World Theatre Day 2024: What shows and events are happening in and around Newcastle?

Each year on March 27, theatre professionals, fans, students, organisations and other workers celebrate World Theatre Day.

According to organisers, the day is used as a celebration for those who can see the value and importance of the art form theatre, and acts as a wake-up-call for governments, politicians and institutions which have not yet recognised its value to the people and to the individual and have not yet realised its potential for economic growth. So what is happening across theatres in and around Newcastle?

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Tyne Theatre and Opera House

Wednesday, March 17 sees the opening night of Edward Scissorhands' ten day stint at the grade I listed Grey Street site.

The show has tickets available from £28 for the World Theatre Day show while matinee and evening shows across the remainder of the stretch are also on offer.

There is also a free post show talk on Wednesday, March 27, although tickets must be pre booked.

Northern Stage, Newcastle

Elsewhere in the city, Newcastle's Northern Stage is hosting the world’s largest youth drama festival, the Coram Shakespeare Schools Festival.

The venue's main stage will be showing off a series of unique Shakespeare productions by local schools. Limited tickets remain available now for the four night run.

Tyne Theatre and Opera House

At Tyne Theatre and Opera House located on Westgate Road, they have some amazing shows coming up. For World Theatre Day 2023, there will not be a show performing, but there are some incredible performances throughout the week. On Tuesday, March 26 the venue is heading back to the 90s with An Evening With The Fast Show. Cast members from the sketch show are touring the country with a North East date this week before Leigh Francis heads to the region. The comedian, best known for his character Keith Lemon, is travelling across the UK over 18 dates in the first tour under his own name.

Following this, an Easter panto production of Beauty and the Beast is scheduled for Saturday, March 30 and Sunday, March 31 to entertain families over the bank holiday weekend.

Alnwick Playhouse

Up in Northumberland, Alnwick Playhouse is hosting a show from Middlesbrough actress Rachel Stockdale for a solo show titled Fat Chance.

The one woman play examines experiences of changes in weight with tickets still available through the venue's website.