Main image: Mock image of digital installation for The Lindisfarne Gospels exhibition, courtesy of NOVAK
The nights might be drawing in now summer has wound down, but that doesn’t mean your opportunities to be entertained are any less bright! As always, Newcastle is packed with music, theatre, comedy, art and much more to keep you active this month, from partying at an iconic market hall to Anglo-Saxon manuscripts and Elvis fronting Nirvana...it’s all here!
The Great Market Caper @ The Grainger Market
The Great Market Caper will take over Newcastle’s iconic Grainger Market on the first Saturday of every month, and the inaugural event promises to be a party like no other! The market’s Georgian alleyways will come alive after dark with delicious food offerings from the likes of Grainger staples Acropolis, Snackwallah and FED’s, plus a special foodie treat from legendary restaurateur Terry Laybourne’s Saltwater Fish Company and Broad Chare. Attendees will be kept entertained by live music from Zac Younger Banks, Hannah Robinson, Nadeem and DJ Steven Dunn, plus there’s stand-up comedy courtesy of Rachel Jackson, Gavin Webster and David Hadingham, or you can shimmy away with salsa lessons from SalSeduce maestro Chris Pentland.
Organisers are keen to make each Caper a unique experience, so whether you’re into rollerblading, circus performers, or fancy bowling down the aisles of the historic market, there’ll be something for you!
Saturday 3rd September, tickets £10
Dido & Aeneas @ Newcastle Castle
Experience an intense performance of classic opera Dido & Aeneas at Newcastle’s Castle Keep, courtesy of Harlekin Studio Opera. The eponymous Dido teeters on the edges of sanity after her husband dies and she’s taken for a fool by the misleading intentions of Prince Aeneas. As her enemies surround her, only beloved and loyal handmaid, Belinda, can save her.
Saturday 3rd September, tickets £15
RuPaul Drag Race @ O2 City Hall
Mama Ru invites you to a fabulous celebration of the TV phenomenon, as the icons from series three of RuPaul’s Drag Race tour the UK. Expect a night of sequins, feather boas, sky-scraping heels and astonishing make-overs to sashay their way to the O2 City Hall. All 12 contestants, including series finalists Kitty Scott-Claus, Krystal Versace, Vanity Milan and Ella Vaday, will strut their stuff in an extravagant and glittering show!
Wednesday 7th September, tickets £40.65
Image: The Lit & Phil
Heritage Open Days @ Various Venues
Joining this year’s celebration of culture and history are a whole heap of some of Newcastle’s most iconic spaces. The great thing about Heritage Open Days is that you get an opportunity to explore usually off-limits spaces, and get a peek behind the scenes of iconic monuments. Some of the highlights of this year’s programme include a tour of Alderman Fenwick’s House; a look around the only elliptical church in England, All Saints Church; a discussion around amazing inventions at Tyne Theatre & Opera House; a tour ‘behind the books’ at The Lit & Phil; a wonderful guided tour of the historic Grainger Market; Newcastle Cathedral invite you to climb their tower for a bird’s eye view of the city; discover the city’s historic seat of power at the Guildhall; check out the ‘grand country house in the city’, The Assembly House; find out about the ancient and political history of Newcastle Arts Centre; take a tour of Blackfriars’ 13th Century former Dominican Friary; or go on a heritage tour of Newcastle by vintage bus!
Friday 9th-Sunday 18th September, free
Derren Brown @ Theatre Royal
Prepare to be amazed by the king of misdirection, the maestro of mind control, and the expert of psychological illusion! Derren Brown brings his astonishing and exciting Showman tour to Newcastle for a five-night run, promising an exhilarating evening of magic, mystery, and not a little dare-devilry!
Tuesday 13th-Saturday 17th September, tickets from £20
Elvana Unplugged @ Tyne Theatre & Opera House
Nirvana’s Unplugged concert for MTV back in 1993 is perhaps one of the most iconic pieces of music television created. What Kurt Cobain would have made of Elvana – yep, that’s Elvis fronting Nirvana – is anyone’s guess, but the band’s undeniable appeal and worldwide fan following (not to mention their superb musicianship and a spectacular stage presence worthy of The King himself) proves they’re a unique and endearing prospect. They’ll be recreating Nirvana’s iconic Unplugged set at Tyne Theatre & Opera House, all shook up with a splash of Elvis Presley (and tongues firmly in cheeks).
Friday 16th September, tickets £21
Professor Brian Cox @ Utilita Arena
Everyone’s favourite pop star-turned-boffin Professor Brian Cox tours his incredibly successful arena show, Horizons – A 21st Century Space Odyssey. Using state-of-the-art LED screen technology, the Prof will reveal far-away galaxies, alien worlds, supermassive black holes, and the time before the Big Bang in a celebration of civilisation, music, art, philosophy, and science. Joined by his partner in crime and co-host of The Infinite Monkey Cage Robin Ince, the duo’s irresistible chemistry and unending knowledge will ensure you go home wiser than you arrived!
Saturday 17th September, tickets from £43.35
Image: Matthew Evangelist portrait, Lindisfarne Gospels, c. 700 (Cotton MS Nero D IV) (c) British Library Board
The Lindisfarne Gospels @ Laing Art Gallery
The most spectacular manuscript to have survived Anglo-Saxon England, The Lindisfarne Gospels are a magical piece of the North East’s ecclesiastical and cultural history. Created by monks on Holy Island in the eighth Century, the spectacular illustrated pages are a true wonder to behold. The Gospels are on loan from the British Library and on display at Laing Art Gallery until December, where visitors can also enjoy a specially commissioned digital installation from Newcastle-based innovators NOVAK, as well as a collection of medieval treasures and an interesting roster of talks.
Saturday 17th September-Saturday 3rd December, tickets from £7
Cathedral of Comedy: Phil Wang @ Newcastle Cathedral
Although it feels a bit wrong to be laughing so heartily in such sacred surroundings, the historic environs of St Nicholas Cathedral provide a warm and friendly space for these unique stand-up comedy events. This month’s headliner is Phil Wang, one of the UK’s most exciting comics, fresh from the success of his recent Netflix special. He’s joined by local comedians Anja Atkinson, Lauren Pattison, Stephen Bailey, and MC Hal Branson. Plus, there’s street food courtesy of FAB Bakery and Big Fat Donut Co, and a bar featuring drinks from Defy Wine, Buzzballz and more.
Saturday 24th September, tickets £22.25
Justin Live @ Tyne Theatre & Opera House
Everyone’s favourite CBeebies star Justin Fletcher hosts an all-singing, all-dancing extravaganza where fans can enjoy plenty of slapstick and lots of general hilarity. Justin’s astonishing success has seen him net BAFTA awards left, right, and centre, not to mention being bestowed with an MBE for his dedication to children’s broadcasting.
Saturday 24th September, shows at 11am & 2.30pm, tickets from £19
And that’s all just the tip of the iceberg! As the autumn creeps on, head to Newcastle’s wonderful venues to keep cosy and entertained this September!
