Summer 2017
gala
Welcome
Gala Theatre Online
As well as presenting some of the finest quality touring productions on our stage, and hosting performances from some of Durham’s best amateur societies and schools, Gala also acts as a hub for a lot of other cultural activity happening in the city.
All of our shows are available to book online at www.galadurham.co.uk - you can even select your own seat when purchasing your tickets. 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.
July will see the first of Durham’s big three festivals of the year with the kind support of Arts Council England. Each draws in visitors and artists from across the region, the country and abroad. Durham residents mix with visitors to the city for three very different cultural experiences. Later in the year, we have the Durham Book Festival and the return of Lumiere, bringing art, light and literature to our historic city. But first up is BRASS, celebrating all things brass-related from the traditional bands of our region, to some unique international collaborations and participatory events. Gala is proud to be a focal point for much of the festival activity, and we look forward to welcoming you to the venue.
Gala Theatre Offers The logo below means there is an offer for you to enjoy! SEASON TICKET
The Comedy Store You know when you have a top night of comedy with a friend or family member and you say ‘we should do this again soon?’. Well, now you can with our The Comedy Store Season Ticket. Not only will you get entry to all three shows, but also save £2 per show no matter what your ticket type. Belting! Prices for The Comedy Store Season Ticket are £27 standard, £21 concession and £18 students and Gala Members. To take advantage of this offer please contact our Box Office on 03000 266 600.
Robin Byers Service Manager - Place & Experience
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THEATRE
Tickets still available for... A Gala Theatre Production
Tuesday 4 to Saturday 8 April, 7.30pm (+2.30pm Thursday and Saturday) | £15 (£13 concession), £12 on first night performance, all matinee performances and Gala Members 2-4-1 tickets for Gala Members on opening night
by Willy Russell Directed by Rebecca Frecknall
Some things don’t age: society’s obsession with the class system, the inadequacies of education, and the premise of individuals trying to better themselves. An intimate, comic masterpiece and award-winning British theatre classic, Willy Russell’s story of a fiery young woman’s hunger for knowledge is as necessary today as it was over 35 years ago. Modernised and relocated to the North East, Rita is a wise-cracking, no-nonsense hairdresser, played by Sunderland actress Jess Johnson. Tired of her job, prospects, husband and working class culture, Rita enrols in an Open University course in English Literature. Meeting her alcoholic tutor Frank (Patrick Driver), Rita begins her journey of selfdiscovery. A post-show discussion will take place following the performance on Wednesday 5 April. 03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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SCREENING
MUSIC
SPOKEN WORD
DANCE
Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead
The Gala Big Band
Dr John Cooper Clarke
Summer Concert
Saturday 6 May, 7.30pm | £21
Presented by NT Live
Wednesday 3 May, 7.30pm | £7 (£6 concession)
Monday 1 May, 7.00pm | £15 (£13 concession), £10 Gala Members Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter, The Woman in Black), Joshua McGuire (The Hour) and David Haig (Four Weddings and a Funeral) star in Tom Stoppard’s brilliantly funny situation comedy, broadcast live from The Old Vic theatre in London. David Leveaux’s new production marks the 50th anniversary of the play that made a young Tom Stoppard’s name overnight. Against the backdrop of Hamlet, two hapless minor characters, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, take centre stage. 4
The Gala Big Band was formed in September 2014. With musicians as young as 11 and as old as 83 the band is made up of a diverse range of Durham based amateur and semi-pro musicians. They’ve given performances at the Gala Theatre, the Witham in Barnard Castle, Ushaw College alongside star saxophonist Vasilis Xenopoulos, Durham Town Hall and the annual Great North Big Band Festival. Led by Paul Edis, the band repertoire includes classic big band arrangements from Glenn Miller, Count Basie, and Buddy Rich and includes newer material specially commissioned for the band.
Dr John Cooper Clarke shot to prominence in the 1970s as the original ‘people’s poet’. Today he is as relevant as ever and his influence is just as visible on today’s pop culture. His poetry is included on the national curriculum syllabus and his effect on modern music is huge. His influence can be heard within the keen social observations of the Arctic Monkeys and Plan B. These collaborations mean that he has been involved in two global number one albums in the last two years. His latest show is a mix of classic verse and extraordinary new material with hilarious ponderings on modern life.
DANCE
MUSIC
Birmingham Royal Ballet
T.Rextasy
Tuesday 9 and Wednesday 10 May, 7.30pm (2.30pm Wednesday) | £20 (£18 concession), £16 Gala Members
Thursday 11 May, 7.30pm | £20 (£18 concession)
A sparkling triple bill that highlights the diversity of classical ballet with live music from the acclaimed Royal Ballet Sinfonia. From traditional English whimsy, to the intensity of the tango and a burst of comic frivolity, audiences will experience the versatility of the company’s world-class dancers across a range of different styles. In Kenneth MacMillan’s Solitaire, a beautifully English ballet, we inhabit a lone girl’s imagination as she dreams up playmates for herself. Set to composer Malcolm Arnold’s rip-roaring English Dances, it features stunning period design. In contrast, Hans van Manen’s 5 Tangos translates Astor Piazzolla’s fiery and passionate music into powerful Latin-inspired ballet. Finally, in Pineapple Poll, a gaggle of girls fall in love with the dashing captain of HMS Hot Cross Bun, so dress up as sailors and sneak aboard. Despite the ensuing chaos, it all ends well in this thoroughly ‘Gilbert and Sullivan’ affair!
