THE BORROWERS
Join us for a tiny adventure!
WHEN FRI 22 NOV - TUE 31 DEC
WHERE THE RAKE
TICKETS £18 - £22
Prepare for a tiny adventure at the Dukes this Christmas.
Hidden beneath the floorboards of an empty house you’ll find a peculiar miniature world that belongs to brave Arrietty and her family of Borrowers. These clever Borrowers make use of anything they find “upstairs”, from buttons to biscuits and baubles.
But their quiet existence is disturbed when a family of human beans arrives! Soon the gentle dripping of pipes is replaced by Hoovers, TVs and the sound of Slade on the radio. Arrietty is desperate to understand what life is like for the Beans upstairs and her friendship with ten year old Eddie is the opportunity to do just that.
With an original script by Bea Roberts (Little Mermaid, the egg), directed by Gitika Buttoo and music by Dave Bintley.
Discounted Family tickets are also available!
School Performances
School Performances of The Borrowers 25th November - 19th December 10.15am & 1.30pm
BSL Performance
BSL Performance of The Borrowers Saturday 7th December 3pm
Audio Described Performance
Audio Described Performance of The Borrowers Saturday 14th December 3pm
Chris Lawson, the Dukes CEO
I’m thrilled to welcome you to our brand new season and exciting Christmas show, The Borrowers! This is a special time for all of us here at the Dukes, and we can’t wait to share it with you.
Our team are pouring their hearts into creating a festive production that will bring joy and holiday spirit, as well as curating a season packed full of action, comedy and gripping drama for you to enjoy.
Thank you for being a part of our community and for your incredible support.
Here’s to a season filled with wonder, joy, and unforgettable moments!
Best wishes, Chris
THE DUKES WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR
BY PHONE
01524 598500
Calls charged at a standard rate
ONLINE/EMAIL
www.dukeslancaster.org tickets@dukeslancaster.org
IN PERSON
The Dukes, Moor Lane, Lancaster, LA1 1QE
A special thanks to our Christmas Sponsor:
TRUSTS & FOUNDATIONS
SUPPORTERS
We would like to take this opportunity to warmly thank all of our much-valued Dukes Supporters; Guardians, Patrons, Champions, Friends and Film Friends alike.
It is your direct support, loyalty and enthusiasm for the work that we do that enables the Dukes to continue to thrive.
A final thank you to the Dukes board of trustees and members.
ACCESS
Wheelchair spaces are available in the Rake, the Round and Moor Space. Access to the Rake, Box Office and Bar is via alley to the left of the main entrance. Please note that the surface of the alley is cobbled. There is a doorbell by the ramp if the door is not open. If you require a Personal Assistant to facilitate your attendance at a performance, their ticket will be free.
FACILITIES FOR DEAF OR HARD OF HEARING PATRONS:
Infrared sound sytems are available in the Round and the Rake to amplify sound via a personal headset. Headsets can be booked in advance from the Box Office.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION AND BSL INTERPRETTED PERFORMANCES:
These are available for performances of The Borrowers.
Love what we do? Why not support us!
As a charity, your support makes a valuable difference providing individuals with creative learning skills, access to productions and opportunities to join engaging community groups that will help them to flourish and achieve their dreams.
We aim to continuously develop, create and present live productions and community projects.
Your donation could pay for an underprivileged school class to attend our Christmas show for free. Your donation could pay for the development of local artists.
CHAMPION
£60 per year (or £5 per month)
• All the benefits of being a Friend plus...
• £10 tickets for Stage on Screen events
• Priority booking for Christmas & Park shows
FILM FRIEND
£25 per year
• £1 off all film tickets
• 2 free cinema tickets when you first join
• Priority booking on outdoor & off site screenings
• Monthly e-newsletter
FRIEND
£40 per year (or £3.34 per month)
• All the benefits of being a Film Friend plus...
• Discount on selected live events
• £1 off the Dukes productions (incl. Christmas & Park)
• Invite to our Season Launch Events
• Priority booking on outdoor & off-site screenings
PATRON
£180 per year (or £15 per month)
• All the benefits of being a Champion plus...
• Invite to our Press Nights for Dukes productions
• Invite to all Young Company performances
FREE STUDENT MEMBERSHIP
Did you know? Students can claim a free membership. Check out our website or scan the QR code for details.
GUARDIAN
£1000 per year (or £85 per month)
• All the benefits of being a Patron plus...
• Invite to our Season Launch & Exclusive Theatre talks
• Free hot refreshment on every visit
• Invitation to Board Reception
Keep an eye out for this symbol throughout the brochure to see which shows have discounted tickets for members.
Alongside our theatre and live events, the Dukes are proud to host an eclectic yearround cinema programme. We showcase the best in mainstream, independant and world film, as well as remarkable theatre and dance stream to our screen as part of our Stage on Screen programme. Sign up to our newsletter via our website for the latest news and listings.
