Preview: May 2015 at Washington Arts Centre

May Preview at Arts Centre Washington.

Arts Centre Washington is located in the new town of Washington which sits in a position of equal distance between Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham.  The area has its roots in mining, the last pit closing in the area in the 1980’s.  Going even further back, the ancestors of George Washington who lived locally gave the area its name and one of the most famous north east legends, The Lambton Worm, supposedly took place a stones throw from the arts centre.

The arts centre itself is a converted 19^th century farm, a ruin rescued at the time of the development of the new town in 1972 when it was decided that a centre for arts and culture should be included in the vision for the area.  Originally called Biddick Farm Arts Centre, it has gone through several incarnations to become what is now a vibrant multi-arts centre that hosts a theatre, gallery, rehearsal rooms, artist’s studios, recording studio, café and award winning bar.  It is now owned and managed by Sunderland City Council.

Arts Centre Washington has a very distinct character.  The Gallery, which forms the central creative hub of the building, is a light and airy raftered space whilst the 110 seat theatre is converted from the main barn and retains its original stone walls and unique atmosphere.  Another barn has been converted into a multifunctional space that is used for a variety of purposes whilst the cowsheds now serve as a block of artist’s studios.  The café/bar in the courtyard allows customers to spill out into the sunshine on hot, summer days.

Arts Centre Washington exists to provide a mixed programme of artistic events and activities for all members of its community to experience and participate in the arts.  Events include theatre, music, dance and comedy with Saturday nights in the Low Barn playing host to the award winning Davy LampFolk Club.  There is also a packed programme of Classes andCourses - activities for all ages to take part in from salsa to sequence dancing; model making to messy play.

Arts Centre Washington’s main funder is Sunderland City Council with funding for special programmes and projects provided by Arts Council England and the Northern Rock Foundation.

Theatre Productions Coming up In May 2015:

Cloud 9, Saturday 2 May, 7.30pm, Tickets £6.50 / £5
Caryl Churchill's controversial and sexually explicit play deals with gender, role conditioning, sexual repression and the British Empire.

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Oresteia, Friday 8 + Saturday 9 May, 7.30pm, Tickets £6.50 / £5

The House of Atreus is drowning in blood. Vengeance begets vengeance in a vicious cycle as alluring as it is affronting. And from out the groaning carrion, something very old rises...

Macbeth, Thursday 14 May, 7.30pm, Tickets £6.50 / £5

An abridged version of Shakespeare's famous Scottish tragedy. An encounter with three witches, a desire for greed and a provocation from his wife begins Macbeth's tragic descent into madness. A drum, a drum, Macbeth doth come!

Measure for Measure, Saturday 16 May, 7.30pm, Tickets £6.50 / £5

An abridged version of one of Shakespeare’s greatest works. Combining comedy and tragedy, Shakespeare asks us to consider whether or not morality can or should be legislated.

The Life & Loves of a Nobody

Thursday 21 + Friday 22 May, 7.30pm, tickets £8.50 / £6 (Conc)
A story of hope, fame and love gone wrong from internationally acclaimed theatre makers Third Angel.  With their trademark edge-of-the seat storytelling, mixed with some very beautiful design and staging, Third Angel slowly reveal Rachel’s life story. Gripping, funny and moving, this story of an ordinary girl and her extraordinary life is truly spell-binding.

Rapunzel,

Thursday 28 May, 11am + 2pm, Tickets £6 / £20 (family, admits4)

Told in an inventive, visual and physical style with live music and magical design, Rapunzel is a delightful production for children about the curiosity and joys of growing up, risk taking and discovering who you are.  For children aged 3 – 7 years

Tickets:

For tickets and further details: www.artscentrewashington.co.uk

Box Office Opening Times: Monday: 9am - 5pm Tuesday - Saturday: 9am - 8pm

Telephone Bookings: 0191 219 3455