Marc Bolan, with his band T.Rex, was one of the most flamboyant and charismatic stars of the original glam rock era. Bolan’s special ingredient of rock-a-boogie songs including 20th Century Boy, Get It On and I Love to Boogie have ensured that Marc Bolan and T.Rex have become one of the most memorable bands of the 70s. T.Rextasy have been performing around the world for over 20 years, a career that ironically outlives Marc’s very own T.Rex. They are widely accepted as the world’s only official tribute show dedicated to Marc Bolan and T.Rex and have been endorsed by Marc’s family, estate and catalogue management. T.Rextasy have been described by many as ‘beyond the boundaries of tribute’. This year, T.Rextasy are celebrating Marc’s life and works with a special tour.
03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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SCREENING
MUSIC
Obsession
Bang Said The Gun
Hayley McKay
Presented by NT Live
Friday 12 May, 8.00pm | £15
Saturday 13 May, 7.30pm | £12 (£10 concession)
Thursday 11 May, 7.00pm | £15 (£13 concession), £10 Gala Members
Bang Said The Gun is poetry for people who don’t like poetry. Voted the best poetry night in the UK by The Times, Bang Said The Gun has made poetry cool again.
Jude Law stars in the stage production of Obsession, broadcast live from the Barbican Theatre in London. Ivo van Hove directs this new stage adaptation of Luchino Visconti’s 1943 film. Gino is a drifter, down-at-heel and magnetically handsome. At a road side restaurant he encounters husband and wife, Giuseppe and Giovanna. Irresistibly attracted to each other, Gino and Giovanna begin a fiery affair and plot to murder her husband. But, in this chilling tale of passion and destruction, the crime only serves to tear them apart. 6
SPOKEN WORD
It’s loud, raucous, political, trivial, serious and very funny. Normal rules do not apply here. Featuring a rich mix of the best and freshest talent, they will grab you by the collar and drag you into another world. “Like all the best things in life, Bang Said The Gun is done with commitment, belief and passion.” Phil Jupitus
Hailing from Darlington, Hayley McKay is an extraordinarily gifted singer and songwriter. With an amazing voice she has immersed herself in music and the performing arts throughout her life. In 2011 Hayley won a national competition that funded a scholarship to study vocals at The British and Irish Institute of Modern Music (BIMM) in Brighton. From there she graduated to an artist development course in London with Access to Music - former alumni include Rita Ora, Jesse Glynne and Ed Sheeran.
COMEDY
OPERA SEASON TICKET see P2 for info
The Comedy Store Sunday 14 May, 4 June and 23 July, 7.30pm | £11 (£9 concession), £8 Students and Gala Members Our friends at The Comedy Store are bringing a cracking line up of the very best comedians to Durham. Known as a breeding ground for new talent, it remains the place to see tomorrow’s stars today. Plus, why not join our amigos at Chiquitos and get a ticket and a main course for just £15! Ask at our box office for more details. * Contains strong language - recommended age 16+
£26 (£24.50 concession), £23 Gala Members, £10 Restricted View A £45 double ticket offer is available when booking for both Patience and TOSCA.
Gilbert & Sullivan’s
Puccini’s
PATIENCE
TOSCA
Monday 15 May, 7.30pm
Tuesday 16 May, 7.30pm
Patience pokes fun at the eccentric affectations of barely-disguised Victorian celebrities including Oscar Wilde and his followers. Willowy poets, sighing maidens, hearty milkmaids and burly officers - all become targets of Gilbert and Sullivan’s razor-sharp wit. Expect plenty of tunes and humour as fresh today as it was at the first performance.
Puccini’s visceral depiction of love in the midst of a war-torn Rome, Tosca is one of the world’s best-loved operas, brimming with lust, corruption and political intrigue. When the painter Cavaradossi helps a fugitive escape, he attracts the attention of Scarpia, the malevolent chief of police. What will Tosca be prepared to sacrifice to save her lover from his fate?
03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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MUSIC
MUSIC
Legends
Twelfth Night
The Big Dance Showcase
Presented by New College Durham
Presented by NT Live
Thursday 18 May, 7.00pm | £5
Friday 19 May, 7.00pm | £15 (£13 concession), £10 Gala Members
Presented by The Garage Urban Styles and Horden Youth Community Centre
Join NCD Live, New College Durham Level 3 Music Student Production Company, for a night of unforgettable songs from unforgettable artists. Experience live renditions of tracks spanning seven decades from David Bowie and The Beatles to Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse.
