January 2024: 10 Unmissable Events in Newcastle
Our guide to some of the most exciting events in the city this January
January can be a slog: you blew your wages over Christmas, you’re tired and the weather is rubbish. Nothing could persuade you to leave the house. Unless… Maybe a brilliant theatre show? Some fine stand-up? An excellent gig?
We’ve come up with a selection of ten superb events in January that are definitely worth leaving the house for. So up you get…
The Circus of Horrors: Cabinet of Curiosities @ Tyne Theatre & Opera House
This promises to be a feast for the senses: the latest production from the Circus Of Horrors team is Dr Haze’s Cabinet Of Curiosities. As with its precursor The Haunted Fairground, this new show is a heady blend of high production values, bizarre circus skills, special FX, magic and original rock music. Which is a lot. From sword swallowers and aerialists to jugglers, contortionists and showgirls, this production has the lot and serves it up to a blistering soundtrack.
27th January, from £19
Stephen K Amos: Oxymoron @ The Stand
Stephen K Amos has been stand-up regular for decades, with plenty of TV appearances under his belt too. He took time out from comedy to work in the West End (including playing Alfred P Doolittle in My Fair Lady) but he’s back on home turf and heading to The Stand with a brand-new show. Known for thoughtful, insightful stand-up, his new show will tackle the mayhem of the last couple of years in his inimitable style.
21st January, from £16
Transatlantic Bowie @ Wylam Brewery
The Transatlantic Ensemble are becoming Wylam Brewery regulars, appearing in various incarnations – perhaps the most popular being their Fleetwood Mac Rumours show. These top flight session musicians hit upon doing a Bowie tribute show soon after his death and have been back to Exhibition Park every year since. Using great vocalists and a full brass section, they blast through The Dame’s untouchable back catalogue with real style.
6th January, £20
Life of Pi @ Theatre Royal
The smash hit play of the bestselling book, Life Of Pi comes laden with a host of awards and acclaim and arrives in Newcastle in a brilliant new stage production, involving stunning visuals, puppetry and a wonderful, exciting script. Based on Yann Martel’s all-conquering novel about a boy and a Bengal tiger stranded in a lifeboat (which has sold more than 15 million copies and was made into a successful movie), this is the play’s first tour after huge West End and Broadway runs.
23-27th January, from £20
Strictly Come Dancing: The Live Tour @ Utilita Arena
Now a fully-fledged cultural phenomenon, it was inevitable that Strictly would move from TV to a spectacular live show. And that show is coming to Newcastle, bringing with it a whole load of glitzy, glamorous entertainment as TV judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood and host Janette Manrara introduce you to the heady world of ballroom dancing, backed by a live band.
24th – 25th Jan. from £42.50
Hugh Cornwell @ Boiler Shop
Hugh Cornwell was the frontman for pub rock / punk band The Stranglers during their most successful period, quitting in 1990 after singing such monster hits as Golden Brown, No More Heroes and Always The Sun. Now a solo artist for as long as he was in his old band, he’ll be promoting his Moments Of Madness album but expect some Stranglers tunes too.
18th January, £30.25
Little Smith Sunshine @ Alphabetti Theatre
Not, as you might think, the latest film to transfer to the stage, Little Smith Sunshine is instead a new show from Allyson June Smith, an acclaimed Canadian comic newly settled in Manchester and heading out on her first UK tour. Smith’s comedy is conversational, frank and observational and she has a reputation for winning over audiences everywhere she goes.
12th January, from £10
Burns Night Supper @ Blackfriars
Events at Blackfriars are always beautifully put together and this pair of Burns Night Suppers are sure to be no different. Run on strictly traditional lines, complete with poetry, songs and the addressing of the haggis, your ticket gets you a full traditional supper, whisky with each course and coffee. And of course, you’ll be expected to join in a rendition of Auld Lang Syne at the end.
26th & 27th January, £69.50
The Music of James Bond by Candlelight @ Newcastle Cathedral
The latest in the cathedral’s series of ‘By Candlelight’ events, this night offers a selection of James Bond themes (from artists like Shirley Bassey, Carly Simon and Gladys Knight), performed by singers fresh from the West End and an accomplished live band. All in the glorious, and beautifully lit, environs of one of the city’s most impressive buildings.
18th January, from £30
GHOSTnortheast Paranormal Investigation @ The Lit & Phil
GHOSTnortheast have been examining claims of supernatural activity at the Lit & Phil for more than a decade (it’s apparently one of the most haunted buildings in the city!) and this event lets you get involved. You can join the GHOSTnortheast team and their specialist ghost-hunting paraphernalia after the building has closed to see if anything manifests!
6th January, £25
Hopefully at least one of these events will give you the motivation to get out of the house – to take in a play, dine on some haggis or pursue ghosts through a deeply spooky building. Don’t let January pass you by – get involved!
