Barbados conjures up images of palm trees swaying in the breeze, sun kissed, dazzling white sand - and the strains of reggae reverberating around beach bars.

Like the 1982 film, the current version of Annie is based on a feisty, eleven year old orphan with an unwavering belief that her parents will return for her – and her life will be transformed forever.

I spilt my drink and screamed in horror when a deafening shotgun blast reverberated from a screen with silhouettes immersed in smoke and engaged in conflict. An explosive opening set the pace for a high-octane musical - a fusion of genres creatively integrating gripping cinematic effects with a pop concert bursting with pizazz.

Hundreds of primary school pupils from nine North East schools have come together to re-enact Shakespeare’s illustrious comedy, A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Led by Theatre Royal associate artists, the feast of creativity from almost four hundred nine and ten year olds comprised a series of classroom workshops across Newcastle’s West End.

Far from marking a milestone in a low key manner expected of centenarians, an exhilarating, energetic and explosion of supreme talent is turbocharging Britain’s oldest contemporary dance company’s into the next century.

Buenos Aires - a multi-cultural melting pot pulsating with a kaleidoscope of colour - is the birthplace of tango and among the world’s most dynamic capital cities. Famed for icons including Eva Peron and Maradona, it is lovingly called the ‘Paris of South America’ with a rich cultural tapestry and vibrant arts scene to match London and the finest European capitals.

Scotland’s wild and rugged islands include the Orkney Islands off the Scottish mainland - and the Shetland Islands situated between Orkney, the Faroe Islands, and Norway.

I must have had my own blonde moment when the highly acclaimed Legally Blonde film with Reese Witherspoon hit our screens in 2021, grossing 142 million dollars worldwide and shaping fashion trends. Determined not to let the 2026 stage production pass me by, I was at the front of the queue for the upbeat romantic comedy and its timeless appeal.

Glitterballs abound as the much-vaunted Priscilla Queen of the Desert musical comedy had the audience totally under their spell. They would have forgiven anything - including the late start.

Northumberland, England’s northernmost county, is emerging from her winter hibernation and bursting into a blaze of colour. With the long-awaited arrival of longer, lighter days and sunset’s ‘golden hour’ nudging past 8pm, the county is enticing visitors with open arms to experience its symbolic reawakening with a packed calendar of events.

The Mediterranean coastline of the Costa Blanca, or ‘White Coast,’ stretches 120 glorious miles from Denia in the North to Pilar de la Horadada in the south. Located in the region of Alicante, the temperate climate boasts 300 days of sunshine annually.

Getting off the beaten track when travelling is no mean achievement in today’s world of mass tourism - especially in countries like Spain whose growing population hit 49 million last year.

Newcastle Theatre Royal promises a diverse and dynamic line up to engage, thrill, and delight audiences over the next three months. Musicals taking centre stage are the feel-good Mama Mia (Wednesday 11- Saturday 28 February) and West End mega-hit TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, (Tuesday 3- Saturday 14 March).

The appeal of travelling into the unknown can also be tinged with trepidation as to what may be waiting on arrival - particularly if the destination is off the beaten track. Not ones to do things by halves, Our Lifestyle and Leisure Editor, Sharon Cain and Sharon’s husband and Yorkshire Times photographer, Steve Hare, traversed the globe to Ushuaia in Argentina.

Our series of Motorhoming articles aims to share insights into the pleasures and adventures of this mode of travelling at home and abroad - along with the realities and practicalities involved.

January and February can be gloomy months - and not just weather-wise - with many of us counting the financial cost of Christmas and feeling demotivated and lethargic.

Laos and Cambodia are neighbouring countries in South East Asia who share rich cultural heritages, war torn histories, and the mighty Mekong river whose delta is known as the ‘Rice Bowl’ of Asia.

The Danube, a majestic waterway which Napoleon called the ‘Queen of European Rivers’, is the only river in the world to border ten countries. Flowing 1,770 miles from Germany’s Black Forest to the mouth of the Black Sea, its rich, cultural diversity spanning Imperial cities, fairytale castles, vineyards, and wildlife make it an increasingly popular destination.

In our last Magic of Motorhoming article, we looked at key areas including classifications - and whether to buy new or used - to help you decide the best fit for your travel adventures.

With hazy summer days a distant memory, autumn brings a season of transformation with crisp, vibrant leaves, harvests of colourful fruit and vegetables and crackling log fires.

Located on the banks on Lake Michigan, Chicago’s jaw dropping skyline merits its reputation among the world’s most iconic backdrops. Nicknamed The Windy City due to the icy gusts from Lake Michigan and colourful 19th Century tales of boastful politicians, the pulsating Midwest metropolis continues to play second fiddle to New York.

With over a million leisure vehicles in Britain alone, there is no doubting the excitement and adventure this form of travel promises.

Welcome to our newly launched column ‘The Magic of Motorhoming’ where we share fascinating insights and tips on a world which opens new and exciting explorations. Valued at a jaw-dropping £1.15 billion, the UK motorhome industry has witnessed an incredible boom as those with a sense of adventure embrace the independence of travel at home and abroad.

In 2007, Simon Cuncliffe-Lister, the owner of Burton Agnes Hall and passionate saxophonist opened the doors of his stately family manor home and hosted a jazz and blues festival. Fast forward eighteen years, and Burton Agnes Jazz & Blue’s Festival is hailed as a premier, talent packed Northeast event which pulsates with energy and fun.

As someone who shrieks and jumps out of their skin at the unexpected - to the abject embarrassment of their nearest and dearest - I approached reviewing Ghost Stories with trepidation. The magnificent almost two centuries old Newcastle Theatre Royal could not be a more appropriate venue for the spine-tinging show.

The Spring equinox - when night and day are in equal balance across the globe - is a defining period for transformation and growth. As endless dark nights fade to a distant memory, Spring symbolises regeneration and renewal when flowers burst forth with optimism and badgers, bats and hedgehogs emerge from hibernation. Sharon Cain, Our Time for Life Correspondent, urges our readers to stop their procrastinations and delays - and live for today.