Curated Culture 10.06.25
Our weekly recommendations round up from North East stages and cultural venues
Good evening/morning/afternoon* hope the week has started in fine fashion.
*Delete depending on time of day you’re unwrapping
Before we get into it, we first wanted to trumpet the news that, following a depressing parade of music festival cancellations across the North East in recent weeks, the lovely Lindisfarne Festival will be going ahead after investors stepped in to save it. And its founder came back to lead it securely into its 10th anniversary.
You can read all about it here. Well done to all involved in making it happen.
And now to standard Tuesday matters.
We’re back with your weekly cultural compass, ready to point you towards gigs, theatre, exhibitions, festivals and all sorts of other goings-on we think are worth adding to your calendar.
Whether you’re after a last-minute plan or something a bit special to look forward to, we’ve got a crowd of excellent suggestions on the blocks.
If you’re new here – welcome! Here’s what you can expect from us of a Tuesday evening:
🗓️ Top Picks – A handpicked list of brilliant stuff happening over the next fortnight
📌 Still Showing – Things we’ve already spotlighted which are still going strong
📅 Now Booking – Early alerts for events you’ll want to snap up tickets for
🎁 Newsletter Prize Draw – Your weekly chance to win something lovely
As per, this week’s giveaway is a smasher: we’ve got TWO pairs of tickets to the Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair, making its North East debut in Newcastle from June 20–22. With 100+ artists and makers showing and selling their work, it’s going to be a beauty. Entry details are at the bottom of the mailout.
But first – scroll on and keep your electronic planner handy…
Thanks for reading, sharing and what not
Sam (Wonfor) & Dave (Whetstone)*
*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
MUSICAL: Hamilton
Where: Sunderland Empire
When: June 17-July 26
Bookings and info: atgtickets.com
The wait is over - Hamilton is finally heading to the North East. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s phenomenon of a musical lands in Sunderland for six weeks of revolutionary storytelling, sharp lyrics and genre-blending tunes.
If you haven’t seen it yet (or even if you have), now’s your chance to experience the Tony, Olivier, Grammy and Pulitzer-winning story of Alexander Hamilton, told through a dazzling mix of hip-hop, R&B and classic musical theatre.
Expect big emotions, unforgettable characters and a soundtrack that lives in your head for days (forever).
FESTIVAL: Blythfest
Where: Various Blyth venues
When: June 21 to July 5
Bookings and info: headwayarts.co.uk
Those in the know will know… but for others, Blythfest is a celebration of the Northumberland town’s art and culture led by the Blyth Culture Network whose many members include Blyth Buskers, Blyth Library, Blyth Valley Samba, Headway Arts and the reBUBlic Gallery.
The latter sets the ball rolling ahead of time with an exhibition of work by A level and GCSE students from Bede Academy, opening on Friday, June 13 (preview night, 6-8pm) and running until June 28. Admission free.
Blyth Live Music Festival, organised by the town council, takes place on the seafront on June 21 with headliners The Bay City Rollers – yes, you read that right! The sole remaining original member is guitarist Stuart ‘Woody’ Wood but he’s keeping the hits alive with musicians who “embody the essence” of the band.
Blyth Battery will be open on Saturdays and Sundays (11am to 4pm) with a Blythfest Tea on offer on June 22, 28 and 29. Guided tours are available.
June 26 (10am to 4pm) is festival open day aboard the LV50, one of the oldest floating wooden Lightships in the UK. Moored in South Harbour, the vessel is open on the last Thursday of each month until September.
Headway Arts is hosting an exhibition of work by Northumberland and North Tyneside artists and makers in its White Studio from June 25 to 27 and on June 27 (6.30pm) is hosting a 30th anniversary production, Café Bohème, performed by its Inclusive Theatre Co.
And you’re invited to stay on after the show for the Blythfest Ball with music from the likes of guitarist Andy Purdy and local folk-rock-blues band Moth. Tickets required in advance, pay what you can.
COMEDY: Stand Up For Refugees
Where: Cluny 2, Ouseburn, Newcastle
When: June 16
Bookings and info: thecluny.com
Matt Reed, Gavin Webster, Al Stevenson and Fran Best will be taking turns on a single mic for an evening of top drawer stand up comedy in Newcastle’s Ouseburn - all for an important cause.
