DANCE, DRAMA AND DEADLY INTENT FOR NEW SEASON AT NEWCASTLE THEATRE ROYAL!
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
No Man’s Land 15 – 20 Aug ‘16
Dirty Dancing 23 – 28 Jan ‘17
Peter James’ Not Dead Enough 20 – 25 Mar ‘17
Mamma Mia! 28 Mar – 15 Apr ‘17
A programme bursting with variety, from musicals to murderous plays, has just been announced at Newcastle Theatre Royal for the flagship theatre’s Summer / Autumn ‘16 season.
Following their hit run on Broadway, acting superstars Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart return to Newcastle Theatre Royal in Sean Mathias’ acclaimed production of No Man’s Land (Mon 15 – Sat 20 Aug). Written by Nobel Prize laureate Harold Pinter, the play explores the lives of two ageing writers, Hirst and Spooner, who meet one summer’s evening in a Hampstead pub and continue their drinking into the night at Hirst’s stately house nearby. As the pair become increasingly inebriated, and their stories increasingly unbelievable, the lively conversation soon turns into a revealing power game, further complicated by the return home of two sinister younger men. Don’t miss this rare treat of two master actors in Pinter’s comic masterpiece.
Fans of the ballet will be delighted to see Beauty and the Beast (Tue 8 – Sat 12 Nov) on the programme. Northern Ballet’s adaptation of this timeless classic brings one of the world’s most famous fairytales to life in a kaleidoscope of colour, set to an infectious score, including music by Saint-Säens, Bizet and Debussy, played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia.
Then it’s dancing to a different beat for Dirty Dancing which swings into town (Mon 23 – Sat 28 Jan ‘17). Come and see the classic story of Baby and Johnny on stage for the ultimate time of your life experience! Full of passion and romance, heart-pounding music including hit songs Hungry Eyes and the heart stopping The Time Of My Life and sensationally sexy dancing, the record-breaking musical is even better than before in this all new production.
Romance is on the cards over the Valentine’s Day week when Regent’s Park Theatre presents Pride and Prejudice (Tue 14 – Sat 18 Feb ‘17). As the Bennet sisters haplessly search for love in Jane Austen’s ultimate romantic comedy, it is Mr Darcy who unwittingly finds his match. From the creators of the recent smash-hits To Kill a Mockingbird and Lord of the Flies, this adaptation of a much-loved classic was a sell-out during its original run at Regent’s Park Theatre.
Next for a totally local tale, Hadaway Harry races onto the Theatre Royal stage (Fri 24 & Sat 25 Feb ‘17) with the life story of Harry Clasper, the first Geordie sporting superstar and the man The Blaydon Races was written for. North East playwright Ed Waugh tells the story of how Harry ‘Hadaway’ Clasper brought the World Rowing Championship to the Tyne for the first time, in June 1845 and how when Harry died in 1870, more than 130,000 people paid tribute in Newcastle. During its premiere in May 2015, this fantastic play received standing ovations after every performance.
Audiences can get their gladrags on ready for a night of rock ‘n’ roll legends with Million Dollar Quartet (Mon 6 – Sat 11 Mar ‘17). Following its success in the West End, Las Vegas and on Broadway, this worldwide smash-hit musical is inspired by the famous recording session that brought together rock ‘n’ roll icons Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins for the first and only time. Featuring a score of rock hits including Blue Suede Shoes, Fever, Great Balls of Fire, Walk the Line, Hound Dog and many more.
Back by popular demand, Willy Russell’s Blood Brothers (Mon 13 – Sat 18 Mar ‘17) tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences. Bill Kenwright’s production surpassed 10,000 performances in London’s West End, one of only three musicals ever to achieve that milestone. The superb score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True.
Following the huge sell-out success of The Perfect Murder and Dead Simple, multi-million selling author Peter James returns to Newcastle Theatre Royal with the world premiere stage production of Not Dead Enough (Mon 20 – Sat 25 Mar ‘17). On the night Brian Bishop murdered his wife, he was sixty miles away, asleep in bed at the time. At least, that’s what he claims and
that’s the puzzle confronting Detective Superintendent Roy Grace who is still dealing with the mysterious disappearance of his own wife. As Grace starts to dig a little deeper, it soon becomes clear that love can be a dangerous thing… Not Dead Enough is the third novel in the award-winning Roy Grace series and the third play in the multi-million selling stage franchise.
The worldwide smash-hit musical Mamma Mia! comes to Newcastle Theatre Royal for the first time (Tue 28 Mar – Sat 15 Apr ‘17). Seen by more than 60 million people in 49 productions in 16 different languages, Mamma Mia! is Judy Craymer’s ingenious vision of staging the story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs with an enchanting tale of family and friendship unfolding on a Greek island paradise. The ultimate feel-good show has been thrilling audiences everywhere and now the party comes to Newcastle!
An all new production of the Broadway and West End smash hit musical comedy Sister Act arrives (Mon 19 – Sat 24 June ‘17) starring former X-Factor and The Bodyguard star Alexandra Burke. Directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood, Sister Act is based on the blockbuster film. This uplifting musical tells the story of a disco diva under police protection, being concealed as a nun and helping her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly rediscovers her own. Featuring dazzling dance routines and songs inspired by Motown, soul and disco, Sister Act is the funniest and funkiest musical around.
And there are plenty of great shows to suit all tastes already on sale in our current season. Dance fans will delight at Matthew Bourne’s Sleeping Beauty (Tue 5 – Sat 16 Apr), ingenious dance company NDT2 (Tue 26 – Wed 27 Apr), the beautiful and timeless classic Swan Lake (Wed 11 – Sat 14 May) and That’s Entertainment starring special guests The Overtones (Tue 5 – Sat 9 Jul).
If drama is your cup of tea then be sure to book for the gripping tale The Father (Mon 18 – Sat 23 Apr), experience the unique opportunity of three history plays in a day with The James Plays (Sat 30 Apr – Sun 1 May), classic comedy The 39 Steps (Mon 27 Jun – Sat 2 Jul), or for something new and raucously different Our Ladies of Perpetual Succour (Tue 12 – Sat 16 Jul).
Comedy lovers will enjoy a night with Julian Clary (Sun 15 May), or Grumpy Old Women (Sun 26 Jun) and if it’s illusions you’re after, look no further than Derren Brown (Mon 20 – Sat 25 Jun).
Family audiences can bring the children along to Goodnight Mr Tom (Tue 17 – Sat 21 May), or for the really little ones Peppa Pig’s Surprise (Wed 27 – Thu 28 Jul) and of course our Box Office-busting pantomime Cinderella is fun for all the family (Tue 22 Nov – Sun 15 Jan ‘17). Come and enjoy top-class musicals Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Wed 1 – Sun 12 Jun) starring recently announced actors Shaun Williamson (EastEnders) as Baron Bomburst and Carrie Hope Fletcher as Truly Scrumptious. Or indulge in the magic of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins (Fri 9 Sept – Sat 29 Oct). For a more grown-up musical why not try Chicago (Mon 1 – Sat 13 Aug) or discover the story of Tom Jones in TOM (Tue 3 – Sat 7 May).
Take a trip down memory lane with Heartbeat (Mon 23 – Sat 28 May) or if you’re a Gilbert and Sullivan fan then The Mikado(Wed 15 – Sat 18 Jun) is for you!
Tickets for all new shows in the Summer / Autumn ‘16 season can be purchased online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge).