Hello and welcome to this week’s Curated Culture, bringing you another carefully selected batch of gigs, exhibitions, shows, events and happenings which we reckon are worth getting in front of over the next couple of weeks.
As ever, STILL SHOWING catches up with previous recommendations you can still see, NOW BOOKING looks further ahead, and our FESTIVE FORECAST continues to keep a tinsel-framed eye on Christmas.
This week’s subscriber prize draw requires a little more urgency than usual: we’ve got a pair of tickets for Silly Billies comedy at The Stand Newcastle on September 22 – so don’t hang around if you want to be in the mix to win.
Details of how to enter at the end of the newsletter.
Enjoy the scroll, and as always, thank you for your time and support.
Sam (Wonfor) and Dave (Whetstone)
Professionally preoccupied with North East Culture
EXHIBITION: Turner Prize 2026
Where: MIMA, Centre Square, Middlesbrough
When: Monday, September 26 to March 29, 2027
Bookings and info: mima.art
There’s always a buzz around the Turner Prize, regarded as one of the world’s most prestigious awards for contemporary art.
It is given annually to a British visual artist, defined as one who works mostly in Britain or was born in Britain and works globally.
Organised by Tate, it is coming to Middlesbrough for the first time and is guaranteed to bring many new visitors to the town.
Four artists have been shortlisted for the prize on the basis of work they have presented in recent times and each is given the chance to showcase their practice at the host venue.
This year’s contenders, Simeon Barclay, Kira Freije, Marguerite Humeau and Tanoa Sasraku, have been collaborating with the MIMA team to plan how their work will be shown.
In financial terms, everyone benefits since the winner gets £25,000 while the other three get £10,000. But the value to the winner in terms of profile is incalculable.
Admission to the Turner Prize exhibition is free but visitors must book for a particular two-hour arrival slot.
The winner of the competition will be announced in December.
THEATRE: Mrs Doubtfire the Musical
Where: Newcastle Theatre Royal
When: September 23 to October 11
Bookings and info: theatreroyal.co.uk
Fans of Robin Williams’ storming turn in Mrs. Doubtfire will know the classic moments: the flaming bosom, the chaotic restaurant quick changes and that makeshift face mask.
Now there’s a chance to see them in the flesh – or perhaps the latex – when the musical version of the much-loved 1993 film comes to Newcastle.
Gabriel Vick, who originated the role in London, plays Daniel, the out-of-work actor who transforms himself into Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire to stay close to his children.
Alongside everything we know and love about the film, the story has been given a full musical makeover, with an original score and big ensemble numbers. We’re assuming a parade of hoovers are involved somewhere.
THEATRE: Jane Eyre
Where: Middlesbrough Theatre; Alnwick Playhouse
When: September 23; September 24 (7.30pm)
Bookings and info: conn-artists.co.uk
Not surprisingly, there have been many stage and screen adaptations of Jane Eyre.
Charlotte Bronte’s story is one of the most gripping ever told, with at its heart the touching affair between Mr Rochester, crotchety master of Thornfield Hall, and shy young governess Jane.
One reason it has endured is that the characters on the page seem so real. Orphaned Jane is astute, generous and likeable; Rochester’s gruff exterior cracks with flashes of humour.
Elements of the story, of course, are very much of their time (mid-19th Century) and every modern version must deal with them in its own way.
This stage adaptation comes from the Conn Artists Theatre Company, professional resident company at the Connaught Theatre, Worthing, whose past productions include Silas Marner by George Eliot and Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy.
It has a cast of five, including London-based New Zealander Evie Depledge as Jane and company co-founder Ross Muir, as Rochester, who adapted the book with director Nick Young.
CHORAL: Sing for Unity
Where: The Glasshouse, Gateshead
When: Sunday, September 20, 2pm
Bookings and info: theglasshouseicm.org
With so much apparently wrong in the world, it’s easy enough to get depressed and think: what could I possibly do to make things better?
Well, you could try singing. It surely can’t do any harm.
Sing for Unity calls itself a worldwide musical movement for unity, peace and community.
By getting people to unite in song, it aims to send the message that “we are one world, one people and we stand together in unity and community”.
Sing for Unity founder and choir member Vibe Bregendahl Noordeloos (aka Vibeke), from Denmark, says: “In an increasingly divided and fragmented world, connection and community matter.”
At 2pm on Sunday, people in different countries will be getting together to raise their voices.
Some of them will be on the concourse at The Glasshouse where Juliette Tate will be leading the singing.
