Curated Culture 05.08.26
Our weekly what's on recommendations and signposts from North East cultural stages, spaces and attractions
Hello, and thanks for joining us for this week’s Curated Culture.
As ever (although one day later than usual following some summer holiday schedule disruption) we’ve been scanning the North East’s cultural calendar to bring you another handpicked collection of things worth seeing, hearing and doing over the coming fortnight.
We’ve also rounded up previous recommendations which are STILL SHOWING as well as some suggestions for stuff NOW BOOKING which you might want to firmed up. Festival Watch returns too with another helping of summer inspiration.
Details of this week’s subscriber prize draw - a double giveaway courtesy of our friends at NOVUM Festival, which takes over Newcastle city centre this weekend - can be found at the end of the newsletter.
Before we let you get to the main event, we also wanted to send our best wishes, leg-breaking vibes and a pallet of protein bars to the many North East artists, performers and companies beginning their Edinburgh Fringe runs this weekend. We look forward to seeing you up there soon!
Happy wandering and thanks as ever for your support.
Sam (Wonfor) and Dave (Whetstone)
Professionally pre-occupied with North East culture
SCREEN/EVENT: Off The Rails + Q&A with Sally Phillips & Jules Williamson
Where: Gosforth Civic Theatre
When: August 14
Bookings and info: gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk
As part of its 10th anniversary celebrations, Gosforth Civic Theatre has organised a special fundraising evening built around the uplifting road-trip comedy Off the Rails.
The screening will be followed by a Q&A with actor (and one of the film’s stars) Sally Phillips and the film's North East director, Jules Williamson - hosted by broadcaster Chris Jackson - before the celebrations continue with live music from The Stellas, who'll bring the film's Blondie-filled soundtrack to life.
Inspired by Williamson's own experiences, Off the Rails stars Phillips alongside Kelly Preston, Jenny Seagrove and Ben Miller in a warm-hearted tale of friendship, second chances and embracing life's unexpected detours.
Profits from the event will be shared between Gosforth Civic Theatre and Cancer Research UK.
FAMILIES: Saltburn Folk Festival
Where: Saltburn by the Sea
When: August 7 to 9 (Friday to Sunday)
Bookings and info: saltburnfolkfestival.com
Weekend tickets are sold out but as festival artistic director Elinor Attwood says: “Some of the most joyful and memorable parts of the weekend happen around the town and are completely free to enjoy.
“We want local residents and visitors to discover how broad, exciting and welcoming folk arts can be. We are committed to folk being by everyone and for everyone.
“Families will love the programme of activities, including dance, puppetry, crafts, storytelling, community singing, workshops and performances from amazing folk artists.
“Our festival is a space to come together and the free events offer a fantastic introduction to folk arts for people of all ages.”
Puppetry, folk-inspired arts and crafts and performances for children and families can be found at the Valley Gardens Woodland Centre and other locations around the town on Friday and Saturday.
Other family activities and pop-up performances will happen at various locations on Saturday and Sunday.
The festival’s Days of Dance strand will see 25 dance groups performing in different places while the bandstand will host musical performances throughout Saturday and Sunday.
ART: Northern Summer Exhibition
Where: Newcastle Arts Centre, Westgate Road
When: Until September 12
Bookings and info: newcastle-arts-centre.co.uk
The first annual open exhibition was held here in 2023, showing work submitted by professional artists and hobbyists.
It proved popular with exhibitors and the viewing public.
Last year’s exhibition included 124 artworks by 100 artists and the same variety is on display this time.
Much of the work is for sale and you can also vote for your favourite exhibit.
You’re too late if you fancied buying Sandra Haney’s oil painting, Oranges & Hyacinths, or indeed Geoff Hudson’s Where the Light Remembers Us, a bravura display of pointillism in acrylic and chalk. Both have acquired the red dot denoting a sale.
But there’s plenty more and it’s fun, in any case, just to browse.
With the stated aim of celebrating the range of creative vision and artistic practice in the region, the exhibition fulfils the brief with exhibits, though all wall-mounted, in a range of different media.
You’ll find the gallery behind the craft shop at 67 Westgate Road. Newcastle Arts Centre is open Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 5pm.