Scheduled to coincide with Refugee Week, the evening is being held in aid of Action Foundation, an award-winning Newcastle-based charity that supports refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants to overcome exclusion and build new lives.
THEATRE: Carrying David
Where: Newcastle Theatre Royal
When: June 21 (2.30pm, 7.30pm) and 22 (4pm)
Bookings and info: theatreroyal.co.uk
Glenn McCrory has a place in North East (and indeed global) sporting history as a boxing champion. He beat Patrick Lumumba, of Kenya, on points for the International Boxing Federation world cruiserweight title on June 3, 1989.
The bout, extraordinary though it might seem, took place at his local leisure centre in Stanley, ensuring enthusiastic if partisan support for the County Durham man.
What Ed Waugh’s play focuses on is what you won’t read in McCrory’s Wikipedia page but will read in his autobiography, published in 2019 and also called Carrying David.
It tells of the relationship between Glenn and his adopted brother, David, a cheerful soul who suffered from a debilitating disease that would ultimately claim his life at a young age.
Glenn carried him to school. David’s fortitude and sunny outlook helped carry Glenn to honours in world boxing.
Micky Cochrane reprises his role as McCrory in this already well received one-man show, directed by Russell Floyd, as it opens for the first time on the Theatre Royal main stage – a fitting platform for a stirring and heartwarming real-life tale.
After the Friday 7.30pm performance there will be a talk with Glenn McCrory in the auditorium, free to ticket-holders.
POETRY: Brendan Cleary & Friends
Where: Lit & Phil, Newcastle
When: Thursday, June 12, 6.30pm
Bookings and info: litandphil.org.uk
What is described as a rare visit by “legendary Newcastle poet” Brendan Cleary brings him to the Lit & Phil – from Brighton where he’s now based - as part of its bicentenary celebrations.
He actually hails from Northern Ireland but came to the North East to attend what in 1977 was Teesside Polytechnic. He then moved to Newcastle where he founded Echo Room Press and was, for a time, an editor at Stand magazine, the literary periodical founded by Jon Silkin.
For some years Cleary ran the poetry readings in the Morden Tower, on Newcastle’s city wall, a venue that sadly has fallen out of use.
Cleary, who also studied for an MA in Sunderland, is much admired by his peers.
The poet Helen Mort wrote of his collection last poems? (published by Tall Lighthouse in 2023): “Reading Brendan Cleary is always a breath of fresh air.
“I know his poems will make my heart ache, make me laugh, make me think and – above all – make me want to write. last poems? is a perfectly distilled collection. Cleary’s work remains unforgettable.”
MUSIC: Butler, Blake & Grant
Where: Sage Two, The Glasshouse, Gateshead
When: June 14
Bookings and info: theglasshouseicm.org
Three masters of melody - Bernard Butler, Norman Blake and James Grant - are congregating inside the cosy confines of Sage Two for an evening of rich, reflective songwriting.
With decades of incredible music between them, their collaboration brings warmth, harmony and stories shaped by late-night sessions and shared histories. Special evening nailed on.
THEATRE: HARD
Where: Laurels Theatre, Whitley Bay
When: June 17 to 27, 7.30pm
Bookings and info: laurelswhitley.co.uk
Alison Stanley’s bitter-sweet comedy focuses on the relationship of a father and his daughter, Zee, who has been his carer since he suffered a stroke.
Her search of more lucrative and less exploitative employment leads her – ironically, you might think – to sex chat lines and from there the possibilities, as we discover, are many and varied.
Alison Stanley, who wrote HARD (that title has several connotations which don’t need spelling out), was inspired by the memoir of a North East sex worker so there are real-life insights into an industry some would say is misunderstood.
Stanley plays the part of Zee and Rod Glenn is her cantankerous dad.
The play, its premiere delayed by the Covid pandemic, had a few performances in the North East (at Cluny 2, in Newcastle, and at Laurels) and also at The Vaults, in London, where it did well.
