Amanda Nicole School Of Dance

The Amanda Nicole School of Dance in Whitley Bay is where you'll find proper theatrical performances - the kind that reminds you why live entertainment still matters. It's a dance school at heart, but they put on shows that go beyond the standard recital circuit. You're looking at professional-standard productions with actual production values, the sort of thing that draws audiences from across Tyne and Wear.

The venue works brilliantly if you're staying at Parkdean Resorts Whitley Bay Holiday Park or the Old Hartley Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite nearby - both within easy reach for an evening out. It's the kind of thing that breaks up a static caravan holiday nicely, especially if you've got teenagers who won't complain about sitting through something decent.

I'd ring ahead to check what's on and whether tickets are needed - opening hours and admission details aren't widely published online, which is typical for smaller theatre venues. Shows tend to run during school holidays and occasional weekends, so timing matters. Allow an hour to 90 minutes for most performances.

Who gets the most from it? Anyone after live performance rather than another chain cinema trip. Families with dance-mad kids will obviously love it, but genuinely, if you want to see ambitious local theatre done properly, this beats most of what's on in bigger towns. It's proper community theatre with actual craft behind it.