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- Northern Theatre News #3
Northern Theatre News #3
Anthony Cawood
July 23, 2025
Welcome to the all new Northern Theatre News!
I’ve been blown away by the response so far, thank you to everyone who’s subscribed and shared! I hope you’re finding the newsletter useful and informative. As always, I’d love to hear your feedback, let me know what else you’d like to see featured.
In this edition: Corrie stars, a timeless love story, and a Disney favourite. Plus, news on an imminent Terry Pratchett adaptation, a rare and controversial Sondheim production, and a brilliant Back to the Future parody.
Enjoy!
News roundup
I didn’t intend to cover one night shows (purely for space reasons) but this just feels so Northern that I had to include it! 21st September at Sunderland Empire, Corrie stars on stage! (it’s touring so watch out for dates near you)
Subscriber giveaway
£50 montlhy prize 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
North East
Sunderland’s Empire has the stunning touring production of Hamilton, running until 26th July. Followed by Derren Brown until 2nd August.
Newcastle’s Theatre Royal has the incredibly funny Book of Mormon 22nd July - 9th August.
The Gala in Durham has one for the kids, based on the original book A Squash and a Squeeze with the first time its live on stage, running 25th to 27th July.
The Live Theatre in Newcastle has Mark Thomas teaming up with writer Ed Edwards again to star in Ordinary Decent Criminal, running 23rd to 26th July.
Billingham’s Forum Theatre has an adaptation of the classic film, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on from 24th to 26th July
North West
Blackpool’s Winter Gardens has the alway fabulous Chicago 21st - 26th July followed by The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe until 2nd August.
The Unity Theatre in Liverpool have the chilling Ghost Town, 24th - 26th July.
Liverpool’s Royal Court is staging The Legend of Rooney’s Ring, the ultimate scouse sword and sorcery tale that is packed with magic, romance, original songs and stupid gags. Running 18th July to 23rd August.
Opera House Manchester has The Last Laugh from 29th July for a week.
Hope Mill Theatre in Manchester have Biff to the Future, an unauthorised parody from 24th - 26th July, Followed by the uplifting A Manchester Anthem 29th July - 2nd August.
Chester’s Storyhouse are running multiple open air experiences with a brand new adapatation of Sherlock Holmes! Running 18th July to 31st August. Plus Pride & Prejudice 24th July - 31st August.
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, has the fantastic SIX running 29th July - 3rd August.
We have opera at the Clonter in Congleton running until the 26th July.
Running all summer at The Old Laundry Theatre in Bowness-on-Windermere is a muscial spectacular around Peter Rabbit kids are sure to love it!
Running until 26th July, Theatre by the Lake in Keswick have the classic British farce, Noises Off.
Blackburn’s Empire has the always awesome Legally Blonde, 24th - 27th July
Yorkshire
The beloved adaptation of the Railway Children is staged on the very tracks they used in the film, the show begins when you board a vintage steam train!
Leeds Grand have Darren Brown arriving 22nd - 26th July, followed by the incredible production of Fiddler on the Roof, 29th July - 2nd August.
Leeds Heritage Theatres has a cracking production of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory from their fantatstic Youth Theatre on at City Varieties Music Hall 24th to 27th 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.
Grand Opera House has Martin Shaw in A Man For All Seasons running 29th July to 2nd August.
Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough has the new production of Pride & Prejudice running until 26th July.
The Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond has a pretty unique show running 24th July to 2nd August with a Terry Pratchett adaptation.
Hull New Theatre have whip cracking good time for all the family with Carrie Hope Fletcher starring in Calamity Jane visiting 22nd - 26th July.
Assassins, a rarely staged Sondheim comes to Beverly’s East Riding Theatre Though why anyone would want to stage a musical about presidential assassins right now is anyone’s guess!
Thursday 24th - Saturday 26th July 2025.
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!
Other News
I don’t only want to showcase the bigger venues and news pieces, so this is the place I’ll try drop some interesting tidbits.
Royal Court Liverpool has regular Heritage Tours, with ticket sales contributing to their ambitious renovation plans. Next one 28th July.
Not strictly speaking in the geographic area of the newsletter, but it’s a beautiful theatre (and island!)
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.
£250 Theatre Tokens via Sainsbury’s (ends 30th July)
£50 Theatre Tokens via Culture Calling (ends 7th August)
Fawlty Towers Dining Experience tickets via What’s on TV (ends 7th August)
Every Brilliant Thing tickets and London hotel stay via Sainsbury’s (ends 17th August)
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.
This week we have the amazing Sunderland Empire.
What’s on at the Empire
Sunderland Empire Chabe01, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons  At night (ATG)  Stunning auditorium (ATG)  Freethinker / Sunderland Empire  One of the bars (ATG)  Google streetview  A packed house (ATG)  Youth Theatre (ATG) | It’s hard to miss the Sunderland Empire as it dominates the surrounding landscape, with its distinctive domed tower and Edwardian architecture, the Empire is a true landmark. With over 2,000 seats across 4 tiers* it’s also one of the largest stages outside London, often called “The West End of the North East.” Opened in 1907, as the Empire Palace, it was developed by Edward Moss and famously backed by Vesta Tilley, one of the most celebrated drag kings of the music hall era, and her husband Walter de Frece, a theatrical impresario who envisioned a circuit of grand “Empires” across the country. The building itself is stunning: red velvet seats, sweeping balconies, Edwardian plasterwork, and a fully equipped orchestra pit used for major productions. There’s an unmistakable sense of grandeur as soon as you step inside. Whether you’re here to watch a west-end touring production, a festive panto, or a world-class ballet, the atmosphere is always electric. The theatre originally hosted variety acts, opera, comedy and silent films, and over the decades it’s welcomed legends like Chaplin, Laurel & Hardy, and Tommy Steele. The Beatles, played there in 1963 at the height of Beatlemania and Helen Mirren made her stage dubut at the Empire. Tragedy however struck in 1976 when the beloved Sid James suffered a heart attack on stage and passed away on the way to hospital. Perhaps that event is partially responsible for the Empire’s reputation as one of the most haunted theatres in the UK, with Les Dawson famously refusing to play there ever again. Check out this cracking Youtube video for more on this spooky aspect of the Empire Now owned by the local council and operated by the Ambassador Theatre Group (ATG), the Empire has seen significant investment over the years, not just in its backstage and technical capabilities but also in its front-of-house experience and accessibility. But what really sets the Sunderland Empire apart is its strong regional impact alongside big‑scale productions. Through its Creative Learning programme, the theatre delivers workshops, school sessions, and partnerships with major companies like Disney, the National Theatre, and Birmingham Royal Ballet. It also runs the Sunderland Empire Academy of Performing Arts, offering weekly classes in acting, singing, and dance for ages 6–18, and hosts Bright Minds Youth Theatre, a relaxed group for neurodivergent teens performing nationally. These initiatives ensure the Empire remains a true cultural hub for local communities. For more info on the Empire check out this great Youtube video from the Sunderland Echo. *when all standing positions are taken. |
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.
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