstance rather than ability.
Mick Herron thriller Down Cemetery Road to debut on Apple
A new Apple TV+ thriller from Newcastle-born author Mick Herron launches this week, bringing another of his acclaimed novels to the screen.
Down Cemetery Road premieres on Wednesday (October 29) with the first two episodes, followed by weekly instalments through to December 10.
The eight-part series stars Emma Thompson and Ruth Wilson in what is billed as a gripping tale of mystery and conspiracy.
When a house explodes in an Oxford suburb and a young girl vanishes, neighbour Sarah Trafford (Wilson) joins forces with private investigator Zoë Boehm (Thompson) to uncover the truth - a search that leads them into a dangerous web where “people long believed dead are still among the living, while the living are fast joining the dead.”
The series is written by Morwenna Banks, who has also written episodes of smash hit Apple TV series Slow Horses, which is based on Mick Herron’s Slough House novels. Well, if it’s not broke and all that.
Couldn’t have been scheduled better either given the latest series of Slow Horses is coming to a climax (although thankfully series six is in the can and series seven has already been confirmed).
Roman superstition reborn as art with a climate conscience
Life on the frontier of the Roman empire in Northumberland could be both tough and fraught with danger.
The garrison and civilian population living in and around Vindolanda fort deployed an array of symbols designed to offer protection and deliver good luck.
Now David Appleyard, Vindolanda’s 2025 Artist in Residence, has used these shields against misfortune to produce a display which links the symbols from the past with one of the dangers of today – climate change.
Roadshow to grow the rewilding message
The drive to rewild tracts of the North East will be showcased in an event in the heart of urban Tyneside.
Climate Action North, the lead coordinator for the Rewilding Network in the North of England, will stage a roadshow at the Metrocentre Hub in the Green Quadrant from 11am to 3pm on Sunday, October 26.
Visitors can explore how they can bring nature back in their own gardens, parks, streets, and community spaces. With practical advice, activities, and real-life stories from local rewilders, the roadshow aims to spark ideas, build confidence, and connect people who want to make a difference for wildlife and the climate.
Theatre Royal Trust graced with three top recruits
Three experienced new recruits have joined the Newcastle Theatre Royal Trust, the charity that runs the famous Grey Street theatre.
It’s a reminder that while the Theatre Royal is a receiving house – and, in the case of the currently resident Miss Saigon, a launchpad – for commercial West End shows, it is an independent arts charity.
Its commitments lie beyond the purely commercial but it gets no regular government or local authority funding. Financial resilience is therefore key to ensuring its long term future.
The new trustees, following an open recruitment campaign, are Carolyn Ramsbotham, Patricia Alexander and Alison Currie.
Newcastle to host new Quayside celebration to see in 2026
A new event, Howaymanay will take over Newcastle’s Quayside this New Year’s Eve, marking the start of what organisers Newcastle City Council and Newcastle NE1 hope will become an annual tradition.
The celebration has been inspired by Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, with live music, performances and fireworks on the cards.
The evening will begin with a free, family-friendly event and early fireworks at 6pm, followed by a ticketed ‘party village’ celebration from 8.30pm.
Tickets are priced at £6 and are on sale now.
North East Culture Awards shortlists revealed
A wave of delightful excitement has washed over the social media accounts of the region’s cultural players as the finalists for the 2025 North East Culture Awards were revealed.
We won’t beat about the bush - here they all are:
BEST ARTS & BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP
Hodgson Sayers and North East Museums
Navigator North, TransPennine Express and Middlesbrough Council
No More Nowt and Castle Dene Shopping Centre
BEST ARTS & EDUCATION PARTNERSHIP
Cap-a-Pie and various school partnerships
National Theatre ‘Speak Up’ in partnership with Sunderland Culture and Sunderland Empire
New Writing North and Kelvin Grove Primary School
BEST EVENT OR EXHIBITION
Curious Arts - Hartlepool Pride
Going Back Brockens
Between the Tides Festival
BEST MUSEUM OR CULTURAL VENUE
Gosforth Civic Theatre
Land of Iron
The Tute
ARC Stockton
HERITAGE AWARD
Navigator North, TransPennine Express & Middlesbrough Council
The Ballad of the Crocodile and the Underpass Project
The Berwick Parade
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Ensemble ‘84
Nana Kofi Asamoah-Adu
Daniel (Dani) Zareie
Laura Lee Daly
OFF STAGE CREATOR OF THE YEAR
Moving Art Management
Helen Green
Aaron Bowman
Lucy Marie Curry
PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
Ensemble ‘84 and Isango Ensemble: Mother Courage and Her Children
Public Record
Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light
PERFORMING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Kay Greyson
Finn Forster
Micky Cochrane
SPECIAL AWARD FOR YOUNG ACHIEVEMENT
The Autonomy Project, Sunderland Culture
Lost Teenagers: West End Skies Theatre Group
The Young Producers
VISUAL ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Narbi Price
Ian Macdonald
Ruth Flowers
WRITER OF THE YEAR
Dominic Nelson-Ashley
Tom Machell and Lauren Pattison
Ruth Raynor
All the winners, together with the recipient of the Outstanding Contribution to North East Culture will be revealed at The Stockton Globe on the evening of November 27. Tickets are on sale if you want to see who’s won what and - perhaps more importantly - celebrate another excellent year of cultural doings on our doorstep.