Autumn is one of the busiest periods for live entertainment across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. Touring musicals, comedy, concerts and talks fill the larger Hanley venues, while the New Vic offers its distinctive theatre-in-the-round experience just over the city boundary in Newcastle-under-Lyme.
This guide highlights selected performances advertised for autumn 2026 and helps you choose the right venue. Listings can change and popular dates may sell out, so always confirm availability, performance times and ticket conditions with the official box office before travelling.
Regent Theatre: touring musicals and large productions
The Regent Theatre in Piccadilly, Hanley, is the area’s principal venue for large touring stage productions. Its autumn programme is particularly strong for musical theatre, with family favourites and established West End titles appearing alongside one-night comedy shows.
Selected Regent Theatre highlights
- Annie — Tuesday 13 to Sunday 18 October 2026
- Richard Ayoade: Afterthoughts — Monday 19 October
- Gary Delaney: Gary on Laughing — Friday 23 October
- Jersey Boys — Monday 26 to Saturday 31 October
- Simon Brodkin: Unleashed — Friday 6 November
- Bill Bailey: Vaudevillean — Tuesday 10 November
- Legally Blonde — Tuesday 17 to Saturday 21 November
- Dirty Dancing — Tuesday 24 to Saturday 28 November
Week-long productions usually offer a choice of evening and matinee performances, which can make them easier to fit around work, school and travel. When comparing dates, check the cast information and whether the performance is captioned, audio-described, signed or relaxed if anybody in your party has specific access needs.
Victoria Hall: comedy, music and live talks
Victoria Hall is close to the Regent in Hanley but has a different programme. It is a regular destination for stand-up comedy, tribute shows, orchestral performances, touring speakers and special film-with-live-music events.
Selected Victoria Hall highlights
- Phil Wang: UH OH — Thursday 15 October 2026
- Nurse Georgie Carroll: Infectious — Sunday 18 October
- Jonathan Pie — Thursday 22 October
- Dr John Cooper Clarke — Friday 23 October
- Go Your Own Way: The Fleetwood Mac Legacy — Saturday 24 October
- Halloween in Concert — Monday 26 October
- Professor Alice Roberts — Wednesday 4 November
- Harry Enfield and No Chums — Friday 13 November
One-night events give audiences plenty of variety, but they also provide fewer opportunities to rearrange if a preferred performance sells out. Check whether a show has an age restriction or contains strong language before booking for younger members of the family.
New Vic Theatre: locally rooted theatre-in-the-round
The New Vic Theatre stands on Etruria Road in Newcastle-under-Lyme and serves audiences across Stoke-on-Trent and North Staffordshire. Unlike a conventional stage facing rows of seats, it presents work in the round, with the audience surrounding the performance area. This creates an intimate atmosphere and means views can feel quite different from those in a large touring theatre.
The New Vic produces its own work as well as hosting visiting theatre, music and comedy. Its official autumn 2026 programme includes:
- Romeo & Juliet — Thursday 17 September to Saturday 10 October
- The Ballad of John and Paul — Friday 25 September
- Gary Crosby and Denys Baptiste present John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” — Tuesday 6 October
- Oh Zeus! — Thursday 15 to Saturday 17 October
- The Trial of Romeo Oscar — Wednesday 21 to Saturday 31 October
- The Borrowers — Friday 13 November 2026 to Saturday 23 January 2027
- The Manfreds: Get Your Kicks On Tour ’26 — Wednesday 18 November
- Spend, Spend, Spend Eric! — Monday 30 November to Saturday 12 December
The New Vic also publishes details of accessible performances, family facilities, parking and food and drink. Its official website should be the first stop for current dates, ticket availability and performance-specific guidance.
Mitchell Arts Centre and smaller local stages
Not every local production appears at the three largest venues. Mitchell Arts Centre in Hanley hosts community productions, films, family entertainment, dance and smaller touring shows. Amateur dramatic societies, schools and independent performers also use venues throughout the city and surrounding borough.
These productions can provide good-value evenings out while supporting local performers and technical crews. Because smaller programmes and event details can change more frequently, book through the venue or production company’s official channel rather than relying on an old shared post.
Which venue should you choose?
- Choose the Regent Theatre for major touring musicals, large stage productions and well-known comedy tours.
- Choose Victoria Hall for concerts, stand-up, speakers, tribute acts and one-night special events.
- Choose the New Vic for theatre-in-the-round, locally produced drama and a more intimate performance.
- Check smaller venues for community theatre, emerging performers, film screenings and lower-cost events.
Planning your theatre visit
The Regent Theatre and Victoria Hall are both in Hanley city centre, so allow enough time for traffic, parking and the walk to the venue. Parking charges and closing times vary between car parks. If using public transport, check the return journey as evening services may be less frequent after a late performance.
For the New Vic, consult the theatre’s official directions and parking information before setting out. Arriving early gives you time to collect tickets, find your seat and speak to front-of-house staff about access arrangements.
A theatre trip can also support the wider local economy. Consider eating at an independent café or restaurant, using a local taxi firm or visiting nearby shops before a matinee. Just leave enough flexibility in case service is busy on a popular show night.
Before buying tickets
- Use the venue’s official website or authorised ticket agent.
- Check the full price after booking fees, not only the advertised starting price.
- Read refund and exchange terms before paying.
- Confirm age guidance, running time and interval information.
- Tell the venue about access requirements as early as possible.
- Be cautious with resale listings, especially for sold-out performances.
Official listings
Information checked on 18 September 2026. Stoke-on-Trent Duck is an independent local guide and has not been paid by the venues or productions listed. Performance dates, casts and availability can change; verify all details with the official venue before booking.
