Tag: north east

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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Newcastle Tavern Wins ‘Pub With The Best Pint’ Award

By on 1st December 2015in Local Biz

A landmark North East bar, which was restored to its former glory last year, is raising a glass to celebrate being voted the ‘Pub with the Best Pint’…

The City Tavern at Northumberland Road, Newcastle, beat off competition from more than one thousand pubs across the UK to take the honour in the Star Pubs & Bars awards organised by Heineken.

The pub is run by North East entrepreneur David King, who has a long history of working in the industry, and was behind some of the region’s most innovative watering holes.

The City Tavern, widely recognised for its Tudor style façade, was taken over by Mr King early in 2014, and soon underwent a £450k refurbishment to create a state-of-the-art bar, while still retaining the venue’s historic features.

It was Mr King’s commitment to producing the perfect pint which led to him winning the fiercely contested award, with the pub’s beer judged against stringent criteria including taste, smell and temperature, along with staff knowledge and service.

Judges were also impressed by the fact that the bar offered ten cask ales and ciders, along with three house ales which were brewed exclusively for The City Tavern.

“We are absolutely delighted to have won this award, which is acknowledgement of the commitment we have to pulling the perfect pint every time,” said David.

“We pride ourselves on giving customers a great experience, and for that to be recognised in the face of so much competition from around the UK is fantastic, not just for us but for the region.”

David received the prestigious award at a gala celebration night in Liverpool from celebrity chef Simon Rimmer, where he was also recognised as a finalist in two other categories for best-trained staff and best retailer.

Star Pubs & Bars Trading Director, Chris Jowsey, added: “The hallmark of a great pub is a great pint, and the City Tavern serves one of the best in the country with beers to satisfy all palates, delivery and standards that are second to none, and staff that clearly care.”

This is not the first time The City Tavern has enjoyed victory in these awards however, having last year taken the title of Retailer of the Year.

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Blue Workout Raises Heart-Rates And Funds For Alzheimer’s Society

By on 1st December 2015in In & Around

In support of the Alzheimer’s Society, fitness instructor Lesley Colwill painted Chester-le-Street Parish Centre blue with a special work-out…

 

Members and friends of the town’s Keep Fit Association Moves branch got together for a ‘Blue’ Workout fundraising event, the colour chosen to represent the charity.

Participants packed out the Parish Centre, off Church Chare, to enjoy a great evening of exercise, movement and dance to a variety of music led by KFA Moves instructor, Lesley.

The fitness group was also treated to a top-class performance from the North East KFA Young Adults Championship Team ‘Northern Lights’.

A raffle and refreshments were available afterwards, with blue cakes and buns to get the energy back after a great workout. All in all, the association raised a fantastic £400 for Alzheimer’s Society.

Rebecca Scott, Alzheimer’s Society community fundraiser in the North East said: “We are extremely grateful to Lesley and KFA for all of the time and effort they have put into this event for Alzheimer’s Society.

“As a charity, we rely on the generosity of individuals like Lesley and the group to help us support people to live well with dementia, and to fund research to find a cure.”

To learn more about the Alzheimer’s Society’s work, visit www.alzheimers.org.uk.

To read about Rebecca Scott’s personal work with the charity, read her article My Fight Against Dementia.

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Tiger Bills Kitchen: Consett Restaurant Taking Christmas Bookings

By on 30th November 2015in Food & Drink, Lifestyle

Consett’s most exciting new restaurant is now taking Christmas bookings. Here’s why you should book…

Tiger Bills Kitchen is a fresh, new and exciting establishment in the heart of Consett. Mixing Thai and Western, the menu is dynamic and offers something to suit everyone. We pride ourselves on being Consett’s local restaurant, sourcing our produce from within a 10 mile radius.

Our staff are all friendly and are always willing to help. Whether you require the table to be decorated for a special occasion, or are looking for advice on our menu, they will meet your every need.

We accommodate all occasions, from large tables next to a children’s play area, booths for a more intimate dining experience, or even larger areas for business and social events.

Our menu includes everything from BBQ Grills, to Thai Currys and salads. You can see the full menu here.

 

Trip Advisor: “Fantastic”
Had a fantastic night at Tiger Bills. Great food and service! Prices are very reasonable, and the steak was fantastic! Would definitely go again, and would recommend to family and friends!

Facebook:  “5*****”
Just had a fantastic meal for my birthday. Food was lovely and the staff were brilliant. Very friendly, great value, and I was even given a cocktail on the house as it was my birthday. Definitely will be going back!

To book a table with us, call us on 01207 506 002, or pop down and chat to one of our staff.

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Film ReVue: Bridge Of Spies

By on 30th November 2015in Entertainment, Film & TV

Vue Cinema’s Olly Cobb shares his thoughts on Steven Spielberg’s new Cold War drama, starring Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance…

Based on true events, Bridge of Spies follows the trial of Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance), a Soviet spy captured working in New York in 1957. Main protagonist James Donovan (Tom Hanks) is the American councillor tasked with defending Abel, but finds himself caught in the midst of the Cold War.

As is to be expected from ‘Triple-A’ blockbuster titles, Bridge of Spies delivers a believable and accurate window to the past. Scenes set on the Brooklyn streets (and later in East Berlin) are astonishing, and the 1950s attire and deco is wonderfully nostalgic.

Spielberg has tried (and succeeded) to place his characters into an immersive world, but it does – on occasion – only serve to distract from the moments when the script falls flat.

Spielberg’s actors, however, aren’t quite as perfect as his world. Tom Hanks delivers a convincing performance, and proves yet again that he’s an extremely competent actor, but perhaps past his best. Here we have yet another Spielberg movie in which Hanks’ character is the black sheep.

 

Thankfully, Rylance’s performance is extremely refreshing. When Abel is incarcerated, he is asked why he isn’t alarmed by the prospect of the death penalty, to which Abel simply replies “Would it help?”

The supporting cast is solid, but there is a lack of development seen in Donovan’s family and peers, especially his wife who appears frequently but is uninteresting. The American authorities in this movie (in particular the C.I.A) seem to be the standard impatient, patriotic men who fit the ‘Cold War Criteria’ nicely.

As for moments of intense drama, there’s a light spattering. The courtroom scenes are brief and tedious, but excitement kicks in as Hanks makes his way through East Berlin. It’s engaging and beautiful, and the climactic exchange on the Glienicke Bridge is a superb, well-crafted cinematic moment. It’s just a shame that there weren’t more scenes like this.

 

Suffice to say that Bridge of Spies is visually fantastic, and there are moments of excellence from its leading actors, but these days watching a Spielberg movie is a lot like going to a museum. You don’t necessarily go for the thrill, but for the experience. Bridge of Spies falls into the same trap as 2012’s Lincoln, in that a predictable plot hides behind beautiful set design and a star-studded cast.

We can forgive it for not being particularly rewarding, but one hopes for Spielberg’s return to making less ‘grown up’ movies. Nevertheless, the Academy will likely try to give Bridge of Spies an Oscar, to which I ask… would it help?

Our Bridge of Spies review was written by Vue Cinema’s Olly Cobb. For more information on the latest cinema releases, or to book tickets, visit www.myvue.com.

Click here to book tickets for Bridge of Spies.

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Frosty Fun In Chester-le-Street For Christmas Light Switch On

By on 30th November 2015in In & Around

The Chester-le-Street Christmas lights are set to turn the town into a Winter Wonderland…

 

Residents and visitors to Chester-le-Street are invited to gather around the Christmas tree for the annual festive light switch on, taking place on Thursday 3rd December at 4pm.

They’ll be joined by the Town Crier, stilt walkers, Frosty the Snowman, and characters from Disney blockbuster Frozen.

Organisers have arranged for free parking after 3pm in all Durham County Council car parks throughout December, and businesses are set to remain open throughout the evening, meaning hot drinks and food will be available.

For more information, email chester-le-streetaap@durham.gov.uk.

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New Danish Variety Store Opens In Sunderland Today

By on 30th November 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

A Danish variety store is hoping to get its claws into the Christmas rush by opening its doors in Sunderland today…

Tiger, which specialises in practical, fun and decorative goods (including homeware, kitchenware, stationery and toys), will launch at the Bridges shopping centre at midday today (Monday 30th November).

It follows the opening of the chain’s first North East branch in Newcastle earlier this month.

Mike Davis, who owns the Tiger franchise for the North East, said: “I joined Tiger as a franchisee in 2014, with plans to open between twenty and thirty shops across Scotland and Northern England.

