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Northern Theatre News
December - Week 1
Anthony Cawood
November 26, 2025
November - Week 4
Welcome to Northern Theatre News!
Panto/festive season is really ramping up, and I’ve had even more amazing rehearsal images sent in from all over our northern venues.
A selection of this weeks fun pics…
We’ll have reviews in future editions of A Christmas Carol at Leeds Playhouse, Snow White at Bradford Alhambra, Beauty & the Beast at Victoria Theatre Halifax, and also Beauty & the Beast at Chester’s Storyhouse - watch this space.
In this edition we have a review of Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift, plus a theatre spotlight of the Lyceum Sheffield. 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
Leeds Playhouse has announced details of their Spring/Summer Season, which includes three home-grown shows: Small Island, Planet Omar, and Brassed Off, alongside acclaimed visiting work such as James Graham's West End hit Punch, Ballet Black's 25th anniversary celebration, and Dash Arts' Our Public House. . Full press release.
Stephen Joseph Theatre has an innovative new creative careers programme for young people aged between 15 and 17 which is being backed by actor James Norton.
Aimed at teenagers in the Scarborough area, Propel is a free programme which will run on fixed days between Jan and July 2026, and offers young creatives the opportunity to gain hands-on industry experience across all theatre departments.
Cast, Doncaster’s flagship theatre, has launched its brand-new website - designed and delivered by cultural digital specialists Supercool – with accessibility, inclusion, and sustainability at the forefront.
The new site offers audiences a smoother, more welcoming digital experience, with clear navigation, accessible design features, and engaging content that reflects Cast’s mission to open the arts to everyone.
Deborah Rees, Director at Cast, said,
“Our new website is designed to welcome everyone – but it also represents our values. Accessibility, inclusion, and sustainability are central to Cast’s mission, and this partnership with Supercool ensures our digital presence reflects that. We’re proud that every click on our site is part of a bigger story: one that connects audiences to the arts while helping protect the environment.”
Take a look at - www.castindoncaster.com/
Acclaimed writer of The RSC's Cyrano de Bergerac and The Royal Court's Poet in da Corner and Theatre Centre Resident Writer, Debris Stevenson presents a new play, My Brother's a Genius at Sheffield Theatres from Wed 28 Jan – Sat 14 Feb 2026.
My Brother's a Genius is a new production exploring neurodivergence, sibling rivalry, and the weight of expectations, the play explores whether the twins' bond and shared dreams will launch them up together or crash them apart.
Lastly… news just in of a brand new stage adaptation, of Silence of the Lambs! Touring next year through into 2027 across a variety of northern venues, including York, Liverpool, Hull, Newcastle, Salford, Bradford, Blackpool, Chester, and Sunderland.
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 Hansel & Gretel 17 - 28 Dec.
Newcastle’s Live Theatre has 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 Fiddler on the Roof 25 - 29 Nov and 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 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 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! 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 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 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 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.
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, 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, and 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, watch out for a review next week, 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, 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 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 Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift 25 - 29 Nov - check out our review, and then 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 - ‘if you want something that combines traditional whodunit beats with a knowing level of camp that is infectiously fun, Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift is a must see’
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
This week we are at the Lyceum in Sheffield.
Sheffield LyceumAll images are credit Sheffield Theatres or Northern Theatre News.  Stunning external  Stunning interior  Incredible auditorium  Face on  Part of Sheffield Theatres group of venues  Incredible design  Night shot | Sheffield’s Lyceum is one of those theatres that feels like it’s always been part of the city’s story. Tucked next to the Crucible in Tudor Square, it’s got that grand, late Victorian elegance that makes you straighten your back the moment you near it. The theatre is resplendent with plush red seats, golden swirls overhead, and a dome that looks like it belongs in a Wes Anderson film. But don’t be fooled by the glamour. This place has northern grit, or perhaps steel would be a better term here. Built in 1897, the Lyceum was designed by W.G.R. Sprague, yes, that Sprague, who stamped his name on West End venues like the Aldwych and the Gielgud. The Sheffield Lyceum is his only surviving theatre outside London, which makes it something of a northern rarity. It rose from the ashes, quite literally. A fire had destroyed the earlier City Theatre on the site, and the Lyceum was built atop its charred remains, rebuilt with flair and no shortage of ambition. Opening night was pure Sheffield swagger. The Carl Rosa Opera Company performed Carmen, there were cheers for the architect, and Sir Henry Irving (Victorian theatre royalty) sent a telegram of congratulations. Not bad for a city more famous at the time for metal than sopranos. In the early 20th century, everyone who was anyone took to the Lyceum stage. Touring opera companies, variety stars, and music hall giants. But the Lyceum’s most enduring legacy? Pantomime. From the 1930s through to the 1960s, the Lyceum was the place for a festive panto, often stretching into March. Picture glittering costumes, a chorus line of dancing dames, and snappy dialogue. It wasn’t Christmas in Sheffield until the Lyceum curtain rose. Like many old theatres, the Lyceum had a rough patch. By the late ’60s, audiences had dwindled, bingo had moved in, and there were whispers of demolition. Thankfully, the people of Sheffield weren’t having it. Locals rallied, the building was listed, and eventually it was rescued from the brink. A full restoration came in the late 1980s, and it was worth the wait. Every gilded detail was brought back to life, the stage was rebuilt, and the theatre reopened in 1990 to much fanfare and, crucially, the return of the beloved panto. Today, the Lyceum is the jewel in Sheffield Theatres’ crown. It hosts national tours, opera, drama, and of course the city’s big annual pantomime. You’d be hard pressed to find a theatre with more heart, history, or stamina. So next time you're in Sheffield, swing by. You might be coming for the show, but it's the theatre itself that'll leave you clapping. |
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.
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