A County of Hidden Stages
Whilst Northumberland is rightly celebrated for its castles and coastline, there's a quieter cultural story unfolding behind red velvet curtains and under stage lights across the county. From beautifully restored Victorian playhouses to innovative contemporary spaces, Northumberland's theatre scene offers everything from touring West End productions to experimental local drama, traditional pantomimes to cutting-edge dance.
This is a guide to the county's most characterful performance venues, where centuries of entertainment history meet modern creative ambition.
The Alnwick Playhouse: Northumberland's Cultural Gem
Tucked down a narrow lane off Alnwick's medieval marketplace, the Alnwick Playhouse is one of Britain's most atmospheric small theatres. Originally built in 1925 as a purpose-built cinema and music hall, the Playhouse has been entertaining audiences for a century. After closing as a cinema in 1979, it was taken over by the NTC Touring Theatre Company and reborn as an arts centre.
The intimate auditorium seats around 250 people, complemented by a 60-seat studio space and a visual art gallery. The venue has that particular magic that only comes with age. The programming is impressively varied: touring theatre companies, comedy nights, folk concerts, film screenings, and an annual pantomime that's become a local institution. The Playhouse also champions local talent through its youth theatre programme and community productions.
Practical tip: Book early for the Christmas pantomime, which typically runs from mid-December through early January and sells out weeks in advance. Tickets for most shows range from £12-£25. The small bar opens an hour before performances and serves interval drinks—order at the bar before the show starts to avoid queues.
The Playhouse is also home to a quirky theatre museum upstairs, displaying costumes, props, and playbills dating back to the 1800s. Ask at the box office about viewing times, as it's usually open before evening performances.
The Queen's Hall, Hexham: Where Classical Meets Contemporary
Hexham's Queen's Hall is Northumberland's premier arts centre, a handsome Victorian building that's been thoughtfully modernised whilst keeping its period character. The main auditorium seats 350 and hosts an eclectic programme that spans classical concerts by the Northern Sinfonia, touring theatre from companies like Kneehigh and Told by an Idiot, comedy from established names and rising stars, and world music that brings global sounds to market town England.
What sets the Queen's Hall apart is its commitment to artistic risk-taking. You're as likely to find experimental physical theatre as you are a tribute band, contemporary dance as classical recitals. The venue also runs an impressive film programme, screening art-house cinema alongside mainstream releases in comfortable, theatre-style seating.
The Queen's Hall Café Bar is worth visiting in its own right—open daily from 10am, it serves excellent coffee, homemade cakes, and light lunches. The high-ceilinged space, filled with local art for sale, makes a lovely spot for a pre-theatre meal or a rainy afternoon browse.
Ticket prices vary widely depending on the event (£8-£35), with discounts for students, under-26s, and groups. Check their website for "Creative Coffee" events—morning performances followed by discussions with artists over coffee, usually around £5.
The Maltings Theatre and Cinema, Berwick-upon-Tweed
Right on the border between England and Scotland, The Maltings occupies a venue built within the ruins of an early 19th-century maltings beside the River Tweed. This is Northumberland's most northerly theatre, and its programme reflects its unique position—drawing audiences from both countries and often featuring Scottish theatre companies alongside English ones.
The 325-seat main house theatre hosts touring productions, local amateur dramatics (Berwick has a thriving community theatre scene), music gigs, and an annual festival celebrating the region's borderland culture. The attached three-screen cinema shows a mix of independent, foreign-language, and mainstream films—a vital cultural resource for a town of just 12,000 people.
The riverside location is particularly appealing in good weather. Arrive early to walk along the quayside, and afterwards, you're a five-minute stroll from Berwick's excellent pubs and restaurants. The Maltings' own café serves pre-show suppers (booking advised) featuring local produce.
Ticket prices are very reasonable—typically £12-£20 for theatre, £7-£9 for cinema. The venue runs a "Pay What You Decide" scheme for selected shows, where you watch first and pay afterwards based on what you thought it was worth.
Live Theatre Workspace, Newcastle (A Northumberland Connection)
Whilst technically in Newcastle, Live Theatre deserves mention for its deep connection to Northumberland stories and artists. This new writing theatre specialises in plays rooted in the North East, often featuring Northumberland settings, characters, and dialect.
Founded in 1973 by Val McLane, Geoff Gillham, and Dave Clark, Live Theatre has always championed working-class voices from the region. The playwright Tom Hadaway, a key writer for the company whose work introduced actors like Tim Healy and Robson Green to the profession, exemplified that commitment, which continues today. Recent productions have explored everything from the Northumberland mining heritage to contemporary rural life, often touring to village halls across the county after their Newcastle run.
Live Theatre also runs writing workshops in Northumberland communities and has developed work with organisations like the Northumberland National Park Authority, creating performances that celebrate local landscape and history. Their annual "Live Tales" festival brings storytelling from the region's oral tradition to the stage.
Village Hall Theatre: Northumberland's Hidden Network
Beyond the permanent venues, Northumberland has a thriving network of touring performances that bring professional theatre to village halls across the county. Companies like Eastern Angles, Mikron Theatre, and Middle Child regularly tour rural Northumberland, performing in community spaces from Allendale to Wooler.
