- Northern Theatre News
- Posts
- Northern Theatre News
Northern Theatre News
December - Week 1
Anthony Cawood
December 02, 2025
December - Week 1
Welcome to Northern Theatre News!
Panto/festive season is well and truly in full swing!
We have a review of A Christmas Carol at Leeds Playhouse in this edition, with Snow White at Bradford Alhambra, Beauty & the Beast at Victoria Theatre Halifax, and also Beauty & the Beast at Chester’s Storyhouse coming soon.
Of course we also have the usual mix of news, listings, offers, a bunch of new competitions and so much more.
I’d love to hear your feedback. So let me know what you’d like to see featured (or not!) in future editions of your newsletter.
Enjoy, and see you in the stalls!
News roundup
Shakespeare North Playhouse is running their Big Give Christmas Challenge, where they will double donations for their good cause through match funding, check it out for more details.
Claybody Theatre have announced their first ever tour with The Grand Babylon Hotel, Arnold Bennett’s rollicking comedy thriller. The company will bring their “delightfully bonkers” storytelling and theatrical inventiveness to audiences beyond Stoke-on-Trent for the first time in Spring 2026.
The Grand Babylon Hotel premiered in Autumn 2025 at the New Vic, where it was made in association with Claybody Theatre. The remount and tour in Spring 2026 marks a major milestone for the Stoke-on-Trent based company, and their found-space venue, The Dipping House. Claybody Theatre have long been celebrated locally for their inventive storytelling, vibrant adaptations of classic works, and new writing.
The tour will hit Hull Truck Theatre 10 - 13 Mar, Stephen Joseph Theatre 18 - 21 Mar, and Harrogate Theatre 25 - 29 Mar.
Sad to report on the passing of Tom Stoppard, as the Royal Court Theatre put it…
"Today we join with writers and theatre artists across the world to mark the passing of Tom Stoppard, a playwright whose work probed the deepest human mysteries of truth, time, mortality and frailty while dazzling with wit, laughter and the buoyancy of the human spirit."
Subscriber giveaway
£50 monthly prize giveaway
Every month we give away a £50 Theatre Token to one of our subscribers, usable at over 250 venues across the UK (including loads in the North). Just stay subscribed and you’ll be in the draw!
November’s winner will be announced in the next edition - check your inbox!
What’s on over the coming weeks
North East
Darlington Hippodrome has Goldilocks and the Three Bears starring Brendan Cole, 5 - 31 Dec.
Still in Darlington and Hullabaloo has the super-cute The Paper Dolls for the younger children, runs 11 - 24 Dec.
Alnwick Playhouse has Hansel & Gretel 17 - 28 Dec.
Newcastle’s Live Theatre has their seasonal fayre Where Do All The Kittiwakes Go At Christmas? 9 - 21 Dec.
Northern Stage has The Night Before ChrisMouse for the youngsters 22 Nov - 3 Jan. They also have Beauty & the Beast for the whole family 4 Dec - 3 Jan.
Newcastle’s Theatre Royal has Aladdin 25 Nov - 18 Jan.
Tyne Theatre & Opera House has Cinderella 5 Dec - 4 Jan.
Finally in Newcastle, at the Alphabetti Theatre we have A Queermas Carol (The Gayest Ghost Story Ever Told) 17 - 20 Dec
Want your panto at the seaside with a CBBC star? Whitley Bay Playhouse has you covered, with Beauty and the Beast showing 5 Dec - 3 Jan.
Sunderland Empire has Kinky Boots 2 - 6 Dec with their panto, Sleeping Beauty, running 12 Dec - 4 Jan.
Over in South Shields we have two seasonal shows at The Customs House, Goldilocks and the Three Bears runs 21 Nov - 3 Jan, with Help! I’ve Lost The Christmas List 29 Nov - 24 Dec.
Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond has Cinderella as their Christmas show, 2 Dec - 10 Jan. Check out our Theatre Spotlight on this awesome venue!
Over at The Phoenix Theatre in Blyth we have Aladdin 6 - 28 Dec.