Now, after a bit of tinkering and with some new cast members, it is getting its first proper run at Laurels where it has been in rehearsal.
Look out for a full preview in the coming days.
COMEDY: Jack Dee – Small World
Where: Gala Durham
When: June 21
Bookings and info: galadurham.co.uk
Forget the big issues - Jack Dee is back with a new show diving headfirst into life’s minor irritations.
From dodgy Zoom etiquette to baffling radiator updates and career advice gone very wrong, the veteran master of grouch (but not really) tackles the small stuff with his signature deadpan charm.
Do not expect big picture insights. Do strap in for an evening of glorious grumpiness.
THEATRE: Steel Magnolias
Where: People’s Theatre, Newcastle
When: Until Saturday, June 14, 7.30pm
Bookings and info: peoplestheatre.co.uk
The film was released in 1989 with a stellar cast headed by Sally Field, Dolly Parton, Shirley MacLaine, Daryl Hannah, Olympia Dukakis and Julia Roberts. It was a box office success.
Robert Harling, responsible for the screenplay, also wrote the original stage play – in about 10 days. “It just poured out in to my typewriter in a 24/7 tsunami of Southernness,” he has recalled.
It was a homage to his younger sister, Susan, who died in 1985 of diabetes. The character of Shelby (played by Roberts in the film), who is to be married that day, was inspired by her.
Set in a home beauty parlour in Louisiana, the play is billed by the People’s as “a funny and poignant exploration of life, love, grief and sisterhood” and as “a celebration of women’s friendship”.
THEATRE: What Next?
Where: Live Theatre, Newcastle
When: June 21-22
Bookings and info: live.org.uk
Comedy legend and improvisation maestro Josie Lawrence returns to the stage for two unmissable and unpredictable nights at Live Theatre.
In What Next?, there’s no script, no safety net - just Josie, a live musician, and the audience creating a new play in the moment.
Funny, fearless and full of surprises, it promises to be theatre at its most alive. And if you’re in the crowd, you could have a hand in how it turns out.
ALSO… at 3pm on June 21 at Live Theatre, by special arrangement between Newcastle-based improv school Boho Arts and Josie Lawrence, Josie will share improv insights in conversation with Bev Fox, CEO and artistic director of Boho Arts and member of improv group The Suggestibles. It’s an exclusive event and tickets can only be bought via the Boho Arts website.
EVENT: I've Never Seen Scenes Like It! Sunderland Promotion Party with Frankie and Danny
Where: The Fire Station, Sunderland
When: 14 June, 6pm
Bookings and info: thefirestation.org.uk
A celebration of Sunderland’s return to the Premier League, this one-off event brings together match footage, fan energy, and expert insight.
Hosted by Frankie Francis and former player Danny Collins, the evening features highlights from the play-off semi-finals - including the iconic moment at the Stadium of Light - followed by a full screening of the Wembley final on the auditorium’s giant screen.
The night also includes in-person commentary, a live #AskDanny session, and a free drink on arrival.
