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Preview: 80s Mania at Sunderland Empire May 22 2012

THAT decade of forgettable fashions and unforgettable songs is making a return, to Sunderland anyway, so dig out those leg-warmers and shoulder pads and join in some 80s Mania.Read

Review: Elvis Costello at Newcastle City Hall May 22 2012

HOW does an artist with 20-plus albums and hundreds of songs choose the select few to fill a two-and-a-half hour concert?Read

Preview: Geronimo! at ARC, Stockton Arts Centre May 22 2012

A NEW theatre company and a new play make their joint debut tomorrow at ARC, the Stockton arts centre.Read

Artist Brita Granstrom captures Berwick's shops May 22 2012

IF a candlestick maker had somehow survived in Berwick then Swedish artist Brita Granström would have painted him. After all, Brita has already produced a series of paintings of a local butcher and baker.Read

Preview: Mary Shelley by Helen Edmundson at Northern Stage May 21 2012

ANYONE up for a literary teaser? Which novel opens with a letter to Mrs Saville, stating: “You will rejoice to hear that no disaster has accompanied the commencement of an enterprise which you have regarded with such evil forebodings”?Read

Scottish artist Douglas Gordon makes new film May 21 2012

A TURNER Prize-winning artist is to destroy a grand piano this evening in the making of a new film called The End of Civilisation.Read

Best of Jubilee Royal reads May 19 2012

THE Diamond Jubilee means a cascade of new books. Hannah Stephenson talks to Alan Titchmarsh and picks some other books celebrating the Queen’s years on the throne. Read

Preview: Geological Etiquette at Mining Institute, Newcastle May 17 2012

One of Newcastle’s oldest institutions has inspired new artwork to be unveiled this weekend as part of the Late Shows. BARBARA HODGSON had a previewRead

Preview: Brit Floyd in Hall One of The Sage Gateshead May 17 2012

LLANDUDNO, Torquay, Whitehaven, Basingstoke and Gateshead have at least one thing in common.Read

Review: Matthew Bourne’s Nutcracker! at Theatre Royal Newcastle May 17 2012

I’VE seen several versions of The Nutcracker – generally perfect, pretty, sparkly affairs – but it comes as no surprise that award-winning choreographer Bourne, who takes dance to a new dimension, goes one step further in his take on the classic ballet.Read

Flash-fiction competition winners announced May 16 2012

TODAY is the first National Flash-Fiction Day, a special day to celebrate all that is short and sweet – and fashionable – in fiction.Read

Charity is inspiring our musical youth May 16 2012

A MEETING of North East minds and voices is taking place this week thanks to Samling, the Hexham-based charity that inspires musical excellence in young people. Sir Thomas Allen, who was born in County Durham, has many claims to fame.Read

Review: Curtains at the Little Theatre, Gateshead May 16 2012

A NEW musical, Robbin Hood of the Old West, is taking shape when the leading lady is murdered. Grief among fellow cast members is short-lived. She was dreadful and, of course, the show must go on.Read

Review: Westlife Final Farewell Tour 2012, Metro Radio Arena May 16 2012

THE kings of the charts proved they’re still Flying Without Wings as they gave thousands of fans the chance to say goodbye.Read

Interview with: Philip Ridley author of Tender Napalm May 15 2012

BARBARA HODGSON speaks to the author of an explosive drama opening in Newcastle tomorrow for a two-night run.Read

Review: Communion Unplugged, Hoults Yard, Newcastle May 15 2012

MAY is a busy month for the artist-led Communion music organisation with events in New York, San Francisco, London, Leeds, Belfast and - over two nights this past weekend - Newcastle.Read

Live Theatre announces second collaboration with Soho Theatre May 14 2012

A NEW theatre project linking Newcastle and London is helping to create a perfect world. Barbara Hodgson reports.Read

Kristyna Myles heading to Newcastle for Malmaison gig May 14 2012

A STREET busker who was snapped up by record label Universal is fast-tracking a career in the music industry with a UK tour which brings her to Newcastle tomorrow.Read

Preview: The Sleeping Beauty at the The Maltings Theatre, Berwick May 14 2012

CLASSICAL ballet The Sleeping Beauty is heading to Berwick in Northumberland this week with an international cast of dancers.Read

Preview: BBC Young Musician 2012 at The Sage Gateshead May 12 2012

IT has been a long road of hard graft, concentration, triumph and disappointment but with a glittering prize to drive the competitors along. The final push comes at 3pm tomorrow – and I don’t mean the last match of this year’s Premier League.Read

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