Curated Culture 31.03.26
Our regular round-up of recommendations from North East stages and cultural venues
Hello and welcome to the latest Curated Culture – our weekly cherry-picking round-up of arts and culture doings from across the North East that we think are well worth your time.
If you’re a regular Tuesday reader, you’ll know the drill. If not, here’s what’s ahead:
🗓️ Top Picks – a double handful (or in this week’s case, a baker’s dozen) of featured listings spanning the next couple of weeks
📌 Still Showing – things we’ve highlighted in Curated Cultures gone by which you can still catch
📅 Now Booking – a nifty list of things to get inked in
🎁 Subscriber Prize Draw – this week, win a family ticket to a pantomime telling of Pinocchio at The Customs House, South Shields, on April 6 at 5pm.
All the info you need to enter is at the end of the newsletter. Make sure you enjoy the journey!
Thanks as always for your support.
Sam (Wonfor) & Dave (Whetstone)
Professionally preoccupied with North East culture
FAMILY: Easter Sunday Fun Day
Where: Auckland Palace & Gardens
When: Sunday, April 5 (10.30am to 3.30pm)
Booking & Info: aucklandproject.org
Among the many attractions inviting visitors to get in the Easter spirit is The Auckland Project, which runs Auckland Palace and other cultural spots in Bishop Auckland, County Durham.
A programme of activities for children (and grown-ups) is scheduled for Easter Sunday.
Along with Easter craft activities there will be a chance to pet animals and meet the Easter Bunny who will be hopping in throughout the day.
Storytelling, circus skills and bubble games are part of the planned festivities, along with face painting and glitter tattoos.
All are included in the normal admission price – but there’s also a free Easter egg trail, beginning and ending at Auckland Tower, running from April 2 to 12 (10.30am to 3.30pm).
Families are challenged to follow the trail of colourful giant eggs hidden in nests around the Palace grounds, solve clues at each nest and claim a treat at the end.
While we’ve got your Easter weekend attention, here’s a sprinkle of other Easter holiday ideas from around the region:
Belsay Easter Quest, until April 19, Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens
Holiday Art Class, April 9 and 16, Shipley Art Gallery, Gateshead
Chocolate making workshop, April 10 and 17, Woodhorn Museum, Northumberland
Gibside Egg Hunt, April 1-7, Gibside estate, Gateshead
Wallington Egg Hunt, April 3-12, Wallington, Northumberland
Easter Eggspress (we don’t write this stuff!), April 5-6, Stephenson Steam, North Shields, Railway
Duck Race, April 4, The Alnwick Garden, Northumberland
Spring wildlife bonnet making, April 3-5; 8-12; and 15-19, Hexham Old Gaol
Make a spring artwork, April 8 and 15, Hatton Gallery, Newcastle
MUSIC: Suzi Quatro
Where: Sage One, The Glasshouse, Gateshead
When: April 8
Bookings and info: theglasshouseicm.org
Marking an incredible 62 years in music, Suzi Quatro returns to The Glasshouse this April with a set packed full of hits, from Can The Can and 48 Crash to Stumblin’ In and If You Can’t Give Me Love.
“I love what I do. I am a natural born entertainer,” she says. “Stepping onto a stage is like coming home… every audience is a different animal.
“It’s wonderful because I am 75 years old, 62 years in the business, still selling out venues, still releasing and charting with new material. I still have the same energy and the same voice, and to have all this at my age means I am blessed. Every show I give 150% and that will never change.”
THEATRE: 2: 22 A Ghost Story
Where: Newcastle Theatre Royal
When: April 13-18
Bookings and info: theatreroyal.co.uk
After multiple West End runs and a major UK tour, 2:22 A Ghost Story returns to Tyneside with its mix of domestic drama and supernatural unease.
Written by Newcastle-bred Danny Robins - who regularly sells out across the UK with his Uncanny evenings - the play centres on Jenny, who is convinced her new home is haunted, and her sceptical husband Sam.
Over the course of a dinner party with friends, tensions rise as belief and doubt collide, and something increasingly difficult to explain begins to take hold.
Starring James Bye, Natalie Casey, Grant Kilburn and Shvorne Marks, it’s a tightly constructed thriller that balances humour with a growing sense of dread.
FESTIVAL: Stockton Calling
Where: Various venues around Stockton
When: April 4, 1pm ‘til late
Bookings and info: stocktoncalling.co.uk
One-day music feast, Stockton Calling returns for its 15th year, transforming the town centre into a multi-venue music crawl.
Spanning seven stages and serving up more than 60 acts, the day is built around discovery - drifting between sets and stumbling across your next favourite band.
Hard-Fi are headlining while other acts on the bill include Amelia Coburn, The Molotivs, Cortney Dixon, Gurriers, Charlie Floyd, Young Rebel Set and Soapbox.
