Sensasian 2025 Family Day

Get ready for another FREE Sensasian-al day for everyone!

The Sensasian 2025 Family Day at New Vic Theatre runs from 12pm – 5pm and is free to attend with no need to book.

Find out about food on the day
See venue and access info
Visit the Sensasian 2025 event page for this year’s full programme
Learn about Sensasian and see highlights from 2024 on the Sensasian project page

Sensasian 2025 Family Day Line-Up

Circus Raj

Auditorium (entry via ground floor or upstairs)

12.45pm to 1.15pm and 3pm to 3.30pm

Circus Raj present a vibrant, fast-moving extravaganza of drama, daring feats, music, and surprise.

As their show for Sensasian is happening inside the theatre, we won’t see slack-rope walking or live flames. But you won’t miss out; along with Govinda the Fakir the cast of acrobats, musicians and dancers will deliver eye-watering displays that will make you laugh and cheer!

Both performances will be Audio Described through a headset. Please ask a member of staff on the day if you would like to listen.

Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band

Outside the theatre

11.50am to 12.10pm then 1.15pm to 1.35pm and 1.50pm to 2.10pm

The Rajasthan Heritage Brass Band is a living embodiment of ‘the land of royalty’, sharing Rajasthan’s rich tradition, heritage, and colourful lifestyle through a spectacular celebration of heady music and hypnotic dance.

Experience a diverse repertoire spanning Rajasthani folk songs, Bollywood hits, spiritual qawwali, Bhangra beats, sci-fi and intergalactic funk – and even some well loved pop songs – as loved by crowds at Belfast Mela, Bestival, and Glastonbury!

Block printing workshop

Youth Room (upstairs via bar area)

12pm to 1pm and 2pm to 3pm

Join this family-friendly hands-on block printing workshop on fabric using carved wooden blocks of various pattern designs. This hand-block printing technique – Sanganeri – originates from Sanganer, a village in the south of Jaipur.

The workshop takes about 20mins to complete with a couple of people being able to take part at a time. You may need to wait a short while to take part. We will try and make sure that everyone that would like to take part can do so.

Baluji Shrivastav OBE

Bar area (upstairs)

2.15pm to 2.45pm

Baluji Shrivastav OBE is one of the world’s leading composers and sitar players. Described as ‘sitarist to the stars’ (Evening Standard), he has performed and recorded with artists such as Stevie Wonder, Coldplay, Massive Attack, Madness, Shakira, Malu, Boy George and Doves.

Baluji is signed to Naxos World ARC with over fifteen releases of classical and world music fusion. His compositions include works for orchestra, theatre, dance, film, television and radio. Selected credits include Disney’s Million Dollar Arm, 20th Century Fox’s New Girl, NBC’s Outsourced and the world’s only Urdu opera Sohini and Mahival, which he composed with Golden Globe and Oscar Winner Dario Marianelli.

Henna by Cherrie Matharu

Lounge (ground floor)

12pm to 4pm

Experience traditional henna by artist Cherrie Matharu.

Organic henna is a natural dye derived from the leaves of the henna plant. When mixed into a paste it is applied to the skin in intricate patterns and left to dry, leaving behind a beautiful temporary tattoo.

We expect henna to be a popular activity. Cherrie will get through as many people as possible during the time, and we may run a list on the day to avoid disappointment. Please ask a member of staff when you arrive.

Dharshanodiyaa School of Bharathanatiyam

Auditorium (entry via ground floor or upstairs)

1.30pm to 2.30pm

Experience the vibrant spirit of Indian culture through a captivating blend of Indian classical dance and Bollywood, presented by Dharshanodiyaa School of Bharathanatiyam.

The performance will merge the elegance of classical tradition with the energy and colour of Bollywood, offering a dynamic celebration of rhythm, expression, and storytelling.

Under the artistic direction of Srimathi Darshikka Rajasegaram, dancers showcase both discipline and creativity, staying rooted in tradition while embracing contemporary styles.

A short workshop will follow the performance.

The performances will be Audio Described through a headset. Please ask a member of staff on the day if you would like to listen.

Tofail Ahmed & Gurpit Matharu

Bar area (upstairs)

1.30pm to 2.30pm

Tofail Ahmed is a professional Indian musician and teacher spent years in Bangladesh and India honing his craft in vocal classical and light classical music. During his time in Delhi he trained as an ICCR (Indian Council for Cultural Relations) under Pt Birju Maharaj.

Tofail performs Ghazals, Classical, Bollywood songs and more, moving between styles – and languages including Bengalli, Sanskrit, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Braj Bhasha and Gujrati – with ease.

For Sensasian 2025 Tofail will be accompanied by Gurprit Matharu, one of the finest Tabla players in the UK.

The Poetry Takeaway

Outside the Theatre

12pm to 4pm

The Poetry Takeaway serves high quality, personalised poetry – written, performed and wrapped up to take away. This diverse group of poet chefs put the people they meet and the stories they share at the heart of each poem they serve up. Expect tears, laughter and everything in between.

The Poetry Takeaway
An old burger van
Stuffed with fresh poetry buns
Serving up warm words

Pub Quiz & Bingo With Your Host, Afreena

Bar area (upstairs)

3.45pm to 5pm

Get involved and join this entertaining family quiz show with quizmaster extraordinaire (and former contestant of The Chase!) Afreena Islam-Wright who will put you through your paces. Afreena is creating a special show just for Sensasian, but you can see her in action with her show Lucky Tonight below.

The perfect way to either end your family day, or start your evening before watching Ladies of Laughter.

BSL is available for this activity. No booking is required. Please indicate to a member of the team when you arrive to ensure you are seated with the best line of sight.

Food and Drink at Sensasian

Food and drink will be available to buy at the theatre. The café and bar will be open for usual hot and cold drinks and cake. Plus there will be a special plated menu for Sensasian available at £7 per plate as follows:

Afternoon menu served 12pm to 2pm: Chickpea curry with peas, rice, and fried bread

Evening menu served from 5.30pm: Samosa, spring roll, and an alki & onion bhaji with dip

NB the regular New Vic café menu will not be available on this day.

Venue and Access

All activities will happen in the building and grounds of New Vic Theatre, Etruria Rd, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Newcastle ST5 0JG.

The New Vic and its grounds are fully accessible, including accessible toilets, a lift to the upper floor, and a number of spaces for blue badge holders on the car park. Sunflower lanyards are available from box office. For more information on access at the New Vic, including assistance dogs and wheelchair spaces in the auditorium.