Spring 2018
gala
Welcome
Gala Theatre Online All of our shows are available to book online at www.galadurham.co.uk
We are always trying to expand the scope of the events we offer, both at Gala and throughout the County; and there are two brand new projects this season which we are really proud of. Following on from our hugely successful staging of Educating Rita in 2017, we are delighted to be producing a new version of Talking Heads by Alan Bennett. There is always an apprehension when taking on a work which people have so much love for. But once we re-read the quality of his finely crafted words, and the humour that is still as strong nearly 30 years later, it was a production we absolutely knew we had to take on. Durham Adventure Festival is a brand new venture for us. It is a three day festival celebrating the wilderness, and those people who have the determination to get outside and undertake adventures that we hope will leave you inspired. With film screenings, fascinating talks, and more, we want to showcase the very best in adventure, exploration and endurance to encourage more people to explore and enjoy outdoor adventures. We can’t wait to share our ideas with you, and I hope you will come along to support us. We look forward to seeing you.
You can also find out the latest updates about our upcoming shows by ‘liking’ us on Facebook at facebook.com/galadurham or by following us on Twitter at twitter.com/galadurham or Instagram at Instagram/gala_durham
Gala Theatre Offers This logo means there is an offer for you to enjoy.
SPECIAL TICKET OFFER
Pre-New Year Ticket Offer Book your tickets for our brand new production of the multi-award winning Talking Heads, by Alan Bennett for Wednesday 7 March before 31 December and get your ticket for just £12.
Early Bird Offer Enjoy a fantastic night of live theatre by taking advantage of our early bird offer for Crimes Under the Sun. Book before 31 January 2018 and get your ticket for just £10.
Robin Byers Service Manager - Place & Experience 2
To take up these offers please book online at www.galadurham.co.uk or call the Box Office on 03000 266 600
MUSIC
Gala Lunchtime Concert Series All concerts are 1.00pm - 2.00pm | £5
Northern Monkey Brass Band Friday 5 January Inspired by the Rebirth, Dirty Dozen and Youngblood Brass Bands to name a few, the Northern Monkey Brass Band formed at the beginning of 2009. They have rapidly earned a reputation for lively, energetic shows featuring original music, classics of the New Orleans brass band genre and well known covers in a way you’ve never heard.
Northern Monkey Brass Band
The Lindsay Hannon Plus Friday 2 February Rooted in the improvisational traditions of jazz and creating an electric atmosphere, this engaging band moves from raucous barrel house blues to thoughtful, spacious ballads across a variety of grooves.
The Lindsay Hannon Plus
Gerry Richardson Trio Friday 9 March This trio are a dynamic Hammond organ based band with a collective CV that includes work with Guy Barker, Snake Davis, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, Mark Knopfler, John Miles, Billy Ocean, Alan Price, Annie Ross, Martin Stephenson, Sting and many more. Gerry is joined by Paul Sinclair (guitar) and Paul Smith (drums).
Gerry Richardson Trio
Emma Fisk and James Birkett Friday 20 April Bringing together their shared knowledge and love of early jazz styles, Emma and James present an entertaining, virtuosic and informative programme of music associated with and inspired by the first great jazz violin and guitar partnership. A typical performance includes jazz standards of the 20s and 30s and specially composed originals that explore the duo’s sound.
Emma Fisk and James Birkett
03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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COMEDY
THEATRE
Funny Bones Comedy Club All shows start at 7.45pm | £8.50 Our monthly dose of Friday night funnies returns with a mix of seasoned stand-ups and new comic talent. Friday 5 January Daft magician El Baldiniho will be appearing alongside a new name in comedy Steff Todd, with Dom Woodward a veteran of over 2000 gigs, and a breath of fresh air in the form of MC Abi Roberts. Friday 2 February Join us for Lost Voice Guy, a comedian who can’t talk but isn’t silent, Simon Wozniak with his honest, inimitable, no holds barred opinions, Mike Newall’s off-beat surreal and clever observations and the talented MC and presenter Phil Chapman. Friday 9 March March’s Funny Bones line-up includes natural performer Jay Hampson, Tony Wright who is one of the most promising emerging talents on the circuit, Tanya Lee Travis who inspires, enlightens and entertains and the excellent comedian and comedy writer John Lebbon. Friday 20 April Self-confessed comedy geek Barry Dodds is joined by Danny Sutcliffe who used to have a brilliant perm but he doesn’t anymore, Warren Speed, who has a number of memorable routines, and regular favourite MC Big Lou.
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Seussical the Musical Presented by Durham University Light Opera Group Tuesday 16 to Saturday 20 January, 2.30pm and 7.30pm (check dates as times vary) | £8 - £13, £40 family ticket, group deal buy 10 tickets and get the 11th free Transporting us through the Jungle of Nool, the Circus McGurkus and to the invisible world of the Who’s. Dr. Seuss’ best-loved characters collide to tell the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the ‘Who’s’. Horton faces a double challenge: protecting the Who’s from a world of naysayers and dangers, and guarding an abandoned egg, left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird.
