THE WIZARD OF OZ
There’s no place like Lancaster!
WHEN FRI 18 JULY - SUN 24 AUGUST
WHERE WILLIAMSON PARK
Get the feeling you’re not in Lancaster anymore... Dorothy is desperatley searching for fluffy runaway, Toto when a storm sweeps her away from her home in Lancaster into a world full of surprises and wonder.
With her new found companions: the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion, Dorothy must navigate the curiosities and dangers of Oz, all while staying one step ahead of the Wicked Witch. Along the way, sheíll discover that courage, heart, and wisdom can be found in the most unexpected places.
TICKETS FROM £17 dukeslancaster.org
“I’m delighted that you are joining us for our Spring/Summer season! We’ve got an incredible lineup of performances to brighten the months ahead.
This year, we’re proud to announce The Wizard of Oz! Bringing this special outdoor production to life requires all hands on deck, and our amazing team are working incredibly hard to make it happen. It’s their dedication that ensures our Park Show is a magical experience for everyone to enjoy each year.
We can’t wait to bring you timeless classics from Shakespeare, Alan Ayckbourn, and Noël Coward, alongside an array of other new thrilling productions. Thank you for your continued support.
we’ll see you down the yellow brick road!” Chris Lawson, CEO
Daniel Bye, Writer
“I couldn’t be more excited to be adapting The Wizard of Oz. It’ll be my third show for the Dukes but my first for Williamson Park and Dorothy’s adventures in Oz are a perfect fit for the dramatic landscapes there. I took my kids to the film for the first time just before Christmas - I can’t wait to bring them - and you! - my own take on the fun, magic, and joy of the original story.”
Elvi Piper, Director
“I’m over the rainbow to be directing The Wizard of Oz at The Dukes this summer! To bring this iconic journey to life in the magical surroundings of Williamson Park, reimagined by the brilliant Dan Bye, is an absolute dream come true. I can’t wait to take audiences on a dazzling trip down the Yellow Brick Road, in an immersive unforgettable adventure that will linger long after the show finishes!’
A special thanks to our Park Show Sponsors.
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.
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
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:
A final thank you to the Dukes board of trustees and members. dukeslancaster.org | 01524 598500 | tickets@dukeslancaster.org
These are available for performances of The Borrowers.
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
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FILM FRIEND 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
£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
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 on screen, as well as remarkable theatre and dance stream to our screen as part of our Stage on Screen programme.
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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.
Winner of over 35 awards, experience the best of British Musical HER-story in a live capture of the must-see musical sensation, SIX the Musical. The Original West End cast reunite at London’s Vaudeville Theatre in front of a sold-out audience to strut their stuff and re-write their Tudor traumas in an unmissable cinematic recording of the show packed full of style, sass, and sensational songs.
The show tells the extraordinary story of the six wives of King Henry VIII, who step out of the shadow of their infamous husband and reclaim their own narratives. SIX
THE MUSICAL LIVE!
STAGE ON SCREEN
THE MUSICAL LIVE STAGE ON SCREEN
Based on the Academy Award® nominated film, Billy Elliot the Musical opened in London’s West End in 2005.
Set in a northern mining town, against the background of the 1984/85 miners’ strike, Billy’s journey takes him out of the boxing ring and into a ballet class where he discovers a passion for dance that inspires his family and whole community and changes his life forever.
The original creative team behind the film, including writer Lee Hall (book & lyrics), director Stephen Daldry, and choreographer, Peter Darling, is joined by music legend Elton John (music) to produce a funny, uplifting and spectacular theatrical experience that will stay with you forever.
BILLY ELLIOT
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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 introducing our Discovery Bundle, the perfect deal to help you discover your next new favourite piece of theatre.
BIG DRAMA BUNDLE MOOR SPACE BUNDLE
See all 3 of our biggest productions for 20% off your transaction. Deal applies to:
• Shirley Valentine
• Spitfire Girls
• Just Between Ourselves
DISCOVERY BUNDLE
Enjoy new writing at it’s finest! Book 3 shows and recieve 20% off your transaction. Deal applies to:
• All Blood Runs Red
• The Moth
• In Other Words
• A Pineapple
• Imaginary Friends
• Sh*t Life Crisis
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:
• Motherkind
• Buff
• Shellshocked
• Local
SHAKESPEARE BUNDLE
Book for both Shakespeare shows and recieve 25% off your transaction. Deal applies to:
• Macbeth
• Taming of the Shrew
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.
