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Northern Theatre News
October - Week 4
Anthony Cawood
October 22, 2025
October - Week 4
Welcome to Northern Theatre News!
This week we have exciting news on some amazing touring shows, more casting news hot off the press, and as one theatre announces new trustees, another is looking for some.
This is also a double review edition! I went to see Breaking the Code over at the Playhouse in Liverpool, and my roving reporter saw The Lightning Thief - The Percy Jackson Musical at Bradford Alhambra… reviews in this very issue!
Plus we have the usual mix of news, listings, offers, competitions and so much more in another jam packed edition.
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
Amazing venue
York Theatre Royal launches trustee recruitment campaign to help shape future of the theatre. Would you like to join as a trustee to help shape the theatre's future? York Theatre Royal are looking for individuals with a genuine enthusiasm for live performance and a curiosity and open-mindedness about what it takes to run a successful theatre. More details…
Speaking of trustees…
 | The Women’s Prize for Playwriting have announced their longlist for the 2025. 41 writers have been selected from almost 1300 submissions to receive one-on-one support, workshops and more. Congrats to all! The winner will be announced in Feb 26. |
In casting news…
Kym Marsh has been announced as the lead in the stage adaptation of Single White Female, from the classic film (and the book that spawned it). It will be taking up temporary residence (see what I did there!) next year with visits to Grand Opera House York (3 - 7 Feb), Opera House Manchester (10 - 14 Feb), Blackpool Grand (17 - 21 Feb), Lyceum Sheffield (24 - 28 Feb), Liverpool Playhouse (29 Apr - 2 May), Bradford Alhambra (12 - 16 May)
Also in, more cast news, Kevin Clifton, Nick Hayes and Peter Duncan are amongst the full cast announced - who join the previously announced Adèle Anderson (Fascinating Aïda) for Priscilla Queen of the Desert UK and Ireland tour which opens at the Palace Theatre, Manchester 19 - 28 Feb, Liverpool Empire 9 - 14 Mar, Newcastle Theatre Royal 6 - 11 Apr, Sheffield Lyceum 29 Jun - 4 July, Bradford Alhambra 6 - 11 July.
In new show news…
Great news just in, the amazing The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is back for a limited run, only playing Liverpool Empire and York Grand Opera House of our northern venues in 2026.
The incredible show is coming back!
Touring in 2026!
Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, with Michael Harrison for Lloyd Webber Harrison Musicals, today announce that in Summer 2026 a brand-new production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s global sensation, CATS, will leap into the magical outdoor setting of Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, directed and choreographed by Drew McOnie. The show will then embark on a major UK tour, including dates at the Manchester Palace Theatre from 10 – 21 November 2026. Further details other venues, and on sale date to be announced.
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!
Last month’s winner is verb.man - check your inbox and get back to me please.
What’s on over the coming weeks
Our first offering is a tour that is going all over the north! Between now and early Nov, this show is hitting nine northern venues!
North East
Newcastle’s Live Theatre has Mother Courage and her Children 23 Oct - 1 Nov, followed by Big Ange 6 - 22 Nov.
Newcastle’s Theatre Royal has the brand new adaptation of Miss Saigon 4 - 25 Oct, followed by the new STEPS musical Here & Now 28 Oct - 2 Nov.
Sunderland Empire has the always incredible Mary Poppins 1 - 25 Oct. The pic is from Mary’s recent visit to Beamish Museum! That’s followed by Sunny Afternoon, The Kinks musical, 4 - 8 Nov.
Over at the Middlesbrough Theatre we have 42nd Street, 28th Oct - 1st Nov.
North West
Liverpool’s Playhouse has Breaking the Code 21 - 25 Oct check out our review, followed by the new adaptation of the classic Little Women 4 - 8 Nov.
Liverpool Empire has the English National Ballet’s The Sleeping Beauty 23 - 25 Oct, followed by Top Hat 28 Oct - 1 Nov.
Opera House Manchester has Slava’s Snow Show 22 - 26 Oct, followed by Acorn Antiques The Musical (produced by Hope Mill Theatre!) 2 - 16 Nov.
Palace Theatre in Manchester has the classic Fiddler on the Roof 21 Oct - 1 Nov. Followed by the equally classic, though a new adpatation, of Miss Saigon 4 - 15 Nov.
Royal Exchange Theatre in Manchester has Dancing at Lughnasa 10 Oct - 8 Nov
Home in Manchester has Going Out Out 16 Oct - 1 Nov
Still in Manchester, Hope Mill Theatre has a musical comedy treat! Mel Brooks’ Young Frankenstein 10 Oct - 30 Nov, and check out ou previous Theatre Spotlight for an overview of this amazing venue which is celebrating its 10th Anniversary this year!
Over in Whitehaven the Rosehill Theatre has a new musical looking at a local tralblazer, Sal Madge ‘The Musical’ runs 28 Oct - 1 Nov.
Over in Blackpool and the Grand Theatre has Blithe Spirit 28 Oct - 1 Nov.
Still in Blackpool, over at the Winter Gardens and we have a Cirque version of Wizard of Oz, 25 Oct - 1 Nov.
The Lowry, in Salford, has Black is the Colour of my Voice 23 - 25 Oct and for the kids at half-term we have The Smeds and the Smoos 27 Oct - 1 Nov. The Lowry also has a new work from Leeds-born playright Philip Stokes, Shell Shocked, 30 Oct - 1 Nov.
Storyhouse in Chester has the Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift 11 - 15 Nov.
Octagon Bolton has Ayckbourn’s classic Snake in the Grass 9 - 25 Oct, followed by Godber’s sharp comedy Black Tie Ball, so if you missed it in Keswick you can catch it here - 29 Oct - 1 Nov.
