Follow North East Theatre Guide on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NETheatreGuide
and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NETheatreGuide
Packed
programme for
Durham Gala
Theatre’s new season
A
packed programme of history and horror, drama and dance,
stand-up and song awaits audiences at the Gala Theatre over the coming months,
as the new autumn season is announced.
Currently,
audiences are experiencing the theatre as never before, with the auditorium
stripped of seats and transformed to house the immersive walkthrough experience
1916: No Turning Back.
The
seats will be back in place ready for the new season starting in September when
the theme of commemorating the centenary of The Battle of the Somme will continue, as the
Gala Theatre prepares to premiere its first in-house production outside of
their pantomime in six years.
Running
from Thursday 8 to Saturday 17 September, The
Fighting Bradfords, explores the lives of Roland, George, James and Thomas
Bradford - the most celebrated brothers in British military service. Drawing on
first-hand accounts, correspondence and family anecdotes, the production - which
is written by Tyneside-based playwright Carina Rodney and directed by Psyche
Stott - tells the story of this highly decorated family of First World War
soldiers and explores what drove these remarkable brothers to become national,
as well as very local, heroes.
To
encourage audiences to try new theatre, the production will have a ‘Pay What
You Like’ performance on Monday 12 September, meaning audience members can
choose to pay whatever they want when ordering their tickets.
Sticking
with biographical tales, Nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company’s Tony’s Last Tape arrives on Friday 7
October, following a successful London and Edinburgh Festival
run. This new play is based on the diaries of Tony Benn, one of Britain’s most respected,
divisive and celebrated politicians.
On
Friday 28 October, the critically-acclaimed, illuminating portrayal of women in
prison Key Change from Open Clasp
Theatre Company comes to the Gala Theatre and audiences can benefit from the
theatre’s new joint ticket offer where they can see Tony’s Last Tape and Key
Change for just £20.
Following
previous productions of Teechers and Not About Heroes, Blackeyed Theatre will
return to the Gala Theatre with Frankenstein
(Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 October). This brand new adaptation of Mary
Shelley’s Gothic horror masterpiece fuses ensemble storytelling, live music and
stunning theatricality.
A
host of great stand-up comedy also comes to the stage this season starting with
star of Rev. - and host of The News Quiz - Miles
Jupp who brings his Songs Of Freedom tour to the Gala Theatre on Saturday
24 September.
The
line-up continues with writer of popular BBC show Outnumbered Andy Hamilton on Wednesday 5 October
and host of BBC Radio 4’s The Big Society Marcus Brigstocke stops by with his show Why The Long Face? on
Thursday 6 October.
Omid Djalili returns to the Gala
Theatre on Friday 14 October with Schmuck For A Night, and there’s more with
I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue’s Jeremy
Hardy (Sunday 23 October), The Lie-In King Seann Walsh (Wednesday 26 October) and host of Sky 1’s Wild Things Jason Byrne (Saturday 29 October).
There’s
also an offer available for fans of Gala Theatre’s regular slot The Comedy Store with a season ticket
allowing bookers to save £2 per show when booking for Sunday 11 September, 2
October and 6 November.
Music
fans are sure to be entertained with a wide-range of acts performing at the
venue throughout the season. Grammy-nominated vocalist Stacey Kent (Tuesday 4 October) brings her jazz-classics to Durham and a brand new theatre
experience You’ve Got a Friend (Sunday
9 October) celebrates two of the world’s all-time greatest songwriters – James
Taylor and Carole King.
The Lindisfarne Story (Sunday 30 October) sees
Ray Laidlaw and Billy Mitchell perform a string of Lindisfarne’s most
unforgettable hits and the multi-award winning a cappella group The Sons Of Pitches (Tuesday 1
November) bring their impeccable harmonies and sensational beat-boxing to the
Gala Theatre fresh off their win on BBC Two’s The Naked Choir.
And
with a career spanning over 40 years, Midge
Ure comes to Durham on Saturday 5 November as
part of his Something From Everything tour, a show that covers at least one
song from every album he has released.
There’s
a double-bill of opera on Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 November with English Touring Opera performing the
heart-warming Xerxes and, one of the certain masterpieces of Venice’s glory days, Ulysses’
Homecoming on respective dates.
Those
interested in contemporary dance will be delighted by the announcement that Coal, produced by the Gary Clarke
Company, graces the stage from Thursday 10 to Friday 11 November. This powerful
and emotive piece marks the 30th anniversary of the end of the
miners’ strike and explores the darker underbelly of the mining industry
through the expression of contemporary dance.
As
Christmas draws nearer, there’s plenty to keep the kids entertained. Elf and
Elfie are back in Durham in December and are
getting into their usual muddle. A co-production between the Gala Theatre and
Durham Scenic Workshops, Elf’s Christmas
Wish (Monday 5 to Saturday 24 December) is a charming and interactive
introduction to theatre for under-5s which engages the senses and inspires the
imagination.
And
after last year’s acclaimed and best-selling pantomime, Neil Armstrong and Paul
Hartley return to write, direct and star in this year’s giant Gala Theatre
pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk
(Thursday 24 November 2016 to Saturday 7 January 2017). With over 15,000
tickets already sold, audiences are encouraged to book their tickets early for
this rollicking North East roller coaster of panto mayhem.
Tickets:
To
view the full programme of events and to book tickets, please visit www.galadurham.co.uk or contact the Box
Office on 03000 266 600.
No comments:
Post a Comment