Curated Culture 20.05.25
Our weekly recommendations round up from North East stages and cultural venues
Hello! Hope your week has got off to a smashing start and you’re ready to be inspired on the cultural front.
Welcome to our Tuesday mail drop, once again fulfilling its remit for being packed with handpicked suggestions for gigs, theatre, performances, exhibitions, festivals, events and the odd wildcard which we think deserve a spot in your diary.
Consider us your cultural wingperson (three guesses who caught the last half of Maverick on Film Four last night) or slightly overexcited events whisperer.
New to the gang? A warm and slightly overenthusiastic welcome! Here’s what you can expect from our Tuesday night missives:
🗓️ A fresh crop of featured listings for the fortnight ahead
📌 A STILL SHOWING section for things we’ve already shouted about but you haven’t missed yet
📅 A NOW BOOKING roundup for upcoming treats you’ll want to get ahead of
🎁 A weekly ticket giveaway for something thoroughly enjoyable
This week’s prize is a pair of tickets to Boys from the Blackstuff at Newcastle Theatre Royal on Saturday 24 May. Scroll to the bottom for all the details and how to throw your name in the hat.
So, pop the kettle on, put your feet up (once the cuppa has been made), and let us help you plan your next cultural treat.
As ever, thanks for reading, forwarding and letting us know what you’re thinking - we’re grateful for it all.
Sam (Wonfor) and 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
MUSIC: The Swell Season
Where: The Glasshouse, Gateshead
When: Wednesday 29 May 2025
Bookings and info: theglasshouseicm.org
Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová have reunited as The Swell Season for a rare UK tour, bringing their soulful, award-winning songs to Tyneside.
Known for their Oscar-winning hit Falling Slowly and roles in the associated 2007 film Once, the duo blend folk, romance, and raw emotion in a manner that’s captivated audiences worldwide.
Expect an intimate evening of beautifully crafted songs from albums - their eponymous debut and Strict Joy - as well as some previews from their upcoming release, Forward.
THEATRE: The Bench
Where: Gala Theatre, Durham
When: Thursday, May 22 until Saturday, May 25 (then touring)
Bookings and info: galadurham.co.uk
Jeff Brown’s play, billed as “a moving tale of love, loss… and football”, was well received in 2023 at the Customs House, South Shields, and this new production, with most of the original cast, kicks off an extensive tour at the Durham venue where there are to be five performances.
Directed by Olivia Millar-Ross, it tells of two young people who are struggling in very different ways but find solace in each other’s company.
Vicky is a single mum and carer who is struggling to make ends meet; Adi is a footballer, originally from Africa but recently signed by the local club, who has failed to live up to expectations and, although loaded with money, feels lost and lonely.
Joining the cast this time is David Nellist as Adi’s agent for whom scruples are an expensive luxury.
All tour dates and venues can be found online at Carole Wear Productions & Events.
COMEDY: Nick Mohammed is Mr Swallow - Show Pony
Where: Tyne Theatre and Opera House, Newcastle
When: May 24
Bookings and info: tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk
Ted Lasso and Intelligence star, Nick Mohammed brings his gloriously chaotic alter-ego Mr. Swallow back to the North East with Show Pony.
Following a sold-out tour and extended West End run, the latest show sees Mr. Swallow grumble through everything from sitcom envy to critical race theory, all while squeezing in magic tricks, musical numbers and plenty of things going wrong.
Fans of his viral 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown appearances will know what to expect: fast-talking nonsense, joyful silliness and genuinely spellbinding magic tricks.
DANCE: Desire Lines
Where: The Alnwick Garden
When: Saturday, May 24, 2pm
Bookings and info: alnwickgarden.com
No booking required, actually. Visit The Alnwick Garden (normal admission price applies) on Saturday and join the audience for what promises to be a memorable spectacle in front of the famous showpiece fountain.
Meta4 Dance, creation of Lily Horgan and Charlie Dunne who met when training in contemporary dance at London’s Trinity Laban Conservatoire, have assembled a company of professional and community dancers for this big nature-inspired performance.
It’s the culmination of an Arts Council-funded programme of work with various groups across Northumberland aimed at instilling an appreciation of contemporary dance into the mindset of the county.
While the dancers perform, sound artist Tom White will provide live accompaniment by sampling various recordings he has made in spots recommended by Lily and Charlie as rich in Northumberland nature.
MUSIC: Pixies
Where: Newcastle 02 City Hall
When: May 23
Bookings and info: academymusicgroup.com
Alt-rock legends Pixies are back with The Night the Zombies Came, their tenth studio album and a follow-up to 2022’s Doggerel. Expect a live set packed with new material - from country-infused ballads to full-throttle punk blasts - all shaped by their signature mix of surf rock, surrealism, and sharp-edged noise.