Up in Hexham at the Queen’s Hall Arts Centre we have The Great Big Christmas Wrapping Disaster 6 - 31 Dec, which runs concurrently with Red Riding Hood 6 Dec - Jan 3.
Over at the Seaton Devalal Arts Centre we have Cinderella 28 Nov - 6 Dec.
In Stockton at ARC we have A Town Called Christmas 2 - 13 Dec and A Proper Merry Christmas 3 - 10 Dec.
Billingham Forum has The Further Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan 1 Dec - 4 Jan.
And over at the Empire Consett, we have Sleeping Beauty 28 Nov - 31 Dec.
The Gala Durham has Jack and the Beanstalk 20 Nov - 31 Dec and for the younger kiddos they have Christmas Eve 2 - 24 Dec.
Middlesbrough Theatre have Goldilocks and the Three Bears 5 - 31 Dec.
In Hartlepool we have Snow White 10 - 27 Dec at the Town Hall.
North West
Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse has The Rock 'n' Roll Panto 2025: Jack and the Beanstalk 15 Nov - 17 Jan and transferring from Hope Mill Theatre is Young Frankenstein 3 Dec - 3 Jan.
Liverpool Empire has Matilda 2 Dec - 4 Jan.
Still in Liverpool and over at the Royal Court we have The Scouse Christmas Carol 7 Nov - 17 Jan - correction, it has been extended by an extra week, now runs to 24 Jan.
At The Epstein Theatre we have Cinderella 5 Dec - 4 Jan.
And last for Liverpool, Unity Theatre’s seasonal offering is Sleep Can Wait 12 - 23 Dec.
St. Helens Theatre Royal has Dick Whittington 28 Nov - 11 Jan.
In Port Sunlight on the Wirral the Gladstone Theatre has Peter Pan 6 - 31 Dec
Over at The Atkinson in Southport we have Beauty & the Beast 5 - 31 Dec
Up in Lancaster, the Grand has a rotating set of pantos, your choices are Snow White, Robin Hood and Puss in Boots all for different age groups - not seen anyone take this approach, I like it! The shows run between 28 Nov - 28 Dec.
Opera House Manchester has their panto offering, Robin Hood 6 Dec - 4 Jan.
Palace Theatre in Manchester has TINA - The Tina Turner Musical 25 Nov - 3 Jan.
Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester has Singin’ In The Rain 29 Nov - 18 Jan… hot off the press, this has been extended through to 25 Jan! They also have Stocking Fillers 28 Nov - 3 Jan, a set of seven 10 minute festive plays.
Home in Manchester has their Dr Who inspired drag cabaret/panto It’s Behind WHO 2 - 6 Dec and then the UK premiere of Freaky Friday 27 Nov - 10 Jan.
Still in Manchester, Hope Mill Theatre has their adult-panto offering of Jack Off The Beanstalk - not for the youngsters! 4 - 30 Dec.
Contact Theatre in Manchester has their seasonal offering of Rumpelstiltskin 11 - 31 Dec, the press I’ve seen says it is set in a real castle!
Waterside Arts over in Sale has Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas 4 - 27 Dec
Shakespeare North Playhouse has Cinderella 25 Nov - 10 Jan.
Over at the Floral Pavilion they have Sleeping Beauty 6 Dec - 4 Jan.
Over to Blackpool and the Grand Theatre has their panto, Beauty and the Beast 5 Dec - 4 Jan.
Still in Blackpool and The Winter Gardens has Elf - The Musical 9 - 14 Dec.
Just down (or is it up?) the coast in Lytham St Annes, the Lowther Pavilion has Peter Pan 1 Dec - 4 Jan.
The Lowry, in Salford is heading into a super busy festive period with The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe 3 Dec - 11 Jan… then Unfortunate - The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch 5 Dec - 11 Jan… AND finally The Enormous Crocodile - The Musical 10 Dec - 4 Jan.
Blackburn Empire has Snow White running 22 Nov - 4 Jan.
