What's On in April Across the North East and Yorkshire
This month's events to know about
Beautiful Ballet
Matthew Bourne’s audacious, rule-breaking reinvention of Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece caused a sensation when it premiered almost 30 years ago. Thrilling, bold, witty and emotive, Swan Lake will take flight once later this month.
Swan Lake
25TH MARCH–5TH APRIL
Newcastle Theatre Royal
theatreroyal.co.uk
Gentleman Jack
This unique festival returns to celebrate Halifax’s own Anne Lister (‘the first modern lesbian’) on what would’ve been her 234th birthday. There will be more than 70 events and activities to get involved in, and don’t miss the Anne Lister Community Regency Tea Dance.
Anne Lister Birthday Festival
29TH MARCH–5TH APRIL
Calderdale
annelisterofhalifax.co.uk
Still Relevant
BAFTA-winning comedian and the voice of Love Island, Iain Stirling, is back on tour with his own stand-up – and this is his biggest tour to date! Don’t miss him whilst he’s in Middlesbrough.
Iain Stirling: Relevant
2ND APRIL
Middlesbrough Town Hall
boxoffice.middlesbrough.gov.uk
Greg Davies: Full Fat Legend
For the first time in seven years, the Taskmaster is back on tour with a new stand-up show; Full Fat Legend. Don’t miss it – this is Greg’s biggest live tour yet.
2ND–5TH APRIL
York Barbican
yorkbarbican.co.uk
Just Dance
Strictly pros Amy and Carlos will share an intimate portrait of their lives and journeys in this inspiring dance show featuring a cast of world-class dancers and vocalists. Be prepared for powerful and emotional show-stopping routines.
Amy Dowden & Carlos Gu: Reborn
3RD APRIL
St George’s Hall, Bradford
bradford-theatres.co.uk
Mirror Mirror
balletLORENT’s theatrical take on Snow White is coming to Hull with an accessible retelling of the classic Brothers Grimm fairytale. As the Queen’s quest for eternal beauty leads her into darkness, she is driven by her need to be the most desired at any cost. This ballet is suitable for anyone aged five or over.
balletLORENT: Snow White
4TH & 5TH APRIL
Hull New Theatre
hulltheatres.co.uk
Feeling Blue
New to YSP this Easter, Expressions in Blue will see a forest of porcelain sculptures by renowned ceramicist Felicity Aylieff take over. The sculptures have been thrown by hand and stand up to five metres high, reminiscent of Chinese porcelain.
Felicity Aylieff: Expressions in Blue
FROM 5TH APRIL
The Weston Gallery, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield
ysp.org.uk
Bet On It
If you can’t make it to Aintree, don’t worry, Newcastle Racecourse are bringing Aintree to you! You can still watch jumps racing live on track but also keep up with all the action from the Grand National on screens around the racecourse. Plus, there’ll be live music throughout the day.
Grand National Raceday
5TH APRIL
Newcastle Racecourse
newcastle-racecourse.co.uk
Push The Button
Sugababes are on their biggest UK tour this spring and they’re stopping by First Direct Arena. The original line-up, Siobhan Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan, are continuing their triumphant comeback since reuniting, and you won’t want to miss their live show.
Sugababes
8TH APRIL
First Direct Arena, Leeds
firstdirectarena.com
Keeping Secrets
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the UK publication of Labyrinth, and to celebrate international bestselling author Kate Mosse is heading out on a 34-date theatre tour. Don’t miss her show in Newcastle where, for the first time, Kate will bring the story behind Labyrinth to the stage in an unforgettable one-woman show.
Kate Mosse: Unlocking the Secrets of the Labyrinth
10TH APRIL
Northern Stage, Newcastle
northernstage.co.uk
Drag Royalty
Following the success of their sell-out tour last year RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Ginger Johnson and finalists Michael Marouli and Tomara Thomas, are back out with a brand-new show, and where better to see all three Northerners than in the Toon?
Angels of the North
12TH APRIL
O2 City Hall Newcastle
academymusicgroup.com
Moth to a Flame
Based on an unbelievable true story, a chance meeting on a train between two men from different worlds sets in motion a chain of events that will change their lives irrevocably. A gripping thriller, the world premier of The Moth is not to be missed and is touring the North this spring.
The Moth
UNTIL 12TH APRIL
Venues regionwide
elysiumtc.co.uk
A Night at the Opera
Opera lovers won’t want to miss this musical event by candlelight featuring the finest opera arias and overtures, performing works from Puccini, Verdi, Rossini and Mozart, plus much more.
A Night at the Opera By Candlelight
12TH APRIL
Ripon Cathedral
riponcathedral.org.uk
Welcome To The 60s
Starring Strictly Come Dancing’s Joanne Clifton and Hairspray royalty Brenda Edwards (who has made her directorial debut for this tour), Hairspray has been delighting audiences across the UK, and its final shows will entertain audiences at Sunderland Empire this spring.