THE OUTRUN (15) STARVE ACRE (15)
SEPTEMBER
Saoirse Ronan stars as Rona, who fresh out of rehab, returns to the wild Orkney Islands after more than a decade away. As she reconnects with the dramatic landscape where she grew up, memories of her childhood merge with the more recent challenging events that have set her on the path to recovery.
WICKED (TBC)
To stay up to date with new releases and events scan the QR code to sign up to our Newsletter! WHEN OCOBTBER
1970s, rural Yorkshire. Richard and Juliette’s seemingly idyllic family life is thrown into turmoil when their son starts acting out of character, At Starve Acre, their remote family home, archeologist Richard buries himself in exploring a folkloric myth that the ancient oak tree on their land is imbued with phenomenal powers.
Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, a young woman, misunderstood because of her unusual green skin, who has yet to discover her true power, and Ariana Grande as Glinda, a popular young woman, gilded by privilege and ambition, who has yet to discover her true heart.
STAGE ON SCREEN
Experience the best theatre has to offer with Stage On Screen! From gripping drama to mesmerising musicals. No need to travel to the West End, our Stage on Screen showings bring the best of stage right to your local big screen. Get a front row seat to captivating performances and witness the talent and artistry of renowned productions.
WHEN WED 25 SEPTEMBER
TICKETS £13.50
In a castle high on a hill lives Edward; a boy created by an eccentric inventor. When his creator dies he is left alone and unfinished with only scissors for hands until a kindly townswoman invites him to live with her suburban family.
Can Edward find his place in the well-meaning community which struggles to see past his curious appearance to the innocence and gentleness within?
ROYAL OPERA & BALLET
EDWARD SCISSORHANDS
Forget travelling to London to witness the best of opera and ballet- we have it right here in Lancaster!
This Season’s Royal Opera & Ballet screenings include the following titles:
The Marriage of Figgaro - 25th September
Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland - 20th October
Cinderella - 15th December
The Nutcracker - 22nd December
SEASON DEALS
The more you book the more you save!
Our Season Deals are a great way to save big when booking to see multiple events. Season Deals can be used across the majority of our shows. This season we are carrying on our popular Dance Season Deal that allows you to enjoy 2 Dance shows for £25.
BIG DRAMA BUNDLE MOOR SPACE BUNDLE
See all 3 of our biggest productions for £48. Deal applies to:
• Blithe Spirit
• Perfect Pitch
• Shirley Valentine
SHAKESPEARE BUNDLE
See both of our Shakespeare inspired productions for just £35 when purchased together. Deal applies to:
• Othello
• Alas! Poor Yorick
HOW TO BOOK
See more at Moor Space! See 3 shows for just £30 when you purchase 3 tickets to Moor Space shows together. Deal applies to:
• Kin
• Look After Your Knees
• Batty!
• The Dreamtime Fellrunner
• 8 Hours There and Back
DANCE DUO BUNDLE
Experience the thrill of live dance with a duo ticket. 2 shows for £25 Deal applies to:
• Mariposa
• Sealskin
It’s simple when booking online, add tickets to your basket and your Season Deal will be automatically applied at the checkout. Or you can contact our Box Office who will happily apply it for you.
All tickets must be purchased at the same time for your Season Deal to apply.
HER PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS
BLITHE SPIRIT
WHEN TUE 25 FEB - SAT 1 MARCH
WHERE THE ROUND TICKETS £14
Cantankerous novelist, Charles Condomine finds himself haunted by the ghost of his eccentric late wife, much to the displeasure of his current one.
Brought to life by some of the North’s most exciting comedic talent, Noël Coward’s classic farce is packed full of fun, fuss and plenty of laughs.
Blithe Spirit by Noël Coward
Sir Noël Peirce Coward (16 December 1899 – 26 March 1973) was an English playwright, composer, director, actor, producer, and singer, known for his wit, flamboyance, and what Time magazine called “a sense of personal style, a combination of cheek and chic, pose and poise”.
Coward himself describes his iconic play as “an improbable farce”. Written in 1941, It set a new longest running record for non-musical British plays with 1,997 performances on its West End run, which started that year.
HER Productions
HER are a Manchester based company founded by a group of close-knit female theatre makers. They’re proud to produce a range of work, including established texts, workshop development & new writing. The only thing they have in common is a female voice at the core.
They are motivated to keep pushing themselves and to constantly offer a platform to strong female characters accompanied by relevant and important storytelling.
THE OCTAGON THEATRE PRESENTS
SHIRLEY VALENTINE
WHEN WED 12 - SAT 22 MARCH
WHERE THE RAKE
TICKETS FROM £18
Be transported to sunny Greece with this beloved northern comedy!
Following her acclaimed performance in the Octagon Theatre’s 2020 production, Mina Anwar reprises the title role in Willy Russell’s heart-warming comedy
Housewife Shirley feels stuck in a rut and frustrated now that the kids have flown the nest. Whilst making egg and chips for her husband, she can’t help but wonder what has happened to her life…
When the opportunity arises to leave her hometown behind for a holiday in Greece, she is off! Leaving a note on the kitchen table, Shirley heads to the sun to rediscover herself.