SCREEN/FOOD: Anthony Bourdine - Tony Supper Club
Where: Tyneside Cinema
When: August 14
Bookings and info: tynesidecinema.co.uk
Food, film and Anthony Bourdain are on the menu at Tyneside Cinema, where a specially created supper club will precede a screening of Tony.
Served in the cinema's Coffee Rooms, the menu takes inspiration from Bourdain's travels, with ciabatta sandwiches, bourguignon, French apple custard tart and a cheese course examples from the menu.
The meal is followed by Matt Johnson's new biopic exploring the chef, writer and broadcaster's formative years in a bustling Provincetown restaurant kitchen. Starring Dominic Sessa (The Holdovers) alongside Antonio Banderas, the film traces the experiences that helped shape one of the most influential voices in modern food culture.
EVENT: Redhills Sundays
Where: Redhills Durham Miners’ Hall
When: Sundays 11am-2pm
Bookings and info: tickets.redhillsdurham.org
Following its launch at the end of July, Redhills Sundays are now in full swing, offering a relaxed weekly opportunity to explore Durham’s historic Miners’ Hall.
Running every Sunday throughout the summer from 11am-2pm, visitors can enjoy free entry (with pay-what-you-feel donations welcomed), exhibitions, gardens, family-friendly activities, volunteer-led talks and short films celebrating the history of the Durham Coalfield.
xplorer Backpacks encourage younger visitors to uncover the building’s stories, while the café is open throughout. Many afternoons also continue with ticketed events including guided tours, concerts, talks and film screenings, making Redhills an easy place to while away a Sunday.
CLASSICAL: Pudding Chare Music Festival
Where: Lit & Phil + Jesmond URC, Newcastle
When: August 13 to 15
Bookings and info: puddingcharemusicfestival.co.uk
A newcomer on the region’s classical music scene, founded only in 2024 by Newcastle cellist Seth Collin, artistic director, and trustees James Smith and Deborah Thorne.
Seth was co-principal cellist of the National Youth Orchestra in 2020, read medical sciences at Cambridge and now studies cello at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.
The festival, highlighting the chamber music repertoire, aims to provide opportunities for young musicians and celebrates the region’s musical heritage.
The opening concert at the Lit & Phil on August 13 (6pm) features Dvořák’s ‘American’ String Quintet in E-flat Major.
Also at the Lit & Phil are a short Young Musicians’ Showcase (free but ticketed) on August 14 (12 noon), followed by a 1.10pm concert with a Baroque programme including a piece by Newcastle composer Charles Avison; and, on August 15 (1pm), a concert featuring music by Haydn, Brahms and others.
An evening concert at Jesmond United Reformed Church, Burdon Terrace, on Friday, August 14 (7pm) features Britten’s Suite for solo cello no. 3 and Beethoven’s ‘Harp’ Quartet, no. 10 in E flat major.
ASTRONOMY: Eclipse on the Tyne
Where: The Glasshouse (and in the sky)
When: Wednesday, August 12, 6pm
Bookings and info: theglasshouseicm.org
Newcastle, Gateshead and surrounding areas are due to experience (clouds permitting) a deep partial eclipse of the Sun – lasting nearly two hours and peaking at 7.07pm - on August 12.
Only about 90% of the Sun will be covered so we won’t see a corona and there will be no moment when it’s safe to look without protection.
Eclipse on the Tyne is (was) a free event at The Glasshouse run by Kielder Observatory on Baltic Square and the bad news is that tickets, redeemable for a pair of eclipse protective glasses, have all been snapped up – along with tickets for a pre-eclipse talk.
The good news is that you can still head to The Glasshouse as it becomes Eclipse HQ to see coverage of the astronomical event on the big screen over the concourse.
And you will be able to view the actual thing here if you bring your own certified eclipse glasses.
But all you really have to do (with eyes suitably protected) is look up. The website https://absoluteeclipse.eu/blogs/where-to-watch/eclipse-2026-newcastle suggests good viewing points include Newcastle’s Town Moor, sites along the Tyne, Tynemouth and the Northumberland moors.