COMEDY
COMEDY
MUSIC
Laurence Clark
The Comedy Store
The Transports
Independence
Sunday 21 January, 11 February, 11 March, 8 April, 7.30pm | £11 (£9 concession), £8 Students and Gala Members
A Tale of Exile and Migration
With over 35 years experience in the business and as the premier name in comedy, The Comedy Store is renowned as a breeding ground for new comedy talent, and remains the place to see tomorrow’s stars today. The likes of Eddie Izzard, John Bishop, Jimmy Carr, Rhod Gilbert and Sarah Millican, have all cut their comedy teeth with us.
Join some of Britain’s leading folk musicians for a timely re-telling of Peter Bellamy’s legendary folk ballads The Transports. This is a rare chance to see BBC Award Winners The Young’uns, Faustus, Nancy Kerr and members of Bellowhead together on stage.
Saturday 20 January, 8.00pm | £12 (£10 concession) Everybody seems to want their independence right now – but be very careful what you wish for! Laurence spins his tales of adolescence, love and Harry Potter, discovering that he doesn’t have to be Superman and do everything. But life throws up the unexpected when you depend on others to fasten your jeans for you. “Dangerously funny… makes Chris Morris look lightweight” HHHH Scotsman
Monday 22 January, 7.30pm | £20
This new production combines incredible music with spellbinding story-telling.
Our friends at The Comedy Store like to keep their line-ups under wraps, so like The Comedy Store Durham (@ComedyStoreDUR) Facebook page to find out more.
03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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SCREENING
COMEDY
Exhibition on Screen
Bear and Butterfly
Dave Spikey
Exhibition on screen brings blockbuster art exhibitions from galleries across the world to the big screen in stunning high definition. This season’s programme includes;
Presented by Theatre Hullabaloo
Juggling on a Motorbike – 30th Anniversary Tour
Cézanne, Portraits of a Life
Bear likes peace and quiet. Other folk are bothering and Bear does not like to be bothered. One day, as Bear is sitting comfortably sipping his tea, deep in the branches of his tree he hears the munching and a crunching of a bright green caterpillar. Bear and Caterpillar soon become the best of friends.
Tuesday 23 January, 6.00pm | £10 (£8 concession), £7 Gala Members
A New Way of Seeing Vincent Van Gogh Tuesday 20 March, 6.00pm | £10 (£8 concession), £7 Gala Members
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FAMILY
Wednesday 24 January, 1.30pm and 4.30pm | £7 (£5 concession), £22 family ticket
Puppetry, live music and beautiful storytelling combine in this charming tale about love, loss and friendship for ages 4-7 and their families.
Thursday 25 January, 7.30pm | £16.50 This show will see the Lancashire based comic look back on his remarkable life and incredible journey from working class lad to Chief Biomedical Scientist, to much loved comedy performer and writer via Phoenix Nights, 8 out of 10 Cats, Bullseye, The Royal Variety Show, Parkinson and many more. “Down to earth comic genius” City Life
COMEDY
THEATRE
FAMILY
Sarah Millican
Goodnight Mister Tom
Monstersaurus!
Control Enthusiast
Presented by Durham High School for Girls
Presented by Big Wooden Horse
Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 January, 8.00pm | SOLD OUT
Thursday 1 to Saturday 3 February, 7.30pm (+ 2.30pm on Saturday) | £15 (£12 concession)
Sunday 4 February, 11.30am and 2.00pm | £12 (£10 concession), £40 family ticket
Sarah Millican is not a control freak, she’s a control enthusiast. She even controls her own insults, see? Do you arrange the nights out? Are you in charge of passports on holiday? Then so are you!
Based on the children’s novel, this creative musical adaptation will appeal to young and old alike.
This brand new show from the creators of Aliens Love Underpants is monstrously good. Follow the young inventor Monty as he creates a whole world of whacky inventions and incredible monsters. Now he has made them all how is he going to get rid of them?
Whether you’re sorting the tickets for this show or turning up when you’re told to, welcome. Funny, frank and unapologetically filthy.
Set at the start of the Second World War, we follow the journey of young William Beech who is evacuated to the charming English countryside where he finds unexpected friendship in the form of an old widower, Tom Oakley.
This energetic show is full of thrills, spills, magic and mayhem. Suitable for 3 years +
03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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MUSIC
MUSIC
Snappy Operas Tuesday 6 February, 6.00pm | £4 (£2 concession)
John Smith Sunday 4 February, 7.30pm | £15 John Smith has played to audiences all over the world in festival tents, living rooms and sold-out concert halls. He tours relentlessly with his guitars, looking to communicate through song and to share something intangible with those willing to listen. His uniquely intimate take on love, loss or even a mythic murder ballad, combined with his innovative guitar work, have won him a loyal following.