From the writer of Blood Brothers and Educating Rita, this critically acclaimed romantic comedy was made into an Oscar nominated film starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti.
Mina Anwar
Performing as Shirley Valentine
Lancashire based, British-Pakistani singer and actor. Mina is best known for her roles as Constable Maggie Habib in The Thin Blue Line, and Gita Chandra in The Sarah Jane Adventures.
She has featured in Series 10 of Doctor Who as well as originating the role of Ray in the new musical Everybody’s Talking About Jamie
“Mina Anwar is excellent as Shirley” Theatre Reviews North
JOHN GODBER COMPANY PRESENTS
PERFECT PITCH
WHEN WED 16 - SAT 19 OCTOBER
WHERE THE ROUND
TICKETS FROM £12
When teacher Matt borrows his parent’s caravan for a week on the Yorkshire coast with partner Rose, they were expecting four days of hill running and total de-stress. But with a Tribfest taking place nearby, Grant and Steph’s pop-up tent is an unwelcome addition to their perfect pitch.
Class and toilet cassettes become an issue as Godber reignites his classic comedy set on an eroding coastline.
This state of the nation comedy is by turns hilarious and unsettling, as Matt and Rose are inducted into the world of caravanning and karaoke.
“A Triumph”
The Sunday Times
John Godber OBE Director of John Godber Company
John was born the son of a miner in Upton, West Yorkshire. He trained as a teacher of drama at Bretton Hall College. Whilst he was Head of Drama at Minsthorpe High School, the school he attended as a student, he won every major award at the National Student Drama Festival between 1981 and 1983.
John’s plays are performed across the world. He has the distinction of being one of the most performed writers in the English language. He has won numerous awards for his plays, including a Laurence Olivier Award and seven Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards.
“Godber is one of the unsung heroes of British theatre” The Guardian
OTHELLO ELYSIUM THEATRE PRESENTS
WHEN FRI 20 & SAT 21 SEPTEMBER WHERE THE ROUND
TICKETS FROM £12
“Perdition catch my soul but I do love thee, and when I love thee not, chaos is come again.”
A dazzling new production of Shakespeare’s immortal tragedy of love and jealousy brought to you by award-winning theatre company Elysium TC.
Cyprus is under threat from an invasion from the Turks. The Duke of Venice sends his best general, Othello the Moor, to defend the island in its hour of need. Othello is newly married to the young and beautiful Desdemona. Their love seems indestructible. But as the fate of Europe hangs in the balance Othello’s malevolent officer Iago has other plans. Determined to destroy his commander, he rips apart Othello’s love for Desdemona by sewing seeds of jealousy in his tortured mind.
ALAS! POOR YORICK RIDICULUSMUS PRESENTS
WHEN THU 10 - SAT 12 OCTOBER WHERE THE ROUND
TICKETS FROM £12
If the Two Ronnies were cast as the Gravediggers in Shakespeare’s Hamlet re-written by Samuel Beckett, you might have something like Ridiculusmus’s “Alas! Poor Yorick”.
Mixing the mundane with the magical, moments of banal idiocy are interspersed with ones of cinematic elegance to an underscore of grunts and the odd Shakespearean aside. The legendary independent theatre double act of Jon Haynes and David Woods pull out every trick in their theatrical playbook to create a fresh take on Shakespeare’s much-loved clowns, re-enacting all the preceding acts of the original and meticulously staging the famous graveyard scene in all its 420 year-old glory. Flipping the Shakespearean original tragedy into an existential clown piece, Ridiculusmus cast aside chaos and mistaken murders to unearth a beautiful and oddly moving meditation on work, faith and existence, with the prevaricating protagonist offered in a refreshingly contemporary light.
WHEN WED 2 & THU 3 OCTOBER WHERE THE ROUND TICKETS FROM £12
Ray has just been released from a long stretch behind bars.
Homeless and penniless, he pitches a tent in a forest.
Beth and her husband Clark are spending the summer at her Dad’s house overlooking the sea near Blackpool.
Are they really being terrorised by a mysterious couple? Or is it a fabrication of the father’s increasing dementia?
Husk is a dark, twisting tale of violence, love, addiction and revenge delivered with a dose of black humour.
dukeslancaster.org |
THE DUKES PRESENTS
SEASON LAUNCH EVENT
WHEN THU 5 SEPTEMBER WHERE THE RAKE TICKETS FREE
You belong at our Autumn/Winter Season Launch to gain exclusive access to the shows featuring in our brand new season!
Our new season of wonderful drama, comedy, dance, family shows and cinema is upon us and we can’t wait to present to you some of the best live events and films that the UK has to offer!