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SCREENING
Tamsin Greig is Malvolia in a new twist on Shakespeare’s classic comedy of mistaken identity. A ship is wrecked on the rocks. Viola is washed ashore but her twin brother Sebastian is lost. Determined to survive on her own, she steps out to explore a new land. So begins a whirlwind of mistaken identity and unrequited love. The nearby households of Olivia and Orsino are overrun with passion. Even Olivia’s upright housekeeper Malvolia is swept up in the madness. Where music is the food of love, and nobody is quite what they seem, anything proves possible. Simon Godwin directs.
Saturday 20 May, 1.00pm and 7.00pm | £14 Young dancers from the area perform as part of The Big Dance Showcase. Teams, duets, trios and soloists showcase their talent to a captivated audience. Performers from The Garage North East perform styles of all dances.
MUSIC
THEATRE
The Searchers
Mr Corvan’s Music Hall
Sunday 21 May, 7.30pm | £21
Written by Ed Waugh Directed by Gareth Tudor Price In association with Gala
The Searchers’ remarkable career continues with classic hits including Sweets for my Sweet, Needles and Pins and Don’t Throw Your Love Away. With total record sales in excess of 50 million, The Searchers still have great appeal to audiences of all ages. Their special concert is a highly entertaining show and has been warmly received throughout the world. As well as anecdotes, listen to all the hits plus many album recordings, B-sides and a selection of other well-known favourites.
Thursday 25 to Saturday 27 May, 7.30pm, (2.30pm Saturday) | £15 (£13 concession), £12 Gala Members, 2-4-1 tickets on opening night This fantastic new musical play tells the incredible story of the North East’s first music hall superstar... Ned Corvan. Corvan (1827 to 1865) was a comedian, virtuoso violinist, artist and singer/ songwriter of hits including The Cullercoats Fish Lass, Fishermen Hung the Monkey (he started the Hartlepool Monkey legend) and the first popular protest song Toon Improvement Bill. Based on the forthcoming book by renowned historian and author Dave Harker, this brilliant tragic-comedy stars Chris Connel, Jamie Brown and Rachael McShane.
03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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COMEDY
MUSIC
MUSIC
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 comedic talents ready to have you laughing your socks off! Friday 26 May Join us for an original mix of wit and innovative stories as John Cooper takes to the stage as his alter ego Danny Pensive. Joining Danny will be Gala regular Andy Fury and funnyman Marvyn Dickinson. The evening is compered by Jim Bayes. Friday 23 June Stephen Carlin, Scottish born stand-up and writer, is hailed by Stewart Lee as ‘one of the ten best comedians in the world, ever.’ He joins Chris Washington and Colin Havey with Charmaine Davies as compere for the evening. Friday 28 July Razor sharp Barry Dodds brings his unique blend of disarming wit and wry, down to earth observational humour and is joined on stage by self-endorsed fun warrior Stephanie Laing. Howard Walker and MC John Lebbon complete the bill. 10
Buddy Holly and the Cricketers
Rachel Tucker
25 years of Rock ‘n’ Rolling the World!
Directed by Guy Retallack
Sunday 28 May, 7.30pm | £18 (£16 concession)
Thursday 29 May, 7.30pm | £17 - £22
For a quarter of a century, this breathtaking show has rock ’n’ rolled audiences across the globe from Cardiff to California, Barking to Bangkok and Swindon to Sweden. It stars some of the finest actor-musicians in the UK whose combined West End credits include Buddy, Lennon, Forbidden Planet and Jailhouse Rock and was endorsed as Britain’s most popular Buddy Holly act when the boys guested on BBC One’s Saturday night live programme, The One and Only, hosted by Graham Norton. “Buddy brilliant!” Graham Norton, BBC One
Live In Concert
Following a triumphant run as Elphaba in Wicked the musical on Broadway, Rachel Tucker hits the road for her first UK solo tour. Rachel is currently reprising her role as Elphaba in London’s West End, as part of Wicked’s special 10th Anniversary cast, having also previously played the role to great acclaim in London for three years, where she holds the title of longest consecutive running Elphaba and won the 2011 WhatsOnStage award for Best Takeover in a Role.
MUSIC
Gala Lunchtime Concert Series All concerts are 1pm - 2pm | £5
Mark Williams and Joel Byrne-McCullough Friday 26 May Guitarists Mark and Joel have worked with some of the very best in the jazz world (including Jacqui Dankworth and Louis Stewart). They’ve been performing as a duo since they met on the BMus degree at Newcastle College in 2000. For this performance they will be focusing on a choice selection of contemporary standards from composers such as Wayne Shorter, Steve Swallow and Charlie Haden, along with some original compositions.
