Customs House set to host Strictly Come Dancing stars

The Customs House in South Shields has announced that Strictly Come Dancing stars Pasha and Giovanni, music legend Tony Christie and broadcaster Stuart Maconie are among the greats set to grace its stage.

And if that’s not enough, audiences can also enjoy show Seriously Dead starring Crissy Rock and Tommy Cannon and have a night of laughter as regular Jason Cook holds his ever popular Comedy Club.

The theatre has also revealed details of a World Premiere - the first ever stage adaptation of the iconic hit TV show When the Boat Comes In - that has been turned into a play by Peter Mitchell, the son of the original writer James Mitchell.

Running from Thursday, August 16 to Saturday, August 25, it will celebrate the centenary of the ending of the Great War.

The landmark and much loved series, created by writer and novelist James Mitchell, was the first mainstream TV drama to be set in the North East and at its peak achieved 15 million viewers, won national acclaim, and found a permanent place in the hearts of hundreds of thousands of northerners everywhere.

When The Boat Comes In has been generously supported by Colmans of South Shields.

As well as this, organisers are thrilled to bring a comedy play based on the hit Radio 4 series, My Uncle Freddie to the stage for the first time, that will star local lad Andrew Finnigan alongside Pitmen Painters star Chris Connel.

Set in 1930s Jarrow, My Uncle Freddie will run from Tuesday, July 17 to Saturday, July 21 and follows the adventures of 10-year-old Lecky and his family including his imaginative Uncle Freddie.

Written by acclaimed writer and Customs House Academy Fellow Alex Ferguson, the play celebrates the human spirit, humour and community of the North East.

Executive director of the Customs House, Ray Spencer, said: “I am truly thrilled to bring recently inducted Customs House Fellow, Alex Ferguson’s radio series My Uncle Freddie to the stage for the first time in July.

“And, if that’s not enough, hit TV show When the Boat Comes In is being turned into a play by Peter Mitchell, the son of original writer James Mitchell for its premiere in August.”

For further information or to buy tickets please contact the Box Office on or go to https://www.customshouse.co.uk/