You’ll hear from the performers, theatre companies, our programmers and our director first-hand on what to expect from the diverse, eclectic and talented line-up we have ready for this brand new season. There’ll be sneak peeks, Q&As, trailers, Prizes and more...
This is a free event to celebrate the start of our Autumn/Winter Season 2024/25 and we hope to see you there!
MUSIC BY
JOSHUA BURNELL
WHEN SAT 15 FEBRUARY WHERE THE ROUND TICKETS £16
Joshua Burnell makes retro pop-rock for the modern world. His latest album, Glass Knight - which according to the Financial Times, “plays like a lost out-take from Spiders-From-Mars-era Bowie” - won over a lot of new fans upon its release in 2023. Expect hooky melodies drenched in warm, retro-synth textures, reverbing guitars, lush harmonies and words that make you think. Imagine The War On Drugs meets Genesis with “lashings of Peter Gabriel stylings.” - The Guardian.
“A creatively fearless artist... ” RnR Magazine
“Joshua Burnell’s music has always thrived on the blurring of boundaries.” Folk Radio UK
THICKSKIN PRESENTS
DRIFTWOOD
WHEN SAT 22 FEBRUARY WHERE THE RAKE TICKETS £12
An inspiring story about hope, love and belonging.
Two brothers on a beach need to figure out what to do with their dad - but the sea has other ideas. Mark and Tiny walk the shore of Seaton Carew in the North East. Their dad is dying, and their town is crumbling. Family rifts and political divides try to pull them apart, while a figure made of driftwood stalks the shore at night.
ThickSkin and Pentabus are two of the UK’s most prominent theatre companies. Joining forces to present Driftwood, by former Bruntwood Prize Winner, Tim Foley (Electric Rosary).
Directed by a stellar team, Elle While (The Globe’s Hamlet, West End revival of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) and Neil Bettles (How Not To Drown, Disney’s Bedknobs & Broomsticks, Frantic Assembly’s The Unreturning), this play perfectly balances a moving and at times funny story in a physical and visually striking production.
Finalist for the Offie’s Best Online Production. Not to be missed.
CREATIVE COMMUNITIES
Our Creative Communities Department work year round across Lancaster with targeted schools and community groups, create projects with the artists in our programme to enrich, excite, entertain and educate.
In 2023/2024 Creative Communities team ran 394 workshops or training sessions with over 2,000 people (13,048 instances of participation).
During 2024/25 Creative Communities will run 400 workshops or training sessions with over 2,250 people with an annual target of (14,000 instances of participations)
To get involved with Creative Communities please contact: creativecommunities@dukeslancaster.org | 01524 598522
Youth Board
As a continued part of the Dukes’ investment in developing community impact and youth leadership our change-making youth advisory board has been running since 2020, playing a vital role in the organisation since it’s launch.
Consisting of members aged 12-25, this advisory board is there to give young people the opportunity to develop as creatives, supporting the next generation of theatre artists. Members will also receive benefits such as invitation to events, free access to the Dukes’ inspiring programme of theatre and cinema (subject to availability).
The Dukes’ Youth Board meet as a group bi-monthly to discuss and plan their ideas and are in dialogue with the staff helping contribute to making the building an inclusive and vibrant place for young people to visit and engage with. To find out more or to join, contact James: james@dukeslancaster.org | 01524 598522
Summer School
Mon 12- Fri 16 August 2024
(8–13-year-olds) 10am-4.00pm
PRICE: £135
Young people will take part in creative masterclasses alongside games and improvisation, all led by skilled practitioners. The week will culminate with a showcase for family and friends, and is a great opportunity to get creative, make new friends and learn valuable skills.
To find out more or to join, contact James james@dukeslancaster.org | 01524 598522
We offer a limited number of non-means tested bursaries on all our activities each year.
dukeslancaster.org | 01524 598500 | tickets@dukeslancaster.org
PRIME TIME
Prime Time is a project for older community members (65+) providing weekly workshops and opportunities to try new things. Funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, the project aims to improve health and wellbeing and challenge the stereotypes surrounding aging. Lead by a specialist facilitator, the Thursday sessions include acting, performance, script writing, directing and more.
Morecambe: Trimpell Sport & Social Club 10am – 12pm Lancaster: The Dukes 1:30pm – 3:30pm To get involved contact: primetime@dukeslancaster.org | 01524 598522
Prime Time Film Club
In addition to the creative sessions, Prime Time has now launched a monthly film club. Each month will offer a free, accessible film screening followed by a social or creative activity which is open to anyone 65 and over, you don’t have to be a member of the weekly creative workshops!
dukeslancaster.org | 01524 598500 | tickets@dukeslancaster.org
YOUNG COMPANY
The Dukes is committed to supporting the artists of the future through in-depth training and practical opportunities so young people can develop their practice at the heart of the only producing theatre in Lancashire.
As part of our Young Company you will have access to inclusive weekly workshops, creative projects and the chance to perform on one of our stages. Members will also benefit from a bespoke ticket scheme giving free access and discounts to elements of our diverse programme of events (subject to availability).