Mark Williams and Joel Byrne-McCullough
Noel Dennis Trio Friday 23 June Trumpeter Noel has worked alongside the likes of Andy Sheppard, John Warren, Tommy Smith, John Surman, Mark Nightingale, Tim Garland, Bob Mintzer and many other top musicians and composers. For this gig he is joined by pianist Paul Edis and bassist Andy Champion.
Jo Harrop Quartet
Noel Dennis Trio
Friday 28 July Originally from the North East, London based singer Jo Harrop is a young jazz singer with a captivating, rich, chocolate voice. Inspired by Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Billie Holiday, Tony Bennett, and Betty Carter, Jo’s favourite place is on stage, singing classic jazz standards with ease.
Ushaw Ensemble Friday 25 August The Ushaw Ensemble premiered the St Cuthbert’s Suite at Ushaw College and Durham Cathedral in March 2016. This new work by Paul Edis contained elements of jazz, folk and contemporary classical music. For this lunchtime concert they will reprise the suite to celebrate the opening of the second Ushaw Jazz Festival.
Jo Harrop Quartet
03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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MUSICAL
MUSIC
The Jukes Down at the Diner Saturday 3 June, 7.30pm | £17
Animaniacs Friday 2 June, 2.30pm and 7.30pm | £10 (£8 concession) Following the recent success of Seussical The Musical and The Wizard of Oz, the stars of the Gala Theatre Stage School present Animaniacs. Join the Foundation and Junior Schools of GTSS in a magical production as they bring to the Gala stage music and dance from your favourite children’s films. Animaniacs is a musical spectacular based on the memorable scores of animated films, it will feature songs from classics including The Lion King, Frozen, Mary Poppins and many more. 12
Their journey starts in an early 1960s England. Four normal working guys are ending their daily shift at a diner. They are drinking strawberry milkshakes and ice cold Cokes whilst over in the corner of the diner is a jukebox playing all of the latest hits from the 50s and 60s. They listen with intent, dream and chat about making the leap across the pond. This show is delivered with lavish sets, a live band and stunning girl backing vocalists.
SCREENING
Antony and Cleopatra Presented by RSC Live Sunday 4 June, 7.00pm | £15 (£13 concession), £10 Gala Members Iqbal Khan directs Shakespeare’s tragedy picking up the story where Julius Caesar ends. Following Caesar’s assassination, Mark Antony has reached the heights of power. Now he has neglected his empire for a life of decadent seduction with his mistress Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt. Torn between love and duty Antony’s military brilliance deserts him and his passion leads the lovers to their tragic end. Iqbal Khan returns to the RSC to direct, following his critically acclaimed productions of Othello (2015) and Much Ado About Nothing (2012).
03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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THEATRE
COMEDY
The Canterbury Tales
The Bob Dylan Story
Allstars
Presented by Durham Student Theatre
Friday 9 June, 7.30pm | £18 (£17 concession)
Presented by Durham Revue
Tuesday 6 June and Wednesday 7 June, 7.30pm | £15 (£12.50 concession), £10 Students, £9.50 DST Under the sardonic eye of Chaucer himself, pilgrim’s recount tales to entertain their companions on the road to Canterbury. Enter Chaucer’s bawdy and hilarious world as his greatest tales are brought to life onstage. Bringing to the stage Mike Poulton’s highly acclaimed adaptation of The Canterbury Tales, Durham Student Theatre present their first ever production in the Gala Theatre.
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MUSIC
The Bob Dylan Story is the new stunning and definitive tribute to a song writing genius who spoke for a whole generation. Experience the thrill and energy of a full-blown Dylan concert, enhanced by a top backing band and planted firmly in the 1960s. The Bob Dylan Story will remind you what real nostalgia feels like, with true classics from Blowin’ In The Wind and Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door to Subterranean Homesick Blues and All Along The Watchtower. You’ll surely be digging out your old vinyl to sustain the pleasure just that little bit longer.
Saturday 10 June, 8pm | £12 (£10 concession) Join Durham Revue for a stellar evening of comedy presented by some of the finest comedians to have been part of the Revue over the past few years! Including very special alumni Nick Mohammed, Massive Dad, and Tom Neenan, this is a one night only event you don’t want to miss!
SCREENING
COMEDY
MUSIC
Peter Pan
Reginald D. Hunter
Blazin’ Fiddles
Presented by NT Live
Wednesday 14 June, 8.00pm | £23
Thursday 15 June, 7.30pm | £17
Reginald D. Hunter returns with his highly anticipated brand new show following a hugely successful tour across Europe. In the years he has been living and performing in the UK, Reginald’s searingly honest material has garnered him a popular fan base spanning the generations. Reginald has been in the UK for just under two decades and in that time has become one of the UK comedy industry’s bestknown performers for his distinctive take on subjects including race and sexuality.
Blazin’ Fiddles are undoubtedly one of the world’s most prolific fiddle groups. Over the last 17 years, no other band has quite managed to capture the excitement, passion and sensitivity of Scottish music all at once.
