Live Theatre Serves Up A Scorching Summer Season
There is a sizzling line up for Summer 2025 at Live Theatre, Newcastle with a host of sensational shows from exciting national companies on tour. The season features a bumper offering of exciting new productions with comedy, drama, music and political satire.
The programme kicks off on Thursday 5 June with Buff by Ben Fensome and starring Jamal Franklin. Emmerson and Ward’s funny yet poignant body positive solo show tackles body image pressure, social media envy and one gay man’s journey to acceptance.
Rum written and performed by Joe Mallalieu on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 June is a darkly humorous and powerful new play from Max Emmerson Productions that wrestles with masculinity, mental health and addiction in the building trade.
A moving tale of love, loss and football, The Bench by former BBC TV presenter Jeff Brown plays from Wednesday 11 to Saturday 14 June. A CaroleW Productions and Gala Durham co-production, this is a poignant, humorous and sensitive love story set against the darker side of professional football.
New Writing North and Live Theatre present Book of Crow by acclaimed North East writer Anna Barker on Tuesday 17 June. A dramatic poetry reading read by Emmerdale’s Natalie Ann Jamieson with live music by The Shining Levels and dance from Alicia Meehan the work is presented as a dialogue between a woman and a belligerent crow, swinging between heartache and humour.
Live Theatre is delighted to welcome special guest, comedian and actress Josie Lawrence to the venue on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 June for What Next? a one woman play created especially for the Newcastle Quayside theatre. There is no script, no map and no preparation, just Josie, a live musician and the audience who will help her decide what next…
Bet’ n Lev Theatre bring Remythed on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25 June, a show full of insight, dreams and wisdom that reimagines myths and legends and is a joyful reimagination of what queer history could look like.
Trans Performance Now is a celebration of trans-led UK theatre and performance hosted in collaboration with Northumbria University and Curious Arts from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 June.
On Wednesday 2 July Rosy Cheek Productions present Lasses: Kicking Ass and Touching Grass, an evening of North East female and non-binary talent. A mixed bill of cabaret performances and a local choir the line-up includes Rosie Bowden, Helen Chong, Lucy Harries, Hope Brown King and Zoe Allan alongside the coolest and grooviest choir – The Girls, Theys and Slays.
Jump aboard the queerest TARDIS in time and space for a fun night of cosmic drag and cabaret, inspired by Doctor Who on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 July. The Gallifrey Cabaret is a supermassive night of extraterrestrial entertainment full of surprises.
Returning for a Summer edition on Tuesday 8 July is Live Writes. This scratch night with a twist champions the amazing artists of the region and lets them test their work in front of an audience hungry for exciting new theatre.
Returning to Live Theatre from Wednesday 9 to Saturday 12 July are Awkward Productions and their award-winning show Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story. Combining drag, multimedia, puppetry, audience interaction and a lot of queer joy, it is as hilarious as it is tasteless.
When We Were Young from Geez A Break Productions on Tuesday 15 and Wednesday 16 July goes beyond the tabloid stereotypes of NEDS/CHAV to tell a powerful and hilarious story about the realities of gang culture in 90’s Glasgow. The 90’s is also the setting for a family caught up in the recession in Worklight Theatre’s It’s The Economy, Stupid! on Thursday 17 July. Based on a true story this sharp new play reveals the humanity behind economics.
Newcastle-based artist Jayne Dent aka Me Lost Me performs a special gig to celebrate the launch of new album This Material Moment on Friday 18 July. The performance will include live visuals and full band and support comes from Burd Allen.
The season closes with Ordinary Decent Criminal presented by Paines Plough, Live Theatre and Ellie Keel Productions in association with Synergy Theatre Project. Running from Wednesday 23 to Saturday 26 July renowned political comedian Mark Thomas stars as recovering addict Frankie in this brand new play from Ed Edwards.
Find out more and book for the hottest shows in town at www.live.org.uk or call box office on (0191) 232 1232.
