Features

What is a Black Out?

5 May 2023

A new venture seeks to offer black audiences safer spaces and may signal an upcoming trend.

Is Artificial Intelligence Intelligent or Artificial?

28 April 2023

As the first ever AI-generated play opens, Philip Fisher wonders whether this is the future of theatre?

Obituary: Dale Meeks

27 April 2023

Dale Meeks, true gem of stage and screen, died of heart failure on Sunday 23 April 2023.

The Formula for a Record-Breaking Hit

21 April 2023

As Chicago becomes the longest-running current show on Broadway, Philip Fisher considers what it takes to hit the jackpot in the West End and on Broadway.

Farewell to the Exchange

19 April 2023

Saturday 15 April saw the farewell party at the Exchange Theatre in North Shields; Anna Ambelez was there.

Theatre as Karaoke

14 April 2023

Recent negative exposure regarding bad behaviour in theatres could threaten an already rocky industry.

Populism in Theatre

7 April 2023

Is it entirely coincidental that the two top awards at the Oliviers went to the year's most hyped stars?

Fun is in the eye of the beer holder

2 April 2023

Theatre union BECTU’s survey reveals hidden costs of unacceptable audience behaviour.

The Great Debate – Musicals versus Plays

31 March 2023

Sir David Hare has courted controversy by suggesting that "Musicals are killing theatres".

Trevor Wood launches new book

26 March 2023

Anna Ambelez reports from the launch of author and playwright Trevor Wood's latest novel.

The Never-Ending Shakespeare Authorship Debate

24 March 2023

Did Shakespeare write Shakespeare? Not according to hordes of academics.

Ken Loach

17 March 2023

Ken Loach was in conversation with the North of Tyne Mayor, Jamie Driscoll, at Newcastle's Live Theatre.

Good News for Once … But Also Bad

17 March 2023

Sadly, good news in the Budget this week was soon tempered by much worse from the north-west.

The Best Seat in the House

10 March 2023

Are premium seats always the best or even worth the money? Not necessarily.

Will AI Change the Theatre Forever?

3 March 2023

Is AI theatre's greatest threat or its greatest friend?

Gecko's Kin comes to Northern Stage

27 February 2023

Physical theatre company Gecko comes to Newcastle with its newest production Kin, inspired by the journey from Yemen to Palestine that Artistic Director Amit Lahav’s grandmother made with her family in 1932.

Badly Behaved Audiences Hit the Headlines

24 February 2023

As if the cultural sector didn't have enough problems, theatre is now getting negative publicity thanks to problematic audiences.

Censorship Rears its Ugly Head

17 February 2023

Philip Fisher reports on worrying developments in the United States.

Another New Culture Minister: Lucy Frazer

10 February 2023

Philip Fisher profiles the new culture minister, Lucy Frazer.

Northern Stage season launch

3 February 2023

Northern Stage continues its 25th anniversary year with premières, classics revisited, family shows, participatory work and much more.