West End producer Michael Harrison is premiering new musical WEIRD next year.
Weird is billed as electrifying pop-powered musical reimagining Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Macbeth.
The show will make its world premiere at Newcastle Theatre Royal next year, playing from 28 to 31 January 2026.
Weird is written by Nick Butcher, and Scottish siblings Kerri Watt and Fraser Watt, who are award-winning songwriters and chart-topping artists. Separately, Nick is an Emmy and Olivier Award-nominated songwriter, best known for writing the West End smash hit musical The Little Big Things; Kerri Watt is a Top 10 artist and songwriter; and Fraser Watt is a sought-after writer and producer who has worked with Dolly Parton and dearALICE.
Video: Weird – Teaser trailer
Weird combines 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.
Further creatives and casting are to be announced.
As part of the run in Newcastle, more than 5,000 schoolchildren from across the North East will have the opportunity to be the first in the world to see the brand new musical, thanks to a collaboration between producer Michael Harrison and Newcastle Theatre Royal.
Producer Michael Harrison said in a statement: “When I first read Weird and listened to the incredible soundtrack, I knew I wanted the biggest audience possible to see it. I’m well aware there are thousands of school kids who study Macbeth, the source material of this brilliant new musical. It’s fair to say some of us don’t understand Shakespeare – Weird will change that. When we decided to try out Weird at Newcastle Theatre Royal, the theatre I grew up in, it felt absolutely right to offer as many school kids as possible the opportunity to see it for free, to support them with their school work and to inspire them, as I was, simply by attending the magnificent Theatre Royal.”
Michael Harrison is one of the UK’s leading theatre producers. His current West End shows include Titanique at the Criterion Theatre, and Starlight Express at the troubadour Wembley Park Theatre. Coming up he is producing Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Evita at the London Palladium.
His recent West End productions include Hello, Dolly!, The Little Big Things, and The Wizard of Oz. As Chief Executive of Crossroads Pantomimes, he is responsible for many major annual festive pantomimes across the UK; he has been at the helm of Newcastle Theatre Royal’s legendary pantomime for the past two decades and recently announced an extended run of Aladdin, his 20th production at the venue starring father and son double act Clive Webb and Danny Adams.
This October, Newcastle Theatre Royal will open Miss Saigon, Michael’s new production of Boublil and Schönberg’s legendary musical in association with Cameron Mackintosh, ahead of a major UK tour.
Marianne Locatori, Chief Executive of Newcastle Theatre Royal said: “I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Michael, one of the most successful and well-respected theatre producers in the UK, to premiere this brand new musical. Working with Michael, hot on the heels of his string of recent national theatre industry awards and hit productions in the West End and on tour, is a fantastic opportunity for our theatre and audiences in the city and region to see an amazing new musical. Not only will we have a never-seen-before production make its debut on our stage, but Michael’s vision will enable us to build on our existing programmes and relationships with schools in the region – particularly those in economically deprived areas – to provide creative pathways, deliver educational and enrichment workshops and support the industry’s future workforce that is right here on our doorstep. For some audience members, this may be their first time in a theatre to see a live performance; Michael fondly recounts stories of his early visits to this very theatre and how they inspired him. Together, we hold a shared ambition that young people, especially those living outside London, need as many opportunities as possible to engage with the arts; by removing the potential barrier of cost for all the weekday performances, we hope to enable more children to develop a love of theatre that lasts a lifetime.”
Weird is playing at the Theatre Royal Newcastle from 28 to 31 January 2026.
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