Tyne and Wear
Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle
The Six Twenty and Alphabetti presents Club Six Twenty, 10–12 December from 7:30, £15. A 'decadent' cocktail and canapés on arrival, live music & club DJs, immersive / live theatre elements, art & film installations and pop-up art making. Over-16s only.
Alphabetti presents Present by Ali Pritchard, 17–23 December at 7:30. Pay what you feel. It's 23 December and Dave is in the park. It's freezing but he doesn't care—in his head, he is having the time of his life in a Christmas rave. In his head, he is dancing because he wants to. In real life he is dancing to keep warm. He's brought back to reality by a text from his daughter, a text containing hope and opportunity: the chance to meet his grandson for the first time this Christmas. A hopeful look at what Christmas can be for those in need, interwoven with live music.
Castle Keep, Newcastle
A Christmas Carol, 5–9 December (6:00 and 8:00 each night). £13–£16. Tickets via the Keep’s web site. This is the production which the BTG reviewed last year. Please note there is no heating at this venue and it can be very cold.
Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle
Jack Frost, 27–30 December (various times). £6–£12. For ages 6+. A music-filled Christmas show about friendship and the joy of joining in. Holly, a little girl who plays the trumpet, befriends the magical winter sprite Jack Frost. We follow Holly's adventure into the ice-covered world of the mischievous yet lonely Jack. When plans for Holly’s school concert go awry, together Holly and Jack will make sure no-one is left outside this Christmas.
Live Theatre, Newcastle
Your Aunt Fanny & Bonnie and The Bonnettes present Bonnie and Fanny's Christmas Spectacular, 11–14 December at 8:00. £6–£14. Ages 16+. A Christmas "like you’ve never seen before" with sketches, songs, lip-syncs, dances, stories and "unapologetic raucousness like a work Christmas party with your wildest, oldest, fabulous and filthiest employees."
The Six Twenty present Mixtape, 18–21 December at 8:00. £9–£12. A music quiz which features new sketches inspired by classic Christmas tunes and a mash-up of Mixtape favourites from throughout the eras. The Mixtapers perform comedy sketches and take on everything from Wham! to Mariah Carey, The Pogues to Green Day, Bruno Mars to Bowie.
Northern Stage, Newcastle
Kitchen Zoo present Wolf! in Stage 3, 23 November to 4 January (various times). £8–£10. Inspired by Aesop's fable The Boy Who Cried Wolf, for under-5s and their families with music and puppets.
The Snow Queen, a new version of the Hans Christian Andersen story by Laura Lindow, in Stage 1, 30 November–4 January (various times). £10–£30. When her best friend Kai disappears, the young and gutsy Gerda is sure that he has been taken by the mysterious Snow Queen. Determined to rescue her friend, she embarks on a courageous quest all alone into the icy unknown. But can Gerda rescue Kai in time to stop the Snow Queen’s plan to keep the world in eternal winter?
The Suggestibles Impro Pantso, 19 and 20 at 8:15 in Stage 1. £18. Over-18s only.
Theatre Royal, Newcastle
Michael Harrison for Qdos presents Beauty and the Beast, 26 November to 19 January (not Mondays—except 23 December—or 25) (various times). £14–£47; family tickets available—see web site for details. Starring Danny Adams, Clive Webb and Chris Hayward.
Tyne Theatre and Opera House
Aladdin, 6 December to 5 January (various times). £14–£25, Boxes £108–£150, family ticket £63–£89 (2 adults, 2 children or 1 adult, 3 children). Plus booking fees when booking online or over the phone.
Gateshead International Stadium
The Geordie Panto Company presents Cinderella, 6–29 December (not 7, 16 or 25) (various times). £16–£22; family tickets £76–£85.
Sunderland Empire
Cinderella, 13 December–5 January (not 16, 20, 25 or 1 January) (various times). £10.25–£47.50. Starring Scarlett Moffatt, Miss Rory (aka Dan Cunningham), Duncan Burt and Gemma Naylor.
Wearside Masonic Hall, Sunderland
A Christmas Carol, 21–23 December at 6:00 and 8:00. £13–£16 (plus booking fee). This is the puppet and live action production which the BTG reviewed at the Castle Keep, Newcastle last year.
The Customs House, South Shields
Snow White, 27 November to 5 January (various times). £12.50–£22.50. Featuring Customs House favourites Ray Spencer, Davy Hopper, Annie Guy, Steven Lee Hamilton, Charlie Raine, Luke Maddison, Bethan Amber and Dale Jewitt. In the main auditorium.
The Elves and the Shoemaker, 30 November to 24 December (various times). All tickets £10 (includes a gift from Santa). Starring Santa’s Naughty Elf, Wayne Miller. In the Studio.
Playhouse Whitley Bay
Jack and the Beanstalk, 30 November to 4 January (various times). £18.65–£27.65. Presented by Blue Genie Entertainment and starring Steve Walls.
The Exchange, North Shields
Cinderella, 3–22 December (various times). £12–£14; family ticket £45. Presented by Mendes Management.