Groups are open to anyone 8 to 21 years old, providing opportunity for young people to develop confidence, teamwork, communication and performance skills in a safe, fun and inspiring space.
PRICE: £95 for a 10-week term
To find out more or to join, contact James james@dukeslancaster.org | 01524 598522
We offer a limited number of non-means tested bursaries on all our activities each year.
AUTUMN TERM 24
16 SEPTEMBER - 14 OCTOBER
HALF TERM 21 - 27 OCTOBER
TERM RESTARTS 28 OCT - 25 NOV
SPRING TERM 25
13 JANUARY - 14 FEBRUARY
HALF TERM 17 - 23 FEBRUARY
TERM RESTARTS 24 FEB - 24 MAR
PRICE £95 FOR 10 WEEK TERM
TUESDAYS
4PM - 5.30PM SCHOOL YEARS 4-6 5.45PM - 7.15PM SCHOOL YEARS 7-8
WEDNESDAYS 5.30PM - 7PM SCHOOL YEARS 9-10 7.30PM - 9PM SCHOOL YEARS 11-13+
CAFE & BAR
THE DUKES CAFE & BAR
Our Cafe & Bar provides top quality local drinks and snacks including freshly baked cakes, a selection of savoury treats and a range of soft and alcoholic drinks. All our drinks (and snacks) can be taken into the auditoria in our Vegware Biodegradable cups.
The Cafe & Bar is open from Tuesday - Sunday (11am - until the start of the final event) welcoming both cinema and theatre audiences or those who just wish to find a comfy place to chat or relax with a coffee and a cake & enjoy our free wi-fi. Whilst here why not take a look in our gallery - entry is free and we showcase the best in local talent.
We look forward to welcoming you!
OUR DRINKS & FOOD
All of our beers & coffee are provided by local suppliers from the city of Lancaster- whether that’s beautifully brewed ales from Lancaster Brewery or freshly roasted coffee from J.Atkinsons, you’ll be sure to sample the best of what Lancaster has to offer.
All of our food is provided by local suppliers, ensuring that we keep our carbon footprint to a minimum. Our support for local produce ensures that we provide the highest quality of tasty treats to enjoy during your visit.
Our suppliers include: Mrs Dowsons Ice Cream, Talk About Tasty cakes and as of September 2024, Stonewell Spring will be stocking our bar with delicious sandwiches!
WHEN SAT 19 OCTOBER WHERE THE RAKE TICKETS £16
Tom Fletcher’s interactive adventures for big imaginations are leaping from page to stage, as the beloved ‘Who’s in Your Book?’ series makes its debut as a brand-new musical show.
A group of performers are preparing to start their show, but quickly discover they are not alone on stage. Little Monster wants to be part of the fun too! With an invitation to his friends, Dragon, Alien and Unicorn to join him, you can expect comedy and chaos as they help to create a magical show, learning about the joy of books and friendship along the way.
A high-energy 55-minute adventure featuring lively original music, this show is the perfect introduction to live theatre.
Expect plenty of playful fun for your littlest ones as their favourite characters come to life in a show that is packed with interactive moments to enjoy together.
New music composed by Tom Fletcher (McFly), Barry Bignold and Miranda Larson.
There’s a Monster in Your Show... and he can’t wait to meet you!
Tom Fletcher
As well as being a member of McFly, Tom Fletcher has released a collection of successful childrens books with titles including “The Dinosaur That Pooped a Planet”, “There’s a Dragon in Your Book” and “The Dance Gang”. All of which are designed to spark a sense of adventure into the minds of their readers and the stage show promises to do the same.
Be the first to hear about upcoming exciting announcements with our Family shows by scanning the QR code and signing up to our newsletter!
SEALSKIN
WHEN TUE 8 OCTOBER
WHERE THE RAKE
TICKETS
£14
Mariposa asks what are we willing to sacrifice in order to be loved and accepted.
An operatic dance drama that transports Puccini’s Orientalist libretto to post-revolution Cuba, to a dockland world of faded showgirls, hopeful rent boys, troubled sailors and voodoo spirits. A story of love engulfed in a tropical storm of repressed desires, in which a young man is asked to sacrifice his gender in exchange for love and a better life.
WHEN SAT 28 SEPTEMBER
WHERE THE RAKE
TICKETS
£14
Sealskin is an old Selkie tale of the sea. Every full moon the Selkies appear, peeling away their seal skin, dancing freely in the moonlight. One night a fisherman discovers their secret, and we see the betrayal and consequences that follow.
Exploring ideas of belonging, otherness and home, Sealskin combines Tmesis’ trademark playful and highly skilled physicality, puppetry, storytelling, incredible projection design and live original music from acoustic duo Me and Deboe.