You don’t have to be in a choir, you don’t need a ticket and all are welcome. You can sing along or just listen. You can stay for five minutes or for the whole thing. As Vibeke would say, every little helps.
TALK: Portrait of The Marquise de Seignelay
Where: Lit & Phil Library, Newcastle
When: Monday, September 21, 6pm
Bookings and info: litandphil.org.uk/
Art historian Gail-Nina Anderson’s popular Lit & Phil lectures have embraced a wide variety of artistic subjects over the years and her choice is often topical.
She has chosen Pierre Mignard’s portrait of the Marquise de Seignelay because it has just gone on display at South Shields Museum & Art Gallery, a loan from the National Gallery.
With customary eloquence and good humour, Gail-Nina will bring to life the artist and the aristocratic young widow and mother who, in 1691, had herself painted by one of the foremost French artists of his day.
This was Mignard (1612-95) who was born in the town of Troyes, moved to Rome to paint religious commissions and was then summoned to Paris where he became a favourite of Louis XIV.
The Marquise de Seignelay, who had been married to the head of the French navy, is portrayed as a sea nymph or goddess and accompanied by two of her five sons.
Gail-Nina will explore the painting’s background and themes and place it in the context of French 17th Century art, while also looking at Mignard’s career.
BOOKS: Northern Bookshelf Live
Where: Culture House, Keel Square, Sunderland
When: Saturday, September 19, 11am to 2pm
Bookings and info: newwritingnorth.com
Northern Bookshelf Live is a New Writing North initiative in which northern authors are chosen to connect with libraries for book-related events.
This is its first venture with Culture House which accommodates Sunderland’s new city library.
Saturday’s event begins with Robert Rutherford and Sarah Mellor discussing how they explore family ties, loss and the northern landscape in their new crime novels, respectively The Missing Hour and The Silent Places.
Rutherford lives on the North East coast and is a founding member of the Northern Crime Syndicate crime-writing group; Mellor is a novelist and psychotherapist based in Liverpool.
From 1pm (until 2pm) the focus falls on Brian Groom, a journalist and expert on regional and national affairs.
His bestselling first book, Northerners, was a Waterstones history book of the year.
His latest, published in February, is These Isles: A People’s History of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
The ticket price includes access to both events and refreshments, while books for signing by the participants will be supplied by Featherbed Books of Houghton le Spring.
MUSIC: Elephant Kind
Where: Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle
When: September 25
Bookings and info: gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk
One of Indonesia’s biggest alt-pop bands are en route to Tyneside.
Formed by frontman Bam Mastro more than a decade ago, award-winning three-piece Elephant Kind built a major following in Indonesia before relocating to London in 2022 with ambitions to take their genre-fluid sound to a wider international audience.
Recent years have brought appearances at YNot, Tramlines and Wilderness, a sold-out UK tour and sessions for BBC Radio 6 Music, BBC Introducing and Radio X.
Their genre-hopping sound mixes indie, pop and electronic influences and they arrive in Newcastle following the 2026 release of new album More Time, recorded in London, mixed in Los Angeles and finalised in Jakarta.
Support comes from North East singer-songwriter and pianist Robyn Errico, whose atmospheric music has earned BBC 6 Music support, a BBC Introducing Track of the Year nod and appearances at Kendal Calling, Focus Wales and The Glasshouse.
FILM: Counter-Culture & Coastal Memory
Where: Berwick, various locations
When: Saturday, September 19
Bookings and info: bfmaf.org
Berwick Film & Media Arts Festival (BFMAF), dedicated to the moving image, was founded in 2005 and the 21st edition happened in March.
But the BFMAF now has a year-round presence at The Burr of Berwick, the social space at 57 Marygate.
Saturday’s programme is presented by BFMAF, Heritage Open Days, film distributor Cinenova and various artists.
It begins at Berwick Town Hall (11am) with a screening of What Does it Mean to Live with the Sea, a work-in-progress by Mary O’Neill and Paul Stewart who are making a coastal film.
A session called I Gather You’re a Rebel (The Burr, 12-4pm) invites contributions to a zine being made with Berwick journalist/film-maker Val Phoenix. People are invited to take records and share punk stories.
Female punk pioneers will get an airing at The Peace Church (46 Church Street, 6-8.45pm) under the heading Rhythm Disrupts the Archive, an event featuring screenings and a discussion (and food on a first come, first served basis).
At The Burr you can also see Starting With a Gesture Made Towards One Another (12-4pm, until October 31), the first public presentation of Cinenova’s revamped online feminist film catalogue.