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.
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
SPITFIRE GIRLS
WHEN TUE 6 - SAT 10 MAY
WHERE THE RAKE
TICKETS £22
“It’s built for us, isn’t it? The Spitfire. Built for women.”
New Year’s Eve, 1959.
Two women, separated by the war, finally meet again as the rain hammers down on the windows of The Spitfire pub.
As we hear their story, we’re transported back to the moment they replied to an advertisement that changed their lives forever.
Spitfire Girls is a play inspired by the extraordinary true story of the female pioneers who flew thousands of aeroplanes during WWII and the incredible bond that tied these women together.
Funny and heart-warming, this is an untold story of strength, bravery and loss. But above all else, hope.
Recommended ages 10+
Spitfire Girls was developed with the support of the National Theatre’s Generate programme.
A Note From Historian
Mark Green
It provides a powerful and moving portrayal of a country and people at war. Overall, Spitfire Girls is a well-researched, authentic and moving play that has the potential to educate and support through its exploration of several important themes.
Using the experiences of these brave women, Spitfire Girls provides a unique and inspiring perspective on the human experience. It has the potential to not only entertain audiences but also to educate and inspire them. With the right funding, this play could become a powerful and important contribution to ensuring that the ‘ATAGirls’ are not forgotten and that their strength and resilience in the face of adversity continues to be an inspiration for future generations.
“A
superb interpretation... thoroughly modern... impressive” Fairy Powered Productions on Tilted Wig’s Production of Frankenstein
WHEN TUE 25 MARCH WHERE THE ROUND TICKETS £10
Inspired by a true story with Faz Singhateh as John and Micky Cochrane as Marius “You think you know me. You don’t. So it’s time to talk.”
1997: a chance meeting on a train between two men, John, a black British activist and journalist and Marius, a white South African ex-soldier, sets in motion a chain of events that will change their lives forever.
Acclaimed Elysium Theatre Company returns to the Dukes after last year’s sell-out tour of ‘Othello’ with a drama that grips from the beginning and will not let you go.
WHEN WED 21 - SAT 25 MAY WHERE THE RAKE
TICKETS £22
Five birthdays,. Two unhappy marriages. One possessive mother.
It’s 1976. Dennis tinkers in his garage, cheerfully indifferent to wife Vera’s impending breakdown. Majorie hovers in the background, making tea and finding fault. Neil has planned a birthday surprise for his wife, but Pam doesn’t share his enthusiasm , preoccupied by frustrations of her own.
In perhaps his most emotionally charged play Alan Ayckbourn masterfully evokes a world of hidden tensions and suppressed hostility. He skillfully navigates the tightrope between comedy and tragedy, guiding us towards a hilarious, yet chilling finale.
“A master of comic ingenuity.” The Guardian
ALL BLOOD RUNS RED
WHEN FRI 7 & SAT 8 MARCH WHERE THE ROUND TICKETS £13
The extraordinary life of Eugene Bullard.
A young actor stands on a stage. He begins to tell us a long forgotten true story…
And as the astonishing life of Eugene Bullard unfolds, unsettling truths of the actor’s own experiences come to the surface.
Runaway, circus entertainer, boxer, night club owner, one of the first black fighter pilots in World War One, jazz drummer, spy, civil rights activist – Eugene Bullard’s life story traces many of the 20th century’s most important moments.
imitating the dog bring their unique story-telling techniques to bear on this lost story, told through the lens of modern-day experience. With inspirational stagecraft and original songs, All Blood Runs Red is an intimate show that breathes the history of the 20th century into life, into now.
53TWO PRESENTS
A PINEAPPLE
WHEN THU 5 SEPTEMBER WHERE THE ROUND
TICKETS £16
Decades into the future, the planet is rocked by a perpetual storm caused by global warming. Survivors are placed in pods to match their wealth and live in isolation to await gradual extinction. The pod is all Nia has ever known.
