Acting for Stage and Screen students from The Northern School of Art will perform at Alphabetti Theatre, Newcastle, for the first time this year as part of the InterAct Festival 2026, showcasing bold and exciting contemporary theatre created by the next generation of creatives. 

Building on its established presence at ARC Stockton Arts Centre, the festival has grown this year to include performances across multiple venues between February and April, giving students the opportunity to present their work in a leading independent theatre in Newcastle as well as in their established run of shows in Stockton. 

The InterAct Festival is a showcase of exciting new contemporary theatre created by final-year students at the School’s degree-level campus in Hartlepool on the BA (Hons) Acting for Stage and Screen degree programme with technical theatre support from the BA (Hons) Film, TV & Theatre Production degree course. The festival offers students the chance to present their professionally staged work to public audiences.

The addition of Alphabetti Theatre as a venue marks a significant moment in the festival’s growth, strengthening the School’s connections with the North East’s vibrant theatre scene and giving students exposure to new audiences and professional-level venues. 

Across three evenings at Alphabetti on 18 and 26 February and 18 March, audiences will see a diverse programme of contemporary plays.  

The festival opens on Wednesday 18 February with ‘Black Teeth and a Brilliant Smile’, adapted from Adelle Stripe’s novel and telling the life story of Bradford playwright Andrea Dunbar through a vibrant, funny and poignant lens. The programme continues on Thursday 26 February with ‘My Mother’s Funeral: The Show’ by Kelly Jones, a dark comedy exploring grief, class and the cost of death, before concluding with ‘Josef K’ by Tom Basden on Wednesday 18 March, a modern, darkly comic reimagining of Kafka’s The Trial set in twenty-first-century London. 

Jonny Bussell, Senior Lecturer in Acting at The Northern School of Art, said: “We are delighted to be performing at Alphabetti Theatre as part of InterAct 2026. This is the first time the festival has taken place across multiple venues and it’s a fantastic opportunity for the students to be working in such a great theatre. As the course continues to grow, it’s exciting to build strong relationships with the local theatre scene while continuing our long-standing partnership with ARC Stockton Arts Centre.” 

Rehearsals are well underway for all productions. Some of those in the first productions at Alphabetti have been reflecting on their roles. 

Third year Acting student Chloe Rattigan, 20, from Scarborough plays young Andrea in ‘Black Teeth & A Brilliant Smile’ and said: “Based on a true story, the play follows Andrea Dunbar’s journey to becoming a successful writer. The audience see her grow as not only a creative but as a young woman and mother. The story raises important issues such as domestic violence, ultimately showing that there is a way out. With many heart-warming moments, this story is gritty and authentic. It’s an honour to play a part in sharing Andrea’s story.” 

Leigha Paige, 21, from Kettering Northamptonshire, who portrays Abigail Waller in ‘My Mother’s Funeral’ by Kelly Jones, reflected: “It is a dark comedy that follows playwright Abigail as she struggles to find the funds for her mother’s funeral. Looking at themes of the class system, funeral prices and the creative industry, the play explores the lengths Abigail will go in order to battle her grief and get the send-off she hoped for.” 

Millie Maxwell, 25, from North Wales who plays Rosie and Yvette in ‘Joseph K’ by Tom Basden, said: “’Joseph K’ is a modern, abstract and darkly comedic retelling of Kafka’s ‘The Trial’ about a man who is arrested for an unspecified reason on his 30th birthday. It follows his fruitless endeavour to clear his name by navigating a broken legal system and a dwindling understanding of his social life.” 

InterAct 2026 is at Alphabetti Theatre, St James Boulevard, Newcastle Upon Tyne, United Kingdom NE1 4HP on Wednesday 18 February, Thursday 26 February and Wednesday 18 March 2026. Performances start at 7.30pm. To book tickets visit: www.alphabettitheatre.co.uk. Pay What You Feel. 