RADIO: BBC Proms - Crippled Symmetry
Where: BBC Radio 3
When: Tuesday, August 11,. 8.15pm
Booking & Info: bbc.co.uk
Morton Feldman’s beautiful but oh-so-slow composition was performed live in Sage Two at The Glasshouse during the annual weekend takeover by the BBC Proms.
It lasted nearly 90 minutes (no interval) and, not being a foot-tapping affair, demanded of its audience a certain icy stoicism.
Of its performers – Royal Northern Sinfonia music director Dinis Sousa (grand piano and celeste) and musicians Helena Gourd (flute and bass flute) and Jude Carlton (glockenspiel and vibraphone) – it demanded intense concentration.
For them there was nowhere to hide and no clear path marked by the American composer who died in 1987 but would have been 100 this year.
They emerged unscathed, to be celebrated with thunderous applause (as you will hear).
It’s likely the radio broadcast will bring out the subtle nuances of the piece and without that element of tension felt by those listening to it performed live.
Clear your mind, close the curtains, adopt a yoga position, pour a glass of wine (whatever) and let the music lap over you. And (bonus) you can even cough or go to the loo.
MUSIC: Peat & Diesel
Where: The Fire Station, Sunderland
When: August 14, 6pm
Bookings and info: thefirestation.org.uk
Scottish trio Peat & Diesel bring their high-energy blend of folk, punk and island humour to The Fire Station's Summer Parties next weekend.
The Stornoway band have built a devoted following since emerging from local pub sessions, with songs celebrating life on the Isle of Lewis and live shows renowned for getting audiences dancing. Support comes from Dan Donnelly of The Levellers.
The concert is part of The Fire Station's outdoor Summer Parties series, which continues this weekend with a sold out gig from John Grant and Richard Hawley and upcoming shows from The Lottery Winners (Aug 22), the Transatlantic Ensemble with Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours (Aug 25); Maximo Park (Aug 28 - returns only); Mickey Callisto (Aug 29); and Ibiza in Symphony (Aug 30).
THEATRE: The Last Laugh
Where: Darlington Hippodrome
When: Tuesday, August 18 to Saturday, August 22
Bookings and info: darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
It’s back on the road again, Paul Hendy’s affectionate tribute to an all but vanished era of comedy.
That’s good news for those who laughed their socks off at Tommy Cooper, Eric Morecambe and Bob Monkhouse, TV giants before multiple channels.
They were real figures – real and larger-than-life – but the scenario here lies in the playwright’s imagination, a dressing room before a show in which all will appear, as never actually happened.
Tommy, in fez and underwear, is soon joined by the others, Bob seemingly straight from the golf club and Eric with specs, pipe and trilby.
On stage at Newcastle Theatre Royal last year, all three were brilliantly brought to life.
Damian Williams is back in the region as Tommy while Simon Cartwright, who as an Opportunity Knocks contestant in 1989 took a gamble in impersonating host Bob Monkhouse, returns as the man himself.
Monkhouse, incidentally, saw the funny side and gave the young man some tips.
Meanwhile Britain’s Got Talent finalist Steve Royle takes over from Bob Golding in filling the shoes of Eric Morecambe, appearing here without Ern, his double act chum.
THEATRE: Barnum
Where: Newcastle Theatre Royal
When: August 11-15
Bookings and info: theatreroyal.co.uk
More than 40 years after it first wowed West End audiences with Michael Crawford in the title role, Barnum returns in a new touring production.
Telling the story of P.T. Barnum's extraordinary rise from entrepreneur to global showman, the musical combines circus skills, choreography and actor-musicians with a score including Join the Circus and Colours of My Life.
Matt Rawle takes the title role, with Strictly alumni Oti Mabuse choreographing a production featuring acrobats and live circus performers alongside the cast.
BRASS: Stanhope Silver Band
Where: South Shields Amphitheatre
When: Sunday, August 9 (3.30-5.30pm)
Bookings and info: southtyneside.gov.uk
South Tyneside Summer Festival is in full swing with this just the latest in a series of free brass band concerts in the amphitheatre, which you’ll find beside Sea Road (NE33 2LD), a short stroll from the beach.