STILL SHOWING
Music: Sam Fender, St James’ Park, June 12, 14 and 15
Film: 28 Days Later + 28 Weeks Later, Tyneside Cinema, Newcastle, June 13
Theatre: Book Of Crow, Live Theatre, Newcastle, June 17
Screen: Lindisfarne’s Geordie Genius: The Alan Hull Story - Screening and Q&A, The Klurb, North Shields, June 13
Comedy: Katherine Ryan – Battleaxe, Middlesbrough Town Hall and Sunderland Empire, June 13 and 14
Theatre: The Archive of Dread: Revisited, Lit & Phil, Newcastle, June 13
Exhibition: Going Back Brockens, The Warehouse, Newgate Centre, Bishop Auckland, June 13 to July 5
Exhibition: Guiding Entities, MIMA, Middlesbrough, until Nov 23
Exhibition: Cedric Morris, Artist, Plantsman & Traveller, Granary Gallery, Berwick-upon-Tweed, until Oct 12
Exhibition: The Coal Town Collection – Mik Critchlow Gallery, Woodhorn Museum, Ashington, permanent display
Theatre: The Bench, various North East venues until Jun 21
Exhibition: North East Emerging Artist Award, Seaton Delaval Hall, until June 22
Exhibition: With These Hands, Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle, until September 27
Exhibition: Shakespeare Recovered, Palace Green Library, Durham, until Nov 2
Audio-Visual: The Mother Goose Series, The Glasshouse, Gateshead, until July
Exhibition: Richard Hobson retrospective, South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, until Nov 2
Exhibition: Sheila Fell – Cumberland on Canvas, Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, until Jun 28
Exhibition: Ali Cherri/Laura and Lancaster, BALTIC, until Oct 12
Exhibition: Joséphine: A Woman of Taste and Fashion, Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, until March 2026
Exhibition: Magna Carta and the North, Durham Cathedral Museum, Jul 11 until Nov 2
Music: Nick Cope – I’ve Lost My Bobble Hat, The Glasshouse, Gateshead at 11am on Oct 29
Theatre: Mary Poppins, Sunderland Empire, Oct 1-25
Music: The Young’uns Big Boro Bash, Middlesbrough Town Hall, Nov 15
Big screen: Expo Sunderland Pavilion, Keel Square, Sunderland, throughout 2025
NOW BOOKING
Music: Kid Creole and the Coconuts, The Fire Station, Sunderland, Jun 27
Theatre: Lasses - Kicking Ass and Touching Grass, Live Theatre, Newcastle, Jul 2
Music: Jools Holland and His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Darlington Hippodrome, Jul 15; Newcastle 02 City Hall, Dec 3; and Stockton Globe, Dec 4
Comedy: Edinburgh Preview Day - Laura Lexx, Jonny Pelham, Sooz Kempner and Rosco McClelland, Queen’s Hall Hexham, July 27
Theatre: SIX, Newcastle Theatre Royal, August 12-23
Music: Terrorvision, The Fire Station, Sunderland, Aug 29
Theatre: 2:22 A Ghost Story, Sunderland Empire, Sept 8-13
Event: An evening with Mick Herron, The Exchange 1856, Sept 16
Theatre: Bad Lads, Live Theatre, Newcastle, Oct 2-11
Comedy: Sandy Toksvig - Friends of Dorothy, Gala Theatre Durham, Oct 2 and Tyne Theatre and Opera House, Oct 18
Music: Mama Afrika, Northern Stage, Newcastle, Oct 11
Festival: Beyond The Moor, Gosforth Civic Theatre, Oct 11
Comedy: Grayson Perry - Are You Good? Tyne Theatre and Opera House, Newcastle, Oct 13
Event: Comic Con North East, Utilita Arena Newcastle, Nov 1-2
Theatre: Noel Coward’s Private Lives, Northern Stage, Newcastle, Nov 4-8
Music: Seth Lakeman, Queen’s Hall Hexham, Dec 8
Music: Ruth Lyon, Sage Two, The Glasshouse, Dec 11
2026
Comedy: Glenn Moore, Gala Theatre Durham, Jan 29
Comedy: Clinton Baptiste - Spectral Intercourse, The Fire Station, Sunderland, May 24. Also Stockton Globe, Mar 18
Classical: Imogen Cooper and Paul Lewis play Mozart, Sage One, The Glasshouse, Jun 13
Theatre: The Battle, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Jul 7-11
COMPETITION TIME
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 TWO pairs of tickets for the Great Northern Contemporary Craft and Art Fair, which is making its North East debut at Northumbria University From June 20-22.
Brought to the region by the team who have been running the event in Manchester for over 15 years, its North East counterpart will see more than 100 independent makers and artists from across the UK - including many from the region - assemble inside the city centre campus’ Sport Central.
The three-day event, which follows on from a mini pilot which took place in 2018 in a collaboration with The Biscuit Factory, will showcase work across disciplines including ceramics, glass, textiles, wood, metal, jewellery, furniture and fine art.
You can read our full preview - including profiles of some of the North East artists and makers taking part - here.
HOW TO ENTER:
To be in with a chance of winning, simply email MePlease@culturednortheast.co.uk using the subject line: Crafternoon Delight by noon, (12pm) on Sunday, June 15, 2025.
The winners, 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.