Three top actresses highlight next year's theatre season at Newcastle while Sunderland's Empire has just announced a run of Miss Saigon for 2005. Viv Hardwick reports.

A RETURN by British choreographer Matthew Bourne and dramas starring some of the country's best-known actresses highlight the spring season at the Theatre Royal Newcastle.

Stephanie Cole, who starred in Tenko and Waiting for God, opens the season (January 20-24) with The Shell Seekers, which earned rave reviews at Darlington's Civic Theatre this year.

The passionate family drama is based on Rosamunde Pilcher's best-selling novel, which has sold over five million copies worldwide.

The following month (February 2-7), Penelope Keith stars in J B Priestly's poignant portrait of a family teetering on the brink of a brave new world between the wars, Time and the Conways.

Then in April (13-17), Diana Rigg stars in Sheffield Theatre's production of Tennessee Williams' tale of impossible love and revenge, Suddenly Last Summer.

Several shows which sold-out last year have been invited back by general manager Peter Sarah. The first is Matthew Bourne's Nutcracker! (January 27-February 1). His unique version of this classic also sold out in London's West End, where the critics lavished it with praise.

It may not be everyone's cup of tea but Sing-A-Long-A Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Sing-A-Long-A Abba make up a weekend of song in February (14-15).

Also returning (March 8-13) is the big theatre hit of last year Kenneth Branagh's celebration of Morecambe and Wise, The Play What I Wrote. There'll be surprise celebrity guest stars as well.

Opera North brings back its 1999 hit production of Verdi's La traviata in February with Rossini's popular comedy The Barber of Seville, with sumptuous 18th Century costumes; plus Smetana's The Bartered Bride, a frenetic kaleidoscopic production with live circus entertainers.

Later in the season (March 30-April 3) the Gilbert and Sullivan specialists, Carl Rosa Company, are welcomed back to the North-East with HMS Pinafore. Directed by actor Timothy West, the production stars former TV Doctor Who Colin Baker.

Matthew Bourne will also showing be staging his new dance/drama Play Without Words (April 6-10). Based on the film The Servant, and set in London in the swinging 1960s it's a unique combination of acting, contemporary dance and movement, and won both Best Entertainment and Best Theatre Choreographer at last year's Olivier Awards.

after an absence of 27 years, Dance Theatre of Harlem, a groundbreaking black ballet troupe regarded as one of the finest companies in the USA, bring three performances to Newcastle (May 7-8).

As always, musicals feature strongly with The Full Monty (February 23-March 6) likely to become show of the year with a two-week run. Tickets are on sale early for a new production of the musical Footloose which will play the Tyneside venue at the beginning of the summer season (May 10-15). Based on the famous movie, it includes hits like Let's Hear it for the Boy and Holding Out for a Hero.

In April (20-24), a new production of Oliver Twist arrives from The Lyric Hammersmith. Adapted and directed by Lyric artistic director Neil Barlett, it promises to encompass all of the emotions of one of the angriest, funniest and most deeply-felt stories about childhood ever written. Suitable for ages 10 to adult.

Getting Connected

Last year Shell Connections youth theatre celebration was a huge success and more plays specially written for young people will be staged during the weekend of April 30-May 2.

As well as all the productions, TREO (Theatre Royal Education and Outreach) also have a full programme of talks, discussions, tours and workshops to compliment the productions throughout the season Contact the Booking Office for full details.

* All tickets available by ringing 0870 905 5060 or online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk

Published: 24/12/2003