Storyhouse in Chester has their Christmas show - Beauty and the Beast 5 Dec - 4 Jan.
Over in Crewe The Lyceum Theatre has Jack and the Beanstalk 12 Dec - 4 Jan.
At the Stockport Plaza we have Aladdin 5 Dec - 4 Jan.
Octagon Bolton has A Christmas Carol 13 Nov - 10 Jan and Mrs Claus Saves Christmas for the youngsters 10 - 24 Dec.
At The Met in Bury we have The Pied Piper of Hamelin 6 - 28 Dec.
And in Middleton at the Middleton Arena we have Aladdin 25 Nov - 29 Dec.
Theatre by the Lake in Keswick has The Wizard of Oz 14 Nov - 11 Jan, and Little Gift 10 - 27 Dec. They’ve also just announced their Spring - Summer Season.
Yorkshire & Humberside
Leeds Grand Theatre has Miss Saigon 2 - 13 Dec, which is followed by Northern Ballet’s Nutcracker 18 Dec - 4 Jan.
Still in Leeds and City Varieties has Aladdin: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto 28 Nov - 11 Jan.
Leeds Playhouse have their amazing production of A Christmas Carol 20 Nov - 17 Jan, check out our review, with Stick Man running 6 Dec - 4 Jan.
Still in Leeds at the Carriageworks Theatre, they have Sleeping Beauty 21 Nov - 4 Jan.
Bradford’s Alhambra has Snow White 6 Dec - 18 Jan.
Meanwhile, still in Bradford and th Bradford Playhouse has their version of Cinderella. 12 - 30 Dec for this one. |  |
Cast in Doncaster has Cinderella 28 Nov - 4 Jan, and Hansel & Gretel 5 - 24 Dec.
Doncaster Little Theatre has Rapunzel 6 - 31 Dec.
Lawrence Batley Theatre in Huddersfield has Beauty and the Beast 1 Dec - 4 Jan.
Victoria Theatre in Halifax also has Beauty and the Beast 13 Dec - 4 Jan.
Wakefield Theatre Royal has Jack and the Beanstalk as their panto, running 25 Nov - 4 Jan, they have also announced their Spring Season
Over in Scarborough at Stephen Joseph Theatre we have Sleeping Beauty 29 Nov - 31 Dec.
Still on the east coast, Bridlington Spa has Dick Whittington 12 Dec - 4 Jan.
York Theatre Royal has their hugely popular panto Sleeping Beauty 2 dec - 4 Jan.
The Grand Opera House in York has their panto Cinderella 6 Dec - 4 Jan.
Still in York at the Friargate Theatre we have A Christmas Carol 11 - 13 Dec followed by Christmas Inn Trouble 20 - 24 Dec.
Across at Pocklington Arts Centre we have Jingle All The Way 11 - 23 Dec
Harrogate Theatre has Jack and the Beanstalk 26 Nov - 18 Jan.
East Riding Theatre has The Snow Queen 4 - 27 Dec.
Hull Truck Theatre has Oliver Twist 28 Nov - 4 Jan and The Little Mermaid 11 Dec - 4 Jan. They’ve also just released their new season brochure.
Hull New Theatre has Beauty and the Beast 10 - 31 Dec it’s sure to make you chuckle (see what I did there!).
Down in Barnsley at the Lamproom we have Snow White 6 Dec - 3 Jan.
Barnsley Civic has Sleeping Beauty 6 - 28 Dec.
Rotherham Civic Theatre has Snow White 27 Nov - 4 Jan.
Over in Sheffield at the Lyceum we have their panto Aladdin 5 Dec - 4 Jan.
At The Crucible we have A Christmas Carol 29 Nov - 10 Jan.
And still in Sheffield, at the Montgomery we have The Elves and the Shoemaker 4 - 7 Dec.
From my quick tally we have twenty pantos up north, from infant to adult versions, and the one most performed this year? Cinderella with eight venues staging it, closely followed by Beauty & the Beast and Sleeping Beauty both with seven venues selecting them to show.