Hairspray The Musical
14TH–19TH APRIL
Sunderland Empire
atgtickets.com
Let’s Celebrate
As well as their 20th anniversary, Sean Cooney, Michael Hughes and David Eagle aka The Young’uns will each be celebrating their 40th birthdays on tour. The folk group from Stockton will stop by Leeds this spring.
The Young’uns
15TH APRIL
City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds
leedsheritagetheatres.com
Like A Puppet On A String
Giant creatures will roam Northumberland Street to open Newcastle Puppetry Festival this year, with walkabout performances throughout the day. Children will meet a giant deer and hug an elephant trunk, but make sure you don’t miss the Toon Underground community parade at 2pm with live music.
Beasts on the Street
19TH APRIL
Newcastle
movingpartsarts.com
Tees Tunes
Stockton’s multi-venue music festival returns. Having previously hosted sets from Circa Waves, Sam Fender and Blossoms, the lineup for this year’s festival features local favourites Maximo Park, Finn Forster, Lizzie Esau and Zela. Sets will take place in ARC, The Georgian Theatre and The Green Room amongst other venues in the town.
Stockton Calling
19TH APRIL
Across Stockton
stocktoncalling.co.uk
On Ice
Now’s your chance to see the world’s most famous ice dancing duo perform together on ice, before they retire from skating for good. British ice skating legends Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean will pay tribute to their half-century legacy in their new show.
Torvill and Dean: Our Last Dance
20TH APRIL
Utilita Arena, Sheffield
utilitaarenasheffield.co.uk
So Camp
A mix of comedy, music and storytelling in drag queen Divina’s shows take you through her most unforgettable moments. Her new one-woman show explores life’s highs, lows, and everything in between.
Divina De Campo
22ND APRIL
The Leadmill, Sheffield
leadmill.co.uk
Visit Narnia
Celebrating the 75th anniversary of C.S. Lewis’s novel, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe will come to life as Grand Opera House York is transformed into Narnia this spring for an enchanting production which audiences of all ages will love.
The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe
22ND–26TH APRIL
Grand Opera House York
atgtickets.com
‘Pop’ Stars
Filled with magic, science and lots of bubbles, this show explores the dynamics of bubbles, combining comedy with audience participation. There’ll be square bubbles, bubbles inside bubbles, fog-filled bubbles, giant bubbles, bubble volcanoes, tornados and trampolines.
The Amazing Bubble Man
23RD APRIL
Queen’s Hall Arts Centre, Hexham
queenshall.co.uk
Clowning Around
This story is about an unlikely friendship between an old farmer and a baby clown who has fallen from the back of a passing circus train. What happens when someone from a different world lands in the world of another? Perfect for families, The Farmer and The Clown is a wordless show for all ages and features dance, physical comedy and live music.
The Farmer and The Clown
24TH APRIL
Alnwick Playhouse
alnwickplayhouse.co.uk
Omid Djalili: Namaste
Omid’s critically-acclaimed new show Namaste is where he’ll ‘unleash a torrent of comedic vitriol on the current state of our planet. Nothing and no one is safe but laughter is guaranteed.
24TH APRIL
Harrogate Theatre
harrogatetheatre.co.uk
Good News
Two of the region’s TV icons are sharing the stage. Jeff Brown and Ian Payne, despite appearing on rival stations, are good mates and you can expect lots of laughter and a few tales to tell from their live show.
An Evening With Jeff Brown and Ian Payne
24TH APRIL
Gala Durham
galadurham.co.uk
Flower Power
For a whole day of garden inspiration, mark your calendar for the Harrogate Spring Flower Show, where visitors can see stunning floral art installations, get tips from seasoned gardeners and be inspired with new ideas for their own garden. Whether you’re green-fingered or just beginning your journey into gardening, the show promises to inspire and delight as always. Book your tickets online before Tuesday 8th April for a £5 discount.
Harrogate Spring Flower Show
24TH–27TH APRIL
Great Yorkshire Showground
flowershow.org.uk
Joel Dommett: Happy Idiot
The Masked Singer presenter is back with a brand-new show to share behind the camera gossip and tales of first-time fatherhood. We can’t wait to see more stand-up from Joel.
26TH APRIL
City Varieties Music Hall, Leeds
leedsheritagetheatres.com
Outer Space
Enjoy Queen’s legendary hits (including Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You and We Are The Champions) like never before – with exciting visuals in Life’s Planetarium (a 360-degree immersive dome). Music will play along to immersive solar system visuals and archival footage.
Queen Heaven 360°
THROUGHOUT APRIL
Life Science Centre, Newcastle
life.org.uk
Knock, Knock
Stephen Daldry’s multi award-winning National Theatre production of JB Priestley’s classic thriller is back on tour. While it’s entertained more than five million theatregoers worldwide, the story is arguably more relevant now than ever.
An Inspector Calls
29TH APRIL–3RD MAY
The Alhambra Theatre, Bradford
bradford-theatres.co.uk