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Monday 5 to Friday 9 February
Northern Lights Monday 5 February, 7.30pm | £10 (£8 concession), £4 under 18s In the wake of their sell-out performance at Gala last year, Durham University’s first a cappella group are taking the stage again and are joined by world renowned Apollo5, and the national performers from Egglescliffe School Urban Voice. They will be performing fully-choreographed songs from the charts and some old-school classics.
Mini-operas for young people. Five primary schools will stage five mini operas especially for young people. This will be the culmination of an intensive few weeks of rehearsals and practices. Each Snappy Opera has been developed by a different creative partnership working closely with the groups to bring the stories, characters and music to life.
Durham University Opera Masterclass Friday 9 February, 2.00pm | free Durham Opera Ensemble is one of the University’s most established theatre societies, and offers students many fantastic performance experiences and opportunities to work with industry professionals. In preparation for their Gala production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, they will be running a free masterclass open to the public.
MUSIC
TALK
Fairport Convention
Stuart Maconie
Thursday 8 February, 7.30pm | £24 in advance, £25 on the door, £22 Gala Members
Jarrow Road to the Deep South
Fairport Convention have been making great music for over fifty years. Credited with originating British folk-rock music, the band has been through many changes but the current members retain a passion for live performance.
Saturday 10 February, 7.30pm | £15
This year’s Winter Tour will feature a mix of long-established Fairport favourites and new material from their most recent studio album 50:50@50.
In October 2016, writer and broadcaster Stuart Maconie walked 300 miles from Jarrow to London retracing the famous Jarrow Crusade 80 years on, through a divided, complex country that echoes 1936 in many ways. Stuart is a bestselling author of travel, culture and social history books as well as one of Britain’s best-known radio presenters across the BBC network.
03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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DANCE
SCREENING
Twelfth Night Presented by RSC Live Wednesday 14 February, 7.00pm | £15 (£13 concession), £10 Gala Members
Dance to the Music Starring Kristina Rihanoff, Robin Windsor and Oksana Platero Tuesday 13 February, 7.30pm | £28 (£27 concession), £50 VIP meet and greet This is a new exciting dance show like no other. Created by and starring Kristina Rihanoff, one of the most renowned dancers and choreographers from the popular BBC1 show Strictly Come Dancing. Featuring a full cast of dancers, including Strictly Come Dancing favourites Tristan MacManus and Iveta Luosiute, their dance company and two amazing singers. Expect to see the Argentine Tango, Rock ’n Roll, Contemporary Ballet, Salsa and much more. 10
Twelfth Night is a tale of unrequited love hilarious and heartbreaking. Two twins are separated in a shipwreck, and forced to fend for themselves in a strange land. The first twin, Viola, falls in love with Orsino, who dotes on OIivia, who falls for Viola but is idolised by Malvolio. Enter Sebastian, who is the spitting image of his twin sister....
OPERA
COMEDY
COMEDY
The Magic Flute
Ed Gamble
Comedyfest
Presented by Durham Opera Ensemble
Saturday 17 February, 8.00pm | £14 (£12 concession)
Featuring The Cambridge Footlights and The Oxford Revue
After the huge success of his 2016 tour, that gobby little toe-rag Ed Gamble is back with a brand new lumbering beast of a comedy show.
Sunday 18 February, 8.00pm | £12 (£10 concession)
Featuring on Mock the Week, Russell Howard’s Stand Up Central, Edinburgh Comedy Fest Live, Man Down as well as countless other shows.
For one night only, The Durham Revue are joined by their friends The Cambridge Footlights and The Oxford Revue to satisfy your craving for comedy.
Friday 16 and Saturday 17 February, 7.30pm | £15 (£12.50 concession), £9.50 Durham Student Theatre Members Durham Opera Ensemble present Mozart’s famous opera The Magic Flute in English translation. Enter a mythical world between the sun and moon, in a tale filled with adventure, romance and comedy as we follow the quest of Papageno and Prince Tamino in their search for wisdom and love.
“… he is on irresistible form” HHHH The Telegraph
Join the three biggest names in student wit as they come together to give you cutting-edge comedy at its freshest.
03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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SCREENING
COMEDY
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
The Only Way is 80s
Lefty Scum
Presented by NT Live
Saturday 24 February, 7.30pm | £20 (£18 concession), £15 for groups of 10+
Sunday 25 February, 7.30pm | £14 (£12 concession)
The Only Way is 80s is all about music, music, music. Dress up, dance and have fun at the UK’s newest and most exciting 80s music show. With hits from Wham!, Madonna, Queen, Spandau Ballet and so much more. Don’t be square, be there, it’s the decade that counts!
Music! Comedy! Revolutionary socialism! Join us for a riotous evening with three of the UK’s most joyfully rabble-rousing acts.