“Launching in Sunderland is a key step towards achieving this target, and I’m confident the city is going to be a great market for us. Not only is there a real gap for Tiger’s type of products, but the high footfall in the Bridges will hopefully be of great value too.”

Tiger, which originated in Copenhagen, is the latest big name brand to arrive at the Bridges in recent months, with others including fashion retailer Pep and Co.

Andy Bradley, Centre Director for the Bridges, said: “This is a hugely exciting time for the Bridges and we are really excited to have Tiger on board.  With more new stores also arriving, we hope to offer visitors even more choice when it comes to this year’s Christmas shopping.”

For more information about Tiger, visit www.tigerstores.co.uk.

Further details about the Bridges, including full opening times, can be found at www.thebridges-shopping.com.

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6 Top DJs To Headline Hardwick Hall Boxing Day Club Night

By on 26th November 2015in Entertainment, Events, Music

Six of the world’s top DJs are bringing the beats to the North East for a special Boxing Day event…

 

Popular club night, To The Manor Born, will return to Hardwick Hall Hotel, Sedgefield, on Saturday December 26th.

Leading this year’s line-up is internationally renowned artist, Graeme Park, who recently marked 30 years on the decks and 20 years on the radio airwaves, with shows on stations including Galaxy and Kiss.

Graeme, who now has his own app, started his career in Nottingham in the 1980s, before moving on to an eight year residency at the high profile Hacienda club in Manchester.

He was one of the first British DJs to play places like Australia, South America, Asia and America and has remixed tracks by artists such as The Brand New Heavies and Sophie Ellis-Bextor.

Graeme will be joined at To The Manor Born by fellow Hacienda favourite, Allister Whitehead, who sold more than a million DJ mix albums with Fantazia and has headlined all the major clubs, including Cream and Ministry of Sound during an illustrious 25 year career.

Both Graeme and Allister were among the first guest DJs when To The Manor Born launched in the 1990s, and are returning to the event by popular demand.

Performing alongside them in the Main Room will be North East DJ, Michael Johnson.

A Residents Room will also be open throughout To The Manor Born, welcoming performances by another top trio. This includes Groovebox club night regulars Pete Wharrier and Rob Oxley, as well as event organiser Johnathan Woodliffe.

Jonathan said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming back two of our most popular DJ’s, Graeme Park and Allister Whitehead, who I’m sure will raise the roof alongside Michael, Pete, Rob and myself. It’s going to be an amazing night.”

To The Manor Born 2015 will run at Hardwick Hall Hotel from 8pm until 2.30am. Tickets, priced at £20, must be purchased in advance, and no entry will be permitted after 10.30pm.

For further information about this and other Christmas events taking place at Hardwick Hall, call 01740 620253, email info@hardwickhallhotel.co.uk, or visit www.hardwickhallhotel.co.uk.

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Review: Legally Blonde At Tyne Theatre & Opera House

By on 26th November 2015in Entertainment, Events

West End Musical Theatre Company‘s debut production of Legally Blonde is setting Newcastle alight. Here’s a review courtesy of Kelly Knowles and Abbie Wilkinson…

 

We were lucky enough to score a pair of tickets for the show’s opening night at the Tyne Theatre, and the atmosphere was electric. The lavish auditorium is a great place to be, even before the theatrics begin, and our Grand Circle seats meant that we had a great view of the stage.

The Legally Blonde musical is based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the 2001 film starring Reese Witherspoon, and as big fans of the source material, we’re pleased to report that its adaptation to the stage has worked beautifully.

The show’s music, by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin, is a fantastic compliment to the narrative, and will have you singing along even after you’ve left the theatre. Favourites include Take It Like A Man, which has all the charm of a Disney fairy tale, but the wit you’d expect from Hollywood. Top marks to the singing cast, who go for every number with total energy and passion.

In fact, the cast’s performances are hard to criticise all round. The West End Musical Theatre Company’s experience shines through wonderfully, making us just a little disappointed that it took us until now to see one of their productions! Their previous shows include Wizard Of Oz and Stepping Out.

Leading lady Cheryl Moody is electrifying as sorority girl Elle Woods. Her performance is fun, charming, and so effortlessly ditzy that we’re sure many like us will be able to see a little of themselves up on stage. Along the way, Cheryl reminds us that being ourselves never goes out of style.

