Curated Culture 04.02.25
Our weekly recommendations round up from North East stages and cultural venues
Hello and welcome to this week’s Curated Culture - the Tuesday mailout which aims to make sure you see more (and miss less) of what the region’s cultural stages and venues are offering over the next couple of weeks and beyond.
As regular readers well know, this is the newsletter which serves up:
At least a double handful of featured listings of things we think you should consider getting in front of over the next fortnight;
A list of things from previous Curated Culture mailouts which are STILL SHOWING; and
The NOW BOOKING section, which flips over a few more pages in the calendar to spotlight stuff you might want to get firmed up further into the future.
Lastly - but not leastly - there’s the weekly newsletter prizedraw - which offers Cultured. North East subscribers an exclusive chance to win tickets to something great.
This week, we’ve got a pair of tickets to see Dragons at Newcastle Theatre Royal on March 14, 2025. Spoiler - it sounds pretty amazing.
All the details and info on how to enter can be found at the end of this newsletter. Take your time getting their, though. There’s lots to soak up first.
See you soon and thanks as ever for all your support. It’s massively appreciated.
Sam and Dave*
*Like Chas and Dave but with less hair and better accents
PS: If you haven’t liked/followed/high fived us on our socials, you can rectify that on Facebook, Instagram and Blue Sky
MUSIC: Lindisfarne
Where: The Maltings, Berwick
When: February 15
Bookings and info: maltingsberwick.co.uk
The live incarnation of North East folk-rock legends, Lindisfarne are bringing a back catalogue of cast iron classics to Berwick this month.
Fronted by founding member, Rod Clements alongside longtime Lindisfarne members Dave Hull-Denholm, Steve Daggett, Ian Thomson and Paul Smith on drums, the band continue to perform to adoring crowds all over the shop.
Look forward to Meet Me on the Corner, We Can Swing Together, Fog On The Tyne, Lady Eleanor, Clear White Light and Run For Home… we could go on and then some.
CLASSICAL: Faure’s Requiem
Where: The Glasshouse, Gateshead
When: February 16, 3pm
Bookings and info: theglasshouseicm.org
Gabriel Fauré is known mainly for his serene and transquil Requiem, and its famous Pie Jesu sequence. This Sunday afternoon concert in memory of Glasshouse concertgoer Peter Stattersfield, features that choral work alongside lesser known works, with the Royal Northern Sinfonia under the baton of Sofi Jeannin.
THEATRE: Top Girls
Where: People’s Theatre Studio, Newcastle
When: February 10-15, 7.30pm
Bookings and info: peoplestheatre.co.uk
Meet businesswoman Marlene who is waiting for the guests to arrive for a dinner party she is hosting to celebrate a promotion.
In they come, but they’re not your standard guests. Rather, they’re women from history and fiction ready to share insights into their difficult lives as the drinks flow.
The play premiered in 1982 at London’s Royal Court Theatre, where Caryl Churchill had been the first playwright-in-residence, striking a chord in Thatcher’s Britain with its feminist themes.
“This ground-breaking classic of British theatre highlights the sacrifices women have made, and continue to make, to carve out a place for themselves,” say the accomplished People’s amateurs.
“Hilarious, moving and provocative, it masterfully explores what it takes to be a woman in a man’s world, and the cost of getting to the top.”
MUSIC: Fairport Convention
When: February 14 and February 19
Where: Queen’s Hall, Hexham and The Fire Station, respectively
Bookings and info: queenshall.co.uk and thefirestation.org.uk
Half a century since forming in 1967, the multi award-winning Fairport Convention - in one incarnation or another - are still entertaining delighted crowds. Audiences should expect a blend of long-established Fairport favourites and some surprises from albums old and new.
The current line up features founding member Simon Nicol on guitar and vocals, Dave Pegg on bass guitar, Ric Sanders on violin, Chris Leslie on fiddle, mandolin and vocals. Support comes from singer songwriter, Danny Bradley.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Between Land and Sea
Where: Hartlepool Art Gallery, Church Square
When: Until March 29 (Tues to Sat,10am to 5pm)
Bookings and info: culturehartlepool.com
The full title of County Durham-born photographer Graham Vasey’s exhibition is Between Land and Sea – The History and Folklore of Hartlepool. It’s his own distinctive take on the town.
Vasey sets out in his work to capture the atmosphere and essence of a place, blending historical research with visual artistry.
In Hartlepool, he says, he was spoilt for choice in choosing subjects and locations. And he adds: “I hope my pictures do justice in reflecting the town‘s unique history and people.”
Displayed with his new photos are objects and artworks from Hartlepool Borough Council’s collection, the aim being to create a dialogue between past and present.
And showing alongside it is GreenPlume, an exhibition of costumes and prints by Hartlepool-based Kim McDermottroe who describes herself as creative director, illustrator and costume and puppet designer/maker.
