You may remember in October 2024 we reported on how a replica Tyne and Wear Metro train was taking to the stage in Newcastle. The replica of 4001 was part of the set for Gerry and Sewell which ran last year, and now its been announced the play will return for another run at the Theatre Royal from 9th to 13th June 2026.
Gerry and Sewell is a play which tells the story of two Gateshead lads who are desperate to see their team, Newcastle United, play at home. Its based on Jonathan Tulloch’s novel The Season Ticket, which was also adapted as the cult Geordie film Purely Belter.
Lynne Dickinson, Station Delivery Manager at Nexus, said: ““It’s great to see this famous old Metro train returning to the Theatre Royal in Gerry and Sewell.
“It looked absolutely amazing during the play’s previous run in 2024 and it’s now set to wow audiences in 2026. The set is based on Metro carriage 4001, which was the first Metro prototype train that arrived at the Metro test track in 1975, five years before the system opened to the public.
“The real Metrocar 4001 will soon be donated to the Stephenson Steam Railway in North Tyneside as it’s being retained for heritage purposes as part of the transition to the new Metro train fleet.
“It’s a huge buzz for audiences to see the train up on that Theatre Royal stage. The set builders do an amazing job in recreating it, and it’s a great backdrop for such a brilliant play. I hope it brings back some fond memories for people when they go to see the play next summer.”
Tickets for the show can be booked directly from the Newcastle Theatre Royal at https://www.theatreroyal.co.uk/ or by calling the box office on 0191 232 7010.