Spring 2026: 20 Must-See Theatre Shows in Newcastle

Theatre Royal

Opera North are back at Newcastle Theatre Royal this spring with Benjamin Britten’s haunting opera Peter Grimes. Hailed as Britain’s greatest opera, this tragic tale of a fisherman wrongly accused of a terrible crime by the townsfolk of a small coastal community is a must-see for opera lovers. (20^th March 2026)

West End smash hit 2:22 A Ghost Story makes a welcome return to Theatre Royal this April with a talented cast that includes Eastenders alumni James Bye and 2 Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps star Natalie Casey. Expect chills, thrills and a lot of laughs from this unique take on the haunted house story. (13^th – 18^th April 2026)

Omigod you guys – Legally Blonde: The Musical is coming to Theatre Royal this May! Join the unstoppable Elle Woods as she proves she’s more than just a valley girl and conquers Harvard Law School, all in the name of love. (12^th – 17^th May 2026)

The most famous and fabulous drag comedy ballet company Les Ballets Trockadero is heading out on tour in celebration of its 50^th anniversary, with a stop-off at Theatre Royal in May. Alongside affectionately parodying ballet favourites like Swan Lake and Paquita, the Trocks troupe will also unveil new material choreographed by Seán Curran with excerpts of his contemporary work Metal Garden. (26th – 27th May 2026)

Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Tyne Theatre is kicking off its spring season with some comedy for a good cause with Tyne to Stand Up 4: Keep Standing Up. Hosted by Newcastle-born actress and comedian Sammy Dobson, the annual comedy gala features a line-up of top female talent including Elaine Robertson and Anja Atkinson, with proceeds going to support the amazing work of Rape Crisis Tyneside and Northumberland. (8^th March 2026)

Thinks panto is just for Christmas? Oh, no it isn’t – not at Tyne Theatre at least! Their annual Easter panto is back this April with a fin-tastic production of The Little Mermaid – a magical adventure with amazing dance routines, pop songs, audience participation and fun for all the family. (4^th – 5^th April 2026)

The official season seven tour of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK is hitting the road and lucky for us, all twelve queens from the season will be descending on Tyne Theatre in April! Expect the unexpected with this night of pure extravaganza hosted by season one runner-up Divinia De Campo. (24^th April 2026)

You’ve seen her on the likes of The Big Fat Quiz of the Year and Last One Laughing, now catch comedian Judi Love live when she brings her brand-new show All About the Love to Tyne Theatre this May. Packed with hilarious home truths about juggling parenthood, work and everyday life, Judi will have you jiggling with laughter in no time. (2^nd May 2025)

Alphabetti Theatre

Award-winning playwright Dougie Blaxland’s powerful and hauntingly beautiful musical Our Little Hour is enjoying a revival tour in 2026, with a three-night run at Alphabetti Theatre in early March. Telling the tale of Walter Tull, an African-Caribbean man who became both the first black footballer to play at the highest level of the domestic game in Britain and the first man of his heritage to become an Officer in the British Army, it’s not to be missed. (5th – 7^th March 2026)

Fun and fierce, Charlie Blanshard’s interactive and immersive play Jorvik makes its North East debut at Alphabetti this March. Inspired by “Viking sagas and the great tradition of communal storytelling”, audiences are in for a night of celebration, song and fun as they join Blanshard’s character Ubbe at a post-battle banquet held in his honour. (19^th – 20^th March 2026)

There’s more audience interaction on the cards at Alphabetti in April with Andy Ross and Jack Fielding’s wonderfully chaotic theatrical experience Colosseum of Chaos. The audience is split in two, with each side backing one of Ross and Fielding’s gladiators who worship an onstage Amazon Alexa that commands them to perform silly feats – with audience members controlling the soundtrack and even getting dragged into a game or two! (16^th – 17^th April 2026)

Penned by local playwright and actor Sam Macgregor, Hold the Line enjoyed a sell-out run and critical acclaim at Edinburgh Fringe in 2025 and now returns to his hometown Newcastle. Inspired by his time at an NHS 111 call centre, the play explores the extreme pressures faced by NHS staff and what happens when a workforce is overworked and mistakes are made. (29^th April - 2^nd May 2026)

Live Theatre

Live Theatre is springing into the new season with Shuggy Boats, a play from Newcastle’s own Jackdaw Media that follows the fallout after protagonist Maeve reveals a huge secret at her birthday party. A shuggy boat of chaos, comedy and confrontation ensues in this hilarious production led by local talent including Dave Johns and Natalie Ann Jamieson. (6^th – 21^st March 2026)

Created by Richie Bow-Grace, and co-written and directed by Alphabetti Theatre founder Ali Pritchard, Hidden Biscuit explores the extremes of everyday life through the lens of one neurodivergent individual. Debuting on World Autism Day, the play is both heartbreaking and humorous and invites audiences to feel, think and reflect. (2^nd April 2026)

Live Theatre welcomes Tom Foreman’s acclaimed production Boiler Room Six: A Titanic Story as part of its national tour this April. Recounting the true survival story of stoker Frederick Barrett, this spectacular piece of historical theatre pays homage to the workers that kept the ship afloat for as long as possible while helping save hundreds of lives. (17^th – 18^th April 2026)

Rounding out its spring season, Live Theatre presents the world premiere of acclaimed locally-born playwright Shelagh Stephenson’s new work Astell & Woolf. Shining a spotlight on Newcastle’s first feminist Mary Astell – a pioneer all too often overlooked in the history books – the riotous play imagines a meeting between Astell and Virginia Woolf in the afterlife as a hilarious and thought-provoking clash of minds ensues. (14^th May – 6^th June 2026)

Northern Stage

Move over Marty McFly, it’s your arch-nemesis Biff Tannen’s time to shine when Biff to the Future comes to Northern Stage. Created and performed by Joseph Maudsley – the same mind behind FRIEND (The One with Gunther) – this loving parody of the bully that Back to the Future fans love to hate, explores the highs and lows of Biff’s life of chasing power, fame and fortune. (8^th March 2026)

Following two sell-out runs, the theatrical version of I, Daniel Blake returns to Northern Stage this spring. Adapted by Dave Johns, who played the titular Daniel in Ken Loach’s 2026 film, this powerful and locally set play shows the stark reality of living in poverty in the UK. (20^th March – 4^th April 2026)

Described as “fantasy meets punk with a Teesside twist”, Bus Stop Goths is a play from theatre-maker and ARC associate artist Audrey Cook. Guardian angels Sid and Viv lead the action, keeping a watchful eye over the streets of Middlesbrough and attempting to help its youth subcultures, in this surreal modern folktale that’s a must-see for anyone who’s ever felt like they’re on the fringes of society. (24^th April 2026)

And last but by no means least, Northern Stage and Derby Theatre are joining forces in May on a dazzling production of the cult classic musical Little Shop of Horrors. Join hapless florist Seymour Krelborn as he unwittingly becomes embroiled in murder most horrid after purchasing an exotic plant that feeds on human blood. This iconic musical is a riot, whether you’re a die-hard fan of Little Shop of Horrors or as green as Seymour’s fingers! (8th – 23rd Mary 2026)

Whether you’re in the mood for a feel-good musical, a politically-charged play or some hilarious comedy, there’s a show for you at Newcastle’s theatres this spring!

Main Image: (LtoR) Hannah Lowther, George Crawford, Annabelle Terry, Jamie Chatterton & Karen Mavundukure for LEGALLY BLONDE, Photo by Matt Crockett

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