Christmas classic to bring warmth to all

Northern Stage, the largest producing theatre in the North East, is bringing festive joy to children and families with initiatives designed to make its production of A Christmas Carol accessible to those who might not otherwise attend.

With support from Newcastle City Council’s Holiday Activity Fund (HAF), children in receipt of free school meals will be offered free tickets to enjoy the production, participate in storytelling activities and receive a hot meal.

The programme highlights the enduring themes of A Christmas Carol, addressing inequality and the importance of community and compassion - issues that resonate deeply in the North East, a region with the highest levels of child poverty in the UK.

Natalie Ibu, artistic director at Northern Stage said: “Charles Dickens’ commentary on society is unfortunately still more relevant than ever, with the cost-of-living crisis, child poverty and rising winter fuel payments all disproportionally affecting North East families.

“As an organisation we are committed to giving access to creativity and sharing some Christmas joy with all families, school groups and young people from across our vibrant region, while using theatre as a tool for change.”

“We want to ensure that household income does not impact on people’s ability to visit and get involved with our activities here at Northern Stage the Christmas.

“We know that giving more people the opportunity to engage in theatre and the arts can have numerous health and well-being benefits for individuals, while addressing societal issues at the same time.” 

As part of its outreach efforts, Northern Stage is also a Warm Space, offering affordably priced food and drink alongside its Pay it Forward scheme. This initiative invites audience members to donate tickets for families unable to afford a visit, ensuring even more people can enjoy the magic of live theatre.

Natalie added: Through Pay It Forward, we are able to distribute tickets to local schools, charities and community groups, ensuring that those who may not otherwise be able to afford to can experience the joy of live theatre.”

“The generosity of our patrons who have taken part in the Pay It Forward initiative helps us to make visits like this possible and removes financial barriers, ensuring that theatre is accessible to all members of the community, regardless of their circumstances. 

“This reflects our belief that theatre has the power to transform lives, and that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in the cultural life of the city.” 

Running from November 30 to January 4, this reimagining of Dickens’ classic tale by Karen Louise Hebden, which is directed by Natalie, promises music, circus acts and captivating storytelling with an international cast.

Tickets are now on sale for A Christmas Carol at Northern Stage. For more information or to book, see here.

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