Gala Night

Join us for our very first Shakespeare North Playhouse Gala Night, an evening where sonnets, music, and performance come together in celebration.

Experience Shakespeare’s timeless sonnets, alongside songs inspired by his works, brought vividly to life by an extraordinary line-up including;

• Frank Cottrell-Boyce (Millions (screenwriter), 24 Hour Party People (screenwriter), London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony (writer))
• Ben Crystal (Shakespeare on Toast (author/performer), Hamlet (Globe Theatre, actor), The Merry Wives of Windsor (Globe Theatre, actor)
• Julie Hesmondhalgh (Coronation Street, Broadchurch, Mr Bates vs the Post Office)
• Sally Hodgkiss (Comedy credits include The Comedy Store Players, Whose Line is it Anyway? Live and The Stephen Frost Impro Allstars.)
• Rufus Hound (Rufus Hound’s Good Intentions (BBC Radio 4), Cuckoo (BBC Three / BBC One), They Think It’s All Over (BBC One))
• Mike Noble (Macbeth (Produced by Shakespeare North Playhouse, ETT & Northern Stage), This City is Ours (BBC))
• Ashleigh Nugent (The Mountaintop (theatre), Othello (theatre), Macbeth (theatre))
• Cathy Tyson (Boiling Point (BBC), Band of Gold)

More to be announced.

Against the backdrop of our architecturally stunning, oak-beamed Cockpit Theatre, hear your favourite lines lifted from the page and brought to life by the voices of some of our most treasured performers.

Directed by the acclaimed James Dacre, this special event celebrates some of Shakespeare’s most beloved verse.

Whether you’re a lifelong Shakespeare enthusiast or discovering his sonnets for the first time, all are welcome at is what is sure to be a brilliant night of bard magic.

This evening is held to support the incredible work of Shakespeare North, championing and nurturing artists and companies through the artist development programme, ORIGIN8, and the Shakespeare North Young Company.

ORIGIN8 is a programme that supports artists at multiple stages of their careers by offering time, space and professional guidance.

The Young Company is an opportunity for young people aged 7 to 16 to get involved in theatre. A space to create, connect and express themselves.

All those taking part in this event have generously donated their time to support the organisation and help ensure this vital work can continue to grow. The money raised from the evening will go towards sustaining and expanding these programmes so that the artists of the future have the best possible start on their journey.