From Monday to Saturday, the first major revival of Shirley Valentine in 30 years comes to the Theatre Royal, Newcastle. On the tour Nicky Swift and Jody Prenger alternate as Shirley with Prenger appearing in Newcastle.
At Northern Stage this week, balletLORENT presents Rumpelstiltskin, the final part of their fairy tale trilogy, from Tuesday to Saturday at 6:00. Then in Stage 3 on Monday (11:30 and 2:00), Bontehond presents iPet, part of the TakeOff Festival, for children aged 2+, and on Tuesday (11:30 and 1:30), Half Moon presents Fairytales Gone Bad, for age 3+. Also in Stage 3 on Friday, Zest Theatre in association with Juice Festival present What Once Was Ours, recommended for age 12+. Finally in Stage 2 at 10:00 and 1:00 on Thursday and Friday, also as part of Juice Festival, Bare Toed Dance Company presents Above and Beyond for age 5 to 11 (and carers) which is especially suitable for children with special educational needs or disabilities.
Goth Weekend continues at Live Theatre until Saturday.
There are two Great War-themed plays at Newcastle’s Alphabetti this week: Walter, the story of a pigeon, suitable for age 8+, is at 4:00 from Tuesday to Saturday and on the same days at 7:30 it’s Wilfred, the story of a poet—but not that poet. Age recommendation 16+.
At Dance City on Thursday (1:00 and 4:00), ATMA Dance presents a classical Indian tale, The Magic Fish, for age 5 to 9, with the 1:00 show being a relaxed performance for those with autism and learning disabilities.
From Monday to 5 November (no show on 28 October) in the Castle Keep in Newcastle, Twenty Seven Productions presents Don’t Go Outside. Please note this is not an accessible venue as a considerable amount of stair-climbing is necessary.
At the Dynamix Skate Park in Gateshead on Saturday Bilimankhwe Arts presents a pared-down Malawian and English version of The Tempest at 8:00. Tickets are obtainable from Northern Stage.
Pop-up GIFT (Gateshead International Festival of Theatre) show Atresbandes' All In is at the Casdmon Hall in Gateshead on Friday.
Mamma Mia! continues at Sunderland Empire until 11 November.
On Monday at 11:00 and 2:00, Handbendi Brúðuleikhús presents Tröll, a puppet show for age 3+ at Miss Tina’s in Southwick, Sunderland (the former Southwick Library), as part of the TakeOff Festival in association with Sunderland Stages.
On Thursday at The Peacock in Sunderland, also part of Sunderland Stages, Middle Child presents I Hate Alone: righteous indignation turns violent as two best friends, Chloe and Danielle, take aim at the world.
At the Customs House in South Shields from Monday to Wednesday, it’s Wendy the Witch and the Long Lost Spell at 2:00, followed on Thursday at 1:30 and 6:00 by Harry Panto and the Chamber Pot of Secrets.
On Wednesday (11:00 and 1:30) at Alnwick Playhouse, Elmer, the story of the patchwork coloured elephant, is aimed at ages 3 to 8. Then on Thursday at 7:30, Flying Bridge Theatre Company and Seabright Productions present Not About Heroes.
On Tuesday, Blackeyed Theatre brings The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde to the Queen’s Hall in Hexham. Then on Thursday, the Kala Chethena Kathakali Company presents Kathakali: the classical dance drama of Kerala, South India.
The Circus of Horrors: Voodoo VaudEvil comes to Playhouse Whitley Bay on Wednesday.
English Touring Opera brings Handel’s Giulio Cesare to Durham’s Gala Theatre this week with Part I: The Death of Pompey on Monday and Part II: Cleopatra’s Needle on Tuesday.
At 7:00 on Thursday, Daniel Bye returns to ARC Stockton with Instructions for Border Crossing. Then on Friday (2:30) and Saturday (11:30 and 2:30) Stuff and Nonsense present The Emperor’s New Clothes, puppet theatre for ages 3 to 10.
Laitrum Theatre comes to Darlington this week in the Crown Street Library (Monday to Wednesday) and the Cornmill Shopping Centre (Thursday to Saturday), presenting Micro-Shakespeare, an interactive installation which casts the audience as a performer or viewer in an intimate 8-minute performance. Suitable for age 7+. (We mistakenly listed this last week; apologies for any inconvenience.)
Howard Coggins (who looks like Henry VIII) and Stu McLoughlin (who looks nothing like any of his wives) present The Six Wives of Henry VIII at the Georgian Theatre Royal in Richmond.
Spanish physical company Atresbandes presents All In in The Studio at Harrogate Theatre on Wednesday. Also in The Studio on Thursday and Friday, Odd Doll in association with LittleMighty presents Seaside Terror, a blend of puppetry, clown and specially composed music. Suitable for ages 12+.