SANCTUARY RED LADDER PRESENTS
WHEN
WED 9
OCTOBER WHERE THE ROUND TICKETS FROM £12
Traditionally, churches across the world have offered sanctuary to those seeking safety from persecution. But how do we react when that ideal becomes a reality?
When Alland, a young Iranian man, begs to be given sanctuary at St Mary’s Church in a northern town, it sparks a community to react in all the ways each member believes to be right. Molly, a young worker there, joins forces with vicar Fiona to resist both the angry vigilantes and the hard-hearted authorities beyond the church walls to try to protect Alland.
‘Sanctuary’ is a brand-new musical that welcomes us in and asks the question: do we want safety and freedom for only ourselves, or for us all? A vital story of one man’s hopes for help and support in a time when not all strangers are welcomed. With a chorus drawn from students at Wakefield’s CAPA College, Boff Whalley and Sarah Woods’ musical mixes hard-hittng ideas with memorable melodic tunes and harmonies.
Come on in – the Service is about to begin...
PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS
KIN
WHEN TUE 10 - FRI 13 SEPTEMBER WHERE MOOR SPACE
TICKETS £12
Now he’s gone - it’s time to talk...
Sisters-in-law Kay and Steph meet for the first time in years at the funeral of Robert McGregor, the most important man in both their lives.
Having never been close, expectations are low, but nothing could prepare them for the revelations that lie ahead.
Directed by Sue Jenkins
Written
by Christine
Mackie
Produced by HER Productions
“Kin has lots of clever dialogue and a fascinating tale to tell. It is well worth your time and money.
WHEN THU 10 & FRI 11 OCTOBER
WHERE MOOR SPACE
TICKETS
£12
Have you got a wild side?
Batty has dreams – vivid ones of running barefoot, wild swimming, of talking trees, strange animals and the scent of the seasons turning. In fact, she’s starting to wonder if she might be a witch. Of course she can’t be – but something is changing, something is coming…
Join Batty as she finds herself, and the environment, in this straight forwardly funny and down to earth look at how we embrace our magic, power and wildness.
WHEN TUE 22 OCTOBER
WHERE MOOR SPACE
TICKETS
£12
Our lives are timed around phone calls and visits that clash with our footy practice, dance classes, mate’s birthday parties, school lessons… We move house and live with our nans, granddads, aunties and uncles. We go to school and dodge looks and questions, what did they do? How long did they get? have you seen them? We get our heads down, try to get good marks, stay out of trouble, blend in, be normal…‘8 Hours there and Back’ follows the stories of Ruby, Jake and Grace as they navigate a world that they shouldn’t be in and a judicial system that has forgotten about them.
Inspired by the real-life testimonies of children and young people who have a parent in prison.
8 HOURS THERE AND BACK
THE DREAMTIME FELLRUNNER MINDFELL PRESENTS
WHEN THU 26 SEPTEMBER WHERE MOOR SPACE TICKETS
£12
The Dreamtime Fellrunner is a poetic, fun and moving exploration of Julie’s fellrunning life.
Presenting fellrunning as a type of land art and spiritual practice this is an aesthetic performance which allows people to experience the beauty of a wonderful sport, regardless of their degree of familiarity with the fells and running. Emphasising body-mind-spirit-place connections, the Dreamtime Fellrunner encounters themes of feminism, land rights, agism and ableism, history and literature, while carrying us on a journey through the Lakeland fells.
“My motivation for this work is that as an older female athlete with a congenital spinal disability I have experienced significant barriers, but I have also gained huge emotional, spiritual and physical reward from being a fellrunner. I want to question certain ideas around outdoor sport being masochistic madness for the macho. I want to question why we think that something called Nature is out there - when we are ourselves are animal beings and part of an ecosystem. Above all I want to perform the aesthetic of fellrunning in a way that allows people to feel the incredible beauty of it.”
WHEN THU 3 OCTOBER WHERE MOOR SPACE TICKETS £12
NATALIE BELLINGHAM
PRESENTS
LOOK AFTER YOUR KNEES
Look After Your Knees is a new solo work by theatre maker, performer and physical comedian Natalie Bellingham. Look After Your Knees is a show about the pain and beauty of growing older, of connecting and unravelling, of taking hold and letting go.
This new solo performance uses comedy, storytelling, movement and interaction to uncover some of the things in life that can be hard to talk about.
It’s a celebration of being human in all its banality, sprinkled with joy and ridiculousness. It’s a visual and physical collage performed by a clown delving into the space inside us left behind by loss. It’s about a person trying to unwrap the new version of themselves in a world they don’t recognise and a life they seem uncomfortably in charge of.
This is a show about facing change when you didn’t see it coming. It’s about what comes next.
‘Be kind to your knees, you’ll miss them when they’re gone’ - Baz Lurhmann
ADAM Z ROBINSON PRESENTS
NIGHTMARES
WHEN THU 24 - SAT 26 OCTOBER WHERE MOOR SPACE
TICKETS £15
NIGHTMARES invites its audience to experience a trio of classic ghost stories, told with an eerie, atmospheric soundscape. Featuring some of the best-known and most loved ghost stories in history, this intimate storytelling experience is ideal for the crisp, wintery months and will appeal to everyone who enjoys a great story, well told.
