News: Alphabetti Theatre – Spring Season

Newcastle’s award-winning, artist-led fringe performance venue, Alphabetti Theatre, have unveiled their Spring 2026 season, alongside news of a major shift in focus as they gear up for a full relaunch in early 2027. The new programme leans into what the venue does best – fresh writing, comedy, emerging talent and creative experimentation – before moving into a more development‑led phase from June, putting regional voices and artist support at the centre of their work.

This Spring’s highlights include Our Little Hour (5th–7th March), a new musical from Live Wire Theatre and Show Racism the Red Card about footballer and WW1 officer Walter Tull; and Hold the Line (29th April–2nd May), the latest play from Heaton’s own Sam Macgregor, set inside an NHS 111 call centre. Other theatre offerings range from the returning Fixing (27th–28th February) to Viking‑inspired Jorvik (19th–20th March) and Lois‑Amber Tool’s Post Traumatic Slay Disorder (22nd–23rd April).

Alphabetti’s Work in Progress strand continues with Rhian Jade’s The Whetherman (21st February), while The Northern School of Art bring their InterAct Festival to the venue with productions including Black Teeth and a Brilliant Smile (18 February), My Mother’s Funeral: The Show (26th February) and Joseph K (18th March). Comedy bookends the season with Sam Nicoresti’s Baby Doomer (27th February) and Ayoade Bamgboye’s Swings and Roundabouts (22nd May). Community staples Common Thread and the Writing Group return, joined by a new monthly Reading Room in partnership with Live Theatre.

From June 2026, Artistic Director Edward Cole will lead Alphabetti through a transitional period focused on experimentation, reflection and deeper support for freelance creatives, culminating in a full relaunch in early 2027. Audiences and artists will be invited to help shape the venue’s future through open houses and planning events, starting with Story Board on 15 April.

Edward adds, “Since arriving at Alphabetti 18 months ago I’ve been guiding the organisation through a  period of thoughtful transition, working alongside our staff and trustees to consider the  best path forward for Betti, and more importantly, for the artists who rely on us.  

“It has always been my ambition to reimagine and revitalise what fringe theatre can be,  and for Alphabetti that will mean a renewed and direct focus on opportunities for artists,  genuine creative nurturing and dedicated idea development.”