Tag: theatre

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.

Bishop Auckland Town Hall Reveals Spring 2016 Lineup

By on 2nd January 2016in Entertainment

Swashbuckling pirates, the ugly duckling, and a month-long festival of arts and music are all set for a date with a County Durham theatre…

Bishop Auckland Town Hall’s spring season kicks off with its second pantomime of the year, before welcoming family favourites, side splitting comedy, theatre hooligans, and the popular febfest.

Robin Byers, Durham County Council’s service manager for place and experience, said: “It’s an exciting time for residents of Bishop Auckland and neighbouring communities, with large-scale events such as Bishop Auckland Food Festival and Kynren coming up in 2016.

“We’re therefore delighted to be able to present such a cultural programme of events at Bishop Auckland Town Hall, bringing theatre productions such as Stowaway, as well as diverse music and comedy shows.”

The season starts with the Bishop Auckland Theatre Society’s pantomime, Robinson Crusoe’s Pirate Adventure, which runs from Thursday 14th to Saturday 16th January.

There’s more for families on Wednesday 27th January too, as Northumberland Theatre Company presents the funny and heart-warming story of The Ugly Duckling, by Neil Duffield, which is packed with song and dance.

The New Year also brings new laughs courtesy of the Hilarity Bites Comedy Club, with headliner Eddy Brimson sure to have audiences in stitches on Friday 22nd January.

The monthly comedy club then returns on Friday 19th February with headliner Raymond Mearns, and again on Friday 18th March with former winner of the TimeOut Comedian Of The Year award, Richard Morton.

 

Bishop Auckland Theatre Hooligans will celebrate their 20th anniversary with a production of The Pitheaps.

The show, which follows the journey of twelve young people through a fateful summer, runs from Thursday 4th to Saturday 6th February.

The Town Hall is also joining forces with febfest, a three-week programme of arts events, to present a number of shows.

The festival begins with UK jazz ensemble Swing Manouche featuring Daniel John Martin on Wednesday 10th February, and continues with an evening of exquisite vocals from singer-songwriter Paul Armfield on Monday 15th February.

There’s more music on Saturday 20th February courtesy of The Baghdaddies who, fresh from a nineteen year world tour and fifteen appearances at Glastonbury, will take to the stage alongside performers from the North East.

Jackass Youth Theatre present their latest show What Are They Like – a play written as part of the National Theatre’s Connections 500 Project – on Monday 22nd February.

And BATH’s involvement in febfest concludes on Wednesday 24th February with Stowaway, Hannah Barker and Lewis Hetherington’s story of a frozen body that falls out of a plane and crash-lands in a B&Q car park.

The spring season ends with music from Mersey beat band The Fabs on Friday 11th March and Lindisfarne frontman Marty Craggs’ The Happy Cats on Saturday March 12th.

To book tickets for any of these upcoming events, please contact the Town Hall box office on 03000 269 524 or visit the venue in person. For more information and to see the full season of events, visit www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk.

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.

Panto Stars Lend A Helping Hand To Newcastle Animal Shelter

By on 10th December 2015in Entertainment

Newcastle Theatre Royal’s Dick Whittington has gone in search of his cat…

Danny Adams, who plays Dick Whittington in this year’s Newcastle panto, has spent time volunteering alongside fellow star Steve Arnott, who plays King Rat, helping out the charity with their Christmas Appeal.

The shelter is running a pet toy appeal this Christmas, requesting that members of the public donate toys for animals who stay over the festive period.

Danny said: “Everyone knows Dick Whittington wouldn’t have got anywhere without his trusty cat by his side, so I was delighted to come down to help out with these needy cats in Newcastle. I’ve brought the big bad King Rat with me too, just in case these cats want someone to pounce on!”

Newcastle Dog and Cat Shelter helps thousands of lost, unwanted, neglected, abused and abandoned animals every year. Leyla Rutter, Chief Executive of the Shelter, said: “We try not to re-home our animals over Christmas because it can be a very stressful time for pets, when houses are at their busiest and most chaotic with visitors and presents. That means we have lots of pets at the shelter over the festive period, and so we’re asking the public to help us out with toys to keep the animals entertained, and also help us to continue their development and socialisation as we get them ready to be re-homed in January.”