These aren't compromise experiences—many small-scale touring companies are among Britain's most innovative, creating work specifically designed for intimate spaces. You might watch a two-hander about border reivers in a stone hall in Elsdon, or a folk-music-infused play about fishing communities in Craster's village hall.
The best way to discover these performances is through the Highlights Rural Touring Scheme, which coordinates village hall programming across Northumberland. Check their website or look for posters in local shops and libraries. Tickets are usually £8-£12, often with homemade refreshments included.
The Customs House, South Shields (Serving South-East Northumberland)
Though in South Tyneside, The Customs House sits right on Northumberland's southern border and draws audiences from towns like Cramlington and Blyth. This striking building overlooking the River Tyne mouth punches well above its weight, producing original shows that often transfer to national tours.
Ray Spencer's pantomimes here have cult status—lavish, hilarious productions that sell out months ahead and attract audiences from across the North East. The venue also hosts touring musicals, comedy, and music, with a particularly strong programme of folk and acoustic acts.
The Customs House also features gallery spaces exhibiting contemporary art from regional, national, and international practitioners, plus a cinema and a flexible studio theatre. The on-site restaurant serves excellent pre-theatre menus.
Woodhorn Museum's Performance Programme
This former colliery in Ashington might seem an unlikely theatre venue, but Woodhorn's regular performance programme brings arts and heritage together brilliantly. The museum hosts everything from folk concerts in the historic winding engine house to outdoor theatre in summer on the colliery grounds.
The annual "Pitman Poets" events celebrate Ashington's famous artistic heritage—the group of miners who attended art classes here in the 1930s and 40s, creating remarkable paintings of their working lives. These evenings combine storytelling, music, and film in a moving celebration of working-class creativity.
Woodhorn also stages family theatre during school holidays and hosts music festivals that bring national acts to this unexpected East Northumberland venue. Entry to the museum itself is free, with charges for special events (typically £8-£15).
Bailiffgate Museum and Gallery, Alnwick
This intimate museum occasionally hosts small-scale performances—poetry readings, music recitals, and spoken word events—in its atmospheric Georgian building. These tend to be local artists and community performances rather than touring professionals, but they offer a chance to experience Northumberland's grassroots cultural life.
The museum's courtyard is sometimes used for outdoor performance during the Alnwick Music Festival and other summer events. Check their "What's On" page for occasional theatrical surprises.
Practical Information for Theatre-Goers
Booking: Most venues offer online booking, though smaller village halls may require telephone bookings or cash on the door. Book accommodation early if you're travelling for evening performances, especially in more remote locations.
Accessibility: All major venues have wheelchair access and hearing loops. The Playhouse in Alnwick, being a historic building, has a wheelchair lift but limited accessible seating—call ahead to discuss your needs.
Parking: Alnwick Playhouse has no dedicated parking (use the Greenwell Road car park, 5 minutes' walk). Hexham Queen's Hall is 10 minutes from the main Wentworth car park. Berwick Maltings has parking directly outside. Always allow extra time in market towns on busy days.
Dining: All main venues have bars, but for pre-theatre meals, explore nearby restaurants. Alnwick has numerous options within 5 minutes of the Playhouse. Hexham's Beaumont Street and Market Place offer everything from Italian to Indian. In Berwick, try Magna Tandoori or Audela for pre-show suppers.
Plan Your Theatre Trail
For a real theatrical tour of Northumberland, consider a long weekend:
Day 1: Afternoon at Alnwick Playhouse museum, evening performance, overnight in Alnwick
Day 2: Drive to Hexham (45 minutes), explore the town, pre-theatre supper, evening show at Queen's Hall, overnight in Hexham
Day 3: Morning drive to Berwick (1 hour), explore the town walls and quayside, afternoon film at The Maltings, dinner in Berwick
Day 4: Return via the coast, stopping at Woodhorn Museum if there's an event on
This gives you a genuine sense of Northumberland's diverse theatre landscape, from historic playhouse to contemporary arts centre, historic market town to border stronghold. Book your shows well in advance and build your itinerary around what's performing when.
The Curtain Hasn't Fallen
Northumberland's theatre scene is quietly thriving, sustained by dedicated teams, loyal audiences, and visiting artists who fall in love with performing in these characterful spaces. From Victorian plasterwork to converted maltings, from village halls to purpose-built arts centres, the county offers stage experiences you simply won't find in anonymous modern complexes.
These aren't museum pieces—they're living, working theatres creating the cultural memories of today. So next time you're planning a Northumberland trip, look beyond the castles and coastline. Check what's on at the Playhouse, the Queen's Hall, or The Maltings. Buy a ticket, take your seat, and let another side of Northumberland unfold before your eyes.
Sources & Useful Links
- Alnwick Playhouse — Cinema and theatre listings
- The Maltings, Berwick-upon-Tweed — Theatre, music and comedy programme
- Queens Hall Arts Centre, Hexham — Concerts, theatre and film
- Forum Cinema, Hexham — Independent cinema screenings
- Northern Stage, Newcastle — Theatre and performance