The InterAct Festival performances continue at ARC, Stockton Arts Centre, Dovecot Street, Stockton on Tees, TS18 1LL on 31 March and 2 April 2026. Performances start at 7pm. To book tickets visit: www.arconline.co.uk. Pay What You Decide. 

The Northern School of Art’s BA (Hons) Acting for Stage & Screen degree is designed by working industry professionals to reflect the realities of today’s performance landscape. As a member of the Federation of Drama Schools, the School offers students high-quality drama school training without the need to relocate to London. The School’s BA (Hons) Film, TV & Theatre Production degree mirrors professional practices, offering a dynamic, collaborative environment where creativity and technical skills thrive. Find out more HERE

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Alphabetti Theatre performances – InterAct Festival 2026 (Pay What You Feel) 

– WEDNESDAY 18 FEBRUARY, 7.30pm – ‘Black Teeth and a Brilliant Smile’ by Lisa Holdsworth 

Based on an adaptation of the novel by Adelle Stripe this production tells the life story of the tragically short-lived Bradford playwright Andrea Dunbar (author of Rita, Sue and Bob Too) through a vibrant, funny, and poignant lens, showcasing her rise from the Buttershaw estate to literary fame and her struggles with family, media, and alcoholism, all framed by her final night in her local pub, The Beacon, with her younger self appearing to narrate her journey. 

– THURSDAY 26 FEBRUARY, 7.30pm – ‘My Mother’s Funeral: The Show’ by Kelly Jones 

Abigail’s mum is dead.  But it turns out she can’t afford her to be.  Did you know how expensive it is to die?  It’s £4000 for the funeral.  Extra for flowers.  And even more if you want sausage rolls. In her work as a playwright, Abigail has been asked to write about something raw from her ‘unique working class lens’.  My Mother’s Funeral: The Show playfully tackles the inequalities we face around death, and the cost of turning your loved ones into art. 

– WEDNESDAY 18 MARCH, 7.30pm – Josef K by Tom Basden 

Joseph K is a darkly comic stage adaptation of ‘The Trial’, relocating Kafka’s classic novel to twenty-first-century London. On his thirtieth birthday, Joseph K has his sushi home-delivery intercepted by two unidentified people who inform him he is under arrest. He has no idea what he’s done wrong but he’s determined to clear his name. 

As he tries to make sense of his situation and to confront those who threaten his freedom, Joseph is thrown headlong into a fight against an invisible and illogical law. 

The play contains strong language and moments of violence. 14+ 

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ARC Stockton Arts Centre performances – InterAct Festival 2026 (Pay What You Decide) 

TUESDAY 31 MARCH, 7pm 

– ‘The Dying Star’, Written and Directed by Lottie Grace 

The Dying Star is a short play about a young woman who gets a promotion at work, she is excited for what the future holds for her, but her boyfriend is just happy with the way things are. Is her boyfriend holding her back or can their love handle change? 

– ‘It’s What She Would’ve Wanted’, Written by Faye Atkinson and Directed by Leigha Paige 

A dark family comedy that follows 3 siblings forced together after their mother passes away following a battle with dementia. 

– ‘Seeing Without Sight’, Written and Directed by Mitch Watson 

A story of how imagination can be used to change your perspective in times of hardship. 

– THURSDAY 2 APRIL, 7pm 

– ‘What if?’, Written, Choreographed and Directed by Lucy Hart-Simm 

When we lose something dear to us, how do we cope and do we lose ourselves in the process? 

– ‘Girls will be Girls’, Written and Directed by Emily Osborne and Cameron Thompson 

‘A queer adaptation of life’ 

– ‘Cherry Bomb’, Written and Directed by Effie Reid 

Cherry Bomb is a comedic verbatim style theatre piece on the female experience of sex, pleasure and the pressure of losing your virginity. This feminist play will be an open conversation on the ins and outs of female sexuality whilst challenging society’s view of it.