When her grandmother Connie decides that her time might be coming to an end, this isolation ends and with it, a world unexplored, is unlocked. A stark, sometimes funny and visceral world is created by Olivia Mace in the world premiere of ‘A Pineapple’.
One day we’ll all be gone And in a year or so, no-one will know Which side lost and which side won.
JOSS ARNOTT DANCE PRESENTS
EMERGENCE
WHEN SAT 3 MAY WHERE THE RAKE TICKETS £18
Emergence, the touring postgraduate dance company of Joss Arnott Dance and the University of Salford, presents a brand-new, triple bill programme of adrenaline-fuelled dance performed by a new company of extraordinary dancers.
New works by guest choreographers for 2025 include Sofia Nappi and SAY (Sarah Golding and Yukiko Masui) who capture the raw physicality of the dancers.
Artistic Director Joss Arnott and Lisa Marie Robinson complete the bill with a new work featuring Arnott’s signature, exhilarating movement language. Be prepared to witness an exquisite interplay between movement and music all of which is accompanied by electrifying new music by composer James Keane.
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 dadbut 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).
SH*T LIFE CRISIS SILENT
DRIFTWOOD THICKSKIN PRESENTS
WHEN TUE 27 & WED 28 MAY WHERE THE ROUND
TICKETS FROM £10
Grace smashed cancer, but victory feels like a bad joke. While throwing a memorial for Abbie, her ride-or-die chemo buddy, Grace lays bare how surviving turned her life inside out. It’s raw, it’s real, and yes, there’s karaoke. This darkly hilarious karaoke theatre show cranks up the tunes while Grace unpacks her broken pieces, with live belting throughout and a full-blown karaoke party to end. It’s the most fun you’ll have questioning if life’s worth saving!
Over 60 minutes, Grace and Abbie find release in karaoke and connect by belting out classics on their nights out. The audience are welcome to join in with lyrics projected onto the set.
CREATIVE COMMUNITIES
Our Creative Communities Department work with artists, young people, schools, universities, organisations and our community groups/members of all ages both local and further afield. Our aim is to facilitate meaningful engagement to enrich, excite, educate and entertain.
2024/25 we will run over 400 workshops with over 2.250 people with an annual target of 14,000 instances or participation. Many of the participants are taking part in creative experiences for the first time, enjoying regular workshops, show trips and social opportunities.
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 and has played a vital role in the organisation since 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.
For more information on how to join head to the Youth Board tab on our website.
Work Experience
Join us at The Dukes for your Work Experience to get an insight into how a theatre works from the inside!
We receive a large number of work experience requests and unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate everybody who applies, and we give priority to children aged 14-16, living or studying in Lancaster or Morecambe and interested in a career in theatre.
For more information on how to apply head to the Work Experience tab on our website.
Young Company Show: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Prepare to be transported to the court of Athens and explore the mystical forest that lies just beyond the city’s walls!
After the success of last years ‘The Dream Collector’ join our Young Company for Shakespeare’s classic comedy exploring the true power of love, friendship, jealousy and… magic!
Featuring a cast of local talented Young Company members from school ages 4 – 13+
WHEN 20 & 21 MARCH WHERE THE ROUND TICKETS £10
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 trips and discounts to elements of our diverse programme of events (subject to availability).
Groups are open to anyone aged 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
For more information or to book a taster session visit the Young Company tab on the website or contact James: james@dukeslancaster.org | 01524 598522
We offer a limited number of non-means tested bursaries on all our activities each year.
SUMMER TERM
21 APRIL - 19 MAY
HALF TERM 26 - 30 MAY
TERM RESTARTS 2 - 30 JUNE
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+
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 and memberships on a PWYD basis, 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!
Want to give it a try, why not sign up for one of the taster sessions at the start of the term?
Morecambe: Trimpell Sport & Social Club 10am – 12pm
Lancaster: The Dukes 1:30pm – 3:30pm
To get involved contact: primetime@dukeslancaster.org | 01524 598522
BETTER THAN THE ALTERNATIVE
CREATIVE AGEING SYMPOSIUM
We will be bringing together an exciting mix of people to explore the concept of creative ageing and to debunk common stereotypes of older people. Inviting participation from creative practitioners, health professionals and key contacts from academia, to share best practice and new and innovative responses which address key challenges from the sector.