Thursday 22 February, 7.00pm | £15 (£13 concession), £10 Gala Members On a steamy night in Mississippi, a Southern family gather at their cotton plantation to celebrate Big Daddy’s birthday. The scorching heat is almost as oppressive as the lies they tell. Brick and Maggie dance round the secrets and sexual tensions that threaten to destroy their marriage. With the future of the family at stake, which version of the truth is real – and which will win out? “A bold reimagining…innovative and powerfully acted” Sunday Times
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MUSIC
“They sang their hearts out, and that was just the audience” Trentham Gardens
Featuring three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee Josie Long, British Comedy Award and Musical Comedy Award nominees Jonny & the Baptists and acclaimed protest musician Grace Petrie. Following a limited sell-out run in 2017, Lefty Scum returns for a second UK tour.
THEATRE A Gala Theatre Production
Talking Heads by Alan Bennett
SPECIAL TICKET OFFER
Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 March, 7.30pm (+ 2.30pm on Thursday and Saturday) | £15 (£13 concessions), £12 Gala Members, 2 for 1 first night, £12 all matinee tickets Following Gala’s acclaimed production of Educating Rita, we are delighted to share our stage production of Alan Bennett’s renowned, affectionate and moving works. Originally filmed for television thirty years ago, Talking Heads is rightfully hailed as a modern classic. The multi award-winning playwright applies his sharp wit to masterfully crafted characters, offering privileged access into three seemingly ordinary lives. These brilliantly observant, poignant and uplifting monologues combine the bittersweet tragedy and darkly comic elements of modern life in the 1980s. A Chip in the Sugar Jealousy and conflict increasingly trouble Graham as his aging ‘Mam’ pursues a romantic dalliance with a secretive old flame. Bed Among the Lentils Alcoholic Susan seeks comfort away from her ambitious and insensitive husband, the vicar. Her affair with the local grocer prompts an unexpected revelation. Soldiering On Muriel is a strong pillar of the community; yet after her husband’s death, will truths about her daughter’s mental illness and her son’s ineptitude with money chip away at Muriel’s motherly resilience? Join us for a post show discussion with the cast and creative team on Wednesday 7 March. 03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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DANCE
MUSIC
Feetfirst
David Baddiel
Secondary Schools Dance Showcase
My Family: Not the Sitcom
North of England Brass Band Championships
Presented by County Durham Education Development Service
Thursday 15 and Friday 16 March, 7.30pm | £25.50
Saturday 17 March, 12.00pm and Sunday 18 March, 10.30am | £6 (£5 concessions)
Monday 12 and Tuesday 13 March, 7.00pm | £5 (£3 concession)
Following a sold out run at London’s Menier Chocolate Factory and two critically acclaimed West End runs, David Baddiel takes his Oliviernominated one-man show nationwide.
Brass bands from all over the North of England will compete for the honour of qualifying for the National Brass Band Championships of Great Britain in Cheltenham, as well as competing for the other prestigious section titles.
An evening of dance to celebrate the achievements of talented and creative dancers within County Durham Secondary Schools. Dedicated to the development of teaching and learning in curriculum dance and performing arts, the service provides young people with access to a range of high quality dance activities, both in and out of school, and opportunities to create and perform.
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COMEDY
This is a show about memory, ageing, infidelity, dysfunctional relatives, moral policing on social media, golf, and gay cats. A massively disrespectful celebration of the lives of his late sex-mad mother and dementiaridden father. Come and be offended on David’s behalf.
TALK
DANCE
SCREENING
Dr Lucy Worsley
Best Foot Forward
Julius Caesar
Jane Austen at Home
The Last Place You Look premiere
Presented by NT Live
Monday 19 March, 7.30pm | £20
Presented by TIN Arts
Dr Lucy Worsley is passionate about making history engaging to the widest possible audience. Her new biography of Jane Austen takes a new look at Jane Austen’s life. It considers what home meant to Jane, and tells the story through the rooms, spaces, possessions and places which mattered to her.
Tuesday 20 March, 7.30pm | £9.50 (£7.50 concession) Where do lost things go when they just disappear? When possessions go poof? The answers lie here.
Lucy is Chief Curator at Historic Royal Palaces; she is a hugely popular writer, broadcaster and speaker.
As part of this annual celebration, a new piece has been created by artists with a learning disability, autism or both from across the North East.
“The undisputed Queen of TV history” The Guardian
The evening also includes work from guest national companies. Presented in partnership with Gala Theatre and supported by Arts Council England.
Thursday 22 March, 7.00pm | £15 (£13 concession), £10 Gala Members Caesar returns in triumph to Rome and the people pour out of their homes to celebrate. Alarmed by the autocrat’s popularity, the educated élite conspire to bring him down. After his assassination, civil war erupts on the streets of the capital. The audience is thrust into the street party that greets Caesar’s return, and witnesses his murder, the rally that assembles for his funeral and the chaos that explodes in its wake. Broadcast live from The Bridge Theatre, London. 03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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THEATRE
FAMILY
Oliver!
Ladies of the Blues
The Owl and the Pussycat
Presented by Durham School
Connie Lush Band, Kyla Brox and Erja Lyytinen
Presented by Kitchen Zoo
Thursday 22 to Saturday 24 March, 7.30pm (+2.30pm on Saturday) | £15 (£12 concession) Consider yourself at home with Lionel Bart’s award-winning musical adaptation of the classic Dickens novel, Oliver Twist. Follow Oliver as he escapes from the workhouse to London and finds acceptance amongst a group of petty thieves and pickpockets led by the infamous Fagin. Oliver! Is a musical theatre masterpiece, perfectly showcasing the talents of this large ensemble cast and bringing classic characters and an undeniably popular score, to life.
