Creative team announced for world premiere production of WEIRD at Newcastle Theatre Royal
An electrifying pop-powered musical reimagining of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Macbeth, WEIRD, has announced its creative team ahead of its world premiere at Newcastle Theatre Royal from 28-31 January 2026.
Written by Nick Butcher, Kerri Watt and Fraser Watt, WEIRD will combine witchcraft, mischief and mayhem, with a soundtrack of newly created pop anthems, telling the dramatic tale of the Scottish king through the eyes of three witches.
The show will be directed by West End and Broadway director Tim Jackson, with choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento, set design by Andrew Exeter, costumes by Gabriella Slade, lighting by Howard Hudson, sound by Paul Gatehouse, and orchestrations, musical supervision and co-arrangements by Joe Beighton.
Nick Butcher, and siblings Kerri Watt & Fraser Watt, are award-winning songwriters and chart-topping artists at the heart of modern musical storytelling. Their work spans music, theatre, and film, garnering 20+ million streams with their ability to write, record and produce their work to create a unique theatrical pop sound, breathing new life into what theatrical storytelling can be.
It has also been announced today that with the current advertised performances almost sold out four months in advance, there are more opportunities for North East audiences to see the world premiere of WEIRD on their doorstep, with a limited number of additional seats released for public sale today for the 1.30pm performance on Friday 30 January 2026.
Producer Michael Harrison said: “When I first read WEIRD and listened to the incredible soundtrack, I knew I wanted the biggest audience possible to see it so I’m, delighted that more seats have now been allocated for members of the public to be part of the world premiere run in Newcastle. It’s fair to say some of us don’t understand Shakespeare - WEIRD will change that. We hope this is just the beginning and that many more will be able to see this thrilling new British musical.”