The Book of Darkness & Light’s previous work includes a number of Adam’s original stories, including SHIVERS (“A must-see production” – Northern Soul) and the BSLintegrated show UPON THE STAIR, which was touring just as lockdown hit (“One of the best shows I have ever seen” – audience member).
His production of A CHRISTMAS CAROL has toured internationally, and most recently he’s been out on the road with HAUNTED, which audiences praised as “A spinetingling, awesome experience”, with “incomparable acting”. Adam’s work has been called “delightfully sinister fun” (British Theatre Guide), “an unmissable evening of creepiness” (Weekend Notes) and “a uniquely terrifying experience” (The Spooky Isles).
WHEN THU 24 OCTOBER WHERE THE MERCHANTS
TICKETS £38
Silent Uproar presents The Night of the Werewolves: LIVE!, an interactive comedy horror show where audiences will have to work out, accuse, and brutally murder fellow audience members to determine who among them is a werewolf... hopefully
Your quiet little 16th-century village has rumours of being infested with werewolves... can you and the other villagers find them before they devour everyone?
Based on the cult-classic games Werewolves, Mafia, and recently the TV show The Traitors, this 18+ show is filled with all the classic elements of a great night out: betrayal, mob rule, and unfortunate macabre murders.
How it works: All audience members will be given a role: villagers try to find and stop the werewolves; werewolves pretend to be innocent and then secretly devour the villagers at night.
Are you ready to fight back against the things that go bite in the night?
Ticket price includes a meal provided by The Merchants Lancaster, when booking you can choose between Lamb Hot Pot or a Vegetable Risotto.
NEIL BRAND DARK DUKES PRESENTS
WHEN THU 31 OCTOBER WHERE LANCASTER PRIORY
TICKETS £10
Join us at Lancaster Priory for a special screening of the 1927 comedy-horror The Cat and The Canary with a live score by Neil Brand.
Twenty years after the death of a millionaire, his surviving relatives are called together in a decaying mansion to hear his last will and testament. As the family settles in for the evening, tensions rise when they are informed that a murderer nicknamed the Cat has escaped from a nearby asylum and is suspected to be somewhere on the grounds One of the most important and influential films in the early history of American genre cinema, which perfected the ‘old dark house’ formula and set the stage for the Universal horror cycle of the 1930s
BE THE FIRST TO KNOW
Along side these incredible live experiences there will be a plethora of heart-pounding horror films on offer. To be among the first to hear about our spooky cinema lineup scan the QR code to sign up to our newsletter... if you dare!
PLOSIVE PRESENTS
NISH KUMAR: NISH, DON’T KILL MY VIBE
WHEN SAT 21 SEPTEMBER WHERE LANCASTER TOWN HALL
TICKETS
£23.50
In this election year – with the country in turmoil – there’s only one comedian who can kill the mood even further...
Nish Kumar is back on tour with his brand new politically-charged stand-up show, Nish, Don’t Kill My Vibe.
Expect jokes about climate collapse, income inequality and the emotional sensation of being a British Indian man who isn’t going to vote for a British Indian Prime Minister.
It’s 80 minutes of sweet, sweet vibe killing, plus support act and interval.
“The smartest, and often the silliest, political comic we’ve got” The Guardian
One of the most celebrated stars in British comedy, Tez Ilyas (Live At the Apollo, Mock The Week, Comedy Central, Comic Relief) and Sunday Times best selling author (Secret Diary of a British Muslim Aged 13 3⁄4) is back with his hilarious new show.
A lot has changed in the last two years for Tez. He got married, he bought a house, and he’s become a stepdad... to two rabbits. Trying to make sense of his new life, the changing world around us and wrestling the big questions, like: why is Lotus Biscoff in everything now?
WHEN SAT 5 OCTOBER WHERE THE RAKE
TICKETS £21
WHEN FRI 13 SEPTEMBER WHERE THE RAKE
TICKETS
£18.50
Hutchinson is back with a brand new show for 2024.
In what has quickly become an annual tradition, Carl is back for a third consecutive back-to-back tour.
His storytelling skills and ability to hold an audience is second to none. Rich in observations and exaggerated physical comedy, a night out with this Geordie is guaranteed to have you belly laughing from start to finish.
WHEN SUN 29 SEPTEMBER WHERE THE RAKE TICKETS
£24
Sarah Keyworth is back with a brand new, joyous show about family, acceptance and a pair of big (well, not super big) losses.