Saturday 10 June, 2.30pm | £15 (£13 concession), £10 Gala Members, £45 Familiy Ticket Captured live at the National Theatre, this is a recorded performance of J.M.Barrie’s much-loved tale. When Peter Pan, leader of the Lost Boys, loses his shadow, headstrong Wendy helps him to reattach it. In return, she is invited to Neverland, where Tinker Bell the fairy, Tiger Lily and the vengeful Captain Hook await. A delight for children and adults alike, Sally Cookson (NT Live: Jane Eyre) directs this wondrously inventive production, a coproduction with Bristol Old Vic theatre. “Spellbindingly imaginative. A dazzling production.” HHHHH Radio Times
“Stand up comedy’s coolest customer.” Telegraph
With a Blazers performance comes the rare opportunity to hear regional expressions, from Scotland’s Highlands and Islands, and the individual style from each fiddler - Inverness’ Bruce MacGregor, Shetlander Jenna Reid, Nairn’s Rua Macmillan, and Orcadian Kristan Harvey - in a blend of ensemble and solo sets. Fiddles and bows come alight atop guitar and piano from Anna Massie and Angus Lyon, delivering a musically intoxicating evening for all. 03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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MUSIC
Durham Blues Festival Saturday 17 June, 2.00pm to 10.00pm | £26 Early Bird, £29 Advance, £32 on the door Durham’s annual blues, rhythm and rock festival returns with twelve acts including Debbie Bond, Dr Feelgood, Ryan McGarvey and Kyla Box. Singer, guitar player and songwriter Debbie Bond has been paying her dues in the Alabama backwoods for over 30 years. Influenced by the famed sounds of Muscle Shoals, her impressive musical story includes years of performing with older traditional Alabama blues musicians, including Johnny Shines, Sam Lay, Eddie Kirkland and Willie King. Her immersion in Alabama blues has deeply flavoured her guitar playing, soulful voice and original song writing - yet her sound is contemporary and original, incorporating soul, blues, and jazz influences. Her latest recordings have received critical acclaim in the US and Europe and should propel her career allowing her to step out of the shadows of those great musicians, now passed, she played with most of her career.
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MUSIC
The Simon & Garfunkel Story 50th Anniversary Tour Sunday 18 June, 7.30pm | £19 (£17 concession), £16 Gala Members Direct from its success in London’s West End, a sold out UK tour and standing ovations at every performance, The Simon & Garfunkel Story is back. Using huge projection photos, original film footage and a full live band performing all the hits including Mrs Robinson, Cecilia, Homeward Bound and many more. “Fantastic.” Elaine Paige, BBC Radio 2 “Authentic and exciting.” The Stage
MUSICAL
SCREENING
The Happy Prince
Salomé
Presented by Durham High School for Girls
Presented by NT Live
Monday 19 June, 7.00pm | £10 (£5 concession)
Thursday 22 June, 7.00pm | £15 (£13 concession), £10 Gala Members
Senior pupils from Durham High School for Girls are joined by Year 5 girls from a number of local primary schools to stage Oscar Wilde’s timeless tale of The Happy Prince.
The story has been told before, but never like this. An occupied desert nation. A radical from the wilderness on hunger strike. A girl whose mysterious dance will change the course of the world. This charged retelling turns the infamous biblical tale on its head, placing the girl we call Salomé at the centre of a revolution. Internationally acclaimed theatre director Yaël Farber (Les Blancs) draws on multiple accounts to create her urgent, hypnotic production on the stage of the National Theatre.
Jan Stroud’s adaptation of The Happy Prince, which won a place in the finals of The International Musical of the Year, stays true to the original story: through the generosity of The Happy Prince and the courage of the Swallow we are shown that the most precious things in life are often the least obvious.
SPECIAL EVENT
Martin Hughes-Games and Iolo Williams Saturday 24 June, 7.30pm | £15 (£13 concession), £12 Gala Members, £50 Family Ticket Natural history broadcasters Martin HughesGames and Iolo Williams (BBC’s Springwatch, Winterwatch and Autumnwatch) team up to perform this informative and amusing wildlife show packed with fascinating facts and fun. Their exciting journey is filled with real life stories and takes the audience behind the scenes of the wonderful world of wildlife and TV presenting.
“Epic. A near-perfect production.” The Guardian (on Les Blancs) 03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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MUSIC
Our Streets Are Numbered By Ribbon Road and Carl Joyce Saturday 24 June, 8.00pm | £12 (£10 concession) A behind the scenes look at the years since the Miners’ Strike and pit closure in a Durham mining town. When Horden pit closed in 1986, the excolliery houses were passed on to a Housing Association who, despite many promises, haven’t kept the properties in a good state of repair. The few owner/occupiers are surrounded by empty houses and it is easy to see the lack of investment and effect of government housing policies over the years. This is a powerful film/music performance looking at social housing issues in Horden, through a Leverhulme Artist in Residence post at Durham University Geography Department.
