🎬 Got your tickets yet? Join us in-person or online for an unmissable day of free masterclasses, panel discussions and expert industry advice.
📅 Thursday 21st May
📍 The Common Room | Newcastle | NE1 1SE
🔗 Book your tickets: bbc.in/PU
🎤 Swipe for a sneak peek on some of the sessions!
A fantastic opportunity for the regional production community to learn, connect and be inspired. See you there! #ProductionUnlocked #BBCacademyLive #VisitNewcastle #NorthEastEvents
Join us for a fascinating talk exploring the potential of former coal mines in Durham and Northumberland as future geothermal energy reservoirs.
While historical “pillar and stall” mining methods left open spaces that are seemingly ideal for water flow, time and pressure often lead to roof collapses and the buildup of backfilled waste (goaf). This research, incorporating extensive fieldwork along the Northumberland coast, investigates how these structural changes act as long-term barriers to flow. By establishing one of the first datasets of its kind, this project aims to de-risk subsurface mine workings and determine the true geothermal viability of older, highly compacted mines.
17:30-18:00 – Tea and Coffee
18:00-18:50 – In-person only Lecture Starts
18:50-19:00 – Q & A
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About the Speaker:
Stuart Jones is a sedimentologist at Durham University, specialising in subsurface reservoir characterisation for the energy transition—including geothermal, carbon capture, and hydrogen storage. With a rich background in both academia and the hydrocarbon industry, Stuart currently leads major multi-disciplinary research programmes, including the Geothermal Energy from Mines and Solar (GEMS) project. He is also a passionate champion of Earth Science education and the NetZero transition.
A massive thank you to everyone who joined us at The Common Room for The Late Shows 2026 🌙🏛️
It was absolutely brilliant to see so many of you stepping inside to experience our 'Beneath the Surface' mining soundscape, getting creative in our late-night LEGO® lounge, and singing your favourite tracks with the live band in our 5|Quarter bar. The energy in the building was incredible!
We also want to send a huge shout-out to all the other amazing galleries, museums, and cultural venues across Newcastle and Gateshead who put on such a fantastic programme of events. There is nothing quite like seeing the cities come alive and we are so proud to be a part of it. 🗺️🚶♂️
Thank you for making it such a memorable night, and we cannot wait to welcome you back soon.
@thelateshows@newcastleuni
ON SALE NOW: The Common Room & Hapless Museum Worker Gigs present…Briana Corrigan, BRIT-winning former vocalist of The Beautiful South.
“One of the most distinctive voices in pop” – Time Out
Don’t miss this rare opportunity to experience an intimate evening of story and song with Briana Corrigan, the iconic former vocalist of The Beautiful South on October 31st, 2026.
Tickets via bio or web search The Common Room What's On.
@haplessmuseumworker@brianacrogsy
It’s Sunday, the weathers taken a turn, so we’ve been spending some of the day diving back into @wylmenmuir ’s trilogy ahead of next month’s event.
Beginning with The Draw of the Sea, continuing through The Heart of the Woods, and now arriving at The Spirit of Stone, these books ask us to think differently about the landscapes around us and the ways we move through them. Across coastlines, forests and the rock beneath of feet, Wyl explores our connection to place - how we live with the natural world, travel through it, work alongside it, and try, in different ways, to protect and understand it.
What makes these books feel so special is the way they combine personal reflection with history, folklore and the stories of the people rooted in these landscapes.
Can’t wait to talk about this trilogy, and about The Spirit of Stone in particular, when Wyl joins us next month @thecommonroomgn .
Link in bio for more details and to claim your spot. Today’s as good a day as any!
(📸: Map artwork in the background by the brilliant @yvettejah )
Get ready for an unforgettable night at The Common Room for The Late Shows 2026! 🌙🏛️
Join us this Saturday, 9th May, from 6:00 pm to 10:30 pm for Beneath the Surface - an evening packed with history, creativity, and brilliant entertainment. Best of all? Entry is completely free!
Here is what we have lined up for your culture crawl:
⛏️ Immersive Mining Soundscape: Journey into the lost future of coal mining with a bespoke sound and scent installation, created in partnership with Newcastle University.
🧱 Late Night LEGO®: Take a breather in our dedicated chill-out zone. Have a natter and get creative with some engineering-themed LEGO®?
🎤 Live Band Karaoke: End the night on a high note in our 5|Quarter bar! Grab a drink, enjoy good company, and belt out your favourite tracks backed by a full live band.
Gather your friends and make us a must-visit stop on your route. We cannot wait to welcome you! 👇
Find out more at thelateshows.org.uk/2026 or tap the link in our bio.
May is jam-packed with incredible events at The Common Room! 🏛️✨
Whether you are looking for a culture crawl, fascinating science talks, or a relaxed evening of whisky tasting, we have a fantastic line-up for you this month:
🥃 Friday 1st May: Whisky Tasting – An Evening With… Justine Hazlehurst (7:00 pm)
Join the founder of Kask Whisky for an exclusive tasting event and an evening of great chat.
🌙 Saturday 9th May: The Late Shows 2026 – Beneath the Surface (6:00 pm)
Step inside for a bespoke mining soundscape and striking architectural installation! Free entry, LEGO® building, @5quartercafebar café bar band karaoke...dog friendly 🐾
⛏️ Thursday 14th May: NEIMME Lecture – Subsurface Voids (6:00 pm)
Explore the immense potential of former coal mines in Durham and Northumberland as future geothermal energy reservoirs with Durham University's Stuart Jones.
🧬 18th – 20th May: Pint of Science Festival (7:00 pm nightly)
Grab a drink and join us for three brilliant nights of cutting-edge science:
18th May: Pioneering better science – Alternatives to animals (featuring 3D bioprinting and heart disease research) 🧫
19th May: From Spin to Sponge and Saving the Planet 🌍
20th May: Ringing Ears and Starry Eyes 👁️
⚓ Tuesday 26th May: NEIMME Lecture – Corrosion (6:00 pm)
Discover the engineering challenges of Super Duplex Stainless Steel in seawater and the importance of quality welding.
🌊 Thursday 28th May: NEIMME Lecture – The K Class Submarines (6:00 pm)
Uncover the history, design issues, and lessons learned from the infamous "Kalamity Class" submarines.
Head to the link in our bio for more details and to grab your tickets!
Please note that due to other events this month, there will be no General Admission day...back in June though!
Upcoming this Wednesday - our monthly General Admission Day guarantees access to our heritage building and provides opportunity to chat with our friendly room guides to learn about the history of the venue and our archives & collections on display.
Our @5quartercafebar is also open and provides a range of snacks and coffee.
10am to 3pm
No booking required.
#Free
We are still welcoming feedback regarding our summer programme...check the link in our bio and let us know what you would like to see at The Common Room this summer.
Join us on 30th April for an insightful NEIMME lecture, exploring the Rail Baltica project - a massive 800km transnational railway connecting the Baltic States.
Experts Margus Evart and Chris Davies will guide us through the progress of the Estonian section, diving into the unique geotechnical challenges, mineral material requirements, and sustainable construction methods driving this monumental development.
Timetable:
☕ 17:30 – Tea and Coffee
🗣️ 18:00 – Lecture Starts
❓ 18:50 – Q&A
Reserve your free spot via our what's on via our profile page
Or search "What's On The Common Room" online.
Join us at The Common Room on April 23rd from 1pm for an introduction to Doon the Waggonway: a Railway Heritage Walk, a brilliant new booklet by historian Les Turnbull that reclaims Tyneside’s rightful place as the true cradle of the railways.
Free event
