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Northern Theatre News
November - Week 3
Anthony Cawood
November 18, 2025
November - Week 3
Welcome to Northern Theatre News!
Panto/festive season is well and truly upon us, and I’m seeing amazing rehearsal images from all over our northern venues.
A selection of the fun pics I’ve been sent…
Dames are Dameing (is that a word?), people still don’t think anything is behind them, and tights are being donned as I type. We’ll have reviews in future editions of Snow White at Bradford Alhambra, Beauty & the Beast at Victoria Theatre Halifax, and also Beauty & the Beast at Chester’s Storyhouse - watch this space.
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
Yorkshire students take centre stage in National Theatre’s Dear England Schools Project with Leeds Heritage Theatres running school workshops off the back of the recent visit of the show. This work formed Leeds' contribution to the National Theatre's nationwide engagement project, funded by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The initiative accompanied the UK tour of Dear England, which recently visited the Leeds Grand Theatre and sparked the city's creative learning activity. |   |
Show news, or technically an update… I announced that The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time was touring next year and hitting Liverpool and York. Well the tour has been extended into 2027 and it is also visiting Sunderland Empire 2 - 6 Feb 2027, Manchester Opera House 2 - 6 Mar 2027, and Storyhouse Chester 16 - 20 March.
Must be the season of show extensions, maybe early Christmas prezzies, as we’ve also just heard that Miss Saigon has added a couple of extra northern dates next year. Liverpool Empire 21 Apr - 2 May, and Manchester Palace Theatre 4 - 8 Aug.
Shakespeare North Playhouse have announced their Spring lineup, highlights include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Antony & Cleopatra and Nell Gwynn - full details here. Lisa Allen, CEO & Creative Director of Shakespeare North Playhouse, said: “Spring always feels like a time of renewal; a moment to open the doors a little wider and invite everyone back in. This season is full of growth, wit and imagination: stories that remind us who we are, where we come from, and how much joy there is to be found in coming together.” |  Nell Gwynn |
Lastly, Royal Court Liverpool has announced that The Scouse Christmas Carol has also extended its run by a week to 24 Jan, proving the lasting popularity of a good panto!
The Scouse Christmas Carol - now running until 24 Jan
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!
October’s winner is alisonshearerknott - check your inbox and get back to me please.
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 Dracula 19 - 22 Nov followed by Hansel & Gretel 17 - 28 Dec.
Newcastle’s Live Theatre has Big Ange 6 - 22 Nov, followed by a series of readings of debbie tucker green works, 22 - 27 Nov. Then 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 Top Hat 18 - 22 Nov, Fiddler on the Roof 25 - 29 Nov and Kinky Boots 2 - 6 Dec.
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 the hilarious Inside No. 9 Stage/Fright 18 - 22 Nov, Here & Now - The Steps Musical 25 - 29 Nov and 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 Top Hat 25 - 29 Nov, and then their panto offering, Robin Hood 6 Dec - 4 Jan.
Palace Theatre in Manchester has ENB’s The Sleeping Beauty 19 - 22 Nov, and then TINA - The Tina Turner Musical 25 Nov - 3 Jan.
Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester has Singin’ In The Rain 29 Nov - 18 Jan.
Home in Manchester has a lot coming up! Census 20 - 22 Nov, followed by Mark Thomas in Ordinary Decent Criminal 26 - 29 Nov, then their Dr Who inspired drag cabaret/panto It’s Behind WHO 2 - 6 Dec and finally the UK premiere of Freaky Friday 27 Nov - 10 Jan.
Still in Manchester, Hope Mill Theatre has a musical comedy treat! Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein 10 Oct - 30 Nov, and that’s followed by Jack Off The Beanstalk - not for the youngsters! 4 - 30 Dec.
Contact Theatre in Manchester has Perfect Show for Rachel 19 - 22 Nov, followed by their seasonal offering of Rumpelstiltskin 11 - 31 Dec.
Over in Cheadle at Players Theatre we have The Beauty Queen of Leenane, a black comedy from the writer of 'The Banshees of Inisherin' and 'Three Billboards Outside Ebbing Missouri' - Martin McDonagh. Running 24 - 29 Nov. |  |
Waterside Arts over in Sale has Raymond Briggs’ Father Christmas 4 - 27 Dec
Shakespeare North Playhouse has Alice In Wonderland 21 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 Talented Mr Ripley 17 - 22 Nov and Blood Brothers 18 - 22 Nov. If that wasn’t enough they then have The Red Shoes 25 - 29 Nov and The Lion The Witch and The Wardrobe 3 Dec - 11 Jan… AND finally Unfortunate - The Untold Story of Ursula the Sea Witch 5 Dec - 11 Jan… AND double 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.
The Lyceum Theatre Crewe 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, Ibsen’s classic A Doll’s House 26 - 29 Nov, and Little Gift 10 - 27 Dec. They’ve also just announced their Spring - Summer Season.
Yorkshire & Humberside
Leeds Grand Theatre has The Book of Mormon 18 - 29 Nov see our review, that’s followed by Miss Saigon 2 - 13 Dec.
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 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 amazing Matilda 30 Oct - 23 Nov, followed by Snow White 6 Dec - 18 Jan.
Meanwhile, Bradford Playhouse has…
 26 - 30 Nov |  12 - 30 Dec |
Cast in Doncaster has Hogfather 26 - 30 Nov, 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 coast, Bridlington Spa has Dick Whittington 12 Dec - 4 Jan.
York Theatre Royal has Charles Dickens’ Ghost Stories 24 - 30 Nov (at York Medical Society) followed their hugely popular panto Sleeping Beauty 2 dec - 4 Jan.
The Grand Opera House in York has Slava’s Snow Show 19 - 23 Nov and then 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 Jack The Ripper - The Legacy 19 - 22 Nov followed by 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 Here & Now 18 - 22 Nov and Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift 25 - 29 Nov and finally 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 - “Of course this is from the South Park guys, so nothing is as obvious as it seems, every song, joke and line has a little more to say than just the surface offence it revels in.“
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 ;-(
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
Repeat this week…
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 debut 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. |
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.
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