Northern Theatre News reviews
When we’re lucky enough to be invited to press nights we add the review to the very next newsletter! Here are the shows we’ve seen recently.
Excerpt - ‘This version has, great performances, an amazing set, spectacular lighting, integrated BSL and, yes - genuine heart.’
Ticket offers not to miss!
Not so much of a ticket offer this time, but an offer to get an additional theatre fix from home with Marquee TV. They have a ton of theatre, opera, concerts and ballet, and they are running an offer where your first three months subscription is just 99p per month.
Disclaimer: I subscribed to this offer myself, I make no money from recommending it ;-(
ATG have announced that Robin Hood (starring Jason Manford) at Opera House Manchester has ticket prices from £15 on select dates/performances.
Theatre competitions
They’re not all northern, but when they’re not they do involve a hotel stay too, good luck! 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.
First up we have a trio of competitions from the amazing folks at Official London Theatre.
Theatre spotlight
This week we are at the Leeds Playhouse.
Leeds PlayhouseAll images are credit Leeds Playhouse or Northern Theatre News.        | Leeds Playhouse is one of those buildings that feels like it is leaning out to say hello with the new entrance on St Peter’s Street. This is a theatre that has reinvented itself more than once and is still busy flinging its doors open to anyone who fancies a cracking story or three. The roots go way back. In the early twentieth century, the Leeds Playgoers Society was set up so local audiences could see contemporary drama, not just safe crowd-pleasers. Fast forward to 1970 and the first Leeds Playhouse opened in a purpose built theatre on a site loaned by the University of Leeds. It was meant to be temporary—a starter home for a proper civic theatre—but it set the tone: new writing, big ideas, and a strong sense that this was theatre made for Leeds folk, not shipped in from somewhere else. By the late eighties, the city decided it was time for something bigger. A new purpose-built home rose at Quarry Hill and opened in 1990 under the name West Yorkshire Playhouse. Inside were two main spaces: The Quarry, a big wrap-around auditorium, and The Courtyard, a more intimate three-tier theatre. From the start, the building buzzed. Main house dramas, musicals that felt every bit as polished as anything down south, plus a constant stream of youth theatre, workshops, and community projects. On a busy day, the foyer feels more like a small village than a lobby. In 2018 the theatre took its original name back and became Leeds Playhouse again. The change came with a major refurbishment. A new entrance now faces the city, the foyer feels brighter and easier to navigate, and a third performance space appeared: the Bramall Rock Void, tucked into the undercroft. It is one of those spaces where you feel very close to the work, perfect for brave new writing and more experimental pieces. What really makes Leeds Playhouse stand out, though, is how seriously it takes access and community. It was an early pioneer of relaxed performances and dementia-friendly shows and has built a national reputation for that work. It is also officially a Theatre of Sanctuary, working closely with refugees and people seeking asylum in the city. Add in projects with older people, young creatives, and all sorts of local groups, and you get a building that feels genuinely lived in and loved. Today you can rock up for a big touring musical in the Quarry, a sharp new play in the Courtyard, or something bold and intimate in the Bramall Rock Void. Or you can just drop in for a coffee, watch the world go by, and soak up the buzz. Leeds Playhouse still feels like a theatre that belongs to its city and its people in the best possible way. It has been knocked about a bit over the decades, but it always gets back up and keeps the lights on.* |
Theatre index
I’ve collated an index of all the northern venues I could find, it’s broken down by region so you can find the ones nearest you.
Do let me know if I’ve missed any.
Courses & training
I’ve had a few reader requests to add theatre related courses/training to the newsletter, so when/if I find any I’ll feature them here.
Sheffield Theatres have a number of workshops coming up, covering playwriting, costume design, and a whole host of other subjects. They’re primarily running mid-Nov, visit their What’s On page for more info. |  |
If you know of any more just let me know and I’ll include them
That’s it for this week
I’d love to know what you think about this newsletter, what we could do to make it better, and what else you’d like to see.
Thanks for reading and subscribing, and please spread the news.
Reply