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SPECIAL EVENT
COMEDY
Kerry Ellis Masterclass
John Bishop
Saturday 1 July | £40 for participants, £15 spectators 12.30pm age 10-13 years 2.30pm age 14 years+
Sunday 2 and Monday 3 July, 8.00pm | Sold Out
Gala are excited to announce that West End and Broadway star Kerry Ellis will be joining us for two unique Masterclass opportunities. The workshops are tailored for two age groups. Both will involve tuition in musical theatre performance, a chance to ask Kerry questions and of course a special performance by the lady herself. Participants are asked to prepare a musical theatre song as Kerry will select a few people to perform and work with. Please bring sheet music. Spectators are also welcome to come watch the classes. This is a fantastic and very rare opportunity.
Comedy superstar John Bishop is warming up his brand new show Winging It. It will have been 3 years since his last tour and Winging It is gearing up to be his biggest and best yet. One of comedy’s biggest names takes to the Gala stage with these special warm-up shows.
03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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SPECIAL EVENT
Sir Ranulph Fiennes Mind Over Matter Tuesday 4 July, 7.30pm | £20 In Mind Over Matter, Sir Ranulph Fiennes offers a personal journey through his life, from birth to the present day. From light-hearted to strikingly poignant, Mind Over Matter covers Sir Ranulph’s childhood, misdemeanours at school, army life and early expeditions, right through the Transglobe Expedition, to his current Global Reach Challenge. He will talk about the record breaking and immensely challenging projects - which saw him receive the Guinness Book of Records accolade as Greatest Living Explorer - while suffering frostbite and risking life and limb in some of the most ambitious private expeditions ever undertaken.
P: John Cleare
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THEATRE
DANCE
The Joanne Banks Dancers Friday 7 and Saturday 8 July, 7.00pm (+2.30pm Saturday) | £16
Great Expectations Presented by Chapterhouse Theatre Company Wednesday 5 July, 7.30pm | £15 (£13 concession), £12 Gala Members Charles Dickens’ unforgettable story of love, family and friendship set in the depths of Victorian England. From the haunting marshlands of Kent to the bustling streets of Victorian London, this epic tale follows the fortunes of a young Pip as he falls in love, finds his fortune and makes his way in the world.
The Joanne Banks Dancers are delighted to be back in the heart of Durham with their fabulous new production. In 2016, they packed out the auditorium for their terrific show Diva. Join them, once again, for an evening of entertainment and be amazed by the pupils’ expertise, team-work, technique and skill.
This beautiful romantic tale is brought to life with traditional music, full period costume and a whole host of colourful characters, from the dangerous convict Magwitch to the elusive Estella and of course, the eccentric and mysterious Miss Havisham. Join family and friends to follow Pip’s adventures of discovery and expectation in Dickens’ best loved tale.
03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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MUSIC
Durham BRASS Festival
BRASS on Broadway
Dizzy & Co
Friday 7 to Sunday 16 July
Sunday 9 July, 7.00pm, Gala Theatre £17 (£15 concession)
Dizzy Gillespie and the Great Big Band Leaders
brassfestival.co.uk
Join the Scottish Swing Orchestra and the BRASS Broadway Chorus for swing versions of great Broadway songs. They will be joined by two West End stars from the North East, Matt Corner (Frankie Valli in Jersey Boys) and Kate Graham (Charlie and The Chocolate Factory, Billy Elliot). The show will feature songs from Anything Goes, Hairspray, Chicago, West Side Story and many more.
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Thursday 13 July, 7.30pm, Gala Theatre £17 (£15 concessions) We celebrate the 100th anniversary of one of the greatest jazz trumpeters of all time, Dizzy Gillespie. The legendary BBC Band will pay homage to his contribution to jazz, alongside that of the other great brass playing bandleaders from Glenn Miller and Tommy Dorsey to Maynard Fergusson and Quincy Jones.
brassfestival.co.uk
Venetian Surround Sound
Belshazzar’s Feast
Friday 14 July, 7.30pm, Durham Cathedral £12 - £18
Saturday 15 July, 7.30pm, Durham Cathedral £13 - £20
Durham Cathedral Choir directed by James Lancelot and early music virtuosi His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts perform a thrilling programme of Venetian music: Gabrieli, Lassus and Praetorius. Responding to the antiphonal music pioneered at the great St Mark’s Basilica in Venice, this concert will be performed all over Durham’s magnificent Cathedral to create a unique, ‘surround sound’ experience.
Brass bands and choirs represent two of the North East’s strongest traditions. This concert brings them together in a spectacular new transcription for brass band and choir of William Walton’s thrilling Belshazzar’s Feast. The concert will feature the Reg Vardy Band and a special Festival Chorus drawn from leading local choirs in a unique celebration of brass and voices.
Champion Brass The Cory Band Supported by the Banks Group Sunday 16 July, 3.00pm, Gala Theatre £18 (£16 concessions) The Cory Band continue to dominate the world of traditional brass. They have become the first band in history to win the European, British National, British Open and Brass in Concert titles in a single year. They will be presenting the very best in traditional brass band music and playing some of the repertoire which took them to the ‘Grand Slam’ of concert titles.
