Tag: gala theatre

CBeebies Star Brings Fun-Filled Children’s Show To Durham

By on 10th February 2016in Entertainment

CBeebies star Sid Sloane is bringing a fun-filled adventure to Durham’s Gala Theatre this half term, and it’s sure to knock your socks off…

 

The children’s TV presenter and host of dressing up show Let’s Play will take families on a heroic quest from the bottom of the sea to the depths of the jungle and outer space, as he looks to find out just what’s happened to his favourite footwear.

Along the way, mums, dads and children aged three and over will meet funny characters, play games, sing songs, and even help to create a little magic – all of which is sure to leave you with a smile on your face, and a spring in your step.

Tickets for Sid’s Show, at 2pm on Sunday 14th February, are priced £12 for adults, £10 for concessions, and £40 for a family.

To book, call the Gala box office on 03000 266 600, visit the venue in person, or go to www.galadurham.co.uk.

John Godber Brings Mining Drama To Durham Gala Theatre

By on 3rd February 2016in Entertainment

Miners will take centre stage this month, as BAFTA Award-winning playwright John Godber brings his latest play to Durham’s Gala Theatre…

 

Shafted! follows the lives of former pitman Harry and his wife Dot – played by Godber and his wife Jane Thornton – in the thirty years after the strikes of 1984, as the pair struggle to settle into new jobs and to rebuild their community.

Fresh from its premiere at the Theatre Royal Wakefield, the comedy arrives in Durham on Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th February.

For more information about the show, which will be performed at 7.30pm each night, or to book tickets – priced £15 or £13 for concessions – call the Gala box office on 03000 266 600, visit the venue in person, or book online at www.galadurham.co.uk.

Northern Ballet Brings Aesop’s Fables To Gala Theatre

By on 25th January 2016in Entertainment

Northern Ballet is returning to Durham’s Gala Theatre with an adaptation of one of Aesop’s most famous fables…

 

Following the sell-out successes of Ugly Duckling, Three Little Pigs and Elves & the Shoemaker, the company is set to perform the latest in their award-winning children’s ballets, Tortoise & the Hare.

Daniel de Andrade, Northern Ballet’s artistic director of the Short Ballets for Small People series, said: “These ballets are classic tales beautifully retold through dance, and are the perfect introduction to ballet for children and young families.

“I am thrilled at how this latest production will bring the magic of ballet to many.

“It will provide a wonderful opportunity for children and their families to enjoy live performances designed especially for them, and will hopefully inspire a new-found love for dance, music and theatre.”

The new show, which is a re-imagining of the much-loved tale of a Tortoise who, tired of being teased for his slowness, challenges a speedy Hare to a race, has been choreographed by the duo who created Ugly Duckling in 2012, dancers Dreda Blow and Sebastian Loe.

It also includes an original score composed by Bruno Merz, set designs by Ali Allen, and live music performed by members of the Northern Ballet Sinfonia.

The 40 minute production – which was praised as “delightfully performed and expertly staged” by The Stage magazine – will be performed in Durham on Wednesday 3rd February at at 2.00pm, 4.00pm and 6.00pm.

Tickets cost £5 per child and £6 per adult. To book, call Gala’s box office on 03000 266 600 or visit www.galadurham.co.uk.

Blue Peter’s Valerie Singleton Hosts ‘An Evening With…’ In Durham

By on 14th January 2016in Entertainment

A Blue Peter legend is sailing into Durham for an evening looking back at her life and career…

 

Fans of papier mâché and sticky backed plastic will come face to face with presenter, actress and voice-over star Valerie Singleton as she hosts “An Audience With…” on Thursday 26th January.

Originally an RADA trained actress, Valerie was a successful voice-over artist when, in 1962, the BBC came looking for the perfect presenter to join existing frontman Christopher Trace on their children’s show Blue Peter.

Glamourous, yet never afraid to muck-in, Valerie took viewers ‘behind the rope’, to places and events they wouldn’t ordinarily see.

During a decade on the iconic show, she also took a lion for a walk, accompanied Princess Anne to Kenya for the Save the Children Fund, and met the misbehaving elephant Lulu, who caused chaos on the set of the show.

After leaving the show as a full-time member of the team, Valerie went on to present Nationwide from 1972 to 1976, and became Blue Peter’s roving reporter, popping up in the studio and on film reports, and fronting Blue Peter Special Assignments.

