Arts & Culture

Matthew Bourne's The Car Man — Theatre Royal

Matthew Bourne's award-winning dance thriller reimagines Bizet's opera in a 1950s American setting — a spiral of greed, lust, betrayal and revenge. Runs 8-12 September with matinees.

Date

Tuesday, 8 September 2026

Time

7:30 PM

Location

Theatre Royal, Grey Street, Newcastle, NE1 6BR

Cost

From £23.75

Organised by New Adventures / Theatre Royal Newcastle

About This Event

Matthew Bourne is one of the most successful and popular choreographers in the world, and The Car Man is among his most acclaimed works. This thrilling dance-drama reimagines Bizet's Carmen as a film noir set in a 1950s American garage-diner, where the arrival of a mysterious stranger triggers an unstoppable spiral of greed, lust, betrayal and revenge. Featuring music by Terry Davies incorporating Rodion Shchedrin's Carmen Suite, the production combines Matthew Bourne's distinctive storytelling with electrifying choreography that has been described as "a thrilling and seriously sexy sensation" and "a shatteringly good piece of storytelling." The intimate setting of a small-town garage-diner gives way to a sweeping tale of passion and crime. Running Tuesday to Saturday with matinees on Thursday (2pm) and Saturday (2:30pm). Recommended for ages 12+ — contains scenes of a sexual nature, brief nudity, strobe lighting, and gunshots. Audio-described performance with pre-show touch tour available at the Saturday matinee.

Local Directory

224 local businesses reviewed and rated.

Browse directory →

Find a Tutor

28 local tutors covering music, maths, languages, and more.

Find a tutor →

Local Guides

In-depth guides to restaurants, pubs, schools, walks, and more.

Explore guides →

Stay Updated

Get the weekly Gosforth.org digest — events, news, and local tips.