With nods to 70s Fleetwood Mac and their own genre-defining back catalogue, this is set to be the Pixies doing what they do best: sounding like no one else.
EXHIBITION: Louise Goult, Identity
Where: BottleWorks, Ouseburn, Newcastle
When: Friday, May 23 until Sunday, May 26
Bookings and info: bottleworks.uk
Louise is an accomplished artist who moved from the Midlands seven years ago to live in Saltburn-by-the-Sea. This is her first solo exhibition on Tyneside (and there’s no need to book; admission is free).
She specialises in textiles but paper also plays a large part in her work, as you’ll see this weekend in the pop-up gallery situated on the walkway that follows the Ouseburn from The Tyne Bar to Ouseburn Farm.
Louise aims to challenge conventional notions of embroidery as a craft or hobby, showing it to be a versatile means of exploring complex ideas relating to identity and personality.
“I’m intrigued by the variable nature of identity,” she says. “We all adapt our identity to different scenarios. Through my artwork I encourage people to consider how our identity is always shifting and whether there is a ‘true’ self.”
You can find out about Louise’s art or sign up for one of her many workshops via her website.
THEATRE: & Juliet
Where: Newcastle Theatre Royal
When: Jun 2-7
Bookings and info:
What if Juliet didn’t die for Romeo? That’s the question at the heart of & Juliet, the pop-packed musical that’s charmed West End and Broadway audiences alike.
Created by Schitt’s Creek writer, David West Read and soundtracked by a parade Max Martin bangers (think Britney, Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, Kelly Clarkson and loads more), this is Shakespeare rewritten for the Spotify generation… and it’s a whole heap of fun.
The Wanted and Strictly star Jay McGuiness plays Shakespeare; Steps’ Lee Latchford Evans is Lance; Gerardine Sacdalan is Juliet; and Lara Denning is Anne (Shakespeare).
MUSIC: Across the Universe
Where: Northern Stage, Newcastle
When: May 25
Bookings and info: northernstage.co.uk
Across the Universe dives deep into arguably, The Beatles' most creatively ambitious era, celebrating the music of 1966–1970 with a full live band and orchestra.
Focusing on the later “studio years” - think Revolver to Let It Be - the show, which leaves any wigs and costumes firmly backstage, recreates some of the band’s most innovative and genre-defining songs, many of which were never performed live by John, Paul, George and Ringo.
POETRY: Gillian Allnutt & remembering William Martin
Where: Lit & Phil, Newcastle
When: Wednesday, May 21, 7.30pm
Bookings and info: litandphil.org.uk
This month sees the publication by Bloodaxe Books of collections by two notable North East poets and this is a free event celebrating both of them (although donations to support the Lit & Phil will be welcomed).
Gillian Allnutt has nine previous collections to her name, two of which were shortlisted for the prestigious TS Eliot Prize. In 2016 she was awarded the Queen’s Gold Medal for Poetry.
For the past 30 years she has lived in the County Durham village of Esh Winning which is where she found herself during the Covid pandemic. The experience fed into her new collection, Lode (meaning a journey but also guidance), which also features poems informed by spiritual traditions and by the habit of writing about a natural world under threat.
William ‘Bill’ Martin was born in New Silksworth, County Durham, in 1925 but lived in Sunderland for many years until his death in 2010. He served in the RAF during the war but later became a gas fitter and finished up as head of the audiology department of Sunderland Royal Infirmary.
For many years he was an active member of CND. He was also an artist who turned to words, becoming, according to Bloodaxe, “a poet of extraordinary vision and musicality”.
At the event Peter Armstrong and Jake Morris-Campbell, editors of his retrospective collection, Marratide, will talk about Bill and his work, and play audio recordings of some of his readings.
MUSIC: Smoove and Turrell
Where: The Fire Station, Sunderland
When: May 31
Bookings and info: thefirestation.org.uk
North East tune treasures, Smoove & Turrell return to Sunderland with a set that spans 15 years of socially sharp, funk-fuelled tunes – including tracks from their 2023 album, Red Ellen.
Known for mixing retro soul sounds with conscious lyrics and a live band that doesn’t miss a beat, they’ve built a loyal following for good reason.
THEATRE: Tim Rice – My Life in Musicals: I Know Him So Well
Where: Darlington Hippodrome
When: Monday 26 May 2025, 7:30pm
Bookings and info: darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
Legendary lyricist Sir Tim Rice takes to the stage for an evening of stories, songs and behind-the-scenes tales from his extraordinary career. With hits from Evita, Chess, The Lion King, Aladdin and more, My Life in Musicals features live performances from top West End vocalists and musicians. Expect big tunes, candid anecdotes, and a few surprises. A must for musical theatre lovers.