THEATRE: Murder at Midnight
Where: Darlington Hippodrome
When: Wednesday, April 1 to Saturday, April 4
Booking & Info: darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
Billed as “a deliciously twisted crime caper”, the new play by Torben Betts – based, at least at one time, in Northumberland – has a cast of seasoned performers who will be known to fans of TV soaps.
They include Jason Durr (Heartbeat, Casualty), Susie Blake (Coronation Street), Max Bowden (best known as Ben Mitchell in EastEnders) and Katie McGlynn (Waterloo Road, Coronation Street, Hollyoaks).
The farcical plot unfolds in one house on New Year’s Eve in a quiet corner of Kent… although someone, it seems, has deadly intentions.
Characters include notorious gangster Jonny ‘The Cyclops’, his glamorous wife, his trigger-happy sidekick, his mum, her jittery carer and a vicar who’s hiding something.
It’s the latest play by Torben Betts for the Original Theatre company and follows Murder in the Dark which premiered in 2023 and then also toured. This, like its predecessor, is directed by Philip Franks.
CONCERT: The Music of Prince by Candlelight
Where: Durham Cathedral
When: Wednesday, April 15, 7.30pm
Booking & Info: durhamcathedral.co.uk
In April it will be 10 years since the death of Prince, the American pop icon, but his music lives on.
Xperience Live, the UK-based event production company, is helping with that with its candlelit tribute show which rolls into Durham Cathedral after the formalities of Holy Week.
A disclaimer advises that the show will not feature a Prince lookalike – nor is it endorsed or sponsored by Prince’s estate.
Instead, we are advised, it will “showcase a full live band and four talented vocalists performing the music of Prince with authenticity and respect for his artistry”.
A journey through Prince’s greatest hits, including Purple Rain, When Doves Cry, Kiss and 1999 is promised as part of “a night of dazzling music, glowing candlelight and pure purple magic”.
Not many tickets remain, suggesting Prince’s appeal remains strong.
Also selling fast are tickets for a performance by pop-soul singer Tunde, formerly of Lighthouse Family, who will be performing with a band at Durham Cathedral, on Friday, April 17.
EXHIBITION: Vivienne Westwood: Rebel – Storyteller – Visionary
Where: The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle
When: Until September 6
Bookings and info: thebowesmuseum.org.uk
A major retrospective of Vivienne Westwood’s work has opened at The Bowes Museum, bringing more than four decades of the designer’s output to County Durham.
Running until September, the exhibition focuses on designs produced between the early 1980s and the 2000s.
The exhibition features more than 40 ensembles alongside individual garments, jewellery, accessories and archival material drawn primarily from the collection of Peter Smithson. Additional loans have come from Manchester Art Gallery, Fashion Museum Bath and private collectors.
Staged across the museum’s Fashion and Textiles gallery and main exhibition space, the show examines both the aesthetic and technical aspects of Westwood’s practice.
In addition, more than 80 historic objects from The Bowes Museum’s own collection will be shown alongside Westwood’s designs, reflecting her long-standing engagement with historical dress and art.
Vicky Sturrs, director of programmes and collections at The Bowes Museum, said: “Vivienne Westwood: Rebel – Storyteller – Visionary celebrates one of the most daring British designers in fashion history and marks a significant moment for The Bowes Museum as we continue to champion bold voices in fashion.
“As the North continues to nurture extraordinary emerging designers, we hope this exhibition inspires them to see fashion as both craft and activism. It stands as a reminder of how influential Northern creativity has been, and continues to be, in shaping British fashion.”
MUSIC: Showhawk Duo
Where: Wylam Brewery, Newcastle
When: April 5
Bookings and info: ticketweb.uk
Famous for turning acoustic sets into full-blown “acoustic raves”, The Showhawk Duo are bringing their high-energy live show back to the North East.
If you haven’t had the considerable (and jaw-dropping) pleasure, this very talented twosome, Mikhail Asanovic and Jake Wright, blend classical technique with percussive flair to rework dance anthems, trance classics and club hits entirely on acoustic guitars.
What began as busking has taken them to festivals and venues all over the world including Glastonbury Festival, a 20-date main stage residency at legendary Ibiza nightclub, Pacha and appearances on BBC Radio 1.
Meanwhile anyone who has been to Lindisfarne Festival on the Northumberland coast will be well aware of their marquee-filling charms.
Blurring the line between acoustic and electronic, their performances are loud, fast-paced and built to get a crowd jumping and smiling widely.
EXHIBITION: Following the Eagle
Where: Segedunum Roman Fort, Wallsend
When: Until October 3
Booking & Info: northeastmuseums.org.uk
At the fort (now a museum) marking the eastern end of Hadrian’s Wall this new exhibition serves as another reminder that our region is steeped in Roman history.