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MUSIC
Sunday 25 March, 7.30pm | £18
Tuesday 27 March, 10.30am and 1.30pm | £7 (£5 concession)
The first ladies of the blues come together for a fantastic evening of music. Featuring Kyla Brox who is without doubt the most authentic UK blues and soul singer of her generation, blues traditionalist and the Finnish slide goddess, Erja Lyytinen and Connie Lush who has more than a 20 year award-winning career, entertaining audiences in over 30 countries.
The Owl and the Pussycat live in a dull and dusty world, so imagine how shocked and surprised they are when a stupendous storm sweeps them out of the window, on an unexpected sea voyage to a curious land. But who will they meet? Which way should they go? Using puppets and live music, Edward Lear’s tale is brought to life. Suitable for 3-7 year olds.
SCREENING
COMEDY
THEATRE
Messiah
John Robins
Mark Thomas
Tuesday 27 March, 7.30pm | £15 (£13 concession), £10 Gala Members
The Darkness of Robins
Showtime from the Frontline
Friday 30 March, 7.30pm | £14.50
Saturday 31 March, 8.00pm | £18 (£15 concession)
Inspired by Handel’s profound religious masterpiece, this acclaimed Bristol Old Vic production provides a rare chance to experience a powerfully dramatic account of Messiah and to rediscover the intense spirituality of its many well-known arias and choruses. This extraordinary production features Europe’s most celebrated Baroque orchestra The English Concert, the magnificent Erebus Ensemble and a cast of internationallyrenowned soloists. “Astonishingly beautiful” The Stage
John Robins, one of the most exciting and distinctive voices in comedy, returns reflecting on love, loss and lamenting the fact he can’t break up with himself. The stand-up, vibe magnet and London’s saddest DJ™ would love to promise this won’t be an hour-long yell of a show, but he can’t. He’ll shout, snarl and sneer in his attempts to grapple with life’s fall-outs in what promises to be a pivotal moment in his being. Powerful, angst-ridden comedy at its finest, from this Edinburgh Fringe Best Comedy Award winning comedian.
Name the comedian who might say ‘I wonder if I can set up a comedy club… in a refugee camp... in Palestine?’ Of course, it’s Mark Thomas and that is exactly what he tries to do. Dodging cultural and literal bullets, Israeli incursions and religion, Mark and his team set out to run a comedy club and put on two nights in Jenin in the West Bank. Only to find that it is not so simple to celebrate freedom of speech in a place with so little freedom.
03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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COMEDY
MUSICAL
Joe Lycett I’m About to Lose Control and I Think Joe Lycett Sunday 1 April, 8.00pm | SOLD OUT Joe Lycett is on his brand new stand-up tour, where he’ll be sharing jokes, paintings and some of the pathetic internet trolling he’s been up to recently. As seen on 8 Out Of 10 Cats Does Countdown, QI and The Royal Variety Performance. ‘A man who makes funny seem easy’ The Guardian
Decades: A Musical Journey Presented by Gala Theatre Stage School Friday 6 and Saturday 7 April, 7.30pm | £12 (£10 concession) The Gala Theatre Stage School now boasts over 185 young performers aged 3 to 23 years. Recent productions include the breathtaking The Phantom of the Opera and the outstanding and moving RENT. Often performing to sell out audiences, the talent is obvious by the full standing ovations they regularly receive. This show is full of fabulous songs from Singing In The Rain to Sister Act, Cats to In The Heights and it guarantees to be a fantastic evening. *The Friday performance sees the Foundation and Junior schools perform alongside the Ensemble. On Saturday evening, the Seniors take to the stage and perform alongside their peers in the Ensemble.
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SCREENING
MUSIC
MUSIC
Macbeth
Clare Teal and Trio
That’ll Be The Day
Presented by RSC Live
Swing’s the Thing
Sunday 15 April, 7.00pm | £24.50
Wednesday 11 April, 7.00pm | £15 (£13 concession), £10 Gala Members
Friday 13 April, 7.30pm | £20 (£18 concession)
Returning home from battle, the victorious Macbeth meets three witches on the heath. Driven by their disturbing prophecies, he sets out on the path to murder.
Award winning jazz vocalist and Radio 2 presenter Clare Teal’s concerts with her Trio are constantly evolving. Renowned across the country for their fabulous arrangements and interspersed with Clare’s warm and witty storytelling, it is guaranteed to be a night to be remembered.
The UK’s premier rock ‘n roll production That’ll Be The Day returns with another brand new show. This latest production features a fantastic new line-up of smash hits spanning the 50s, 60s, 70s & 80s, plus more side-splitting comic sketches, and promises to be an unforgettable night of nostalgia.
