Where Do All The Kittiwakes Go At Christmas?

Where Do All The Kittiwakes Go At Christmas? opens at Live Theatre on Saturday 19 December, running through to Thursday 31 December in the Main Auditorium. It's an alternative Christmas play hosted by two real-life Kittiwakes, and it sets out to answer a question anyone who's spent time by the coast has probably wondered: where do those cheeky seaside birds go when winter hits and there are no fish and chips left to steal?

The story starts in a shivery Newcastle and takes the audience around the world to meet some outrageous feathery friends along the way. It's built around music, interaction, and storytelling, with a fair few Geordie references thrown in for good measure. The script also draws on ideas from local schoolchildren, so it's got a bit of the city's own voice woven into it.

Past reviewers have called it a clever, imaginative adventure that blends humour with themes of migration, belonging and how we treat strangers. One audience member described it as "as enjoyable for adults as it is for children. Funny, heartfelt and full of hope – the perfect festive outing for families."

It's supported by the Gillian Dickinson Trust and runs for about an hour with no interval, so it's a manageable length for a family outing. It's recommended for ages five and over. Tickets are £17 for adults and £12 for children, with a family ticket offer of four standard tickets for £44.