On display are rare Roman military diplomas inscribed on bronze, along with other artefacts exploring themes of identity, service and travel within the Roman army.
The title references the eagle, which the Roman state adopted as a symbol of authority. For those in the army, it embodied the might of Rome.
The fearsome bird decorated armour, weapons and belt fittings, and also the military standards that represented the honour of each army unit stationed in every province of the Roman Empire.
A unit raised in one province was usually sent to serve thousands of kilometres away while casualties or retirees tended to be replaced with new recruits from afar.
Alex Croom, Keeper of History at North East Museums, said: “The bronze diplomas on display give us an extraordinary window into the real lives of Roman soldiers.
“Because they survive almost complete, they allow us to trace individual units, movements across the Empire and sometimes even glimpses of personal identity and family.
“They’re rare documents, and having five examples together, including three never displayed in the UK, makes this a truly exceptional moment for Segedunum.”
THEATRE: Murder, She Didn’t Write
Where: Northern Stage, Newcastle and Darlington Hippodrome
When: April 9 and 10; and April 12 respectively
Booking & Info: northernstage.co.uk and darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk
Who needs a script?
A group called Degrees of Error have done very nicely without one, selling out on the Edinburgh Fringe – and on the road - with their zany brand of improvised entertainment.
Venturing onto the territory of Agatha Christie, their latest show empowers the audience to determine characters and plot – which inevitably will therefore lean more in the direction of nonsense than plausibility.
Might Ms Gold be fatally poisoned at a synchronised swimming gala?
Could Dr Blue be blown up by a cannon during a hot air balloon race – or Prof Violet be crushed to death at a Love Island recoupling?
It’s all in the lap of you, the ticket holders.
But this show carries that ‘limited availability’ warning that means there aren’t too many tickets left. It’s often the mark of a good ’un… but always the signal to get your skates on if you want to join the fun.
EVENT: Felicity Cloake’s Adventures in Food
Where: Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle
When: April 14
Bookings and info: gosforthcivictheatre.co.uk
Food writer Felicity Cloake brings her globe-spanning appetite to Gosforth Civic Theatre, celebrating her latest book Peach Street to Lobster Lane.
Known for her Guardian column and culinary deep-dives, Felicity will be talking to fellow adventurer and author, Emily Chappell about the tasty journeys which have taken her across Britain, France and the US.
SOUND: Healing Hz
Where: The Glasshouse, Gateshead
When: Friday, April 10, 7pm
Booking & Info: theglasshouseicm.org
Hz (thanks, Google) is the unit of measurement for frequency, defined as the number of cycles, oscillations or events per second.
Healing Hz is one of the Spirituality in Sound workshops led at The Glasshouse by Shannon Pearl who ran a similar course here in the autumn.
On her website, Shannon describes herself as a “neo-folk and witch-pop artist” from the North East.
She says she has been named as a sacred sound carrier (an artist specialising in sound to facilitate healing, spiritual connection and emotional release) on the Isle of Avalon (place in Arthurian legend).
She explained to The Glasshouse last year: “I realised in university that going for long periods without singing had a detrimental effect on my mental health.
“So my journey began with alternative methods of healing. Creating a release through sound and singing helps me in life.”
Maybe it can help you too. Shannon is all over the place this year, at gigs and festivals, leading workshops, ‘moon circle gatherings’ and witchcraft and wellbeing retreats.
She’ll be back at The Glasshouse on May 10 and 15 but also at The Good Apple Café, Sunderland on April 12 (12 noon) and The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle (April 30, 7.30pm).
THEATRE: The Tale of the Loneliest Whale
Where: Arts Centre Washington
When: April 9, 1pm
Booking & Info: sunderlandculture.org.uk
This is the only North East tour stop for Andy Curry’s play for Hoglets Theatre Company, the associate children’s theatre company of York Theatre Royal.
It’s a colourful 50-minute show deemed suitable for children aged three to 11.
The folk at Hoglets, founded in 2013 by actress Gemma Sharp, describe it as “an exciting deep-sea adventure packed with beautiful puppets, hilarious sea creatures, original songs, and lots of audience interaction!”
In addition, it’s a celebration of “friendship, difference and the beauty of being yourself”.
Hoglets Theatre Company, named after baby hedgehogs, is a not-for-profit enterprise whose previous productions include The Sleep Pirates, Sea Storm in a Tea Cup and The Snow Bear.
