ARC Stockton Arts Centre has opened booking for a spring 2027 programme that brings new Tees Valley work, relaxed performances, family theatre, live music and comedy to Dovecot Street.

The season runs across the first months of 2027 rather than being built around one headline production. It includes scratch nights for local artists, work by Northern School of Art students and graduates, performances made with learning-disabled artists, queer theatre and what ARC describes as the UK's first openly neurodiverse comedy night. Most of the venue's theatre programme will continue to use Pay What You Decide, allowing audiences to book in advance and choose what to pay after the performance.

Local artists get room to test new work

Rough Cut Revolutions will take place on the last Thursday of each month, giving Tees Valley artists a stage for work still being shaped. The format is intended for experiments and early performances, with audiences invited to respond. ARC says the series forms part of its Production Hub with .

The theatre programme also includes HAPPY LAD, a new piece by Northern School of Art graduate TYYGRR combining performance, rap and spoken word to examine masculinity, and class. Northern School of Art returns with its Evolution and InterAct Festival programmes, bringing original work made across different disciplines.

Lawnmowers Theatre will present It's A Wonderful Us on Friday 19 and Saturday 20 March. The company works with learning-disabled and non-learning-disabled artists, and the show uses the shape of Frank Capra's film to explore the value of individual lives. Both performances are Pay What You Decide. ARC advises that the 90-minute production includes strong language, adult themes and references to illness and dementia.

Relaxed performances and different perspectives

Lava Elastic Live! comes to the Studio Theatre at 7pm on Friday 19 February. The night mixes comedy, poetry and other live performance, hosted by Sarah Saeed, and is listed as a relaxed performance. ARC says this means lower volume, no foyer music, consistent lighting, freedom to move or make noise, and access to a chill-out space. Tickets are listed at £12 for adults and £10 concessions, including the booking fee.

Hasbian, Beth Watson's queer coming-of-age comedy built from a real teenage diary, follows at 7pm on Friday 12 March. Animation and a soundtrack drawn from late-1990s and early-2000s pop accompany a story about sexuality, adolescence and growing up under Section 28. The hour-long show is for ages 16 and over, is Pay What You Decide and is also marked as relaxed. ARC publishes detailed content guidance on the event page.

Family favourites and a broad music

For younger audiences, Mog the Forgetful Cat is scheduled for 6 and 7 March, followed by The Tiger Who Came to Tea from 9 to 11 April. Both are listed for ages three and over, with tickets at £17 including the booking fee. One Mog performance is marked as relaxed; families should check the individual listings for the confirmed time and access information when booking.

The music programme ranges from tributes to Dolly Parton and the Madchester era to jazz, gospel and indie folk. Jeremy McMurray and the Pocket Jazz Orchestra return alongside Voices of Virtue, while Josienne Clarke closes the spring music programme with songs Sandy Denny. Captain of the Lost Waves adds an alternative mix of folk, classical and baroque-influenced pop.

How to check the programme

Tickets and individual access details are available through ARC's website. The venue is at ARC Stockton Arts Centre, Dovecot Street, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 1LL, and the box office can be contacted on 01642 525199. Because prices, age guidance and relaxed-performance arrangements differ between events, audiences should use the page for the show they plan to attend rather than rely on the season overview alone.