Newcastle’s Northern Stage brings David Bradley and Jeremy Dyson’s view of Roald Dahl’s Twisted Tales to the North-East this season. Viv Hardwick reports.

ACROSS Northern Stage’s three stages North- East audiences can expect a hint of Chekhov, a Twisted Tale or two from Roald Dahl, a sprinkling of international dance (first UK tour by acclaimed Danish Dance Theatre), an actor from the Hollywood blockbuster Harry Potter films and even a Mission to Mars. As ever the Newcastle venue’s programme is accompanied by a selection of interactive and participation events that are aimed at people of all ages.

“A new year signifies new energy and vision,” said Erica Whyman, artistic director and chief executive of Northern Stage (formerly Newcastle Playhouse).

“Given the kind of changes we are all facing this year, the Northern Stage team have been gloriously undaunted in seeking out and bringing to Newcastle the hottest and most thrilling experiences from the worlds of theatre, dance, comedy and storytelling for our audiences to enjoy.

“The programme is brought to life and kept fresh by the balance of classic tales and new approaches – continuing our mission to provide a contemporary stage for innovative minds.”

The current spring season highlights include: Roald Dahl’s Twisted Tales, March 16-26, Stage 1, recommended 14+ .Northern Stage, Lyric Hammersmith and Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse are jointly presenting the best loved author’s renowned short stories for adults, which have been adapted by The League of Gentlemen’s Jeremy Dyson and directed by the Polly Findlay.

Exposing the twisted imagination and black humour of Roald Dahl, Dyson looks the ideal candidate to stage some of these most macabre stories, including William and Mary and The Landlady. Nothing is quite as it seems, sweet old landladies have suspicious hobbies, widows seek sweet revenge and gambling requires more than just money. The production stars Selina Griffiths from TV’s Benidorm and Drop the Dead Donkey.

On The Harmful Effects of Tobacco, Can Cause Death, Forward Theatre Project, February 16-17, Stage 2. David Bradley, best known as Argus Filch, the caretaker of Hogwarts in the Harry Potter films, plays both husband and wife in this one man double-bill of Chekhov and New Writing.

Mission to Mars by Clare Duffy, Jon Spooner and Chris Thorpe, Unlimited Theatre and Polka Theatre in association with Curve Leicester, February 24-26, Stage 2. Recommended 7+. It’s 2035, and the first humans are ready for Mars. Unlimited return to Northern Stage following successful runs with Tangle and The Moon The Moon.

The Summer House, devised by Will Adamsdale, Neil Haigh, Matthew Steer and John Wright (founder member of Trestle and Told By An Idiot) presented by Fuel. March 31-April 2, Stage 2, recommended 14+.

This comedy thriller is about men, myths and the weather.

And The Horse You Rode In On, Told by an Idiot and Drum Theatre Plymouth, April 19 -21 April, Stage 2, recommended 12+. Examining extreme acts of violence, this sinister comedy of ineptitude is a funny and disturbing look at the lengths people will go for their beliefs and how powerless we are to stop them.

Danish Dance Theatre, February 25-26, Stage 1, dance triple bill: Enigma, CaDance and Kridt (Chalk).

Phoenix Dance Theatre: Reflected Works by Ben Duke and Raquel Meseguer, Philip Taylor, Sharon Watson and Richard Wherlock, May 19-20, Stage 1.

What It Is is a sultry, playful take on love and sexuality set to a mesmerising Amy Winehouse soundtrack. Audience favourite Pave Up Paradise is a tongue-in-cheek retelling of Adam and Eve. The show also features two new dance works; the sensual and vibrant Switch and Melt, an innovative blend of aerial dance and contemporary choreography.

Underneath the Floorboards balletLORENT and Northern Stage co-production (recommended for under 5s) January 25- 26, Stage 3. Newcastle-based choreographer Liv Lorent premieres her new work for children under five. Have you ever wondered what’s underneath the floorboards? Dance, original song, music and curious creatures.

The Crick Crack Club, Stage 2, performance storytelling Fairytales for Grownups: The Grateful & the Dead by Ben Haggarty (2 Feb) Metamorphoses by Daniel Morden & Hugh Lupton (May 4) Sometimes I Laugh Like My Sister, written by Rebecca Peyton and Martin M. Bartelt. Directed by Martin M. Bartelt.

April 12-13, recommend 12+. Since her big sister, BBC journalist Kate Peyton, was murdered in Somalia, Rebecca Peyton has had rather a strange time. Crafting a moving and often comic tapestry of private moments from a public tragedy, she welcomes the audience to her world in a passionately political, sharply comical and painfully personal account of life after Kate.