Credit: Paul Coltas
Newcastle Theatre Royal has announced a spectacular new 2027 season featuring Twelve Angry Men, São Paulo Dance Company, Jesus Christ Superstar starring Sam Ryder, Chicago, Hadestown, Rambert’s It’s a Sin and Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift.
Newcastle Theatre Royal Announces New 2027 Season
Grace here, and my satchel has been positively groaning this morning. Not with bills, thankfully — though there’s always one lurking at the bottom like a villain in a courtroom drama — but with a shiny new season announcement from Newcastle Theatre Royal.
And what a season it is. Drama, dance, musical theatre, murder, glamour, Greek myths, Brazilian movement, biblical rock opera and one very famous village with a suspiciously high body count. Honestly, if my post round had this much variety, I’d need a sit down and a KitKat by 10am.
Newcastle Theatre Royal has announced a new season of productions heading to the North East throughout 2027, with internationally acclaimed shows, major musicals and much-loved stage adaptations all taking their turn under those famous lights.
Twelve Angry Men Comes to Newcastle Theatre Royal
First out of the satchel is Twelve Angry Men, arriving at Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 February 2027.
Reginald Rose’s courtroom thriller, based on the classic 1957 film, is one of those stories that proves you do not need explosions, dragons or someone swinging from a chandelier to create tension. Sometimes all you need is a room, a jury, a murder trial and twelve people slowly realising that “open-and-shut case” may not be quite as open-and-shut as they first thought.
The production stars Gray O’Brien, Bill Ward, Ricky Norwood, Tristan Gemmill and Ben Nealon. That is quite the line-up, and I imagine the tension will be thick enough to spread on toast.
São Paulo Dance Company Returns
Dance audiences are in for a treat as São Paulo Dance Company returns to Newcastle Theatre Royal on Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 March 2027.
The company will be making its second UK tour, following a hugely successful debut visit. Expect athleticism, precision and emotional intensity, all delivered with the kind of physical skill that makes you suddenly very aware of how dramatic you look just trying to get off the sofa.
Contemporary Brazilian dance on the Theatre Royal stage? Yes please. Grace approves. Grace may not attempt any of the moves on the Metro home.
Jesus Christ Superstar Starring Sam Ryder
Musical theatre then takes the spotlight with Jesus Christ Superstar, running from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 27 March 2027.
The record-breaking West End production stars Sam Ryder as Jesus in Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s celebrated rock opera. The show follows the final days of Jesus Christ through the eyes of Judas, with songs including I Don’t Know How to Love Him, Gethsemane and Superstar.
Now, I don’t want to cause a scene, but Sam Ryder singing Andrew Lloyd Webber at Newcastle Theatre Royal does feel like the sort of announcement that makes theatre fans suddenly remember they “need to check the calendar.” Funny that.
Chicago Brings Glamour, Corruption and All That Jazz
Following closely behind is Chicago, playing from Monday 29 March to Saturday 3 April 2027.
Set amid glamour, corruption and media manipulation, Chicago follows aspiring performer Roxie Hart as she tries to charm, spin and shimmy her way out of a murder conviction. It is sharp, stylish and packed with unforgettable songs.
Basically, it is what would happen if a courtroom drama put on fishnets and decided to steal the headlines. And frankly, I’m not complaining.
Hadestown Heads to the North East
Summer brings Hadestown to Newcastle Theatre Royal from Tuesday 1 to Saturday 5 June 2027.
This acclaimed musical phenomenon retells the ancient Greek myths of Orpheus and Eurydice, and Hades and Persephone, taking audiences on a journey to the underworld and back. It is hopeful, haunting and packed with powerful storytelling.
Hadestown has won audiences around the world, and its arrival in Newcastle is one of those bookings that makes you think, “Right, this season isn’t messing about.”
Rambert Presents It’s a Sin
Rambert’s It’s a Sin comes to the theatre from Tuesday 29 June to Saturday 3 July 2027.
Directed and choreographed by Artistic Director Benoit Swan Pouffer, the new dance production is inspired by Russell T Davies’ award-winning Channel 4 series. Set in 1980s London during the unfolding AIDS crisis, the piece tells a story of friendship, love, resilience and survival through Rambert’s contemporary dance style.
It sounds moving, powerful and deeply human — the kind of work that does not just ask you to watch, but asks you to feel.
Midsomer Murders Comes to the Stage
Rounding off the announced season is Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift, running from Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 July 2027.
Yes, Midsomer is coming to the stage. Hide the village fete bunting, someone’s probably about to discover a body near the jam stall.
The stage adaptation brings the beloved television phenomenon to Newcastle, with DCI Tom Barnaby and Sergeant Gavin Troy investigating secrets, rivalries and hidden motives after a woman is found dead in the seemingly idyllic village of Badger’s Drift.
Daniel Casey, who originally played Sergeant Troy on television, returns to Midsomer County in the role of Inspector Tom Barnaby. That is a rather lovely full-circle moment, with added murder.
A Season With Something for Everyone
Marianne Locatori, Chief Executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal, said the season reflects the breadth and quality of work the theatre is proud to bring to audiences in the North East.
And looking at this line-up, she is not wrong. There is courtroom tension, international dance, rock opera, jazz hands, Greek tragedy, contemporary storytelling and cosy crime with a suspiciously polished village green.
As theatre seasons go, this one has clearly had its Weetabix.
How to Book Tickets
Tickets for all performances can be purchased through Newcastle Theatre Royal’s website or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010. Home | Newcastle Theatre Royal
Booking opens in stages, with Friends Plus able to book first, followed by Friends, Flexi Priority Pass holders, groups and schools, before general booking opens.
FAQ: Newcastle Theatre Royal New 2027 Season
Where are the shows taking place?
The productions will take place at Newcastle Theatre Royal.
When is Twelve Angry Men at Newcastle Theatre Royal?
Twelve Angry Men runs from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 February 2027.
When is São Paulo Dance Company performing?
São Paulo Dance Company performs on Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 March 2027.
When is Jesus Christ Superstar at Newcastle Theatre Royal?
Jesus Christ Superstar runs from Tuesday 16 to Saturday 27 March 2027.
Who is starring in Jesus Christ Superstar?
Sam Ryder stars as Jesus in the production.
When is Chicago at Newcastle Theatre Royal?
Chicago runs from Monday 29 March to Saturday 3 April 2027.
When is Hadestown coming to Newcastle?
Hadestown runs from Tuesday 1 to Saturday 5 June 2027.
When is Rambert’s It’s a Sin being performed?
Rambert’s It’s a Sin runs from Tuesday 29 June to Saturday 3 July 2027.
When is Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift at Newcastle Theatre Royal?
Midsomer Murders: The Killings at Badger’s Drift runs from Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 July 2027.
When do tickets go on sale?
Booking dates are as follows:
Friends Plus: Tuesday 23 June, 10am
Friends: Wednesday 24 June, 10am
Flexi Priority Pass, Groups and Schools: Thursday 25 June, 10am
General booking: Friday 26 June, 10am
How can I book tickets?
Tickets can be booked via www.theatreroyal.co.uk or through the Theatre Royal Box Office on 0191 232 7010.
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