At its heart is Tobias GreenPlume, a magical owl who inspired a fantastical exploration of nature, mechanics and character.
THEATRE: Champion
Where: Live Theatre, Newcastle
When: February 13-March 8
Bookings and info: live.org.uk
Written by Ishy Din, new play Champion is set in 1977 during the four days world champion boxer and global icon, Muhammad Ali spent touring Tyneside.
Starring Christina Berriman Dawson (The Odyssey, Rattlesnake, The Hunt for Raoul Moat), Jack Robertson (Gerry and Sewell, Metroland Comedy) and newcomer, Daniel Zareie, the play explores the profound ripple effect of such a major cultural event on a mixed race family in South Shields.
VISUAL ART: The Urbanites
Where: VANE Gallery, Orbis Community, 65 High Street, Gateshead
When: February 6 to March 1 (Wed to Sat, 12 to 5pm)
Bookings and info: vane.org.uk
The new exhibition at VANE, founded in 1997 and now in the latest of its several locations, features the work of five artists from the UK and Ireland who use various media to depict the urban landscape.
Iona France Brown’s ink drawings depict dilapidated buildings and humorous graffiti while Jack Coates captures the urban landscape in fluid and impressionistic artworks.
David Fox also evokes the vibrancy of cities through their graffiti, capturing the bustling nature of urban life in Ireland and elsewhere.
Recent work by Bernard Quinn, now back in his native North East after years living away, contributes a series of town portraits which might strike a chord with those who live in them.
Beth J Ross’s work, meanwhile, is inspired by memory and emotion and reflects the lingering traces of the urban environments she has inhabited around the globe.
THEATRE: Here You Come Again
Where: Sunderland Empire
When: February 11-15
Bookings and info: Sunderland Empire website
If you’re struggling to see off any residual January blues, may we recommend a big dose of Dolly!
Peppered with Dolly Parton’s back catalogue classics - we’re talking Jolene, 9 to 5, Islands in the Stream, I Will Always Love You, Here You Come Again and more - the soundtrack helps tell the story of a diehard fan whose fantasy version of Dolly gets him through trying times.
Feeling better by the end is pretty much guaranteed.
MUSIC & DANCE: Art of Andalucia
Where: Northern Stage, Newcastle
When: February 8, 3.30pm and 7.30pm
Bookings and info: northernstage.co.uk
Spanish composer and flamenco guitarist Daniel Martinez returns to Newcastle with his latest show, Art of Andalucia - a flamenco concert featuring his music, alongside renowned dancers and musicians.
This show, which will include pieces from Daniel’s much-anticipated third album, follows the success of his last two productions, which have captivated over 80,000 audience members across the UK, Ireland, and Germany in since 2023.
The evening performance is sold out, but tickets are still available for the matinee.
EVENT: MOBO Awards 2025
Where: Utilita Arena, Newcastle
When: February 18
Bookings and info: utilitaarena.co.uk
Continuing the MOBO’s mission to take its flagship event out of London (Leeds, Sheffield, Liverpool, Glasgow and Coventry have all had the pleasure), the 2025 ceremony - presented by comic and actor Eddie Kadi and Love Islander, Indiyah Polack - will be the first time the awards have been held in the North East.
‘Queen of the dancehall’ Spice, UK rappers - and longtime MOBO alumni - Krept and Konan and actor and rapper, Bashy are among the acts who’ll be taking to the stage, with audiences being promised that their performances will be among a parade of ‘unforgettable moments for the Awards’ most electrifying year yet’.
Get amongst it! Or if you can’t, the event will be live streamed on YouTube and there’ll also be a BBC special on February 21.
Ooh and there’s a busy five-day MOBO Fringe programme in the run up to the big event. More on that next week.
COMEDY: Sophie Duker - But Daddly, I Love Her
Where: The Stand Newcastle
When: February 6
Bookings and info: thestand.co.uk
Stand up comic and Taskmaster champion, Sophie Duker returns to Durham - and she’s bringing her (sugar) daddy issues with her.
Arguing silliness should be the preferred option over common sense, prepare for ‘an unhinged’ - but we reckon still very funny - evening.
