The new Northern Stage theatre, Barras Bridge (tel: (0191) 230 5151; website: www.northernstage.co.uk) opened in August 2006. Formerly the Newcastle Playhouse, the building closed down in 2004 for a £9m rebuild, and it now offers three performing spaces, with Stages 1 and 2 separated by a unique sound-proof acoustic wall, which can be removed to create the Epic Stage, the biggest stage in the North East. Other top class theatres include the spectacular Theatre Royal (tel: 0870 905 5060; website: www.theatreroyal.co.uk) on Grey Street; the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) stage a season here each year. Founded in 1973, the city's Live Theatre (tel: (0191) 232 1232; website: www.live.org.uk) on Broad Chare is another great venue with an excellent reputation for innovative theatre.

Caedmon Hall (tel: (0191) 433 8420; website: www.asaplive.com) on Prince Consort Road in Gateshead puts on a great programme of musicals and DanceCity (tel: (0191) 261 0505; website: www.dancecity.co.uk) on Temple Street in Newcastle is a great place to watch dance performances ranging from classical through to contemporary.

Geordies are renowned for their sense of humour and the region supports a good live comedy circuit; one of the North East's best comedy clubs is The Hyena Café (tel: (0191) 232 6030; website: www.thehyena.com) on Leazes Lane.

It's also worth checking out The Gate (tel: (0191) 223 5000; website: www.thegatenewcastle.co.uk) on Newgate Street, a glass-fronted entertainment centre that includes a 12-screen cinema as well as a number of popular bars and restaurants.

For quieter nights, check out the Star And Shadow Cinema (tel: (0191) 261 0066; website: www.sidecinema.com). This cinema screens the very best from the world of art house cinema.

The Crack (website: www.thecrackmagazine.com) is a free entertainments magazine with all the latest information on club nights, theatre performances, gigs, cinema listings and restaurant reviews.