As seen on Live at the Apollo (BBC Two), Mock the Week (BBC Two) and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown (Channel 4)
“Achingly funny”
The Herald
SARAH KEYWORTH: MY EYES ARE UP HERE INVIDUALAM PRESENTS
WHEN THU 10 OCTOBER WHERE THE RAKE TICKETS
£19
As Seen on Mock The Week, BT Sport and ITV, ‘Master of one-liners’ and social media phenomenon MARK SIMMONS brings his sell-out tour show ‘Quip Off the Mark’.
This isn’t your average one-liner show as there is the running theme throughout. This year Mark’s parents have sold the house he grew up in and has to collect his box of stuff from the loft. Come discover what’s in the box in this top-level one-liner show structured in a way you’ve never seen before.
SOPHIE DUKER: BUT DADDY I LOVE HER AVALON PRESENTS
WHEN FRI 31 JANUARY WHERE THE RAKE TICKETS £18.50
Sophie Duker is BACK! The Taskmaster champ is back on tour and dealing with her (sugar) daddy issues in a hilarious new stand-up show.
BUT DADDY I LOVE HER sees Sophie take the stage with her trademark naughtiness, this time arguing that we should all choose silliness over common sense and hot wet fantasies over cold, bleak reality. In this intentionally unhinged hour, delulu is the solulu.
“Duker’s delivery is energetic, fast-paced and loud, and she’s never afraid of veering into the strange” The Skinny
VISITING US
GETTING HERE
PUBLIC TRANSPORT:
The Dukes is just a few minutes walk from both Lancaster Train station and Bus station.
FROM THE SOUTH:
Leave the M6 motorway at junction 33 and take the A6 to Lancaster. Follow directions to the city centre and on joining the one way system, keep in the left-hand lane and you will see brown information signs for The Dukes.
FROM THE NORTH:
Leave the M6 motorway at junction 34 and follow signs for Lancaster. On joining the one way system, keep in the left-hand lane and you will see brown information signs for The Dukes.
PARKING:
Ample pay and display parking is available within a two minute walk of The Dukes. Bike racks are located on Moor Lane close to The Dukes.
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HIRE US
Our two buildings are both former churches and offer a range of spaces to suit a variety of activities, whether fun or formal. Both of our buildings are fully accessible and have male, female and accessible toilets. All of our spaces are covered by free Wi-Fi and have audiovisual equipment.
So, whether you are looking for a place to perform, to rehearse, to meet or to make, we’re sure that within our walls we’ll have just the space that suits- and at the right rates. Looking for your event to be catered? We work with a range or catering suppliers, offering a range of catering options. Speak to our team for more information. For full-day rates and bespoke hires please contact Emma Nixon: emma@dukeslancaster.org
BOOKING TERMS
All tickets are subject to availability. Only one special offer may be used on each ticket booked unless otherwise specified. Special offers are not available on preview perormances.
All ticket prices include a £1 building levy. A transaction fee of £1.25 will be applied to all online transactions.
Please visit the website for full terms and conditions.
WHAT’S ON
SEPTEMBER
Thu 5 Season Launch Event 6.30pm Tue 10 Kin 7.30pm Wed 11 Kin 7.30pm Thu 12 Kin 7.30pm Fri 13 Kin 7.30pm Fri 13 Carl Hutchinson 7.30pm Fri 20 Othello 7.30pm
21 Othello
21 Othello
21 Nish Kumar
26 The Dreamtime Fell..
28 Sealskin
29 Sarah Keyworth
OCTOBER
Wed 2 Husk
Thu 3 Husk 7.30pm
Thu 3 Look After Your Knees 7.45pm Sat 5 Tez Ilyas 7.30pm Tue 8 Mariposa 7.30pm
Wed 9 Sanctuary 7.30pm
Thu 10 Alas! Poor Yorick 7.45pm Thu 10 Batty! 7.45pm
Thu 10 Mark Simmons 8pm Fri 11 Alas! Poor Yorick
Fri 11 Batty! 7.45pm Sat 12 Alas! Poor Yorick
Wed 16 Perfect Pitch
Thu 17 Perfect Pitch
Fri 18 Perfect Pitch 7.30pm Sat 19 There’s a Monster... 11am Sat 19 There’s a Monster... 1.30pm Sat 19 Perfect Pitch 2.30pm Sat 19 Perfect Pitch 7.30pm
Tue 22 8 Hours There and Back 5pm Tue 22 8 Hours There and Back 7.30pm
OCTOBER
Thu 24 Night of the Werewolves 5pm Thu 24 Night of the Werewolves 8.30pm Thu 24 Nightmares 7.30pm Fri 25 Nightmares 7.30pm Sat 26 Nightmares 7.30pm Thu 31 Neil Brand 6.30pm
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER www dukeslancaster org
JANUARY/FEBRUARY Fri 31 Sophie Duker 8pm Sat 15 Joshua Burnell 7.30pm Sat 22 Driftwood 7.30pm 25 - 28 Blithe Spirit 7.30pm MARCH Sat 1 Blithe Spirit 7.30pm 12-22 Shirley Valentine 2pm & 7.30pm