COMEDY/EVENT: Enter the Castle with Jon Ronson
Where: Gala Theatre, Durham
When: September 17
Bookings and info: galadurham.co.uk
Jon Ronson turns his attention closer to home in a new live show accompanying The Castle, his first book in 11 years.
The story begins when his son is drawn to a mysterious castle in the New England forests, sending Ronson on an investigation into what was happening there – and into questions of masculinity, lost purpose and disinhibition.
On stage, the journalist and broadcaster will bring the story to life with footage and online material which has since disappeared from the internet. There’ll also be a preview of the next series of Things Fell Apart and an audience Q&A.
EXHIBITION: Keiken: Seeds, Stones and Future Bones
Where: Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead
When: Saturday, September 19 to January 17, 2027
Bookings and info: baltic.art
While Baltic’s Open Submission exhibition will be grabbing attention on the ground floor from this weekend, up in the Level 2 gallery is this installation by Keiken.
It’s the first major showing in a UK public gallery by the artist collective founded in 2015 by Hana Omori, Isabel Ramos and Tanya Cruz when they were students at Falmouth University.
Hana, who grew up in Cornwall and was studying fine art, is of English and Japanese heritage.
Keiken is a Japanese word meaning ‘experience’ and Hana says that was what they came up with when looking for something that linked their respective artistic practices.
Now working collaboratively, together and with others, they create immersive worlds, drawing on the skills involved in making games, films, installations and even performance.
The Baltic exhibition presents Keiken’s Morphogenic Angels: Chapter 1, a single player, sci fi action-adventure game, along with sculptural and newly commissioned sound work.
It will be presented as an installation where visitors will be invited to enter and step 1,000 years into an imagined future.
COMEDY: Susan Calman - Tall Tales
Where: Playhouse Whitley Bay
When: September 20
Bookings and info: axs.com
Scottish comic Susan Calman has spent the past decade collecting stories – and Tall Tales is apparently where she gets to tell them.
Her first stand-up tour in 10 years draws on a period which has seen her cruising around the world, driving tanks and becoming a familiar face on television, alongside the less glamorous business of cats, ageing and everyday life.
Susan is currently taking the show around the UK, arriving on the North East coast later this month. She will be back in the region at Sunderland Empire on October 2 and Tyne Theatre and Opera House, Newcastle on November 6. Tickets via her website.
THEATRE: Salt & Smoke: Stories of Blyth
Where: starts Market Pavilion, Blyth
When: September 18-20 and 25-27
Bookings and info: marketpavilion.co.uk
Blyth is full of stories and some are brought to life in this promenade production by Northumberland’s Novo Theatre, based in Alnwick.
It was a hit last summer as part of the Blyth Celebrates cultural programme and it’s back due to popular demand as the programme is extended into 2027 with funding from Northumberland County Council.
You start (in groups and at intervals) at the new Market Pavilion, in Market Place, and then head off on a mile-long tour of the town centre which will also take you back in time.
Along the way you will meet various characters played by actors, some of them based on real people and some of them imagined figures from 500 years of Blyth history.
They include mariner William Smith, stallholder Ada Weaver, ‘keeper of stories’, and architect Mr Windle who will tell of the fire that broke out in the waxworks museum in 1904.
Novo Theatre is also delivering a schools’ programme, showing pupils how it develops stories and characters and what skills they would need to work in the arts.
STILL SHOWING
Exhibition: Baltic Open Submission, Baltic, Gateshead, Sept 19-Apr 4, 2027
Books: Val McDermid and Jo Sharp, Lit & Phil Library, Newcastle, Sept 22, 6pm
Screen: Forever Home, Channel 5, from Sept 14
Opera: Cosi fan tutte, The Glasshouse, Gateshead, Sept 19, 7pm
Comedy: Hear Me Roar, Little Theatre, Gateshead, Sept 19
Theatre: The Anastasia File, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Sept 16-19
Theatre: Othello, Northern Stage, Newcastle, until Sept 26
Exhibition: Kitchen Sink Realism, NGCA, Culture House Sunderland, until Jan 17
Event: Heritage Open Days, Venues and attractions all over the North East, until Sept 20
Comedy: Seann Walsh - This Is Torture, The Witham, Barnard Castle (Sept 25); and Queen’s Hall Arts (Sept 26)
Festival: WRITE Festival 2026, The Word, National Centre for the Written Word and other South Tyneside venues, until Sept 26
Audio: Music Lives Here podcast, Your ears, via wherever you get your podcasts
When: Weekly until Sept 25
Exhibition: CHROMA: A Measure of Colour, Arts Centre Washington, until Sept 18
Screen: Poised, STV player, available now
Exhibition: Victory Over the Sun: Adventures with Light, The Light, Aykley Heads, Durham, until Jan 17, 2027
Exhibition: Things That Go!, Discovery Museum, Newcastle, until Feb 29, 2027
Exhibition: MOXIE: Generation Alpha Curates the Middlesbrough Collection, MIMA, Middlesbrough, until Mar 28, 2027. READ MORE
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
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.
