Theatre Royal bash gets stamp of approval

THE THEATRE ROYAL in Newcastle celebrated another landmark birthday with a huge party on Grey Street at the weekend.

Hundreds of Geordies braved freezing temperatures to see a spectacular fireworks and lights show illuminate the Grade I-listed building at the heart of the much-acclaimed Grainger Town area.

The free event was reminiscent of the hourly display upon the tower of the Astronomical Clock in Prague - and served as a wonderful reminder of my trip to the capital of the Czech Republic last October.

Back on Tyneside, this celebration was in very good order. After all, the theatre turned 175 years old yesterday having first been opened on 20 February 1837.

Actually, the original building was gutted by a huge fire in 1899 following a performance of William Shakespeare's 'Scottish play', but the current incarnation - which has stood since 1901 - truly remains a jewel in the crown of Newcastle city centre.

Indeed, it is one of only three places in the country in which the Royal Shakespeare Company plays regularly, the others being London and, of course, Stratford-upon-Avon.

This year's first RSC performance at the Royal - the Taming of the Shrew - starts its run this week on 23 February, continuing until 3 March.

And then, this summer, a production of Julius Caesar will feature for 10 days from 19-28 July as part of the 2012 World Shakespeare Festival.

But, despite the best efforts of the Bard, the Royal is still most famous around Tyneside for putting on a fantastic family pantomime over the Christmas period.

A similarly excitable atmosphere could be found outside the theatre on Sunday as, at the start of each hour between 6-9pm, a harlequin called the Master of Mischief began the festivities.

After the fireworks and lights show, he then beckoned the crowd to see each of the five street performances which were stationed along the length of Grey Street.

These included allusions to Fagin in Oliver Twist, the Ugly Sisters in Cinderella and, my personal favourite, the three witches in Macbeth.

Thankfully, though, there was no sign of "double, double, toil and trouble" at this spectacular event.

And, considering this celebrated 175 years of the Theatre Royal, it can already be assumed that the bicentennial in 2037 will be yet another night to remember!