Our contemporary production of Shakespeare’s darkest psychological thriller marks both Christopher Eccleston’s RSC debut and the return of Niamh Cusack to the Company.
Clare and her excellent musicians effortlessly traverse a rich landscape of timeless and sparkling material, with standards from the grand masters of the Great American Song Book, Cole Porter and Rodgers & Hart to witty and urbane song stylists of the 50s and 60s. 03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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FAMILY
MUSIC
The Tin Foil Astronaut
The Gala Big Band
Cara Dillon
Presented by Kitchen Zoo
Tuesday 17 April, 7.30pm | £7 (£6 concession)
Thursday 19 April, 7.30pm | £20
Sunday 15 April, 12.00pm, 2.00pm and 4.00pm | £7 (£5 concession) Today is the day of the space race. A race to put the first human on the moon. But our astronaut isn’t quite like the others… Alba has been in training and she has even made her own rocket. Can she really power a rocket with crisps? Are there robots in space? Will anyone ever listen to the smallest of space explorers? See if Alba really can make it all the way to the moon. Suitable for 3-7 year olds.
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MUSIC
The Gala Big Band was formed in September 2014. The band is made up of a diverse range of Durham based amateur and semi-pro musicians. Led by Paul Edis, the band’s repertoire includes classic big band arrangements from Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Buddy Rich and includes newer material specially commissioned for the band. For details of how to get involved see page 25 (Take Part).
If you don’t know the voice of Cara Dillon, you’re in for a treat, and her legions of admirers around the world are testament to that. The extraordinary Irish singer makes music that transcends genres and crosses barriers, has won every folk award going, however she confesses to being no purist, making music that reaches beyond the constraints and limitations of tradition.
COMEDY
MUSIC
THEATRE
Bridget Christie
Orchestra North East
Crimes Under The Sun
What Now?
Sunday 22 April, 3.00pm | £16 (£14 concession), £8 students, accompanied under 16s free
Presented by New Old Friends
Saturday 21 April, 7.30pm | £18 (£16 concession) Brexit. Trump. Nuclear apocalypse. Environmental catastrophe. Is rolling news affecting your ability to enjoy the simple things? Like baking, gardening and autoerotic asphyxiation? This new show from multi-award winning member of the Metropolitan Liberal Elite, and star of her own Netflix special. Winner of Rose D’Or, Edinburgh Comedy Award and Southbank Sky Arts Award.
Presenting an afternoon of very significant first occasions for the Orchestra, in welcoming conductor Monica Buckland and pianist Murray McLachlan. The programme embraces music never before performed by the Orchestra, including Emilie Mayer’s Faust Overture, Rachmaninov’s scintillating Variations on a Theme of Paganini and Dvorak’s beautiful Symphony No.6.
SPECIAL TICKET OFFER
Wednesday 25 April, 7.30pm | £15 (£13 concession), £12 Gala Members
Inspired by Agatha Christie, The 39 Steps and film noir, welcome to a hilarious yet murderous trip to a classic English Riviera retreat. The show features the company’s trademark of just four actors playing multiple outrageous characters, and a plot that races along in a romp. “a mesmerising mix of murder, mayhem and laugh-out-loud comedy... even has echoes of those word-play specialists the Two Ronnies” HHHH The Stage
03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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SPECIAL EVENT
Durham Adventure Festival Friday 27 to Sunday 29 April - various prices and times A three-day festival celebrating adventure and wilderness, taking you on a journey that will stay with you forever. There are some incredible people doing the most amazing things these days. Some are household names, others just ‘folk next door’, but all have the grit and determination to get outside and undertake adventures that will leave you motivated. Our aim is to curate and deliver the very best and most entertaining programme of outdoor adventure inspired stories and events from around the world; through film screenings, fascinating talks, and free Basecamp sessions. Showcasing the very best in adventure, exploration and endurance to encourage more people to explore and enjoy outdoor adventures. Think climbing, mountaineering, biking, surfing, skiing, caving and pretty much everything in between. Join us for a weekend of inspiration and share in the adventure. For more information on the programme and to get involved visit www.galatheatre.co.uk/durhamadventurefestival IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
KENDAL MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL
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COMEDY
SPECIAL EVENT
Jeremy Hardy
Next Up…
Intervals Café
Thursday 26 April, 8.00pm | £14 (£5 unwaged with proof of eligibility)
Tuesday 1 May, 7.30pm | FREE
Whether or not you’re coming to see a show, why not pop into our café?
Jeremy Hardy is in his fourth decade as a stand-up. That’s a more dramatic way of saying he started 33 years ago and, without a lottery win, probably has at least another 33 years to go. He is well known for his appearances on Radio 4’s The News Quiz and I’m Sorry I Haven’t a Clue and his television credits include QI, Mock the Week and Grumpy Old Men amongst many others. “hugely enjoyable” The Reviews Hub Suitable for 14 years +
Our seasonal showcase of new work returns with performances from some of the most exciting emerging talent in the North East. This is a relaxed evening of performance as artists try out their work in front of audience, with conversation and constructive feedback actively encouraged. We are always keen to hear from artists who are making work in the region and know that artist development opportunities are a crucial part of the mix for a vibrant venue. So, if you are interested in being part of a future Next Up, then please visit the Engage section of our website. You’ll also find other opportunities posted there so it is well worth a visit.