Danny Adams and Steve Arnott took time out of their busy panto schedule to volunteer feeding, grooming and handling the cats and kittens at the shelter. Steve said: “We do 92 performances of Dick Whittington over 55 days. It’s a very hectic schedule, but we love it, and it is wonderful to be able to come to places like this in our spare time and give a little something back to the community who support us throughout the season. Being from this area, I know what a great job the shelter does re-homing animals, and it’s a pleasure to be able to help with their appeal this year – I just hope the cats haven’t been trained to chase rats!”

Steve is just one of a clutch of Geordie talent gracing the Theatre Royal stage in this year’s panto.

The Whitley Bay baddie is getting his teeth into the grizzly role of King Rat alongside former Emmerdale actress Charlie Hardwick, who brings sparkle and shine as Spirit of the Tyne. Actor and comedian Pete Peverley takes on the lovable role of Bobby the Cat, and fair maiden Alice Fitzwarren is played by Jarrow actress Alice Stokoe.

The team join the fabulous father and son duo of Danny Adams (Dick Whittington) and Clive Webb (Councillor Fitzfenwick), who are firm favourites with Newcastle Theatre Royal audiences as they fill the stage with non-stop laughter, energy, slap-stick humour and of course the odd ‘acciderrrrnt’! Joining them once again is panto’s most dazzling dame, Chris Hayward, who will be entertaining all her ‘bonny bairns’ as Dame Rita Fitzfenwick, while adding a wardrobe full of glitz and glamour to the show.

The Theatre Royal panto is well-known for its spectacular sets, sensational music and dance, and hilarious comedy routines – and this year is no exception. Add to that plenty of local twists and humour, and you’re in for hods of bonny bairns, canny lasses and the odd radgie gadgie gracing the stage!

Audiences can also expect breathtaking special effects, once again provided by The Twins FX (the award-winning company behind previous years’ looping reindeer sleigh, flying helicopter and magic carpet). Plus, returning again due to popular demand, are incredible 3D special effects.

Dick Whittington is proudly supported by local Media Partner Heart North East and plays at Newcastle Theatre Royal until Sunday 17th January 2016. Tickets are available from £12.50 (pay less online) and can be purchased at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (all calls are charged at 7p a minute plus your phone company’s access charge, calls from mobiles may vary, please contact your operator for details).

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.

Theatrical Spectacle STOMP Returns To Newcastle

By on 4th December 2015in Entertainment, Music

Fresher, faster and funnier than ever, the multi-award winning theatrical spectacle STOMP is set to make a return to Newcastle Theatre Royal for the first time in 15 years, and will be touching down for one week only…

A unique combination of percussion, dance and comedy, Stomp is a stage spectacle in a genre of its own. Everyday objects like dustbin lids, matchboxes, brooms, cigarette lighters are transformed into musical instruments and props, and the cast command the stage with an unprecedented energy and rhythm as they ‘play’ them.

Now entering its 23rd year, this smash hit show has entertained over 15 million people across 50 countries worldwide; featured in a range of commercials, film soundtracks and TV collaborations and won multiple awards including an Obie, a Drama Desk Award and an Olivier.

The show was born in Brighton, UK, in the summer of 1991 as the result of a ten year collaboration between street theatre artists Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas.  From acclaimed performances at the Edinburgh Fringe to large outdoor events, the legend of Stomp grew in ambition and scope, gaining legions of fans along the way and becoming the theatrical sensation it is today.

Since their last visit to Newcastle in 2000, the Stomp cast have performed in the closing ceremony at the 2012 Olympics, and have introduced two new pieces to the show: Frogs and Trolleys.

Trolleys taps into the everyday experience of negotiating a busy shopping aisle with a fully laden supermarket trolley, but soon transforms into the closest the show will ever get to drum corps. It is also the first fully fledged Stomp routine to be performed entirely in 5/4 time signature.

Frogs explores the bizarre sonic possibilities of a variety of plumbing fixtures! It has to be heard to be believed, but close your eyes and this piece sounds unlike anything ever heard in the show till now. Organic, quirky and plumbing new heights.

Creators Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas are both very happy with the way the new pieces have slotted in, each with Stomp‘s trademark exploration of sound, movement and physical humour. There’s more to come, too; they will be working on more new routines later this year.

Still remaining is Stomp’s signature high-octane meeting of slick choreography, tight ensemble work, industrial percussion and a narrative of anarchic clowning, as the irrepressible troupe of eight turn brooms into soft shoe partners, clapping into intricate conversations and water cooler bottles into sophisticated instruments. A row of folding chairs are straddled, slid, slammed and slapped into rhythmic submission. It is at once primal and urbane, leaving no percussive potential – of object, body or action – unexploited. And all underpinned by a childish delight in making serious noise.

