December 2023: 10 Unmissable Events in Newcastle

Three Acts of Love @ Live Theatre

This Live Theatre world premiere looks very special indeed: three talented female playwrights present us with three new, short plays on very different subjects united by a theme of love in all its messy complexity. Not only do these plays – written by Laura Lindow, Naomi Obeng and Vici Wreford-Sinnott – star acclaimed actors such as Imogen Stubbs, Rebecca Glendenning-Laycock and Laila Zaidi, but original music for the evening has been composed and will be performed by Jayne Dent, aka Me Lost Me, one of the most exciting artists on the Newcastle music scene.

30^th November – 16^th December, from £10

Madness @ Utilita Arena

Madness was born out of the Two Tone era of the late seventies but made a huge career for themselves in the eighties as a classic pop band full of musical hall choruses and a daft visual appeal. They've been together as a reformed band three times as long as they were first time around and are still packing out arenas nationwide - Utilita Arena this December included. They’re promoting their new album Theatre of the Absurd presents C'est La Vie but you can be sure you’ll get all those much-loved Madness hits as well!

2^nd December, from £34.50

Puddle @ Alphabetti Theatre

Very much a local production, Puddle was written by Ali Pritchard, Alphabetti's award-winning artistic director, and performed by Paula Penman and acclaimed local musician and composer, Calum Howard. Aimed at kids from 4 upwards, Puddle is all about water! It teaches youngsters about how important water is - for the planet and for us - and was created in collaboration with pupils from Hotspur and Hawthorn Primary Schools.

6^th December – 6^th January (check website for performances), from £3

John Robertson’s The Dark Room @ The Stand

The Dark Room is (deep breath) the world’s only live-action, text-based, choose-your-own-adventure game! Conceived by improv comedy don John Robertson, this show has been packing them in all over for ten years with a mix of comedy, audience participation, rock’n’roll, gaming and rubbish prizes (well, apart from the £1,000 grand prize!). Book now to see what all the fuss is about!

3^rd December, from £10

Andrew Cushin @ 02 City Hall Newcastle

Already compared to Sam Fender and earning strong support from his Newcastle hometown, Andrew Cushin is making waves nationally now as well. Although originally known for anthemic acoustic songs, the local lad is now backed by a five-piece band to give him the kind of big sound he’s going to need as the venues get bigger and the fans get louder.

16^th December, from £23

Portrait Drawing in Charcoal Course @ Newcastle Arts Centre

Part of Newcastle Arts Centre's much-loved programme of art classes, this two-part course is led by Steve Lyon Bowes and focuses on improving your drawing skills though portraiture, using charcoal as a medium to explore tone and line. Various charcoals will be used to suit your style. The course is suitable for all levels including beginners, and everyone who attends will be given a box of Nitram charcoal pencils worth £10. So if you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at portraits, or want to develop your skills, this course is perfect.

6^th and 13^th December, £60

Artisan Bread Making @ Blackfriars

It’s hardly a surprise that this bread making course is the most popular of the many courses run by Blackfriars, and it follows the ‘proper bread’ ethos, doing everything the traditional way: locally milled, stoneground flours are used to make artisan loaves, with all dough hand-kneaded. This is the follow-up to the beginner’s course so some prior knowledge but not essential for this informal and fun session. You’ll get to make such tempting loaves as Blackfriars sourdough, seeded rustic spelt and rye, among others, and as well as getting to take your creations home, there will be refreshments, a three-course lunch (with wine) and an apron!

2^nd December, £160

Fleetwood Mac’s Rumours with the TransAtlantic Ensemble @ Wylam Brewery

The Transatlantic Ensemble are a group of young musicians making a real name for themselves as interpreters of other people’s classic releases. One of their most popular incarnations is as the world-conquering Rumours-era Fleetwood Mac, and they’re bringing the show back to Wylam Brewery again this year. Expect to hear everything from The Chain and Don’t Stop to Go Your Own Way and You Make Loving Fun.

19^th December, £22.50

The Architect Has Left the Building @ Farrell Centre

The Farrell Centre is a new venture from Newcastle University focusing on architecture and this exciting exhibition considers what happens to a building once the architect’s work is complete. It’s centred around a film installation from filmmaker and photographer Jim Stephenson, who is regularly commissioned to document a project after completion, and it records people moving around and interacting with a series of unnamed projects when the work is over. There will be plans, drawings and ephemera as clues to the buildings’ identities, which aren’t revealed until the end. This interactive, malleable exhibition runs until February next year.

6^th October – 25^th February (Wednesdays to Sundays only), free admission

Flash: A Tribute to Queen @ NX

Widely regarded as the UK’s leading Queen tribute band, Flash are back in the Toon for another big show. Their last local performance headlining the Great British Tribute Festival in Leazes Park was truly electrifying with the whole crowd singing along to Queen's biggest and best-loved hits and we're pretty sure their NX gig will be just as amazing.

22^nd December, from £12.50

We think you'd agree, that's an exciting and very varied selection of things to look out for in December - arts, music, theatre, breadmaking and comedy, all in the heart of Newcastle. And not a laurel wreath or sprig of mistletoe to be seen!