Intervals Café offers the perfect place to eat and drink in style, with a wide selection of fresh salads, sandwiches and pasta as well as tasty snacks, cakes and pastries. Look out for our new menu launching in January which includes featherblade steak with onion and cheddar, crispy chilli chicken wraps, veggie Mexican chilli wraps, homemade burgers, salmon and dill fishcakes and much more. Our opening times are 10am - 3pm Monday to Friday and 10am - 5pm on Saturday.
03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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Also on sale now…. Kate Rusby Thursday 3 May Richard Herring Friday 4 May Northern Ballet – Ugly Duckling Thursday 10 May One Woman Sex and the City Sunday 13 May
Birdsong Monday 21 to Saturday 26 May, 7.30pm (+ 2.30pm on Thursday and Saturday) | £25 (£23 concessions), £22 matinees, first night and Gala Members Marking the 100th anniversary of World War I, Birdsong is the hit, critically acclaimed stage show based on the world famous novel by Sebastian Faulks. In pre-war France, a young Englishman Stephen Wraysford embarks on a passionate and dangerous affair with the beautiful Isabelle Azaire that turns their world upside down. A mesmerising story of love and courage. “Moving, gripping, dramatically electrifying and outstanding” HHHH The Times 24
An Audience with Ian Waite and Oti Mabuse Rhythm of the Night Sunday 17 June, 7.30pm | £27 (£25 concession), plus £20 for a meet and greet, £1.50 off full price if under 16 Ian and Oti will deliver a night of Latin and Ballroom numbers with high intensity… The Strictly Come Dancing pros will perform a dance showcase spectacular designed to dazzle and wow you. These performers always push the boundaries of dance to bring the best out of their celebrity partner, with both of them becoming finalist in the hit BBC show.
English Touring Opera The Marriage of Figaro Monday 14 May Puccini, Il Tabarro & Gianni Schicchi Tuesday 15 May Grumpy Old Women Saturday 19 May Puet Être Theatre - Tidy Up Sunday 27 May Count Arthur Strong Wednesday 6 June Decostruttori Postmodernisti Friday 8 June Rhythm of the Dance Tuesday 12 June Chris Ramsey and Carl Hutchinson Friday 20 July Adam Henson Wednesday 7 November
Take Part… What’s going on behind the scenes is just as exciting as what is on the stage, so why not get involved? Schools, community groups, artist development, bespoke workshops, outreach projects, theatre tours, work experience, production workshops, pre and post show Q&As.
Weekly Classes Gala Theatre Stage School
Gala Dance
The school runs in five age groups, from Tots aged 3-5, to the Ensemble from 12-23 years.
Thursdays 5.45pm-9.15pm Technical Jazz – age 12+ Improve flexibility, turns, kicks and overall technique.
Enriching the lives of young people in the region, by developing their social and theatrical skills through professional standard performing arts activities, which foster teamwork, build confidence and encourage exploration. Experimental Theatre Prepare to explore theatrical styles that push the boundaries of absurdity and creativity. Beginning Monday 15 January 6.00pm-7.30pm Age 12-16 years Adults Theatre Workshop Offering adults the opportunity to explore actor training in a mature and friendly environment. Beginning Monday 15 January 7.30pm-9.00pm
Commercial/Street – age 12+ Fast and show routine work to contemporary music. Adult Dance - age 18+ beginning Thursday 18 January Have fun whilst learning new skills and dance styles, including commercial, contemporary and lyrical. The Gala Big Band If you’re a musician from County Durham with a passion for swing, why not join Gala Big Band? With musicians as young as 11 up to 83, our community band supports a diverse range of amateur and semi-pro musicians. Further information on all of the classes and artist development opportunities is available at www.galadurham.co.uk/about-engage 03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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gala Cinema
Gala houses a two-screen cinema screening a mix of blockbusters and independent films. We have state-of-the-art digital projection equipment, and also screen in 3D. For screening times, please see our website or contact the Box Office. We also accept the Meerkat Movies 2 for 1 offer.
Join our e-mailing list Sign up to our weekly e-listings flyer and get film times (or information on any of Gala’s activities) delivered straight to your inbox. Just email boxoffice@galadurham.co.uk
Student Day If it’s a Monday, and you can show a valid student card at the Box Office, tickets for all our films are just £5 each. Simple as that.