03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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SPECIAL EVENT
Next Up…
Hollie McNish
Tuesday 18 July, 7.30pm | £4
Plum
Our seasonal showcase of new work returns with performances from some of the most exciting emerging talent in the North East. A relaxed evening of performance as artists try out their work in front of an audience with conversation and constructive feedback actively encouraged! Here at Gala we are always keen to hear from artists who are making work in the region. We 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 for further information on how to submit a proposal. You’ll also find other opportunities posted there so it is well worth a visit!
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SPOKEN WORD
Saturday 22 July, 7.30pm | £12 (£10 concession) Hollie has thrilled and entranced audiences across the UK with her compelling and powerful performances. Plum is a wise, sometimes rude and piercingly candid account of her memories from childhood to attempted adulthood. This evening of poetry and storytelling is taken from Hollie’s new book, Plum. After first joining us last summer we are delighted to have Hollie back reading from her brand new book.
MUSICAL
Rent - School Edition Presented by GTSS Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson Musical arrangements by Steve Skinner Saturday 29 July - Saturday 5 August, 7.30pm (no show Sunday 30 July) | £14.50 (£12 concession), £10 Gala Members, opening night all tickets £12 Do not miss the legendary, multi-award-winning and ground-breaking rock musical Rent as the Gala Theatre Stage School brings it to Durham. Following on from their success of Jekyll & Hyde, Phantom of The Opera and Miss Saigon; GTSS guarantees not to disappoint with this exhilarating landmark musical. Rent tells the thrilling story of a group of impoverished young artists struggling to survive in New York City’s East Village in the thriving days of Bohemian excess. Inspired by Puccini’s classic opera La Boheme, Rent features unforgettable music and lyrics by Jonathan Larson including the much-loved songs Seasons of Love, Take Me or Leave Me and La Vie Boheme. This is a fantastic opportunity to see one of the all-time great musicals.
Masterclasses Rent Masterclass - age 12+ Tuesday 1 August, 2.00pm - 4.00pm, £12 per person Theatre Masterclass - age 8+ Thursday 3 August, 10.30am - 3.00pm, £15 per person
03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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SCREENING
Angels in America Presented by NT Live £15 (£13 concession), £10 Gala Members A double ticket offer is available when booking for both Part 1 and Part 2 £25 (£21 concession) £15 Gala Members, This new staging of Tony Kushner’s multi-award winning two-part play is directed by Olivier and Tony award winning director Marianne Elliott (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and War Horse).
Part 1: Millennium Approaches Thursday 20 July, 7.00pm
Part 2: Perestroika Sunday 6 August, 7.00pm America in the mid-1980s. In the midst of the AIDS crisis and a conservative Reagan administration, New Yorkers grapple with life and death, love and sex, heaven and hell. Andrew Garfield (Silence, Hacksaw Ridge) plays Prior Walter along with a cast including Denise Gough (People, Places and Things), Nathan Lane (The Producers), James McArdle (Star Wars: The Force Awakens) and Russell Tovey (The Pass). This new staging of Tony Kushner’s multi-award winning two-part play is directed by Olivier and Tony award winning director Marianne Elliott (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and War Horse). Recommended age 15+
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FAMILY
Babe, The Sheep-Pig The Little Pig with Big Dreams Sunday 6 and Monday 7 August, 2.00pm (+11.00am Mon) | £12, £45 Family Ticket A play by David Wood Based on the best-selling book by Dick King Smith Directed by Michael Fentiman Meet the lovable Babe in a heart-warming tale of friendship, adventure and bravery. When Babe arrives at Hogget’s Farm he is taken in by the trusty sheep dog Fly and discovers a talent for herding. With the help of his adopted Mum, our polite piglet soon wins over the most suspicious of sheep. But can a small pig make it in a dog’s world, and when his farmyard friends are in trouble can Babe save the day? Amazing puppetry by the teams behind War Horse and Cirque Du Soleil, adapted by Olivier Award winner David Wood, Babe follows the incredible story of one piglet’s rise to become the world famous Sheep-Pig. Recommended age 5+
03000 266 600 www.galadurham.co.uk
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SCREENING
Titus Andronicus Presented by RSC Live Wednesday 9 August, 7.00pm | £15 (£13 concession), £10 Gala Members The decay of Rome reaches violent depths in Shakespeare’s most bloody play. Titus is a ruler exhausted by war and loss, who relinquishes power but leaves Rome in disorder. Rape, cannibalism and severed body parts fill the moral void at the heart of this corrupt society. Shakespeare’s gory revenge tragedy presents us with murder as entertainment, and, as the body count piles up, poses questions about the nature of sexuality, family, class and society. Blanche McIntyre returns to the RSC to direct Shakespeare’s brutal revenge tragedy after her debut directing The Two Noble Kinsmen (2016).
