- Play Hard
- 15th Oct 2025
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New to opera? Experience it for less at Newcastle Theatre Royal for just £20
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Big drama, bold collaborations and even a musical mystery – Opera North is back at Newcastle Theatre Royal with a season that has something for everyone.
Opera North will be taking to the Newcastle stage from Wednesday 5th – Saturday 8th November 2025 and Thursday 19th – Saturday 21st March 2026.
From Parisian rooftops to seaside tragedies, comedy capers to musical mysteries – Opera North’s return to Newcastle is the perfect chance to experience opera at its very best… and at a price that makes it rude not to.
That’s thanks to the New to Opera scheme, meaning there’s no better time to give it a go. Newbies can enjoy two top seats for just £20 each, while under 30s and students can grab tickets for only £10.
LA BOHÈME
Wednesday 5th and Saturday 8th November 2025
Opera North’s season opens with a classic: La bohème. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd (Mamma Mia!) and revived by James Hurley, this Parisian tale of bohemian friends, love and heartbreak is pure operatic magic. Expect laughter, tears and soaring music that will stay with you long after the curtain falls.
SUSANNA
Thursday 6th November 2025
The next night brings something bold and beautiful. Opera North teams up with Phoenix Dance Theatre for Susanna, set to Handel’s radiant music. This gripping story of power, resilience and reputation blends music and movement in a way that’s utterly mesmerising. If you loved their Requiem in 2023, this one’s a must.
THE BIG OPERA MYSTERY
Friday 7th November 2025
Families, this one’s for you. The Big Opera Mystery is an interactive whodunnit where your little ones become detectives, interrogating opera’s most famous characters to solve a musical crime – with a little help from the orchestra of Opera North. A fun family night out with a theatrical twist.
THE MARRIAGE OF FIGARO
Thursday 19th and Saturday 21st March 2026
Mozart’s comedy returns in a fresh new production set in a modern country house. On the eve of a wedding, chaos reigns as secrets, schemes and disguises spiral out of control. It’s witty, fast-paced and full of glorious music – an opera that feels as sharp today as it did in Mozart’s time.
PETER GRIMES
Friday 20th March 2026
The season closes with a powerful punch. Britten’s Peter Grimes, directed by Phyllida Lloyd, tells the story of an outsider struggling between his yearning for belonging and the violence of his own nature. Dark, emotional and unforgettable, this is opera at its most visceral.
REASONS TO TRY OPERA
If you love drama, Opera is full of it – where music, theatre, storytelling, art and fashion collide in inspiring performances packed with emotion, stunning costumes and unforgettable melodies.
Every show is a visual feast, from elaborate wigs to beautifully lit sets. The sound is breathtaking too: powerful, unamplified voices soar above a live orchestra.
Worried about following the plot? English subtitles and accessible options make every story easy to enjoy. And it’s affordable. With discounts for newcomers, students and under-30s, with tickets from just £10, there’s never been a better time to experience the magic of opera.
Tickets are available at Newcastle Theatre Royal’s website or by calling the Box Office on 0191 232 7010.
Rachael Ellis
Head of Content
After gaining a first in her BA Media and Journalism degree at Northumbria University, Rachael worked at Newcastle’s leading regional newspaper with her stories being picked up in national and global newspapers. She spent two very successful years giving a voice to those communities across the North East who otherwise…
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