You don’t need to book in order to enjoy the sound of brass at the seaside with the occasional possible unscored accompaniment of a gull.
Stanhope Silver Band (so called because their instruments have been electro-plated in silver, traditionally a symbol of success) was founded in 1823 and is one of the oldest in continuous existence.
Proud of a history rooted in the region’s culture and industrial heritage, the band describes itself as “a dynamic and welcoming group of musicians of all ages and backgrounds”.
Its “constantly expanding” repertoire includes brass band classics but also selections from stage and screen, contemporary pop and rock arrangements and original compositions.
Coming up later in the month are the Alnwick Playhouse Concert Band (August 16), the Felling Band (August 23) and Off Key Music, the community wind band from Hebburn (August 30).
All performances start at 3.30pm.
🎉 FESTIVAL WATCH 🎉
NOVUM, Newcastle city centre, August 7-9
Saltburn Folk Festival, various venues, August 7-9
Cosmic Frequencies Festival, Forum Cinema, Hexham, August 8-9
New Horizons, The Grove, Newcastle, August 14-16
Berwick Food and Beer Festival, August 14-16
Derwent Fest, near Consett, August 14-15
Coast Fest, North Shields, Aug 28-30
Noughty 90s Festival, Leazes Park, Newcastle, August 29
Newcastle Mela, August 29-31, Grey’s Monument and Exhibition Park
Northern and Modern Soul All Dayer, The Glasshouse, August 30
Lindisfarne Festival, Beal Farm, Northumberland, September 3-5
Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage, Tees Valley, various locations, September 11-13
Hexham Abbey Festival of Music and Arts, Hexham, Northumberland, September 23-26
Beyond the Moor, Gosforth Civic Theatre, Oct 10
Can’t see your festival here? Send us the details
STILL SHOWING
Event: NOVUM Festival, Newcastle city centre, Aug 7-9
Theatre: Toto the Ninja Cat and the Great Snake Escape, Gala Durham, Aug 11-13 (daytime)
Music: When Rivers Meet, The Witham, Barnard Castle; Cluny 2, Newcastle, Aug 7-8
Lecture: The 1826 Northumberland Election, Lit & Phil, Newcastle, Aug 10, 1pm
Family: Wallace & Gromit – All Systems Go AR Trail, Hopetown Darlington, Aug 1-31
Theatre: The HandleBards’ As You Like It and Macbeth, various North East venues until Aug 19
Exhibition: Things That Go!, Discovery Museum, Newcastle, until Feb 29, 2027
Classical: Sasha and Khyrystyna Mykhailichenko, Alnwick Playhouse, Aug 8 (1.30pm)
Exhibition: MOXIE: Generation Alpha Curates the Middlesbrough Collection, MIMA, Middlesbrough, until Mar 28, 2027. READ MORE
Screen: Screen on the Green, Old Eldon Square, Newcastle, until Aug 31
Event: Happy Rooms, Middlesbrough Town Hall, until Aug 30
Exhibition: Discovering Dark Skies, Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham, until Sept 19
Screen: Ashington AFC: Saving Our Club, available to stream on BBC iPlayer
Event: Beyond Van Gogh, Utilita Arena, Newcastle, until Aug 9. Read our preview
Event: Kynren – An Epic Tale of England, Bishop Auckland, County Durham, until Sept 12
Exhibition: Norman Cornish – A Life in Sketchbooks, Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, until Jan 3. Read our full report
Exhibition: Mourning Tea Tyne & Lost Frequencies, Globe Gallery, North Shields, ongoing
Exhibition: Joan Eardley, Granary Gallery, Berwick-upon-Tweed, until Oct 11
Screen: The Fortune, Channel 5, available now
Screen: Smoggie Queens, BBC Three and BBC iPlayer, available now
Screen: This Is Not A Murder Mystery, UTV and streaming on Channel Four, available now.
Exhibition: Foundation Press – Starting Lines, BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead, until Aug 30.