Her last report for the show was in 1981 – nearly two decades after she made her debut.

Stints on the Money Programme for BBC2 and PM on Radio 4 followed, as well as presenting duties on programmes covering such diverse topics as travel, history, alcohol abuse, violence in present day society, and a game show.

Tickets for An Audience With Valerie Singleton – on Tuesday 26th January at 7.30pm – cost £18 full price, £16 for concessions and £15 for Gala Friends.

And as part of the evening, a question and answer session will be held with audience members having a chance to put their own questions to the star.

To buy tickets, visit www.galadurham.co.uk, or call the box office on 03000 266 600.

Pantomime Star Joins Durham Park Run

By on 21st December 2015in In & Around

Amateur athletes were bright as Buttons as they were joined by a pantomime star for Durham Park Run…

 

With the Gala Theatre’s Cinderella half way through its run, the cast must dig deep ahead of the more than 20 performances still to come.

But showing he still has the stamina for the weeks ahead, writer, director and actor Paul Hartley pulled on his trainers and dashing blue Buttons costume to start the 5km course at Maiden Castle.

Cinderella, which Paul wrote and directed alongside Neil Armstrong, has been praised by audiences and critics alike, with many performances sold out over the Christmas period.

The show runs until Sunday 3rd January. Tickets, priced from £8, are still available – with the best availability for performances on the final weekend. For more information, call the Gala Box Office on 03000 266 600, or visit www.galadurham.co.uk.

Gala Theatre Reveals Extensive Spring Events Lineup

By on 10th December 2015in Entertainment, Events

A pop icon, top comedians, and new work by The Gruffalo’s creators will take to the stage as part of the Gala Theatre’s jam-packed spring season…

Lulu, Chris Ramsey, Rob Delaney, and Mark Steel will all tread the boards alongside the likes of Stig of the Dump, Echo & the Bunnymen front man Ian McCulloch, and the Northern Ballet in a star-studded line up from January to April.

Robin Byers, Durham County Council’s service manager for place and experience, said: “We always aspire to bring the people of Durham the finest in theatre, comedy, music and film. Our spring programme is no exception, with highlights including performances from the internationally-renowned Lulu and Northern Stage’s adaptation of Get Carter.

“As well as live performance, we’re also continuing to showcase the best in British theatre courtesy of the National Theatre, and are delighted to bring world-class art exhibitions to our screens for the first time with the new Exhibition on Screen series.

“There’s plenty to keep our loyal customers entertained, whilst welcoming new audiences to Gala too.”

The season kicks off on Saturday 9th January with The Rat Pack Spectacular, before the Northern Ballet look to follow up its sell-out Three Little Pigs and Elves & The Shoemaker shows with the Tortoise & The Hare on Wednesday 3rd February.

Nashville-based singer song-writer Gretchen Peters brings her 20th anniversary tour to Gala on Thursday 4th February, then playwright John Godber’s new comedy Shafted! will trace what happened to a couple from Yorkshire thirty years after the miner’s strike on Monday 15th and Tuesday 16th February.

After the phenomenal success of last year’s The Phantom Of The Opera, the Gala Theatre Stage School return with an evening of song and dance in GTSS Goes To The Movies on Thursday 18th and Friday 19th February.

 

And Echo & the Bunnymen front man Ian McCulloch completes a stellar week with his performance of stripped down versions of the Merseyside band’s classic tracks, as well as his own solo songs, on Saturday 20th February.

March brings laughter in the shape of US comedian Rob Delaney, the star and co-creator of hit Channel 4 show Catastrophe, on Thursday 10th March.

And there’ll be plenty to shout about as Lulu stops by the Gala as part of her latest tour on Tuesday 15th March.

 

The comedy returns on Friday March 25th as North East stand up and former Hebburn star Chris Ramsey takes to the stage, closely followed by Have I Got News For You regular Mark Steel on Thursday 31st March.

In between the funny men, Gala has Easter weekend covered with a stage adaptation of the classic children’s novel Stig Of The Dump on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th March.

The family fun continues on Thursday 31st March, with the latest show from The Gruffalo creators Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, Tiddler and Other Terrific Tales.

Meanwhile, a gritty crime drama, bringing to life the hard and uncompromising world of 1960s Newcastle, a city rife with crime, sex, gambling and violence, will see Northern Stage following in the footsteps of Michael Caine for an adaptation of Get Carter.

