I, Daniel Blake (Northern Stage) Review

This is based on a performance in March 2026 at Northern Stage Newcastle. I paid for these tickets myself.

Last night I finally got to see I, Daniel Blake at Northen Stage.

I had watched the film so was familiar with the storyline. We took our seats in the theatre and I noticed the audience was a real mix of all ages from students up to pensioners.

The story focuses around Dan who suddenly finds himself stuck in the welfare system after suffering a heart attack. His doctor tells him he's not fit to work but DWP say otherwise. The standard form Dan has to complete doesn't even ask about heart conditions and there's no room for common sense or binary yes or no answers.

So his case has to go to appeal but there's no set time limit for how long this can take. In the meantime Dan is left with no money, has to sell his belongings to survive and we watch as he becomes a recluse and a shadow of his former self. The system is truly broken.

We also meet Katie & her daughter Daisy who have been sent to start a new life in Newcastle after living in hostels in London for the past few years. They're miles from their family support, receive sanctions on their benefits for issues that aren't their fault and Katie ends up turning to prositution to make ends meet and feed her daughter.

Dan strikes up a friendship with Katie and Daisy and helps to fix up their grim living conditions as best they can and shows them how to heat rooms with candles. This unlikely friendship is beautiful to watch and reminds you of the kindness most of us do have in our hearts, no matter what our circumstances.

And then there's Dylan, a young lad from the estate who is determined to escape the system and better his life with entrepreneurship being seen as his route out of poverty. He helps Dan when he needs to use a computer and although his scheme to make money may not be 100% legal, the audience is all rooting for him to do well.

My goodness this is one of those shared experiences that will stay with you forever. I've never ever sat in a theatre and heard so many audible sobs. Not a dry eye in the house. There are a few scenes that actually take your breath away and I am not usually one who is lost for words but I simply couldn't write this review straight after the performance as I usually would as I felt so numb.

The acting is incredible. You really feel the characters and their emotions. The actors do not shy away from really difficult scenes and are all in.

A strong 5* review from us. I think all teens and adults should watch this. It's something that will sit with you for a very long time.

About Northern Stage Newcastle

📌 Northern Stage. Barras Bridge. Newcastle Upon Tyne. NE1 7RH (part of Newcastle Uni campus opposite the Student Union - see map below). 🚃 Haymarket Metro & Bus Station are across the road from the theatre. 🚗 Parking is available nearby at Claremont Road (NE2 4AN). 🍷 The onsite CafeBar is a lovely space featuring lots of local suppliers including Big River Bakery and Northumberland Cheese Company. Every penny you spend here goes back into the theatre. If you wish to dine here before a show, I recommend booking a table. You can check menus & book here.

Other restaurants I recommend nearby include Butakun (lush Japanese), Mean Eyed Cat (quirky bar where you can order pizza from nearby Firestone Pizza) or Wok Manifesto / Dough Daze / The Little Dumpling House on Ridley Place. ♿ Northern Stage is a fully accessible building with wheelchair spaces, Blue Badge parking, a changing places toilet, free assistant tickets and more. You can read more about access here: https://northernstage.co.uk/your-visit/access/ 🍧 There's a range of food & drink for sale inside the theatre at the cafe/bar and you can bring your own food & drinks from home as long as they are not distracting to others. Due to licensing restrictions, you can only consume alcohol which has been purchased on site so please don't bring any of your own to the venue. 💰 Tickets are super reasonable and usually available from £12. Members receive a 20% discount on tickets + a 10% discount at the CafeBar. Group bookings (10+) receive a 10% discount.

🌍 Haymarket to Northern Stage (easy 5 min walk)

What's Next at Northern Stage

Find out more and book here: https://northernstage.co.uk/

9-10 April 2026 - Murder, She Didn't Write
11-12 April 2026 - There's A Monster In Your Show
14-15 April 2026 - Here Be Dragons
15 April 2026 - Pete Firman : Tricks & Giggles
23-25 April 2026 - Tim Key : Loganberry
24 April 2026 - Bus Stop Goths
8 - 23 May 2026 - Little Shop of Horrors
9 May 2026 - A Star Wars Improv Show
15 May 2026 - Long Day's Journey Into Night
16 May 2026 - Of Fire & Flame
20 May 2026 - The Other Side of Me
21 May 2026 - Haddaway & Write
24 May 2026 - Across the Universe
28 - 31 May 2026 - Tales from Acorn Wood
9 June 2026 - Maggie O'Farrell : Land
12 - 14 June 2026 - Horrible Histories (Tudors / Egyptians)
16 - 17 June 2026 - Interplay
19 - 20 June 2026 - The Complete Work of William Shakespeare (abridged)
5 July 2026 - Revolution
11 - 26 September 2026 - Othello
27 September 2026 - Sindhu Vee : Swanky
30 September 2026 - 5 Mistakes That Changed History
1 October 2026 - Jack Rooke's Good Grief
8 October 2026 - Hollie McNeash and Harry Baker
14 October 2026 - Kiell Smith-Bynoe : Kool Story Bro
17 October 2026 - Rosie Holt : The Illegal Aliens Have Landed
17 October 2026 - Ginger Johnson : Show Pony
11 November 2026 - Harriet Kemsley : Floozy
3 December 2026 - 2 January 2027 - The Snow Queen
5 December 2026 - Sooz Kempner : Imposter
6 February 2027 - Emma Doran : Immaculate