Live Theatre

Live Theatre is recognised as one of the great new writing theatres on the international stage. It offers world class theatre from experienced and new and emerging writers in its beautiful theatre located on Newcastles vibrant Quayside. Its quirky historic spaces made from five Grade II listed buildings joined together to create a unique atmosphere with an intimate feel.

The complex of beautifully restored Grade II listed buildings with state-of-the-art facilities, include a 160 seat cabaret style theatre, a studio theatre, renovated rehearsal rooms, dedicated writers rooms as well as an adjoining thriving cafe bar and pub. A creative, outdoor public performance space and gardens adjoins the Quayside theatre for additional opportunity for immersive theatre.

Live Theatre produces work as varied and diverse as the audiences it engages with. Writer Lee Hall whose plays Billy Elliot and The Pitmen Painters were first produced at Live Theatre calls it British Theatres best kept secret. As well as championing the art of writing for the stage by producing and presenting new plays, Live Theatre unlocks the potential of young people and finds and nurtures creative talent.  It has a well-established ‘Elevator’ programme – a structured four stage development process for creative talent. It offers the largest free youth theatre group in the North East of England, which runs weekly sessions for young people of mixed ability ages 10–25.

The theatre also hosts Live Tales, a free creative writing programme for schools for Key Stage 2 and 3 students in studios behind the theatre in Newcastle and at The Fire Station, Sunderland.

With the Sage Gateshead and BALTIC, Live Theatre created ‘Nooks and Crannies’ a free Artsmark offer based on ‘playing out’ that combines the unique offer of the three partners to enhance the cultural and creative experience for Artsmark schools.