The 2-day event will include:
· A series of keynote speakers – who are all experts in their fields
· Interactive workshops
· Panel discussions
· Networking opportunities
· Performances from creative ageing projects
We wish to see a future where creative work with older people is meaningful and important, helps people to live longer and more fulfilled lives and gives people access to creative opportunities and experiences, that also has a positive impact on wider society. This symposium is part-funded by the National Lottery Community Fund and is the culmination of the 3-year funding term for Prime Time.
(All tickets include refreshments & lunch)
WHEN 30 APRIL & 1ST MAY
WHERE THE DUKES
TICKETS FROM £15
THEATRE BY THE LAKE PRESENTS
WHEN TUE 6 & WED 7 MAY WHERE THE ROUND
TICKETS £16
Two lads. Twelve hours. One million pounds.
On the wet West Cumbrian coast, James and Kamran have been mates for more than a decade. At seventeen, the world should be theirs but Workington’s a ghost town – an unemployment blackspot where lasses drink Bacardi by the pint and boys don’t cry.
When James discovers he is heir to a single mile of the British railway system, the lads are forced on a town-wide treasure hunt where annihilated aunties, Snakebite-drenched drag queens and a zombie Princess Diana lay in wait. But who rightfully owns the mile of steel? Why is Kamran in such a strop? And what really happens in the pub down by the docks?
In a town once rich with coal seams and ore, with community and carnivals, with sea air and ale, James and Kamran are fed up with feeling different – tonight they’re painting the town technicolour and asking what it means to be a man in a play about first loves, forging identities and the wild, wild hearts of teenage boys.
dukeslancaster.org
MACBETH
WHEN TUE 10 - THU 12 JUNE WHERE THE ROUND TICKETS FROM £10
Scotland is at war with Norway.
While men fight, the women gather at night.
A group of witches tell a Scottish general he will be King. Encouraged by these women and the most important one in his life, the General fulfils their prophecy.
Blood. Destiny. Manipulation. Power.
In 2025 Unseemly Women go red and bring you the power of Macbeth.
Don’t forget to make use of our Shakespeare Bundle! Book tickets for Macbeth & The Taming of The Shrew and receive 25% off your transaction.
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW HER PRODUCTIONS
WHEN FRI 23 & SAT 24 MAY WHERE THE ROUND TICKETS FROM £10
Directed
by
Amy Gavin & Hannah Ellis Ryan
The Bella’s Club will officially re-open in 2025 and you’re invited!
HER Productions remount their highly successful rendition of one of Shakespeare’s most polarising comedies.
A drunken patron (Sly) falls victim to our gang of Unseemly Women. As Sly wakes from his wild night of Cabaret, he is told a story, supporting a wider prank that Sly is not a drunken patron, but a Lord of great status and wealth. Our Unseemly Women spin him a tale about a wealthy merchant of Padua, and two daughters: Katerina and Bianca. Because of Katerina’s “shrewish” disposition, her father has declared that no one shall wed Bianca until such a time as Katerina has been married. But our girls have a secret…
DANIEL BYE PRESENTS
IMAGINARY FRIENDS
WHEN SAT 10 & SUN 11 MAY WHERE THE ROUND TICKETS £14
Welcome to the warped mirror world of Imaginary Friends, award-winning writer-performer Daniel Bye’s first solo show for seven years. This is a major event.
After a personal tragedy, a floundering TV comic starts listening to the wrong voices in his head. They’re terrible people, and he knows it. But the ideas they’re coming up with for his failing show are terrific.
Is he on the right side of history? Or has his moral compass become completely derailed? And why is everyone getting louder and louder?
Daniel Bye’s trademark blend of the hilarious and the mind-bending is at its best in this startling new show.
Book now for a wild hallucinatory ride through the looking glass of twenty-first century culture.
GARRICK THEATRE PRESENTS
FARM BOY
WHEN WED 14 MAY WHERE THE ROUND TICKETS £14
Adapted & directed by Daniel Buckroyd.
