- Ten young people from across Northumberland have developed WIRED, a powerful, funny and honest exploration of their experiences, hopes
and fears about technology.
- Co-created with local artists from award-winning theatre drama company Mortal Fools, WIRED will ask how being constantly online shapes who we are and how we feel in 2026
Mortal Fools is based in Ashington, Northumberland and is a multi-award-winning theatre, drama and creative learning charity using drama and co-creation as a practice to support children and young people make sense of the contemporary world, to develop their youth leadership skills and to support their mental health and wellbeing.
Mortal Fools Ensemble Young Company is a creative home for young people from Northumberland ages 14 to 19 and are unique in the North East for the way they tour youth-led theatre, co-creating original work with young people and presenting it as professional, public productions. Ensemble enables young people to develop their artistic skills and gain experience of making and touring theatre or film, as part of cohesive company of devisers, actors, and creatives.
Mortal Fools Ensemble Young Company will present WIRED, devised and performed by its cast of young people from Ashington and the Tyne Valley. The show will highlight their talents and dig into what it really means to grow up in a digital world – amid all the tension, pressure, drama, and connection that comes with it.
Audiences can expect an original soundtrack, bold set design and a powerful story that we can all relate to. This isn’t just a theatre show, it’s real talk about how social media, AI, and being constantly online shape who we are and how we feel in 2026.
The production will come to Newbiggin Sports and Community Hub on Saturday 21 March, Gosforth Civic Theatre on Sunday 12 and Monday 13 April, before a final show at Arts Centre Washington on Thursday 16 April.
WIRED is suitable for ages 12yrs+ and adults. The show contains some mild strong language, as well as depictions of bullying, sexism and misogyny.
Show information and tour dates
Newbiggin Sports & Community Hub, South East Northumberland
Saturday 21 March, 7pm
Tickets: £8 – tickets available here
Gosforth Civic Theatre, Newcastle
Sunday 12 April, 7pm – BSL interpretation by Caroline Ryan
Monday 13 April, 7pm
Tickets: £8 – tickets available here
Arts Centre Washington, Sunderland
Thursday 16 April, 7.30pm
Tickets are £8 for adults and £6 concessions, students & under 25s. Tickets available here
Accessibility information
All tour venues are accessible, with step-free access and a small on-site car park, as well as disabled toilet facilities and an allocated gender-neutral toilet. All toilets will be clearly signposted.
Free carers tickets available as well as four wheelchair places at every show – get in touch with marketing@mortalfools.org.uk to book.
We have one BSL interpreted show – this is the Gosforth Civic Sunday 12 April show. Wellbeing resources will be available and all Mortal Fools shows are relaxed and stim friendly.