The whole show hurtles towards a brilliantly reworked climax – a showstopper in every sense – as a crackling carnival of leaping, spinning, skidding and pounding performers vent their inexhaustible energies on an unsuspecting orchestra of metal dustbins, bin lids, tubs and water butts. Joyous, thumping, exhilarating bliss for all involved… except the bins!

Stomp is produced by Glynis Henderson Productions & Stomp Productions.

Stomp comes to Newcastle Theatre Royal Monday 15th – Saturday 20th February 2016 to celebrate over 20 astonishing years of foot stamping, finger drumming, and adrenalin rushing joy across the globe. It plays evenings at 7.30pm, matinees on Thursday 2pm and Saturday 2.30pm. Tickets from £13.00. Tickets can be purchased online at www.theatreroyal.co.uk or from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21 (Calls cost 7ppm plus your phone company’s access charge).

Win! Tickets To See T.Rextasy’s 40th Anniversary Tour

By on 3rd December 2015in Competitions, Entertainment, Events, Music, What's New?, What's On?

The definitive glam rockers are back on tour, and they’re coming this way…

Marc Bolan, with his band T.Rex, was one of the most flamboyant and charismatic stars of the 1970s. With Bolan’s special mix of Rock-a-Boogie and Rock ‘n’ Roll songs, including classics such as Telegram Sam, Get It On and Jeepster, the band defined what would be known as the original glam rock era.

And now, they’re heading to the North East… sort of.

T.Rextasy is the world’s only official T.Rex tribute band, an accolade endorsed by Marc Bolan’s family, estate, catalogue management, and members of the original band. T.Rextasy have been performing around the world for over twenty years – a career that ironically outlives Marc’s own – and have been described as ‘beyond the boundaries of tribute’.

“They’re the closest you’re ever going to get to the real thing” – Bill Legend, (original T.Rex drummer)

“Danielz is more than a career lookalike. Here we have a serious guitarist with the animal grace of early Bolan and the clear unequivocal love of the music” – The Stage

 

On Friday 22nd January 2016, T.Rextasy will be performing at the Forum Theatre in Billingham. The concert is a part of their ‘I Love To Boogie’ anniversary tour, and if you’d like to know exactly what a Marc Bolan concert was like forty years ago, we recommend you enter our competition below.

We’re giving away two tickets to their Billingham concert, and all you need to do is the question below…

What is Marc Bolan’s real name?

Competition closed. Congratulations to Rebecca Kamsika from Middlesbrough!

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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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.

Win! Tickets To See NT Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses

By on 18th November 2015in Competitions

 

Following the hugely successful broadcasts of Coriolanus and King Lear, National Theatre Live brings the Donmar Warehouse’s highly anticipated new production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses to cinemas – broadcast live from the Donmar’s London home.

Directed by Josie Rourke (Coriolanus), the cast includes Elaine Cassidy (The Paradise), Janet McTeer (The White Queen) and Dominic West (The Wire). In 1782, Choderlos de Laclos’ novel of sex, intrigue and betrayal in pre-revolutionary France scandalised the world. Two hundred years later, Christopher Hampton’s irresistible adaptation swept the board, winning the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Play. Josie Rourke’s revival now marks the play’s thirty year anniversary.

Former lovers, the Marquise de Merteuil and Vicomte de Valmont now compete in games of seduction and revenge. Merteuil incites Valmont to corrupt the innocent Cecile de Volanges before her wedding night, but Valmont has targeted the peerlessly virtuous and beautiful Madame de Tourvel. While these merciless aristocrats toy with others’ hearts and reputations, their own may prove more fragile than they supposed.

We’re offering two tickets to see NT Live: Les Liaisons Dangereuses at Vue Gateshead on 28th January, 7pm. To win, all you have to do is answer the following question…

In which city is the National Theatre located?

[contact-form to=’online@inandaroundmag.co.uk’ subject=’LES LIAISONS COMP’][contact-field label=’Name’ type=’name’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Email’ type=’email’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Address’ type=’text’ required=’1’/][contact-field label=’Answer’ type=’text’ required=’1’/][/contact-form]

This competition closes 15th December.

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