It sometimes felt as though time had stood still down on the farm - the old Fordson tractor quietly rusting away at the back of the barn, Grandpa tending his chickens - that is, until the summer his grandson came to stay, and the old man started telling stories of what it had been like when he was a boy.
Following successful UK tours and a critically acclaimed run in New York, Michael Morpurgo’s compelling sequel to ‘War Horse’ returns to the stage in this delightful, family-friendly show combining drama, storytelling, and original music - a moving account of the changing face of the English countryside and a beautifully crafted reminder that stories really can reach out across the generations.
LICHFIELD
NICOLL ENTERTAINMENT
PRESENTS
THE KOALA WHO COULD
WHEN SAT 8 & SUN 9 MARCH WHERE THE RAKE TICKETS £14.50
Based on the bestselling picture book about taking a chance
An empowering and chuckle-out-loud story about embracing change — whether we like it or not. “In a wonderful place, at the breaking of dawn, where the breezes were soft and the sunshine was warm, a place where the creatures ran wild and played free ... A Koala called Kevin clung to a tree.”
Join Kevin, King of the staying-still-kings, and his friends kangaroo and wombat in an Australian Outback adventure, as they learn that “life can be great when you try something new!”
“Fabulous rhymes, I’m in love with Kevin”
Claudia Winkleman
WHEN TUE 8 APRIL
WHERE THE RAKE
TICKETS £11
Join world record-breaking beatboxer **SK Shlomo** (they/them) who makes amazing music with just a mouth and a mic, and has performed around the world with legends like Bjork, Ed Sheeran and Rudimental.
Their 5-star sell-out show **Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids** is back!
Anybody can become one of this sonic superhero’s sidekicks in a world of funny sounds, brilliant noises, and cool music, whether they’re aged 1 or 101 !
NEBULA PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS
SHLOMO BEATBOX ADVENTURE FOR KIDS
WHEN SUN 20 APRIL WHERE THE RAKE TICKETS £14
Three brave little Viking girls save the day in this bold and funny adventure story for little rebels, by the creator of the New York Times Best Illustrated Book Little Red and I Can Catch a Monster, Bethan Woollvin.
Once upon a time in a Viking village, everything seems to be going wrong. Chickens are disappearing, trees are falling down, and there’s lots and lots of crashing and bashing. The silly Chieftain won’t listen to the three littlest Vikings, but can they work together to figure out what’s going on and save the day?
Three Little Vikings is all about cooperation, bravery, and getting your voice heard!
THE THREE LITTLE VIKINGS
WHEN FRI 16 MAY
WHERE MOOR SPACE
TICKETS
£12
From the Producers of The MP, Aunty Mandy & Me and Rotten
After a bad break-up a plus-sized, gay primary school teacher decides to sublet his flat to a buff Instagram model. This funny yet poignant body-positive solo show tackles body image pressure, social media envy and one man’s journey to self-acceptance.
BUFF is written by new up-and-coming playwright Ben Fensome, presented by Emmerson and Ward Productions in association with Octagon Bolton, and directed by The Stage Debut Award shortlisted Scott Le Crass (Rose, West End; Toxic, Home, Manchester)
EMMERSON & WARD PRESENTS
WHEN FRI 28 FEB
WHERE MOOR SPACE
TICKETS
£13
A show about parenting and making space for the fragility and beauty of life.
Motherkind is a playful, witty and powerful kaleidoscope of stories about parenting, the maternal brain and making space, from the Mothers Who Make Collective.
Explore the early days, the fragility, the absurdity and the beauty of life – tapping into the chaos of parenting and conjuring the calm. Using new writing, comedy and song, these are tales of humour, challenge and discovery.
WHEN FRI 13 JUNE
WHERE MOOR SPACE
TICKETS
£14
A show about home, belonging or not, and letting go.
Solo-storyteller Liz revisits her childhood memories and home in West Cumbria in an attempt to understand whether she still belongs there, or ever did.
Liz’s journey through the rural landscape reconnects with voices from the past and her young family now, unearthing painful home truths. Laughter, tears and a relatable realisation can be found in this new LR Production.
THEATRE IN MOOR SPACE
WHEN FRI 27 JUNE
WHERE MOOR SPACE
TICKETS
£12
From the creative team behind the five-star, multi-award-winning Jesus, Jane, Mother and Me and LASH, comes a thrilling new drama.
