Preview: Classicsfest @ The Lit & Phil/Alphabetti, Newcastle

ClassicsFest returns to Newcastle from 14th–16th May with a three‑day celebration of food, wine and hospitality in the ancient world — a lively mix of talks, tastings, theatre and storytelling across the Lit & Phil, Great North Museum, Alphabetti Theatre and Tyneside Cinema. The programme explores how the Greeks and Romans cooked, ate and gathered, with historians, chefs, writers and performers bringing ancient kitchens and banquet halls back to life.

Food lovers can dive into Roman Recipes for Modern Cooks on Thursday 14th May, where chef and food historian Sally Grainger recreates dishes from her new book, complete with samples. Friday 15th May turns to wine with Wine From Antiquity to Now, a tasting‑led exploration of ancient drinking culture, while the Great North Museum hosts guided tours of Greek wine vessels earlier that afternoon.

Theatre is a major strand this year, with Alphabetti Theatre staging Great Granda Apicius on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th May. Written by Abby Walker and directed by Ed Cole, the play reimagines the Roman cookbook attributed to Apicius through a modern lens. When Elsie’s influencer grandson ropes her into filming a “traditional cooking” video, she decides to teach him a thing or two — blurring ancient culinary wisdom with contemporary chaos. Each performance includes a short introduction to the Apicius text and a post‑show Q&A with the creative team.

Elsewhere, Tyneside Cinema hosts Trimalchio’s Dinner Party on Saturday 16th May — a theatrical afternoon tea inspired by The Satyricon — while talks across the weekend explore everything from food politics in Rome to the Greek concept of xenia, hospitality as a sacred duty.

Most events are free, but booking is essential. Tickets can be booked via The Lit & Phil website.