It might still be chilly outside, but here at ARC we’re already dreaming of sunnier skies and longer days, and with them comes a brand-new Spring season bursting with music, comedy, theatre, family fun and more.
From energetic nights of live music to heart-warming family shows, this season is all about celebrating creativity and bringing people together.
Comedy
Comedy is as lively as ever, with Catch 22 Comedy Club celebrating 20 years of side-splitting performances and Beat the Gong making its much-anticipated return. TV favourite Josh Jones brings his signature wit to the stage, sharing tales of life in his 30s – from the joy of a Greggs sausage roll to the challenge of earning his cat’s respect.
Family
Family audiences are in for magical adventures too. Last Unicorn Airways takes children on a whimsical journey around the world, led by two playful baggage handlers and suitcases brimming with trinkets and tales. And Along Came a Magpie tells the heart-warming story of a gardener whose life is turned upside down by a mischievous magpie, exploring friendship in the most delightful way.
Music
We’re thrilled to welcome back Hope & Social, eight spirited musicians whose joyous mix of soul, indie, folk and disco promises a night of dancing, singing and smiles. Kicking off our new live music night, Soundcheck is the perfect place to discover emerging talent from the Tees Valley and North East, with Melanie Baker and George Bailey leading the first shows.
Jazz fans are in for a treat too, asJeremy McMurray and the Pocket Jazz Orchestra return for three nights, including the spectacular Big Band night alongside Mick Donnelly and Musicians Unlimited, performing classics from Duke Ellington to Frank Sinatra.
For lovers of soulful reinterpretation, Tom Waits for No Man sees Lindsay Hannon celebrate the enduring songs of one of America’s great composers, offering fresh, heartfelt arrangements that let the sheer brilliance of the songwriting shine.
Theatre
Bus Stop Goths from ARC Associate Artist Audrey Cook sees a surreal modern folktale celebrating youth, identity and sacred outdoor spaces, following celestial beings Sid and Viv as they watch over Middlesbrough’s streets.
Carriage by Resound Theatre blends movement, objects and sound to create immersive, visceral theatre, while Later Life Letter from Luke Wright offers a warm, witty exploration of adoption, family and belonging through poetry and stand-up and Post Traumatic Slay Disorder follows Kit, a young waitress navigating PTSD and city life in the age of TikTok, a show that’s funny, fearless and utterly relatable.
Each month, Rough Cut Revolutions gives local artists the chance to share new and daring work in a live scratch-night setting, helping to nurture the next generation of creative talent.
And our standout production, The Monocle, invites you into a 1930s Parisian cabaret where jazz chanteuse Imogen Banks leads a story full of music, dance, laughter and the joy of a truly safe space.
Other Highlights
WiFi Wars is a hilarious live comedy game show where you play along from your smartphone or tablet. Hosted by comedian Steve McNeil with tech support from Guinness World-Record-breaking Rob Sedgebeer, it’s an interactive night of games, quizzes, laughs and prizes.
We’re so excited about everything coming up and can’t wait to share this new season with you. Whether it’s theatre, comedy, film, family fun or something completely unexpected, we hope you’ll find something that brings you through our doors.
See you soon,
Alexander and all the team at ARC