Sam Wonfor

Newcastle upon Tyne

Founder and Co-Editor at CULTURED. North East

North East writer. Founder and co-editor @culturemag. Wife of 1; Mum of 2. Like the Fog on the Tyne, these views are all mine.

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Articles

Review: Hamilton, Sunderland Empire

6 days ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | Sam Wonfor

The long-anticipated arrival of Hamilton at Sunderland Empire has delivered everything fans could have hoped for - a slick, stylish and emotionally charged production that confirms why Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical is considered one of the most important - and absolutely banging works - in modern theatre.
Culture Digest 21.06.25

1 week ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | Sam Wonfor

Before we dive into this week’s shenanigans there’s a distinct whiff of déjà Vu in the Cultured. North East newsroom. The eagle-eyes among you will realise you’re taking delivery of this Culture Digest newsletter on Saturday lunchtime instead of Friday night… just as you did last week. Last week, I blamed Friday the 13th and the fact I was running out of the door to host a Q&A with the Alan Hull documentary makers.
Danny Boyle hails the North East as 'magic' setting at 28 Years Later gala screening

1 week ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | Sam Wonfor

Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle has praised the North East as a “magic” place to make films as he returned to the region for a special gala screening of 28 Years Later – the latest chapter in his cult zombie saga.
Beatles auction finds are fab

1 week ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | Sam Wonfor

For Beatles fan Susan Hutchinson, making her way to the concert at Newcastle City Hall where the group were appearing was excitement enough. But it was about to be ramped up even further when she bumped into The Beatles as they walked around the venue on Saturday, March 23, in 1963. She recalls: “I was walking down City Road with a friend and we saw the four Beatles walking around the [City Hall].
Sleaford Mods frontman joins radical new show at Live Theatre

1 week ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | Sam Wonfor

A powerful new production exploring homelessness will take centre stage at Newcastle’s Live Theatre this September, featuring Sleaford Mods frontman Jason Williamson in a rare live performance. Edgecity, a new work by North East playwright gobscure, will run for three nights from September 25-27.
£30k appeal takes flight to save Northumberland’s ospreys

1 week ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | Sam Wonfor

A funding appeal has been launched with a £30,000 goal to support Northumberland’s osprey nesting colony. So far this year there are five productive nests at Kielder Forest with 11 chicks and probably more hatchings to come. Forestry England, which across several seasons has provided artificial nesting platforms on eight-metre-tall poles, has joined British Airways in setting up a Crowdfunder appeal which runs until August 6.
Curated Culture 17.06.25

1 week ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | Sam Wonfor

Hello there – hope your week’s off to a sunny start. (Or if it’s not, here’s hoping this gives it a gentle nudge in the right direction.)We’re back to continue our mission to become your trusted arts and culture scout, committed to signposting gigs, theatre, exhibitions, festivals and all manner of excellent happenings we think are well worth inking into your plans.
Culture Digest 14.06.25

2 weeks ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | Sam Wonfor

Quick note: Sorry this mailout is landing a little later than usual. I could blame superstition - Friday the 13th and a week featuring a gala screening of 28 Years Later does have a certain spooky symmetry. But the truth? I just ran out of time before heading out to host a charity screening of the BBC’s 2021 Alan Hull documentary in North Shields. It turned out to be a brilliant night celebrating one of the region’s true treasures - and raised a tidy sum for the Sunday for Sammy Trust too.
Durham Brass Festival expands 2025 line-up

2 weeks ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | Sam Wonfor

Durham Brass Festival has added another burst of brass-powered energy to its already packed programme – with a wave of newly announced acts, one-off events and returning favourites confirmed for July. Running from July 13 to 20, the county-wide celebration of all things brass has become a much-loved fixture of the summer calendar.
Val McDermid to lead Gordon Burn Prize judging panel

2 weeks ago | culturednortheast.co.uk | Sam Wonfor

Acclaimed crime writer Val McDermid has been announced as the chair of judges for the 2026 Gordon Burn Prize, as entries officially open for the latest round of the literary award known for celebrating bold, boundary-pushing writing. The prize, which honours the legacy of the late journalist and novelist Gordon Burn, is open to books – fiction or non-fiction – that challenge form and subject matter, offering fresh perspectives often found outside the mainstream.