STILL SHOWING
Music: Craig David, Utilita Arena, Newcastle, Feb 5
Theatre: DIG, various North East venues until March 6
Music: James Bay, Newcastle City Hall, Feb 4
Film: A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Things, The Maltings Berwick
Theatre: Calamity Jane, Sunderland Empire, Feb 4-8
Theatre: Hadaway Harry, various North East venues, Feb 5-22
Jazz: Lewis Watson Quartet, King’s Hall, Newcastle University, Feb 6 at 1.15pm
Theatre: Tiny Fragments of Beautiful Light, Gala Theatre Durham, Feb 6-8. Also at Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham (Feb 19); Hipp @ The Hullabaloo, Darlington (Feb 20) and Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle (Feb 21-22)
Theatre: Only Fools and Horses the Musical, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Feb 10-22
Exhibition: The Skin We Live In, NGCA at the National Glass Centre, Sunderland, until March 2
Exhibition: Spellbound, The Sill: National Landscape Discovery Centre, Northumberland, until April 6
Event: Glenn McCrory in Conversation, Live Theatre, Feb 8
Lecture: Andrew Graham-Dixon - The Age of Revolutions: exploring the art of the early 19th century, The Lit and Phil, Newcastle, Feb 11
Exhibition: Sustainable Clay, Hatton Gallery, Newcastle, Feb 1-May 3
Theatre: Jack and the Beanstalk, Beamish Museum, weekend performances until Feb 16
Event: Day Fever, The Boiler Shop Newcastle, 3pm-8pm, Feb 15
Theatre: The Whirlgig of Time, Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham Jan 31
Exhibition: We all came here from somewhere, BALTIC, until Feb 9
Exhibition: Sheila Fell - Cumberland on Canvas, Tullie House, Carlisle, until Mar 16, 2025 (coming to Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens after it closes
Exhibition: Framing Fashion, Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, until Mar 2, 2025
Exhibition: Romance to Realities: The Northern Landscapes and Shifting Identities, Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle, until April 26, 2025
Exhibition: Hannah Perry - Manual Labour, BALTIC, until Jan 19, 2025
Exhibition: Ted Holloway - A Bevin Boy Remembered, Mining Art Gallery, Bishop Auckland, until June 8, 2025
Exhibition: Magna Carta and the North, Durham Cathedral Museum, Jul 11 until Nov 2
NOW BOOKING
Feb 25-Mar 1: The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, Newcastle Theatre Royal
Feb 27-Apr 9: The Moth, Various dates and North East venues
Mar 6: Fish - A Farewell Tour, Road to the Isles, Newcastle 02 City Hall
Mar 6: Lucy Porter - No Regrets, ARC Stockton
Mar 17 and 18: Ellen Kent Opera: La Traviata (Mar 17) and Madame Butterfly (Mar 18, Sunderland Empire
Apr 9-12: Penguin, Live Theatre, Newcastle
Apr 10 and 12: Megson, Queen’s Hall Hexham and ARC Stockton, respectively
Apr 12: Murder She Didn’t Write - The Improvised Murder Mystery, Northern Stage, Newcastle
Apr 29-May 3: Kinky Boots, Stockton Globe
May 10: Jenny Eclair, Gala Theatre Durham
May 11: Kai Humphries - Gallivanting, The Stand Newcastle
May 22 to Jun 6: The Bench, various North East venues
May 28: Mark Steele - The Leopard in My House, The Fire Station, Sunderland
Jun 9: Billy Ocean, Newcastle 02 City Hall
Jul 1-5: Shrek the Musical, Newcastle Theatre Royal
Sept 15: Miriam Margolyes - From A-Z, Stockton Globe
Sept 16: Tom Grennan, Utilita Arena, Newcastle
Sept 18: Showstopper!, Darlington Hippodrome
Oct 10-12: McFly vs Busted, Utilita Arena, Newcastle
Nov 25-29: Fiddler on the Roof, Sunderland Empire
2026
Mar 3-14: TINA - The Tina Turner Musical, Newcastle Theatre Royal
Mar 21: Greg Davies - Full Fat Legend, Utilita Arena, Newcastle (also on tour all over the North East in 2025, details here)
COMPETITION
Welcome to our latest newsletter prizedraw, offering our subscribers an exclusive opportunity to win tickets to see or do something great.
This week, we’ve got a pair of tickets for Dragons at Newcastle Theatre Royal on March 14, 2025.
Billed as ‘a joyful riot of dance, music and non-stop movement’, South Korean choreographer Eun-Me Ahn has created a show that brings together a mix of dance styles from across Asia.
The performance is set to a backdrop of vibrant projections and an evocative soundtrack, which blends contemporary pop with a traditional score.
Eun-Me Ahn is one of South Korea’s most important artists, having performed at major festivals all over the world, including the 2002 FIFA World Cup in her home country.
HOW TO ENTER:
To be in with a chance of winning, simply email MePlease@culturednortheast.co.uk using the subject line: Dragons by (12pm) on Sunday, February 9, 2025.
The winner, who will be selected at random, will be notified within 48 hours of the entry deadline.
Terms and conditions: Only subscribers to the Cultured. North East newsletter are eligible to enter the Newsletter Prize Draw competition. Prizes are as stated - subject to availability - and non-transferable. No cash alternatives will be offered. You must be over 18 years of age to enter. The Editor’s decision is final.