Back to Live

Live Theatre, Newcastle upon Tyne has announced it’s reopening its doors and welcoming audiences back into the theatre in September 2021 with an exclusive season of Live Theatre productions. 

The season kicks off on Thursday 2 September with the return of Kema Sikazwe’s ground-breaking debut play Shine. Actor, rapper, singer, rising star and Live Theatre Associate Artist Kema performs a new updated version of this critically acclaimed bittersweet coming of age story which features an electrifying soundtrack and heartfelt words.  

Your Voice North East, from Thursday 23 to Sunday 26 September, is an unique collection of seven ten-minute short plays by writers and artists new to Live Theatre that reflect the contemporary life in our region. A great opportunity to experience work by new voices and the theatre talent of the future. 

Braids and Cheer Up Slug from Thursday 7 to Saturday 23 October is a double bill of debut plays reflecting young female experience in the North East. Braids, written by Live Associate Artist Oliva Hannah is about a new friendship that ignites a search for belonging and Cheer Up Slug by Tamsin Daisy Rees, another Associate Artist, is about boundaries and behaviour. 

Lewis Jobson returns to Live Theatre from Wednesday 27 to Saturday 30 October to entertain us once again in Redcoat. First performed as a work-in-progress show as part of Elevator Festival 2020, Redcoat, produced in association with Six Twenty, is an hilarious, honest and human show featuring banging tunes, dance routines, balloon modelling and that extra special Redcoat sparkle.  

Running from Wednesday 3 to Saturday 27 November, is a brand-new adaptation of Benjamin Myers’ best-selling book The Offing, by award winning playwright Janice Okoh. Paul Robinson directs this unforgettable story of a friendship that conquers the barriers of age, gender and class. The Offing is a Live Theatre co-production with Stephen Joseph Theatre. 

2021 rounds off with the much-anticipated return of the sell-out hit Bonnie & Fanny’s Christmas Spectacular – updated and with added glitter for the perfect Christmas night out! Starring side splitting sketch troupe Your Aunt Fanny and foot-stomping, pant-wetting drag trio Bonnie and The Bonnettes, this celebration of all things cabaret and comedy is a calamitous Christmas knees up packed full of sketches, songs, lip synchs and dances.  

Graeme Thompson, Interim Executive Producer said: “Being able to open our doors again to audiences is a truly emotional moment. Live Theatre is so much more than just a building. It’s a place where people share stories that matter to them and connect with one another. It’s people that make this theatre what it is, and that is why it is so important to be able to get Back to Live.”   

Every performance will have full safety measures in place so audiences can enjoy the thrill of a live interaction with confidence. Only 50% of the seating capacity is on release and additional seats will only be released when social distancing restrictions are lifted. Understandably, some guests may be concerned about venturing into theatres and public spaces so a number of permanently socially distanced shows will be offered across the season. 

The new season of shows and events at Live Theatre are now on sale. To book online and for more information on all the shows this season visit www.live.org.uk  

Live Theatre’s Box Office will open for in person and telephone bookings on (0191) 232 1232 on Tuesday 24 August. Here’s to getting Back To Live.