Theatre by the Lake in Keswick has Black Tie Ball 21 - 24 Oct, before it takes the short hop to Bolton!
Yorkshire & Humberside
Leeds Grand Theatre has a range of Opera North shows on over the next few weeks, and that’s followed by Dear England, touring from the NT, 4 - 8 Nov.
Leeds City Varieties has New Dawn Fades for the Joy Division fans, 30 - 31 Oct.
Bradford’s Alhambra has the musical adaptation of Percy Jackson - The Lightning Thief 21 - 25 Oct - check out our review of this amazing show. That's followed by the equally amazing Matilda 30 Oct - 23 Nov.
Still in Bradford and as part of Bradford 2025 (BD25) we have a brand new drama, Elmet, running 22 Oct - 2 Nov.
Over at Bingley Little Theatre we have Agnes of God 20 - 25 Oct.
Over in Wetherby at The Engine Shed we have an adaptation of Guys and Dolls that the brave/mad souls have decided to stage in-the-round! Check out this YouTube explainer of just how they are doing this in the round! Running for five performances 28 - 31 Oct. |  |
Over at The Lamproom in Barnsley we have The Codfather, a rather fishy new comedy, 23 - 25 Oct.
York Theatre Royal has Murder at Midnight 21 - 25 Oct AND The Signal-Man 16 - 28 Oct PLUS Jekyll & Hyde 29 - 31 Oct (both at York Medical Society).
The Grand Opera House in York has Bugsy Malone 31 Oct - 8 Nov.
Also in York we have Party Piece written by award winning British playwright Richard Harris. This fast paced and comical play runs at the Theatre 41 28 Oct - 1 Nov. |  |
East Riding Theatre has Wolf Country, 28 Oct - 1 Nov, followed by Jack The Ripper - The Legacy 19 - 22 Nov.
Hull New Theatre has The Shawshank Redemption 21 - 25 Oct, followed by Inside No 9 Stage/Fright 28 Oct - 1 Nov.
Sheffield’s Playhouse has Gwenda’s Garage set in Thatcher’s 80s Sheffield, running 15 - 25 Oct.
Continuing in Sheffield at the Lyceum we have Dear England 21 - 25 Oct, followed by Inspector Morse - House of Ghosts 28 Oct - 1 Nov and Northern Ballet’s Merlin 4 - 8 Nov.
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 production puts the man before the myth and trusts us to see the contradictions as his humanity.”
Excerpt - “If you’re a fan of Percy Jackson, watching this show will feel like being reunited with old friends.”
Ticket offers not to miss!
I’ll try and bring you any ticket deals and offers I can find… speaking of which!
Other News
We are rapidly approaching Halloween so I thought I’d take a look at some of the special events our northern venues are running over spooky season! If you know of any others let us know and we’ll include in a future edition!
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
As we were there to see Breaking the Code, what better time to select Liverpool Playhouse for our Theatre Spotlight!
Liverpool PlayhouseAll images are credit Northern Theatre News or Liverpool Playhouse unless stated otherwise.  External, daytime  External, at night  Auditorium  The modern bit  Balconies  Can’t resist another evening pic | Standing proudly in the always lively Williamson Square, the Liverpool Playhouse is a true northern icon. First opened in 1866 as the Star Music Hall, it sits on the site of an earlier Star Concert Hall and carries a legacy as big as the city itself. Over the decades it has worn many hats, first as a Victorian music hall, then from 1911 as one of Britain’s pioneering repertory theatres. In 1911 Basil Dean’s company bought the Star Theatre and became the first repertory in Britain to own the freehold of its theatre. They invested in a redesign that turned a creaky variety hall into a fully fledged playhouse. Step back and admire the building. The front is as elegant as a ballroom in a Jane Austen drama. Look to the north and you see the 1968 extension, a joyful burst of glass and concrete cylinders that feels straight out of sixties sci fi. The result is distinctively Liverpool, a nineteenth century temple on one side and a space age foyer on the other, all working together under the Merseyside sky. The whole building became Grade II* listed in March 1975. Inside, the house is intimate and traditional, about 650 seats across three levels with stalls and two balconies. Wherever you sit, the proscenium arch and warm wooden boxes give the theatre a friendly, historic feel. Across its long life it has welcomed serious drama, sparkling comedy and big hearted musicals. Through the twentieth century the Playhouse nurtured generations of talent. From the 1920s to the 1940s, William Armstrong built the stock company into a star factory, with early work here for Michael Redgrave, Rex Harrison, Richard Burton and Patricia Routledge. If the West End needed fresh blood, it often arrived via Williamson Square. And of course, like all older theatres, the Playhouse has a ghost or two. The best known is Elizabeth the cleaner. Local lore says that in 1897 a water-powered fire curtain came down while she was working on stage and she fell into the pit. People still talk about a chill around the gallery and a particular seat A5 that never quite warms up. Fittingly, Ghost Stories premiered at the Liverpool Playhouse in February 2010 before heading to London. Today the Playhouse is run by the Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust in partnership with the Everyman just down the road. It still plays a key cultural role for the city, staging high quality drama, musicals and family shows that keep Liverpool audiences thrilled. This is a theatre that has seen Liverpool through Victorian razzle dazzle, a sixties makeover and the digital age. As long as its lights keep glowing, the Playhouse will keep charming anyone who takes a seat. After all that history and laughter, do not be surprised if you leave eager to come back for an encore. |
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.
Liverpool's Royal Court is looking for new voices to join its Stage Write programme, which works to develop writing skills and guide writers to developing a full-length script for the stage,
Meeting two evenings a month for nine months, the programme is completely free and is open to writers living or studying in Liverpool City Region. The deadline for applications is 5pm Monday 3 November.
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 do spread the word.
Thanks for reading and subscribing, and please spread the news.
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