 

Special mention, however, must go to the two unlikely stars of the show, Chi-Chi the chihuahua and Patsy the bulldog. Chi-Chi, as Elle’s faithful sidekick Bruiser, steals every scene with effortless grace, and remains en vogue throughout.

The production and stage management itself is also of note. The story takes us from the sorority house to the Halls of Justice, and the scenes change seamlessly. We commend the WEMTC for their clear dedication to rehearsal and practice.

Suffice to say, Legally Blonde had us smiling from start to finish, and if you’re looking for a feel-good show, this one will not disappoint. As keen theatre goers, Abbie and I were suitably impressed, and we’re already looking forward to the company’s next production.

And yes – we played through the entire soundtrack on the way home!

If you want to see the show for yourself, you can catch it at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House, located on Westgate Road, Newcastle. The show runs until this Saturday, so be sure to book your tickets here.

Genesis 2015 Celebrates North East Entrepreneurship

By on 25th November 2015in Local Biz, What's New?

Hundreds of representatives from the region’s business community came together this week for the North East’s first inclusive celebration of enterprise and entrepreneurship…

GENESIS 2015, which was fronted by the presidents of the region’s universities’ enterprise societies, showcased the home-grown entrepreneurial talent of the North East of England and brought together all five universities, the Entrepreneurs’ Forum and the enterprise ecosystem.

The day-long event hosted at Gateshead’s BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art coincided with The InCredAbles – what if? movement launch and the final of the Entrepreneurs’ Forum’s ‘If We Can, You Can’ challenge, and formed part of the region’s Global Entrepreneurship Week celebrations.

Focused on offering student and graduate entrepreneurs the opportunity to learn from the region’s start-up, professional, financial and business communities, GENESIS 2015 offered a series of workshops, one-on-one advice surgeries and networking opportunities as well as an Entrepreneurs’ Stories session and an Investors Panel, which saw up to £1million worth of investment up for grabs.

Guest speakers offering guidance to entrepreneurs included graduate success stories such as Brett Jacobson from Media Works; Tarek Nseir, founder of TH_NK; and Tony Cleary from the Lanchester Group; while Nevil Tynemouth from New Results Training hosted networking; and financial input was given by Andy Fishburn, head of investment at Virgin Start-up; Santander and the North East investment community.

FIRST Face to Face’s managing director, Charlotte Windebank, who supported the organisation of the event, said: “Over the last three years, graduate entrepreneurs have made a crucial contribution to the economy, creating 1,500 jobs, 450 businesses and £64million in turnover, and it is vital that as a region we continue to encourage and nurture the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.

“Since the launch of the ‘If We Can, You Can’ challenge, we have been overwhelmed by its success, so it seemed fitting to combine this year’s final with GENESIS 2015 to create a truly innovative event celebrating entrepreneurship powered by the North East’s five universities.

“With up to 700 people attending over the course of the day it was fantastic to see the region’s business community really get behind the entrepreneurs of tomorrow.”

Amongst those spearheading the event was Edd Dutton, president of Northumbria University’s NUOVO; Laura Pritchard, president of University of Sunderland’s Enterprise Society; Abz Dawar, president of Entrepreneurs Durham at Durham University; Noah Knapton, president of Newcastle University’s Entrepreneurs Society; and Lizzie Dixon, enterprise coordinator at Teesside Launchpad.

Edd Dutton, founder of Giving Origin and Northumbria University’s NUOVO enterprise society, added: “The power of networking with your stakeholders at any stage of business is so vital in success. Entrepreneurs should always feel integral. They should believe in what they are doing and showcase not just their ideas but vision – GENESIS has fully supported that from conception. Giving Origin is pleasured to work with the GENESIS team in forming and curating the brand.”

Sponsors of the event included Ebac, TEDCO and Virgin Start-Up, Santander, Gateshead Council, NELEP, Tees Valley Unlimited, North East Finance, Entrepreneurs’ Forum, Giving Origin, O PR, FIRST Face to Face Ltd and Gospelware.

Carole White, chief executive of TEDCO Business Support, added: “We were very keen to be involved in such an important event for the region’s enterprise community. As one of the principle sponsors, it has been heartening to see first-hand the great appetite for entrepreneurship that exists in the North East and we look forward to working with some of the new ventures attending to help get their business moving in the future.”

For more information on GENESIS 2015 visit www.genesis2015.co.uk.

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