Yerma Presented by NT Live Thursday 31 August, 7.00pm | £15 (£13 concession), £10 Gala Members The incredible Billie Piper (Penny Dreadful, Great Britain) returns in her Evening Standard Best Actress award-winning role. A young woman is driven to the unthinkable by her desperate desire to have a child in Simon Stone’s radical production of Lorca’s achingly powerful masterpiece. The unmissable theatre phenomenon sold out at the Young Vic and critics call it ‘an extraordinary theatrical triumph’ (The Times) and ‘stunning, searing, unmissable’ (Mail on Sunday). Billie Piper’s lead performance is described as ‘spellbinding’ (The Evening Standard) and ‘devastatingly powerful’ (The Daily Telegraph). Set in contemporary London, Piper’s portrayal of a woman in her thirties desperate to conceive builds with elemental force to a staggering, shocking, climax. Running time approximately 120 minutes (no interval). Recommended age 15+ “Billie Piper makes a shattering Yerma in Simon Stone’s inspired reworking of Lorca.” HHHHH The Observer “A shatteringly powerful reinvention of a familiar classic.” HHHHH The Independent
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Also coming soon...
FAMILY
COMEDY
Friday 1 and Saturday 2 September J M Barrie’s 12 Pound Look Thursday 7 September Tom Stade Friday 8 September Susan Calman Saturday 9 September Cornered/Wise Men Say Saturday 16 September Stewart Lee Saturday 23 September Let’s Hang On Thursday 28- Saturday 30 September London Classic Theatre - Private Lives Sunday 1 October Matt Forde Friday 6 October Jason Byrne Thursday 12 October 2017 Jason Donovan Sunday 15 October Beyond the Barricade Friday 27 October Classic Clapton Saturday 28 October Carl Hutchinson Sunday 29 October The Illegal Eagles Wednesday 1 November Simon Amstell
Robinson Crusoe
Sunday 5 November Mr Maker Live
Gala’s spectacular family pantomime
All Or Nothing - The Mod Musical
Monday 4 - Saturday 30 December Mrs Claus’ Kitchen Gala’s brand new Christmas show for the under 5s.
Thursday 23 November to Saturday 6 January | £6 - £17
Monday 25 and Tuesday 26 September, 7.30pm | £22 (£20 concession)
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.
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales 30
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
Mon 1
NT Live: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead
Fri 2
Animaniacs
Sat 3
The Jukes
Wed 3
The Gala Big Band
Sun 4
Sat 6
Dr John Cooper Clarke
Sun 4
Tues 9 & Wed 10 Thur 11
Birmingham Royal Ballet T.Rextasy
Thur 11
Fri 12 Sat 13
Sun 14
Fri 19
The Joanne Banks Dancers
Fri 7 & Sat 8
Fri 7 to Sun 16
Allstars
Tues 18
NT Live: Peter Pan
Thur 20
Wed 14
The Comedy Store
Thur 15
Blazin’ Fiddles
Sat 22
Sat 17
Durham Blues Festival
Sun 23
The Big Dance Showcase
Reginald D. Hunter
Rachel Tucker
Next Up... NT Live: Angels in America Pt 1: Milennium Approaches
Hollie McNish The Comedy Store
Mon 19
Fri 28
Thur 22
The Happy Prince
NT Live: Salomé
Fri 23
Funny Bones Comedy Club
Sat 29 to Sat 5 Aug Rent
Funny Bones Comedy Club
Fri 23 Gala Lunchtime Concert Series Sat 24 Martin Hughes Games and Iolo Williams
Sun 28 Buddy Holly and The Cricketers
Sun 18 The Simon & Garfunkel Story
Fri 26 Gala Lunchtime Concert Series Funny Bones Comedy Club
Durham BRASS Festival
Fri 28 Gala Lunchtime Concert Series
Sat 24
Thur 29
The Canterbury Tales The Bob Dylan Story
Hayley McKay
The Searchers
Great Expectations
Fri 9
Sir Ranulph Fiennes
Sat 10
Legends
Wed 5
Tues 6 & Wed 7
Thur 25 to Sat 27 Mr Corvan’s Music Hall
Fri 26
Tues 4
Sat 10
NT Live: Twelfth Night
Sat 20
RSC: Antony and Cleopatra The Comedy Store
Kerry Ellis Masterclass
Sun 2 & Mon 3 John Bishop
Bang Said The Gun
Tues 16 English Touring Opera - Tosca Thur 18
Sat 1
NT Live: Obsession
Mon 15 English Touring Opera - Patience
Sun 21
July
June
May
Ribbon Road
August Sun 6 Aug
NT Live: Angels in America Pt 2: Perestroika
Sun 6 & Mon 7
Babe, The Sheep-Pig
Wed 9
Titus Andronicus
Fri 25 Gala Lunchtime Concert Series Thur 31
NT Live: Yerma