Rounding out the season, the Gala welcomes another heart-warming play packed with humour and great sixties songs in Tom Kelly’s Baby Love from Friday 22nd to Monday 25th April, and an evening of folk music courtesy of local lads The Young’uns on Saturday 30th April.

As well as the performers on stage, the theatre will also have a number of special events on its cinema screen.

 

NT Live returns with broadcasts of the National Theatre’s productions of Les Liaisons Dangereuses on Thursday 28th January and Shakespeare’s As You Like It on Monday 29th February.

Then, coming to the venue for the first time, Exhibition On Screen will bring films of art from The National Gallery, Royal Academy of Arts and beyond to the heart of Durham.

Exhibitions on show will include the works of Goya, on Monday 22nd February; Renoir, on Monday 14th March; and Monet and Matisse, on Monday 18th April.

Tickets for all of these events and more can be bought by calling the Gala Box Office on 03000 266 600, visiting the venue in person, or online at www.galadurham.co.uk.

It Isn’t Time For Panto At Durham Gala Theatre (Oh Yes It Is)

By on 1st December 2015in Entertainment, Events

Pantomime fans are set to flock to Durham as Cinderella treads the boards at the city’s Gala Theatre…

The show began a six week run on Thursday 26th November, with many of the near sixty performances already sold out or close to capacity.

Robin Byers, Durham County Council’s service manager for place and experience, said: “Thousands of people enjoyed the Gala’s 2014 production of Aladdin, and I’m sure audiences will be delighted with what we’ve got in store this year.

“It’s really exciting for us to have pantomime regulars Neil Armstrong and Paul Hartley writing, directing and starring in Cinderella, as they bring a wealth of panto experience to the job and know exactly what Durham audiences love.

“Having already seen over 25,000 people book to see this year’s panto, we now can’t wait to open the curtains and welcome families to the show.”

 

The duo’s version of the enchanting rags-to-riches story will see Neil play the villainous Dan Meanie and Paul take on the role of the hapless Buttons.

Neil Armstrong said: “We’ve had a ball writing this year’s script, and had plenty of laughs along the way.”

Paul Hartley said: “We’ve a few surprises lined-up as we’ve aimed to add a few new twists, whilst ensuring we incorporate everything we’ve loved about panto at Gala.”

The pair will be joined on stage by Hazel Pude as Cinderella, whose life will be made a misery by Ugly Sisters John Carter and Paul Dunn.

 

It will be down to Sally Collett as the Fairy Godmother to wave her magic wand and cast a spell that will help Cinders win the heart of the handsome Prince Charming, played by James Hedley.

Cinderella runs at the Gala Theatre until Sunday 3rd January 2016.

Tickets are priced from £8, and are still available by calling the Gala Box Office on 03000 266 600, or online at www.galadurham.co.uk.

For the best availability, audiences are advised to book for matinee performances as soon as possible.

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Gala Theatre Follows Up Last Year’s ‘Elf’s Christmas Adventure’

By on 12th November 2015in Entertainment, Events, Local Biz, What's New?, What's On?

Families are invited to enjoy a magical Christmas story at Gala Theatre this festive season…

Elf’s Christmas Toys, at the Durham City venue during December, is the follow-up to last year’s extremely successful production of Elf’s Christmas Adventure.

When the North Pole’s toy machine gets in a muddle, it’s up to the audience to help Elf and his friends fix the machine in time to make all the presents for Christmas.

Aimed at families with children under the age of five, Elf’s Christmas Toys is an original story that offers children an introduction to theatre.

A co-production between Gala and Durham Scenic Workshops, who were also responsible for Elf’s Christmas Adventure, it is part of a busy festive period at the theatre.

Running alongside the production will be Gala’s fun-filled family panto, which this year sees regulars Neil Armstrong and Paul Hartley directing and starring in the rags-to-riches story of Cinderella.

Robin Byers, Durham County Council’s service manager for place and experience, said: “We’re delighted to be welcoming Durham Scenic Workshops back to Gala and working with them to produce Elf’s Christmas Toys.

“Last year’s show was incredibly popular with families and we’re already seeing a huge demand for tickets this year with some shows already selling out.

“We can’t wait to see what mischief Elf gets into this year.”

Elf’s Christmas Toys runs from Friday 4th December to Thursday 24th December, with performances at 10.30am, 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

Tickets are priced from £6. To book, visit Gala box office, call 03000 266 600, or go online at www.galadurham.co.uk.

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