STILL SHOWING
Theatre: Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Apr 6-11
Art and Nature: Spring Into Action, Baltic, Gateshead, Apr 3-19
Theatre/Comedy: The Fit Prince, Live Theatre, Newcastle, Apr 7-10
Exhibition: Picture This: Someone Like Me, Great North Museum: Hancock, until Jan 2027
Music: Washington Folk Festival, Arts Centre Washington, Apr 2-4
Dance: Abundance – Lizzie Klotz, Dance City, Newcastle, Apr 2
Theatre: Mean Girls the Musical, Sunderland Empire, Apr 6-11
Theatre: Mythos:Ragnarok, Darlington Hippodrome, Apr 7
Theatre: Bus Stop Goths, Northern Stage, Newcastle, Apr 24
Exhibition: Portrait Award 2025, Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle, until Sept 5
Theatre: Hamlet, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Mar 31-Apr 4
Exhibition: Enigmas, RePUBlic Gallery, Blyth, ongoing
Exhibition: Rebel Women of Sunderland, Sunderland Museum and Winter Gardens, until Aug 1
Theatre: I, Daniel Blake, Northern Stage, Newcastle, until Apr 4
Exhibition: Women Behind Bars: Life in Newcastle Prison, 1828-1925, until Apr 27. Read our preview
Exhibition: Voices for Truth Exhibition, City Library, Newcastle, until Apr 2
Exhibition: Lady Kitt – Lines of Legitimacy, Hartlepool Art Gallery, Apr 18
Exhibition: Northumberland Open Exhibition, Woodhorn Museum, until May 10. Read more.
Exhibition: Feeling Into The Unknown, Hartlepool Art Gallery, until Apr 18
Screen: Torvill and Dean - The Last Dance, streaming on ITVX,
Theatre: I, Daniel Blake, Northern Stage, Newcastle, Mar 20 to April 4
Theatre: Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Apr 6-11
Exhibition: Desire Lines, MIMA, Middlesbrough, until Apr 12
Theatre: Sunny Afternoon, Stockton Globe, April 14-18
Comedy: Chris Ramsey - Here Man, Newcastle 02 City April 17-19
Screen: Jools Holland’s New Orleans Jukebox, BBC iPlayer
Radio: Tom and Lauren Are Going OOT!, BBC Sounds
Exhibition: For All At Last Return and first major UK exhibition by filmmaker and artist Saodat Ismailova, Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead, until Jun 7, 2026
Exhibition: Out of the Darkness, Mining Art Gallery, Bishop Auckland, until December
NOW BOOKING
Spoken word/Comedy: Neurotypicals Don’t Juggle Chainsaws, Gosforth Civic Theatre, May 21
Music: Jools Holland and His Rhythm and Blues Orchestra, Darlington Hippodrome, June 19. Also playing Newcastle o2 City Hall, Dec 3
Theatre: The Light House, ARC Stockton, May 8
Music: Emmylou Harris, Sunderland Empire, May 18
Event: Radio One’s Big Weekend Watch Party, Fire Station, Sunderland, May 22-24
Comedy: Kelly Rickard - Burning Love, The Stand Newcastle, Jun 14
Music: Gary Numan, Concourse, The Glasshouse, Gateshead, Jul 18
Theatre: Annie, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Aug 4-8
Comedy: Barry Castagnola - The Last of the Barrys, Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle, Sept 11
Theatre: Othello, Northern Stage, Sept 11-26
Music: Niall Horan, Newcastle Utilita Arena, Sept 23
Theatre, All At Sea, Live Theatre, Newcastle, Sept 24 to Oct 10
Music: Alison Moyet, Stockton Globe, Oct 4
Music: An Evening with Kristin Hersh, The Cluny, Newcastle, Oct 5 and 6
Ballet: Cinderella, Northern Ballet, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Oct 28-31
Music: Bellowhead - Burlesque 20th Anniversary Tour, Sage One, The Glasshouse, Nov 11
2027
Music: ECHO Rising Start Festival, Sage One, The Glasshouse, Gateshead, Jan 23
Comedy: Aurie Styla - Maverick, The Stand Newcastle, Feb 9
Theatre: Paranormal Activity, Newcastle Theatre Royal, Apr 13-17
Theatre: The Full Monty - The Play by Simon Beaufoy, Sunderland Empire, May 17-22
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 family ticket (two adults and two children or one adult and three children) to the April 6 performance (5pm start) of this year’s Easter pantomime, Pinocchio at The Customs House, South Shields.
Written by Tom Whalley, families are being invited into the whimsical world of Cooksonville to follow the fortunes of the much-loved wooden puppet on his journey to becoming a real boy.
On the way, he’ll be joined by a crowd of characters including Jiminy Cricket, the Blue Fairy and Geppetto, while the villainous Stromboli lurks nearby.
Director Steven Lee Hamilton describes the production as “packed with energy, brilliant performances, and all the ingredients of a classic pantomime.”
With music, comedy and plenty of audience-pleasing moments, it promises a lively, feel-good springtime outing for all ages this Easter.
HOW TO ENTER:
To be in with a chance of winning, simply email MePlease@culturednortheast.co.uk using the subject line: Who Nose? by noon, (5pm) on Thursday, (April 2, 2026).
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.