STILL BOOKING
Theatre: The Sunderland Story, Sunderland Empire, until May 31
Music: The Rheingans Sisters – Start Close In, Queen’s Hall, Hexham, May 22
Exhibition: North East Emerging Artist Award, Seaton Delaval Hall, until June 22
Theatre: Grounded, Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle, May 21-24
Event: Food Festival: British Street Food Awards – Northern Heat, The Fire Station, May 23-25
Theatre: Boys From The Blackstuff, Newcastle Theatre Royal, May 20–24. Read our preview.
Theatre: Mother Courage and her Children, Horden Methodist Church, County Durham, until May 24. Read our review
Theatre: Talking About the Fire, ARC, Stockton, May 15 and 16
Theatre: Unearthed Festival, Live Theatre, Newcastle, May 20-31
Exhibition: With These Hands, Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle, until September 27
Comedy: Unexpected Item in the Bagging Area, ARC Stockton and Live Theatre, Newcastle, May 21-23; and May 29-30, respectively
Theatre: RUM, Live Theatre, Jun 6-7
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
Music: Songs of the North East, various venues across the North East until May 23: Arts Centre Washington (May 21); and Ponteland Methodist Church (May 23). Another date in September at Redhills in Durham is TBC. Read our review.
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: Northumberland Open Exhibition, Woodhorn Museum, until June 1. Read David Whetstone’s full preview of the exhibition.
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
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
Theatre: Hamilton, Sunderland Empire, Jun 17-Jul 26
Music: Ani DiFranco, Sage Two, The Glasshouse, Jun 24
Classical: Royal Northern Sinfonia plays Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, various venues across the North East, Jun 19-29
Festival: Stanhope Weekender, Stanhope, Weardale, Jul 4-5
Festival: Durham Brass Festival, various venues in Durham, Jul 13-20
Music: Tom A Smith, The Fire Station, Sunderland, Aug 15
Event: Susie Dent - Word Perfect, Darlington Hippodrome, Aug 20
Theatre: Detention, Northern Stage, Newcastle, Sept 16-17
Comedy: Dara O’Briain - ReCreation, Stockton Globe (Sept 20) and Newcastle 02 City Hall (Nov 7 and 8)
Comedy: Sophie McCartney - One Foot in the Rave, Tyne Theatre and Opera House, Newcastle, Sept 25
Music: Deacon Blue, Utilita Arena Newcastle, Oct 6
Music: Lulu - If Only You Knew, Sage One, The Glasshouse (tickets on sale Friday, May 23), October 9
Comedy: Rosie Jones, Gala Theatre Durham, Oct 24 and Northern Stage, Oct 25
Comedy: Nick Helm - No one Gets Out Alive, The Stand Newcastle, Nov 4
Theatre: Dear England, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Nov 11-15
Music: Field Music, The Fire Station, Sunderland, Nov 14
2026
Comedy: Glenn Moore, Gala Theatre Durham, Jan 29
Music: James Arthur - The Pisces World Tour, Utilita Arena Newcastle, Feb 6
Comedy: Ross Noble - Cranium of Curiosities, Newcastle 02 City Hall, Feb 18-20; and Middlesbrough Town Hall, Feb 21
Theatre: Royal Shakespeare Company - Hamlet, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Mar 31-Apr 4
Theatre: The Bodyguard, Sunderland Empire, Apr 27 to May 2
Music: Ray LaMontagne - Trouble 20th Anniversary Tour, 02 City Hall Newcastle, May 28
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 pair of tickets to Boys from the Blackstuff at Newcastle Theatre Royal on Saturday 24 May - Note: THAT’S THIS SATURDAY!
Alan Bleasdale’s iconic, BAFTA-winning 80s TV series gets a powerful new life on stage in this adaptation by James Graham.
Directed by Kate Wasserberg, the production is out on a major UK tour, following acclaimed runs at the National Theatre and in the West End, and is on Tyneside this week.
Set in 1980s Liverpool, it follows Chrissie, Loggo, George, Dixie and Yosser - men built for hard graft but brought to their knees by unemployment and a broken system.
As they dodge benefits officers and chase the next opportunity, they hold onto their humour, their pride, and each other.
For more details, why not take a look at David Whetstone’s preview of the show…
HOW TO ENTER:
To be in with a chance of winning, simply email MePlease@culturednortheast.co.uk using the subject line: Gizza Job - or at least a pair of tickets by noon, (12pm) on Thursday, May 22, 2025.
The winner, who will be selected at random, will be notified within 24 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.