Summer 2025: 20 Must-See Theatre Shows in Newcastle

Northern Stage

Discover Indonesia, an annual event organised by Newcastle’s Indonesian Student’s Association, returns to Northern Stage this June with a new play, Atikrama. Following five university students as they undertake a community service project in a remote Indonesian village and come up against the village chief, the play dips into the thriller genre while exploring Indonesia’s diverse culture. (7^th June 2025)

Next up, iconic North East drag queen Ophelia Balls takes to the stage with A Life Not in Heels as part of Northern Pride’s Pride Fringe programme. Expect Ophelia at her most unfiltered as she recounts the moments that have shaped her journey so far – all with her signature sass and razor-sharp wit, of course. (20^th June 2025)

One for the bookworms next when award-winning short story writer Gurnaik Johal stops by Northern Stage to read from his debut novel Saraswati as part of GemArts’ annual Masala Festival. He’ll be joined by Newcastle University professor and fellow writer Preti Taneja to discuss his novel’s major themes – love, lust, violence, loss and the passions that connect us to our histories, lands and each other. (15^th July 2025)

Music fans won’t want to miss out on Elemental. Described as a “concert like no other”, the production features over one hundred singers from the New Horizon Choir and takes the audience on a journey through the elements – fire, water, air and earth – via a mix of pop, rock, classical and film songs. (26^th July 2025)

Theatre Royal

Theatre Royal is kicking off its summer season by welcoming West End smash hit & Juliet this June. Proving that there is life after Romeo, the jukebox musical follows Shakespeare’s famous heroine as she ditches her tragic ending in favour of a fresh start and a new chance at life and love. Expect pop anthems from the likes of Britney Spears, Katy Perry and Kelly Clarkson in this uplifting romantic comedy from legendary pop songwriter Max Martin. (2^nd – 7^th June 2025)

There are more reasons to be thankful at Theatre Royal this summer when choreographer Matthew Bourne’s award-winning show The Midnight Bell comes to Newcastle for the very first time. Set in 1930s London in a Soho tavern, the delightfully dark dance production follows a group of lovelorn and lonely regulars as they drown their sorrows and dance their blues away. (8^th – 12^th July 2025)

Multi-award-winning musical The Book of Mormon makes a welcome return to the Theatre Royal stage this July. Following two Mormons as they embark on a two-year mission to convert the residents of a remote Ugandan village, the musical hilariously satirises organised religion and is hailed by The New York Times as “the best musical of this century” – so it’s definitely one you won’t want to miss! (22^nd July – 9^th August 2025)

There’s even more musical mayhem at Theatre Royal this summer too with SIX which also makes a royal return following its previous sell-out runs. Join the six wives of Henry VIII as they take to the mic to tell their tales through original pop songs, brilliant dance numbers and a celebration of girl power. (12^th – 23^rd August 2025)

Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Over to Tyne Theatre & Opera House now where Swifties will be happy to learn that top Taylor Swift tribute act Xenna is bringing her show Miss Americana to the stage. Perfect for fans who missed out on Taylor’s epic Eras Tour, the show features all of the songstress’s biggest hits – from Love Story and Blank Space to Shake It Off and much, much more. (7^th June 2025)

Cult hit production Solve-Along-A Murder She Wrote returns to Tyne Theatre in mid-June, this time with an interactive screening of the classic Murder, She Wrote episode ‘Paint Me a Murder’. Help hilarious host and Jessica Fletcher superfan Tim Benzie solve the episode’s murder with games, prizes and singalongs. (13^th June 2025)

Tyne Theatre has a reputation for attracting great comedians and this summer they’ve managed to land the legendary Danny Baker who’s bringing his show Aye Aye! Ahoy Hoy! to their stage this summer. Audiences are in for a laugh as Danny recounts his 50 years in the world of showbiz – no holds barred! (20^th June 2025)

If you’re looking for something fun to do with the kids this summer, you can’t go wrong with Andy and the Odd Socks and their show Are You Ready to Rock? The stars of the hit CBBC TV show 'Andy and the Band' are taking to the stage with their madcap mix of songs, slapstick comedy and general silliness – it’s a show that the whole family will love! (28^th June 2025)

Live Theatre

Up-and-coming playwright Ben Fensome opens Live Theatre’s summer season with his new play Buff, a funny yet poignant solo-performed production following a plus-size, gay school teacher after a bad break up as he journeys towards self-acceptance while navigating the toxic world of online dating. (5^th June 2025)

The funny yet touching theme continues at Live Theatre with The Bench – a tale of love, loss and football exploring the darker side of the game and life on the economic edge after a chance encounter between overwhelmed single mum Vicki and Adi, the local football team’s new signing, who soon find they have more in common with each other than they first thought. (11^th – 14^th June 2025)

If you caught Awkward Productions’ Gwyneth Goes Skiing at Live Theatre last year, you won’t want to miss out on their new show Diana: The Untold and Untrue Story. Mixing drag, multimedia, puppetry, audience interaction and plenty of queer joy, it’s a unique celebration of the People’s Princess that enjoyed a sell-out run at Edinburgh Fringe last summer. (9^th – 12^th July 2025)

Critically acclaimed Scottish play When We Were Young is crossing the border with a two-night run at Live Theatre this July. Set in 1990s Glasgow, when the city was known as The Murder Capital of the World, the play explores gang culture and mentality through the lens of a group of teenage ‘neds’ (or chavs, as we might call them) and a story that’s hilarious and tragic in equal measure. (15^th – 16^th July)

Alphabetti Theatre

And finally over to Alphabetti Theatre now, where contemporary dance connoisseurs won’t want to miss award-winning choreographer Eliot Smith new work Human | Candlelight – an intimate and electrifying candlelit performance mixing contemporary movement, commercial dance and folklore. (4^th June 2025)

Olivia Hannah’s hilarious new “karaoke play” Sh*t Life Crisis takes centre stage later in June. Following its heroine Grace in the aftermath of recovering from cancer, it’s as raw and real as it is hilarious and heartwarming and invites audiences to belt out classics from the likes of Chapell Roan and Icona Pop. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll most definitely sing along. (5^th – 7^th June 2025)

In July, join the hilarious Bi-Curious George as the award-winning drag king brings his show Queer Planet to the Alphabetti stage. A love letter to nature blending stand-up comedy, parody songs and drag, it’ll have you laughing all night long – and its Edinburgh Fringe sell-out run is proof. (3^rd July 2025)

And lastly, but by no means least, theatre fans can catch Northumbrian playwright debut work BAIRNS at Alpgabetti later in the month – a wickedly funny dramedy exploring sisterhood, selflessness and selfishness following an aimless twenty-something named Lottie after she ill-advisedly agrees to be a surrogate for her sister and brother-in-law. (11^th – 12^th July 2025)

There’s something for everyone at Newcastle’s theatres this summer – whether you want to laugh, cry or sing your heart out – so get those tickets booked and don’t miss out on a season of amazing shows.

Main image: The Midnight Bell 2021 cast, Photo by Johan Persson

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