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Box Office 03000 266 600 OPENING HOURS Monday-Saturday 10.00am-8.30pm, Sunday 2.30pm-8.30pm. Times may vary on public holidays. BOOKING METHODS Online available 24 hours a day at: www.galadurham.co.uk In person at Gala during the above times By phone 03000 266 600 Reservations are held for 3 days. Group bookings of 10+ must be paid two months before the show. Ticket Exchanges/Refunds Tickets may be exchanged for other performances (for a fee of £1 per ticket) up to 24 hours before a performance, at the management’s discretion. Unless an event is cancelled, all tickets are non-refundable. By purchasing our tickets you agree that these can’t be re-sold for profit through any means. This will result in tickets being declared void. National Theatre Tokens are sold and redeemed at Gala. See www.theatretokens.com Concessions are available for selected events - please check at time of booking, and proof may be required upon ticket collection. Only one concession applies.
INFORMATION Latecomers will be seated at a suitable point in the performance, to minimise inconvenience to others. Access Gala has lifts to all levels and accessible toilets located throughout. Our Main Auditorium and both cinemas have wheelchair spaces available. If using a wheelchair, please advise the Box Office when booking to ensure your seats/spaces are allocated accordingly. We request that our wheelchair-using patrons attend with an able-bodied companion whose ticket is free of charge. Guide Dogs are welcome in all parts of the theatre.
To make an accessible seat booking or for any access enquiries, please contact 03000 266 600 We operate the Sennheiser infrared amplification system in our Main Auditorium. Headsets for the hard of hearing are available at Box Office. Family Friendly Gala aspire to make all of our customers welcome, no matter how small and we really hope that our younger visitors become regulars at our theatre and cinema. In consideration of our audience and performers, we just ask that those under the age of 3 are only admitted to shows aimed at the very young. If in doubt, you can check with Box Office. For those under one year old, babes-in-arms tickets are available for selected shows. Find more information on our website about visiting Gala with your younger family members. Mothers & Babies Our café staff are trained to be aware of the needs of breast-feeding mothers, and we also have baby changing facilities on all levels. Smoking is not permitted anywhere within Gala. Travel There is parking on-site at Walkergate (DH1 1SQ), which is easily reached via the slip road under Milburngate Bridge or via Freeman Place. An evening tariff is available. Prince Bishops car park (DH1 3UJ) is also nearby. A list of all bus routes can be found on our website.
Gala Theatre & Cinema, Millennium Place, Durham, DH1 1WA
Please ask us if you would like this doucument summarised in another language or format.
boxoffice@galadurham.co.uk
03000 266 600
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Event Diary
Box Office 03000 266 600
January Fri 5 Gala Lunchtime Concert Fri 16 - Sat 17 Series Sat 17 Fri 5 Funny Bones Comedy Club Sun 18
The Magic Flute
Tues 27 - Thur 29 Primary Dance Festival
Ed Gamble
Fri 30
John Robins
The Durham Revue
Sat 31
Mark Thomas
Tues 16 - Sat 20
Seussical the Musical
Thurs 22
NT Live: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
Sat 20
Laurence Clark
Sat 24
The Only Way is 80s
Sun 21
The Comedy Store
Sun 25
Lefty Scum
Mon 22
The Transports
April Sun 1
Joe Lycett
Fri 6 - Sat 7
Decades: A Musical Journey
Sun 8
Tues 23 Exhibition on Screen: March Wed 11 Cézanne Tues 6 - Sat 10 Talking Heads Fri 13 Wed 24 Bear and Butterfly Fri 9 Gala Lunchtime Concert Sun 15 Series Thurs 25 Dave Spikey Sun 15 Fri 9 Funny Bones Comedy Club Sat 27 - Sun 28 Sarah Millican
The Comedy Store
Tues 17
The Gala Big Band
Mon 12 - Tues 13 Feetfirst
Thurs 19
Cara Dillon
Thurs 15 - Fri 16
Fri 20 Gala Lunchtime Concert Series
Sun 11 February Thurs 1- Sat 3
Goodnight Mister Tom
The Comedy Store David Baddiel
North of England Brass Fri 2 Gala Lunchtime Concert Sat 17 - Sun 18 Fri 20 Band Championships Series Sat 21 Mon 19 Dr Lucy Worsley Fri 2 Funny Bones Comedy Club Sun 22 Tues 20 Best Foot Forward Sun 4 Monstersaraus Sun 4
John Smith
Mon 5 - Fri 9
Durham Vocal Festival
Thurs 8
Fairport Convention
Sat 10
Stuart Maconie
Sun 11
The Comedy Store
Tues 13
Dance to the Music
Wed 14
RSC Live: Twelfth Night
RSC Live: Macbeth Clare Teal and Trio That’ll be the Day The Tin Foil Astronaut
Funny Bones Comedy Club Bridget Christie Orchestra North East
Tues 20 Exhibition on Screen: Vincent Van Gogh
Wed 25
Crimes Under the Sun
Thurs 26
Jeremy Hardy
Thurs 22
Fri 27 - Sun 29
Durham Adventure Festival
NT Live: Julius Caesar
Thurs 22 - Sat 24 Oliver! Sun 25
Ladies of the Blues
Tues 27
The Owl and the Pussycat
Tues 27
Messiah
May Tues 1
Next Up...