Welcome, to the all new Northern Theatre News!

After a recent trip to York to see Gary Oldman in ‘Krapp’s Last Tape’ it occurred to me that I will happily travel away from my home town (Leeds) to see the right show, and I don't mean just down to the West End for a treat, I mean I'll also happily travel regionally to catch a great show or performance too.

That led me to the realisation that there isn't really a proactive resource for this, there's no newsletter for Northern Theatre shows, info or news in general.

Until now!

My aim with this newsletter is to be that resource and keep people updated with what is going on in our Northern Theatres, news, performances, touring info, ticket offers - everything really - to make it easier to work out what's out there and worth seeing.

So, welcome to the very first edition of Northern Theatre News, hope you enjoy, feel free to share with your friends and let me have any feedback too.

Enjoy, and please tell all your friends!

News roundup

The musical adaptation of Military Wives debuts at York Theatre Royal in September and we’ve just had the cast announcement!

And also just announced, a stage adaptation of Single White Female - the 90s movie - will be coming to the York Opera House, and Manchester Opera House early next year and tickets are available now.

Subscriber giveaway

Each month, starting August, we’ll be giving away a £50 Theatre Token to one lucky subscriber, these are usable in over 250 venues around the UK, including a bunch of our Northern venues… and all you have to do is subscribe to be in with a chance of winning!

What’s on over the next few weeks

At a rough estimate, there are close to 150 theatre venues in the North, far too many for a single newsletter to cover extensivley I’m afraid. So what I aim to do is showcase the shows that have multi day runs. - the ones that maybe you’d consider travelling a little bit further for if you knew they were on!

I’ll update each edition of the newsletter on a rolling basis, so you may see the same show in a couple of editions depending how long it is running for.

I will of course showcase anything else interesting, or a little bit different (see Railyway Children below), as and when I come accross them, including any ticket deals, competitions or offers connected to the shows in our newsletter.

North East

Sunderland’s Empire has the stunning touring production of Hamilton, running until 26th July.

Newcastle’s Theatre Royal has the Mathew Bourne’s The Midnight Bell, until the 12th, with the incredibly funny Book of Mormon 22nd July - 9th August.

North West

Liverpool’s Empire has Kinky Boots running until 12th July, starring the phenomenal Johannes Radebe, followed by Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat back, 15th - 20th July.

Fancy something a little different on Merseyside? The Liverpool Everyman Playhouse has an interactive murder myster show running until the 12th.

Manchester Royal Exchange has Liberation on until 26th July, a new and powerful drama that explores the activism that liberated Africa.

The Lowry, in Salford, have a Mod Bellet with an adaptation of Quadrophenia running 15th - 19th July.

Blackburn’s Empire has the always awesome Legally Blonde, 24th - 27th July

Yorkshire

First up, something a little different? The beloved adaptation of the Railway Children is being staged on the very tracks they used in the film and the show begins when you board a vintage steam train!
If you are very quick there’s also a competition to win tickets, closes 13th July though so get your entry in asap.

Leeds Grand have the hugely popular SIX on until 12th July with the singular Darren Brown arriving 22nd - 26th July…

Leeds Playhouse have Through It All Together, an inspring show deaaling with demntia through the lens of being a Leeds Utd fan running until 19th July.

Bradford Alhambra has the latest Peter James stage adapatation, this cold case thriller runs until 12th July.

York Theatre Royal has social history for you in their own production of ‘His Last Report’ which looks at the life and legacy of Seebohm Rowntree. 22nd July - 3rd August.

Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough have a new production of Pride & Prejudice running until 26th July.

It’s just a step to the right… into Hull New Theatre for a slice of Rocky Horror running from 14th - 19th July.

And down in South Yorkshire we have Joe McElderry in Joseph until the 12th!

I don’t want to ignore any of the amazing venues we have in the North, so I’ve created an index of all the venues I could find and have included it in the newsletter’s associated website - just look at the header or footer on the website and you’ll see ‘Theatre’ and a drop-down menu.

Let me know if I’ve missed any!

Theatre competitions

A quick roundup of competitions that involve our Theatres, or in general where there’s something good for you. All are free to enter and run by 3rd parties (not me!), and I will keep them in each newsletter whilst the entry date is still valid.

Railway Children ticket competition

£250 Theatre Tokens via Sainsbury’s

£50 Theatre Tokens via Culture Calling

Something a little different… the Phoenix Theatre in Blyth are running a Playwriting competition, so if you’ve always fancied seeing your work performed then check out The Phoenix Theatre Playwriting Competition

Theatre spotlight

I’ll look at one of our great Northern Theatres each week and give a little more info on the theatre and its rich history.

Starting off this week with the theatre I consider home.

That’s it for this week

Would love to know what you think of this, our very first edition, what we can do to make it better next time and what else you’d like to see in the newsletter.

Thanks for reading and subscribing, and please spread the news.

Support the newsletter

If you would like to look at sponsorship or advertising opportunities in the newsletter please get in touch and we can discuss your requirements.