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Northern Theatre News
December - Week 4
Anthony Cawood
December 20, 2025
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December - Week 4
Welcome to Northern Theatre News!
This will be the last edition of the newsletter before Christmas, so from me to you…
We managed to see another panto this week - Beauty and the Beast at The Victoria Theatre in Halifax - read our review, and check out this weeks Theatre Spotlight for more on this iconic venue.
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
Leeds Heritage Theatres have announced the appointment of Dame Dr Linda Pollard DBE DL Hon LLD as its next Chair of the Board of Trustees, following a comprehensive recruitment and interview process.
Photo credit: Ant Robling
Dame Linda will formally take up the position in May 2026, succeeding Alan Gay OBE, who concludes his final term as Chair at that time.
Casting announced…
Casting announced for premiere of imitating the dog's bold, contemporary retelling of The War of the Worlds at Cast (Doncaster) 5 - 7 Feb.
War of the Worlds' cast will feature Bonnie Baddoo (All of Us, Royal National Theatre and Alex Rider, Eleventh Hour Films), Morgan Bailey (Night of the Living Dead™ – Remix, imitating the dog and SAS: Rogue Heroes, BBC), Gareth Cassidy (Marvellous, @sohoplace and The Card, Claybody Theatre and New Vic Theatre) and Amy Dunn (Edward II, Royal Shakespeare Company and Hushabye Mountain, Hope Mill Theatre).
 | Hull Truck have announced the cast of their upcoming Macbeth. Left to right, top to bottom – Oliver Alvin-Wilson, Cayvan Coates, Livie Dalee, Colin Hurley, Josie Morley, Jo Mousley, Daniel Poyser, Deborah Pugh, Simon Trinder & Benjamin Wilson Coming to Hull Truck 5 - 28 Feb before moving on to Bolton Octagon 4 - 28 March. |
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 was mcnultylou - congrats!
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.
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.
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 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.
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. They also have Stocking Fillers 28 Nov - 3 Jan, a set of seven 10 minute festive plays.
At The Epstein Theatre we have Cinderella 5 Dec - 4 Jan. And they’ve also just released their new season digital brochure, check it out.
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!
Home in Manchester has 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 SIX 22 Dec - 4 Jan.
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 has 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. Check out our review!
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 Northern Ballet’s amazing production of The Nutcracker 18 Dec - 4 Jan.
Still in Leeds and City Varieties has Aladdin: The Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto 28 Nov - 11 Jan. Check out our review!
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. Check out our review!
Meanwhile, still in Bradford and the 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. Check out our review and get yourself over there to see the show!
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 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.
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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: ‘Audience interaction was used to excellent effect, ensuring energy levels never dipped.’
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.
Theatre spotlight
The Victoria Theatre HalifaxAll images are credit The Victoria Theatre unless stated otherwise.  From above  Entrance  Original artist impression  Classic auditorium  When there were trams in Halifax, so pre 1939  Original name still visible  New box office  Another view of the auditorium  Green room bar  Beautiful stained glass window  Down a quaint side street next to one of my favourite sandwich shops!  Youtube video tour | Back in the late 1890s, Halifax wanted a dedicated concert hall worthy of the place it was becoming. In 1897 a company was formed to build it, and a prominent corner plot was secured at the junction of Commercial Street and Fountain Street. The plan was to open in January 1901, with a grand opening date set for 25 January. Then Queen Victoria died on 22 January, and the opening was postponed. When the doors finally opened on 8 February 1901, the message was clear. This was not meant to be a small local hall. The first concert was by the Hallé Orchestra, conducted by Hans Richter. Halifax was aiming high from day one. The original name was Victoria Hall, and it really was built first as a concert hall. It was created for big sound, big occasions, and a packed room leaning in together. The plot The Victoria is built on is a tricky wedge, part of it more parallelogram than rectangle, the kind of footprint that makes an architect earn their fee. Halifax architect William Clement Williams took that problem and turned it into personality. He wrapped the design around the curve and gave the building its distinctive frontage. Walk inside and the Victoria does its best trick, the kind of reveal only old theatres really know how to do. The entrance spaces still hold onto key original features, including a broad staircase and a stained glass dome that makes you pause and look up. Under that dome sits a bust of Queen Victoria, which feels both respectful very slightly theatrical. Quite fitting, really. Like most venues that have survived for more than a century, the Victoria has never stayed one thing for long. It was a concert hall, yes, but it adapted quickly to new tastes. Motion pictures were being shown there as early as 1904. Sound films arrived in 1931. For a time it was both a live venue and a cinema, responding to whatever audiences wanted from a night out. By 1953 it stopped operating as a cinema. Then came one of the biggest shifts in its story. In 1960 the Halifax Corporation purchased the building and set about modernising it. A key change was replacing the original sloping platform with the stage arrangement we would recognise today. It was a practical transformation that helped the building function as a full theatre in the modern sense, ready for touring shows, drama, dance, and everything else that would follow. Through the later twentieth century the name changed as the venue’s role evolved. In 1972 it became the Halifax Civic Theatre, a name that still lives on locally. Plenty of people in Halifax will tell you they are going to the Civic. In 1993, the Victoria name returned, and since then it has continued to balance heritage with a busy modern programme. One of the reasons the Victoria works so well is that it is historic without feeling precious. It is Grade II listed, but it has also made room for the practical realities of audiences today. These are the upgrades that do not always look glamorous on a poster, but make a huge difference on the night. New lifts have improved access through the building, including easier routes up to circle level. There are new accessible toilets. Front of house areas have been reworked, including a new café bar space. The box office has been relocated to Commercial Street. All of it points to the same idea. The Victoria is being treated as a living venue, not a period piece. It is a building with history, but it is also a building that still wants you to have a great night out. And that is why it matters, not just as architecture, but as a cultural anchor. The Victoria has held school trips, first dates, pantos, big comedy nights, touring favourites, local talent stepping into the lights, and audiences who know the rhythms of the place like an old friend. It has been part of Halifax’s shared story since 1901, and it has kept going by staying open to change while holding onto the feeling that brought people through the doors in the first place. If you have not been for a while, go back. Arrive a bit early, give yourself permission to look up, and let the building do what it does best. It makes an ordinary evening feel like an occasion. |
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.
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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