Little Voice... big new partnership
The Rise and Fall of Little Voice will open its national tour at Newcastle Theatre Royal as part of a major new collaboration between the National Theatre and regional venues
A new production of Jim Cartwright’s The Rise and Fall of Little Voice will open its national tour in Newcastle next year as part of a major new partnership between the National Theatre and Newcastle Theatre Royal aimed at widening access to theatre across England.
The modern classic will run at Newcastle Theatre Royal from February 3-6, 2027 before embarking on a nationwide tour direct from the National Theatre with its original cast - including North East actor, Jill Halfpenny - intact.
The production marks the first touring show under the newly launched National Theatre Nationwide initiative, a network of 12 regional venues spanning every English region. Backed by funding from Arts Council England, the scheme has been created in response to what organisers describe as a dramatic decline in touring theatre.
Recent Arts Council England research shows the number of plays touring England has fallen by 64% since 2019.
Directed by National Theatre deputy artistic director Robert Hastie, the production will star Francesca Mills in the title role, alongside Jill as Mari Hoff and veteran entertainer Paul Chuckle as Mr Boo.
Jill said: “I have long admired Jim’s work and to get the opportunity to play this role at the National Theatre and at theatres across England this winter is very special. To be opening the tour at Newcastle Theatre Royal, my hometown theatre, is even more so!”
Cartwright’s play follows the shy and reclusive Little Voice, who escapes into recordings of iconic singers including Judy Garland and Billie Holiday while living under the shadow of her overbearing mother and her latest scheming boyfriend.
Marianne Locatori, chief executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal, said the partnership reinforced the venue’s role as “a cultural hub for the North East”.
“We’re delighted that Newcastle Theatre Royal is an inaugural partner of the new National Theatre Nationwide, strengthening our role as a cultural hub for the North East, ensuring more people experience outstanding theatre close to where they live,” she said.
“Launching the national tour of The Rise and Fall of Little Voice direct from the National Theatre is a real statement of intent of our ambition for audiences in Newcastle and beyond.”
Marianne added that the wider programme would also bring productions into schools and community spaces across the region.
“Together this partnership with the National Theatre connects world-class theatre productions with local learning, participation and opportunity, ensuring the benefits are felt right across our region.”
As well as touring productions, the NT Nationwide programme will include subsidised ticketing and a new schools touring initiative.
The first schools production will be a new adaptation of Bacchae, created for secondary schools and colleges by writer Nima Taleghani and director Hannah Hauer-King following its debut at the National Theatre as part of artistic director Indhu Rubasingham’s inaugural season.
The production will visit schools across the North East in November 2026.
A second family production, The Last Wild, adapted from Piers Torday’s eco-thriller by Jude Christian and co-produced with the Unicorn Theatre, will also tour nationally in 2027, including performances in Newcastle.
Kate Varah, executive director and co-chief executive of the National Theatre, said the initiative was designed to strengthen touring and regional theatre provision.
“Today’s announcement is rooted in the National Theatre’s overarching commitment to ensure people across the nation can experience and benefit from our work and impact,” she said.
“What better way to launch this partnership with 12 outstanding partners than with a strong commitment to touring between all of our venues, including bringing main stage National Theatre productions with the original cast to audiences across England.”
Robert Hastie described Cartwright as “one of England’s greatest living playwrights”.
“He has long championed and showcased stories rooted in the North of England with vivid characters and poignant wit,” he said. “I can’t wait to work with these wonderful actors to bring The Rise and Fall of Little Voice to life for audiences at the National Theatre and Newcastle Theatre Royal.”
Tickets for The Rise and Fall of Little Voice go on sale to the general public on May 19 via Newcastle Theatre Royal’s website.