Radio: Si King on Desert Island Discs, BBC Sounds/iPlayer
Exhibition: Vivienne Westwood: Rebel – Storyteller – Visionary, The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, until Sept 6
Exhibition: Following the Eagle, Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend, until Oct 3
Exhibition: Picture This: Someone Like Me, Great North Museum: Hancock, until Jan 2027
Exhibition: Portrait Award 2025, Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle, until Sept 5
Exhibition: Enigmas, RePUBlic Gallery, Blyth, ongoing
Exhibition: Rebel Women of Sunderland, Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, until Aug 1
Radio: Tom and Lauren Are Going OOT!, BBC Sounds
Exhibition: Out of the Darkness, Mining Art Gallery, Bishop Auckland, until December
NOW BOOKING
Screen: Davey Johns’ Super 8 Flicks with Simon and Chris Donald, Tyneside Cinema, Sept 15
DavyTheatre: Enter the Castle with Jon Ronson, Gala Theatre Durham, Sept 17
Comedy: Your Aunt Fanny - Crease, Arc Stockton (Oct 10) and Live Theatre (Oct 29-31)
Theatre: Mrs Doubtfire, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Sept 23-Oct 11
Theatre: All At Sea, Live Theatre, Newcastle, Sept 24-Oct 10
Music: The Chloe and Liam Together Forever Trust, The Fire Station, Sunderland, Oct 4
Theatre: Twelve Angry Men, Darlington Hippodrome, Oct 6-10
Music: The Blow Monkeys, Sage Two, The Glasshouse, Oct 7
Event: Jeremy Bowen - Truth Under Fire, Tyne Theatre and Opera House, Newcastle, Oct 8
Music/Event: 2026 Mercury Prize, Utilita Arena, Newcastle, Oct 22
Dance: balletLORENT’s Hansel and Gretel and the Witch, Northern Stage, Newcastle, Oct 29-Nov 1
In Conversation: Si King - Welcome Home, Queen’s Hall Arts, Hexham, Nov 3
Theatre: Jane Eyre, Northern Stage, Newcastle, Nov 3-7
Theatre: Billy Elliot the Musical, Sunderland Empire, Nov 4-28
Comedy: Laura Smyth - Born Aggy, The Stand Newcastle, Nov 14
2027
Music: Stornaway, The Fire Station, Sunderland, Feb 18
Music: Kim Wilde - The Singles Tour, Sage One, The Glasshouse, Mar 14
Theatre: The Most Famous Tree in the World, Live Theatre, Newcastle, May 6-27
Music: Weezer, Utilita Arena Newcastle, May 14 (Tickets on general sale Aug 14)
Theatre: Midsomer Murders - The Killings at Badger’s Drift, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Jul 27-31
COMPETITION TIME
Welcome to our latest newsletter prize draw - offering our subscribers an exclusive opportunity to win tickets to see or do something great.
This week, we’ve got a double giveaway courtesy of our pals at NOVUM Festival, which will taking over Newcastle city centre this weekend (August 7-9).
Yes. That’s this weekend, so don’t spare the horses if you want to enter. The deadline is Thursday, August 6 at NOON.
First up is a pair of tickets to see a special performance from singer songwriter Melanie Baker who will be bringing her signature vulnerability and grit to A Room in Bloom - an installation filled with towering flowers and handcrafted paper blooms.
The gig takes place on Friday (Aug 7) in Newcastle Contemporary Art Gallery at 7.30pm.
Next up is a family ticket (1 x adult and 3 x children or 2 x adults and 2 x children) for the Family Silent Disco at 11am on either Saturday (Aug 8) or Sunday (Aug 9) at Newcastle Civic Centre.
This is not your average silent disco (although they’re already great). This is a silent disco inside an immersive light installation, Submergence from Squidsoup which features thousands of glowing lights.
Families are invited to don a pair of wireless headphones and choose between three battling DJs for an afternoon of dancing to everything from 90s classics and chart hits to children's favourites. And of course there will be face painting and glitter to dive into, too.
HOW TO ENTER:
To be in with a chance of winning, simply email MePlease@culturednortheast.co.uk using the subject line:
‘BAKER’ if you want to win tickets to Melanie Baker on Aug 7; or
’Dance like no-one’s listening’ if you want to win the family ticket to the Silent Disco on either Aug 8 or 9.
The deadline for entries is NOON on Thursday (August 6)
The winner, who will be selected at random, will be notified within six 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.