Radio: Si King on Desert Island Discs, BBC Sounds/iPlayer
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: Enigmas, RePUBlic Gallery, Blyth, ongoing
Radio: Tom and Lauren Are Going OOT!, BBC Sounds
Exhibition: Out of the Darkness, Mining Art Gallery, Bishop Auckland, until December
NOW BOOKING
Comedy: Susan Calman: Tall Tales, Sunderland Empire, Oct 2
Music: Grace Petri, The Fire Station, Sunderland, Oct 8
Theatre: Jarrow Marches - A Play and Songs by Tom Kelly, The Customs House, Oct 10
Comedy: Rhys James - Chop Logic, Queens Hall, Hexham, Oct 15; and Northern Stage, Apr 26, 2027
Comedy: Your Aunt Fanny - Crease, ARC Stockton, Oct 10; and Live Theatre, Oct 29-31
Music/Event: Mercury Music Prize 2026, Utilita Arena Newcastle, Oct 22
Theatre: It Walks Around the House at Night, Northern Stage, Newcastle, Oct 28-31
Comedy: Alexei Sayle - How I’ve Tried to Change the World, Queen’s Hall Hexham, Nov 3
Comedy: Mark Steele - Work in Progress, Darlington Hippodrome, Nov 6
Music: Hector Gannet, Sage Two, The Glasshouse, Nov 27
Music: Jools Holland and His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, The Stockton Globe, Dec 2; and Newcastle o2 City Hall, Dec 3
Comedy: Laffs for Kids, Newcastle o2 City Hall, 12pm and 5.30pm, Dec 13
2027
Music: Nerina Pallot, Playhosue Whitley Bay, Jan 27
Comedy: Jason Cook - Nothing but Happy Bits, Newcastle o2 City Hall, Feb 27
Comedy: Chris Cantrill - Rewilding, The Stand Newcastle, Mar 4; and The Witham, Barnard Castle, Mar 5
Music: James Blunt, Utilita Arena Newcastle, Mar 28
Music: Collabro - The Return, Sage One, The Glasshouse, May 29
Theatre: SIX, Stockton Globe, Sept 21-25
Theatre: Ballet Shoes, Sunderland Empire, Nov 30-Dec 4
🎄 FESTIVE FORECAST 🎄
Panto: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Playhouse Whitley Bay, Dec 4-Jan 3
Panto: Sleeping Beauty, The Customs House, South Shields, Nov 20-Jan 2
Music: Christmas at the Musicals (Royal Northern Sinfonia), Sage One, The Glasshouse, Dec 9
Family Theatre: The Snow Queen, Northern Stage, Dec 3-Jan2
Event: Northern Lights, Leazes Park, Newcastle, Nov 20-Dec 31
Event: A Fairytale Christmas, Ormesby Hall, Middlesbrough, Nov 27-Dec 23
Music: The Overtones - Jivin’ Home for Christmas, Darlington Hippodrome, Dec 3
Comedy: The Big Christmas Comedy Club, Middlesbrough Town Hall, Dec 4-12
Theatre: A Christmas Carol with Guy Masterson, The Witham, Barnard Castle, Nov 27
Music: The Unthanks in Winter, Redills Durham (Dec 4); Hexham Abbey (Dec 5);
COMPETITION TIME
Welcome to our latest newsletter prize draw - offering our subscribers an exclusive chance to win tickets to see or do something great.
This week, we’ve got a pair of tickets to see Silly Billies comedy at The Stand Newcastle on September 22.
A proper North East comedy feast, hosts Jack & Sam will preside over a line-up featuring Lauren Stone, sketch comedy favourites Your Aunt Fanny, performance artist and theatre-maker Scott Turnbull and Fernando.
The night has built a reputation for giving some of the region’s more unconventional comedy talents room to run wild, with sketches, characters, performance and plenty of carefully orchestrated chaos.
If your tastes run beyond straightforward stand-up, this one should be right on your radar.
HOW TO ENTER:
To be in with a chance of winning, simply email MePlease@culturednortheast.co.uk using the subject line: ‘Who’s a silly billy then’ by 5pm on Friday, September 18.
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.