The horrors of World War Two have broken young Wesley, but could the madness he encounters beyond it save or destroy a soldier’s shellshocked mind?
Following a hugely successful sold-out Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Shellshocked is a powerful new play by Leeds-born playwright Philip Stokes, recognised by the British Library as a culturally important playwright of the 21st Century.
LAWRENCE BATLEY THEATRE PRESENTS
LIFE FINDS A WAY ON STAGE UK PRESENTS
HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTTS
WHEN SAT 5 & SUN 6 APRL WHERE THE ROUND
TICKETS £21
65 million years ago, dinosaurs ruled the Earth…
30 years ago, a movie about dinosaurs ruled the box office…
This Spring Summer Season, you are invited to HOLD ON TO YOUR BUTTS!
Hold On To Your Butts is a must see “shot-for-shot” parody of the greatest dinosaur film of all time. After selling out in New York and at the Edinburgh Festival, this wildly inventive tour-de-force of comedy, Foley sound and physical theatre is coming to the Dukes!
Don’t walk, RUN to get your tickets!
“Painfully funny... made us cry actual tears of laughter... a pure joy from start to finish”
Critics’ Pick - Time Out New York
Age recommendation 8+
WHEN SAT 29 MARCH WHERE THE RAKE
TICKETS £24
Spontaneous musical comedy at its absolute finest – direct from the West End and now heading to Lancaster!
A hilarious new musical comedy is made up on the spot each performance of this multi award-winning show, as audience suggestions are transformed into spectacular all-singing, all dancing productions.
So whether you fancy Hamilton in a hospital or Sondheim in the Sahara - now is your chance!
Fresh from a phenomenal 15th year at Edinburgh Fringe, with a BBC Radio 4 series, a critically acclaimed West End run, and an Olivier Award to their name, The Showstoppers never perform the same show twice.
“So polished, it defies belief.” Daily Telegraph
INDIVIDUALAM PRESENTS
JAMALI MADDIX: ASTON
WHEN SAT 26 APRIL WHERE THE RAKE TICKETS £23
Critically acclaimed comedian Jamali Maddix is back on the road with a brand new tour show: Aston. Expect Jamali’s trademark brutally honest and unflinching perspectives on the world at large.
His last tours have sold-out shows across the globe, playing the UK, Europe, Asia, Australia, and North America. He is a regular on the series of Nevermind the Buzzcocks for Sky and was one of the most anarchic Taskmaster contestants the show has ever seen. Alongside this he was a regular contributor for Frankie Boyle’s New World Order (BBC2) and has been seen on ‘Live at the Apollo’ (BBC Two), ‘8 Out of 10 Cats’ (More4), The Late Late Show with James Corden (CBS) as well as many others.
Rachel star of Live at the Apollo and co-host of All Killa No Filla, is a renowned stand up and “rock’n’roll star of British Comedy” (Rolling Stone). She’s bringing not only her “Bright, brave and bitterly enjoyable” (Funny Women) stand-up comedy out on the road but also some brand-new characters along for the ride. A “Huge presence in a pint-sized frame” (Chortle).
Co-host of International smash-hit podcast All Killa No Filla and as seen on Live at the Apollo (BBC Two), Alan Davies: As Yet Untitled (Dave), Richard Osman’s House of Games (BBC Two) and Russell Howard Hour Life Lesson (Sky)
WHEN THU 27 MARCH
WHERE THE ROUND
TICKETS
£18.50
WHEN WED 9 APRIL
WHERE THE RAKE TICKETS £19
Having reassessed her life through the prism of an ADHD diagnosis in last year’s funny and moving memoir, one of Britain’s most beloved and most scatterbrained stand-ups lets you back into her mind (warning: it’s cluttered in there).
Among other things, this show will be a love-letter to letter-writing, a trip back through her early years as a comic and woman-about-town, and a whirlwind tour of a chaotic, hilarious brain.
“She
PHIL MCINTYRE PRESENTS RACHEL FAIRBURN: SIDE EYE
WHEN SUN 29 SEPTEMBER WHERE THE RAKE TICKETS
£24
After a successful and extensively extended tour of his 2022 show Stretch and Think (which you can catch in full on YouTube), he’s back on the road with this new show.
