Northern Stage Autumn 26 season announcement

Theatre fosters togetherness, creativity and community in a world filled with ever-changing uncertainty. In 2026, Northern Stage holds a space for collective escapism with a programme of  open-hearted, carefully curated work that invites audiences to come together for a great night  out – to laugh, to feel and to think. 

Northern Stage is set to bring Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen (3 Dec 2026 – 2 Jan  2027) to life this Christmas in a thrilling and heartfelt reimagining, written by Laura Lindow and  directed by Natalie Ibu, Northern Stage’s artistic director. 

This spellbinding new production will transport audiences to the small, buttoned-up town of  Stifle, where “wanting brings in the wild, and wishing brings the wolves.” Young Gerda is the only  child in Stifle, but when her new friend Kai arrives and turns the town on its head, Gerda must  brave a great adventure. 

Rooted in the theatre’s ethos of supporting local talent, local creative Anna Robinson will be  supported to work as Associate Designer on the midscale for the very first time, as part of  Northern Stage’s Scale Up programme, which supports creatives on a journey of scale to the  midscale. Working alongside Set and Costume Designer Jen McGinley, Anna will assist on set  and costume design for The Snow Queen, lead on the set design for the Stage 3 Christmas show  (title to be announced), and design Northern Stage’s first festive window installation. The  installation will tie into The Snow Queen and feature an interactive element for audiences to  enjoy. 

Natalie Ibu said: “I love making shows for Northern Stage at Christmas time. We welcome our  biggest and most diverse audience to our festive shows and it’s a real privilege (and not a little  bit of pressure!) to know that for many young people, The Snow Queen will be their first  theatrical experience and so I want to make it feel extra special.  

I’m building a superb team – including Anna Robinson whom I met during my year of So Zoom to  Meet You during the first twelve months of my tenure during the pandemic.

I’m working with the brilliant local writer Laura Lindow on some script updates to make the show  unique for our North East audiences in 2026 – including new songs! At the heart of this show is a  story about community, friendship and the power of kindness – something we can all get behind.  Through Gerda and Kai’s friendship we see that it’s not just the grown-ups that can make change  happen. I can’t wait for audiences to come on the adventure with us and, of course, there will be  snow… it’s Christmas!” 

Winner of the 2025 RTST Sir Peter Hall Director Award Lily Dyble will direct Jane Eyre as a Mercury Theatre Colchester, Rose Theatre Kingston and Storyhouse Chester co-production, in  association with Northern Stage. The show will open at Mercury Theatre Colchester before  beginning its tour, and arriving at Northern Stage (3-7 Nov). 

Sally Cooke’s adaption of Charlotte Bronte’s well-loved novel follows orphaned Jane on a  journey to seek independence and self-actualization. The prestigious RTST Sir Peter Hall  Director Award provides one up-and-coming director each year with the opportunity to direct on  the midscale for the first time. 

Lily Dyble said: “What I see at the heart of this story is courage in the face of the unknown. Jane  Eyre reminds us of the risk and enormity of love, but also how uncertainty can breed hope, as  well as fear; that we can choose to fiercely love each other and ourselves, even within chaos,  and even when our old lives have been lost to the fire. I’m thrilled to be bringing Jane’s story to  audiences across England this autumn, with the support of four wonderful venues and the  RTST.” 

This new production of Othello (11 – 26 Sep) from Northern Stage, directed by Anthony  Almeida, takes a fresh look at the iconic Shakespeare tragedy – set in 1980s Britain amid  widespread rioting and the threat of war. A co-production led by Northern Stage with HOME  Manchester and Citizens Theatre, in association with Royal & Derngate Northampton, Othello premieres at Northern Stage in September before a UK tour.

Anthony Almeida said: “Set within a 1980s landscape, this Othello examines how behaviour,  love and identity are shaped under public scrutiny and private pressure. It’s a story as much  about intimacy as it is about insecurity – and how one begins to erode the other.” 

Adding to the season’s new productions, Northern Stage has teamed up with A Play, a Pie and a  Pint, based in Òran Mór theatre in Glasgow, to bring the famous new writing set up to Newcastle (17 – 21 Nov). 

Following an open call of writers based in the North East and Glasgow to find the best brand new play, Northern Stage and A Play, A Pie and A Pint will support one writer to showcase their  50-minute play at both iconic venues this autumn.

Audiences will enjoy a 50-minute brand-new play alongside a delicious pie and ice-cold pint.  Writer and title to be announced soon. 

Newcastle’s leading ballet theatre company balletLORENT return with another fresh take on a  classic fairytale, Hansel & Gretel and the Witch, supported by Northern Stage. The brand-new  show combines imaginative storytelling and striking visuals, for ages 5+.  

Adding to our family offer is Mission Outer Space, an interactive new play for ages 4-7 from  local theatre company Cap-a-Pie, in collaboration with scientists from Durham University.

Good nights out include Ginger Johnson: Show Pony, a brand-new live spectacular from RuPaul’s Drag Race UK winner Ginger Johnson who returns to Northern Stage following her  recent Master Chef win; Floozy, a new stand-up show about embracing your inner chaos by  Harriet Kemsley who recently appeared on Last One Laughing UK; Star of Live at the Apollo and Netflix’s Matilda the Musical and Sex Education, Sindhu Vee presents Swanky, a brand new stand-up about embracing self-love; Jack Rooke brings back his debut stand-up show  Good Grief, a decade on after it kickstarted his career; Kiell Smith-Bynoe, star of Taskmaster brings his smash hit improv comedy show Kool Story Bro back to Northern Stage, and Paul  Coulter presents 5 Mistakes That Changed History, a hilarious new show about five  monumental mistakes in history that shaped the future.  

Drama and new writing include: It Walks Around The House At Night, a ThickSkin production  of a chilling ghost story by award-winning writer Tim Foley (North East native and former Bruntwood Prize-winner); A Christmas Carol, a ghostly adaptation of this most beloved festive  classic, presented by The Book of Darkness and Light; following the international touring  success that was Female Gothic, Dyad Productions resurrects a Victorian tradition by  presenting Christmas Gothic, three seasonal tales of terror to scintillate the gooseflesh for dark Christmas nights; Apphia Campbell’s acclaimed play, Black Is The Color Of My Voice follows a successful singer and civil rights activist as she seeks redemption after the death of  her father.  

Full season listings can be found in this release’s ends. 

Northern Stage remains committed to ensuring its programme is as accessible as possible,  including captions, audio description and BSL at live events and relaxed performances to assist  with the enjoyment of shows. 

Alongside our work on stage, Northern Stage’s participation offer includes an extension of its award-winning work experience programme that introduces young people to careers backstage in theatre. Young Designers and Young Directors 10-week courses for young people to develop  existing theatre skills through introductory masterclasses with industry professionals and  interactive workshops. 

Tickets for most shows in our season start from £12 and go on general sale from Thu 30 April,  with priority access available to Northern Stage members from Thu 23 April.

For more details  and full listings, visit northernstage.co.uk.