Looking back at 2024

As the year draws to a close, we're looking back on 2024—a year of creativity, connection, and growth for Unfolding Theatre.

Here are just a few highlights from an exciting 12 months: 

Night Classes: A New Chapter 

Night Classes (credit Mark Savage)

This year, we brought Night Classes to ARC Stockton, sparking rich conversations about access. The show continues to evolve, and we’re delighted to announce that it will embark on a 2025 tour, including Gosforth Civic Theatre in the spring. 

Empowering Voices 

Our Voices Were Heard (credit Von Fox Promotions)

Our commitment to amplifying diverse voices is at the heart of everything we do and this has continued throughout the year. From our work with Children and Young People (CYP) to our commissioned projects, it’s been inspiring to see first hand the power of creative expression. As ever, we’re grateful to our incredible partners for joining us in making this happen. 

Through projects like Young Voices, Big Ideas (YVBI) and Our Voices Were Heard, we’ve created spaces where stories can be shared and celebrated. 

Impact of Our Work 

Unfolding Days (credit Von Fox Promotions)

2024 has shown us how our work creates ripples, inspiring and engaging people in surprising ways. Just a few examples include: 

  • Hearing from young people and families at our audience development days - Unfolding Days & Nights (more on this to follow) - about the impact of our work on their lives  

Welcome, Midge! 

Midge Ryall

A special highlight this year was welcoming Midge to the Unfolding Theatre team. Midge has already brought so much energy and creativity to our work (not to mention laughter in the office) and we’re really excited for working together in 2025. 

A Royal Encounter 

King Charles, Tess Daly and Vernon Kay (credit Victoria Sanderson)

Another unexpected moment this year was meeting the King! It’s not every day that theatre makers like us get to rub shoulders with royalty, but attending the UK’s first Garden Party at Buckingham Palace dedicated to the country’s creative industries was a wonderful reminder of how far-reaching the impact of arts and culture is. Also lovely to see the North East cultural scene so well-represented at the event too!

Looking Ahead: Here Be Dragons 

Here Be Dragons R&D (credit Von Fox Promotions)

We’ve been hard at work developing Here Be Dragons, a project that promises to be bold, imaginative, and deeply moving. As we head into 2025, we’re eager to share more about this exciting new work and the adventures it will bring. 

Thank You 

To everyone who has been part of our journey this year: audiences, collaborators, supporters, and friends. 

Here’s to another year of unfolding stories, celebrating voices, and creating spaces where everyone belongs.

See you in 2025! 

Victoria Sanderson