The story covers subjects ranging from pantomimes to dreams, how to behave in hospitals, small talk, realising his Mum is a northern version of Columbo, and how being a smart-mouthed kid saved him from a life of continually being beaten up. Above all else, it’s the Justin you have to come to expect. It’s funny and interesting, and perhaps there’s a little bit that warms the soul, too.
PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS
JUSTIN MOORHOUSE:
THE GREATEST PERFORMANCE OF MY LIFE
TERRY O’BRIEN
PRESENTS
GRACE PETRIE
WHEN WED 14 MAY WHERE THE RAKE TICKETS
£21
Forged from the political disillusionment of a generation of Tory rule, folk-rock cult hero and queer icon Grace Petrie returns to UK venues this year with the protest song firmly back in her heart.
Long renowned for her razor sharp lyricism and the joyful, welcoming nature of her stunning live shows, Petrie smashed the UK charts with latest album Build Something Better. Produced by Frank Turner and packed with full-hearted modern folk anthems, it shot to the top of both the folk and the UK download chart, cementing her status as one of Britain’s most beloved songwriters.
BRIAN BILSTON & HENRY NORMAL
WHEN TUE 27 MAY WHERE THE RAKE
TICKETS FROM £23.50
Brian Bilston and Henry Normal appear together for the first time in a show which one critic has described as “two people reading some poems”.
Along the way, they will be drawing on their vast catalogue of crowd favourites –and throwing in new poems, to prevent becoming their own tribute bands.
Not ones to overpromise, Brian and Henry are prepared to commit to delivering the greatest poetry show in the history of the world or their names aren’t Brian Bilston and Henry Normal.
An evening of poems to be enjoyed not endured.
BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP
We rely on the generous support of businesses to continue bringing high-quality productions to the stage, delighting our audiences year after year. Partnering with The Dukes offers a unique opportunity to align your brand with a well-loved cultural institution while making a meaningful impact on the local community.
There are a variety of ways to get involved, including:
• Sponsoring our much-loved Park and Christmas productions
• Joining our business membership scheme, with Bronze, Silver and Gold packages starting from £1,000 and offering corporate hospitality, complimentary tickets, marketing opportunities and more
• Supporting our Young Company to develop young creative talent in our area
Your business will play a vital role in nurturing homegrown talent and supporting our community outreach programmes, ensuring that theatre remains accessible to all. Your business will gain valuable brand exposure, networking opportunities, and the chance to connect with engaged audiences. To find out more please get in touch, we’d love to explore the possibilities with you.
Visit our website www.dukeslancaster.org or contact: Cathy Skidmore, Development Officer cathy@dukeslancaster.org
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 late) 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 Stonewell Spring sandwiches!
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.
To stay up to date with the latest shows and events scan the QR code to sign up to our Newsletter!
VISITING US
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 Caroline Scott: caroline@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
FEBRUARY
Sat 22 Driftwood 7pm 25 - 28 Blithe Spirit 7.30pm Fri 28 Motherkind 7.30pm
MARCH Sat 1 Blithe Spirit 7.30pm Fri 7 All Blood Runs Red 7.30pm Sat 8 All Blood Runs Red 2pm Sat 8 The Koala Who Could 2pm Sat 8 All Blood Runs Red 7.30pm
9 The Koala Who Could 11am
9 The Koala Who Could 2pm 12 - 22 Shirley Valentine
JUNE
15 Shirley Valentine 2pm
25 The Moth 7.30pm Thu 27 Rachel Fairburn: Side... 7.30pm Sat 29 Showstopper... 7.30pm
APRIL
Fri 4 Hold On To Your Butts 7.30pm Sat 5 Hold On To Your Butts 7.30pm Tue 8 Shlomo’s Beatbox... 2pm Wed 9 Shaparak Khorshandi 8pm Sat 20 The Three Little Vikings 2pm Sat 26 Jamali Maddix: Aston 5pm Wed 30 Creative Ageing Day 1 9.30am MAY Thu 1 Creative Ageing Day 2 9.30am Sat 3 Emergence 7.30pm 6
