New Macbeth-inspired pop musical Weird announces creative team

Producer Michael Harrison has now revealed the creative team for new musical Weird, which stages its world premiere early next year.

Written by Nick Butcher, Kerri Watt and Fraser Watt, Weird takes Shakespeare’s Macbeth and retells the dramatic tale of the Scottish king through the eyes of three witches, accompanied by a soundtrack of new pop anthems.

The production will be directed by Tim Jackson (Two Strangers Carry a Cake (Across New York)), with choreography by Alexzandra Sarmiento (42 Balloons).

The creative team also includes set designer Andrew Exeter (Oscar at the Crown), costume designer Gabriella Slade (Starlight Express), lighting designer Howard Hudson (Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812), sound designer Paul Gatehouse (Mary Poppins), and orchestrator, musical supervisor and co-arranger Joe Beighton (Six the Musical).

The new British musical will play at Newcastle Theatre Royal from 28 to 31 January 2026.

Although tickets for the advertised performances sold out four months in advance, a limited number of additional seats will be released for public sale today for the 1:30pm matinee performance on Friday 30 January.

More than 5,000 schoolchildren from across the North East will have the opportunity to be the first to see the piece, thanks to a collaboration between producer Michael Harrison and Newcastle Theatre Royal. The first five weekday performances will allow schoolchildren to attend free of charge.

Casting will be announced at a later date.

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