Unfolding Theatre

16/06/2026

Brilliant to see the return of Bitesize from Cultural Spring. This programme enabled us to develop and initially tour our family show, Here Be Dragons - and, for that, we're very grateful!

We highly recommend the programme - find out more in this article from The Northern Echo.

The Cultural Spring is bringing back its popular Bitesize programme, offering a new series of small-scale, community-led performances across…

16/06/2026

Dear Sunderland is heading to Roker seafront! 🌊

We're thrilled that our community storytelling performance will open the Sunday programme at Summer Streets Festival - the free, open-air celebration of music, arts and culture.

Join us on Sunday 5th July from 12noon (check out the full programme below - it looks AMAZING)!

https://www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk/whatson/2026/7/5/dear-sunderland-at-summer-streets-festival

Commissioned by Cultural Spring.

10/06/2026

"Nobody simply turns up as a games designer. The screen industry, the music economy, the headline growth figures: none of it appears out of nowhere. It grows out of a whole living ecology: the school art class, the community workshop, the small touring company, the museum that sparked something in a child, the freelancer who makes three other people's projects possible".

That idea - of culture as an ecosystem - was central to discussion at last week's Newcastle Culture Partnership consultation event on the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority's draft framework for Culture, Creative Industries and Sport.

Read freelancer Adam Goldwater's reflections on what the room got right.

What does a strategic framework for culture actually need to get right? At Newcastle Culture Partnership's recent consultation event on the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority's draft framework for Culture, Creative Industries and Sport, one freelancer found a room full of people asking exactly t

08/06/2026

We can't wait to perform Dear Sunderland again! Save the date for Summer Streets Festival, there's a brilliant programme lined up! 🎪☀️

08/06/2026

"Real responsibilities, confidence in my abilities; this internship showed me the power of a supportive team and a company driven by purpose".

Newcastle University Marketing student Zainab recently finished her internship with Unfolding Theatre - creating many a playful reel behind-the-scenes of the recent Here Be Dragons tour!

Here, Zainab reflects on her internship - the lessons, the experiences, and what she's taking with her as her marketing career begins.

Newcastle University student Zainab Nadeem recently finished her internship at Unfolding Theatre. Here, she reflects on her time with the company and what skills and memories she will take away with her.

08/06/2026

Great to see reflections from last week's Newcastle Cultural Partnership event highlighted int he weekly round-up from Cultured. North East:

This week we're talking theatre, making, nature and culture – from Richard Bean's birthday celebration to the artists, campaigners and thinkers shaping the North East's future

04/06/2026

What does the North East's cultural community want from its new Mayoral Strategic Framework for Culture, Creative Industries and Sport? Earlier this week we gathered at Great North Museum: Hancock to find out....and there was a lot to say!

Key themes included support for the whole cultural ecology, long-term funding, skills and talent, and culture's vital role in place and identity.

You have until 17th June to share your views on the North East MSA's draft Culture, Creative Industries and Sport framework — and your voice matters.

Head to the blog to read our Artistic Director's reflections on the event and to find out how you can input into the consultation.

https://www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk/articles/2026/6/4/a-lot-to-say-reflections-on-the-newcastle-culture-partnership-consultation

Don't miss your chance to help shape the region's cultural future!

North East Mayoral Strategic Authority

Annie Rigby reflects on a rich afternoon of conversation at Great North Museum: Hancock, with a full summary of themes from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority.

02/06/2026

☀️✨ Summer Streets Festival is baaaaack!✨☀️

Get ready for a gorgeous free-entry music, arts & community festival for Sunderland in Cliffe Park, serving an unforgettable weekend of creativity, connection and summer vibes. 🌿🎶

📅 Saturday 4 & Sunday 5 July
📍 Cliffe Park, Sunderland

Expect two days packed with:
🎤 Live music from the likes of Cortney Dixon, Ruth Lyon Music and We Make Culture
🎨 Arts & creative workshops
🧒 Family-friendly creative lushness
🍔 food & drink for canny indie traders
✨ Community spirit and festival magic
😍 Performances from Curious Arts with Wheelie Proud & Unfolding Theatre’s Dear Sunderland

No tickets needed, just turn up and enjoy. 🙌☀️

01/06/2026

Last month, Artistic Director Annie Rigby found herself in three places at once; at GIFT (Gateshead International Festival of Theatre), on a train reading a play about climate action, and at Devoted & Disgruntled (organised by Improbable) in London, continuing the conversation.

This new blog post reflects on theatre, community, climate, conversation and the “frequency of possibility” that connects them all.

Head to the blog to read now 👇
www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk/articles/2026/6/1/the-gift-of-possibility

📸 Dustin Scott Harvey

This blog, by Artistic Director Annie Rigby, reflects on attending GIFT Festival and Devoted & Disgruntled, the feeling of possibility they inspired, and why, in difficult times, spaces that invite connection and collective imagination matter more than ever.

26/05/2026

Check out 'Don't Get Lost in the Portal' - created by our fantastic East End Story Makers - online....it's a brilliant watch for kids over the half-term!

A short illustrated audio story created by a team of young Newcastl...