Darlington Civic Theatre announces Autumn 2015 Season
As we head towards the autumn evenings, we have some exciting shows on their way which will be the perfect antidote to those chilly winter evenings. See what’s on offer in our autumn season packed full of delights to please everyone!
The season begins with a variety of music and dance events opening with the uber-talented Joan Armatrading on her last major world tour (Thu 23 July). Recognised as one of the world’s leading singer/songwriter/guitarists, don’t miss this opportunity to see her perform songs spanning her entire career. We then welcome the National Dance Company of Ireland as they bring the Rhythm Of The Dance to the stage (Fri 24 July). Internationally rated as one of the most popular and successful Irish step dance shows on tour this is the live show not to be missed. Fans of ABBA should look out for ABBA Mania (Sat 25 July). Accepted as the world’s number one touring ABBA tribute production, this is your chance to dig out those platforms, dust off those flares and enjoy all your favourite ABBA tracks.
The ever popular Last Night at The Proms returns to the Civic Theatre this year in a special concert to celebrate the best of British achievement (Mon 27 July). Join the British Philharmonic Concert Orchestra, soloists Anna Clark Monk and Andrew Forbes Lane and presenter Mark Langley for an evening of rousing tunes, flag waving and of course the usual pomp and circumstance!
We welcome the master of mischief and mayhem as The Cat In The Hat comes to the theatre (Wed 29 & Thu 30 July). Based on the much loved book by Dr Seuss, The Cat In The Hat is a lively and engaging first theatre experience for young children.
Darlington Dance Festival (Mon 7 September) bursts onto stage for an energetic evening presented by dance schools and community groups in a vibrant celebration of dance in Darlington. This is followed by the compelling history of the greatest musical duo of all time in The Simon and Garfunkel Story 50th Anniversary Tour (Tues 8 September). Featuring West End star Dean Elliott and using huge projection photos, original film footage and a full cast of performers this promises to be an evening not to be missed.
We then welcome Channel 5’s hugely popular children’s TV favourites as Milkshake! Live ‘Party Party’ hits the stage (Sat 12 September). This all-new musical extravaganza is bound to have audiences up on their feet singing and jumping with delight along-side the stellar line up including
Little Princess, Bananas in Pyjamas, Noddy and Tessie Bear and a whole host of other special guests.
We are delighted to welcome back the acclaimed National Gilbert and Sullivan Opera Company with three exciting productions of Gilbert and Sullivan classics (Tues 15 – Sat 19 September). The Mikado tells the story of Nanki-Poo, son of The Mikado, who has fled to avoid an arranged marriage and has fallen in love with Yum-Yum. HMS Pinafore follows the story of a lowly sailor, Ralph Rackstraw, who is deeply in love with Josephine, the daughter of the ship’s Captain. Unfortunately for Ralph he has a rival for Josephine’s affections – Sir Joseph Porter, KCB. The Gondoliers tells the story of two Venetian gondoliers who are informed that one of them is the heir to the throne of Barataria… but which one?
With beautiful settings, costumes and lighting the European Baroque Ensemble bring you Baroque by Candlelight (Mon 21 September). A packed programme of classical music and song including excerpts from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, Handel’s Water Music and Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D minor.
If you want to be entertained then look no further than The Robbie Williams Experience with Let Me Entertain You (Tue 22 September). This fantastic tribute act spans the 25 year career of the legend that is Robbie Williams. Featuring a live band and dancers, Hollyoaks heart-throb Tom Vaughan performs as Robbie with hits including Rock DJ, Angels, She’s The One and many, many more.
For lovers of the Motown sound, Motown’s Greatest Hits – How Sweet It Is will be a delight (Wed 23 September). This stunning live show combines first class music together with the slickest choreography and an amazing band to deliver a truly outstanding performance.
One of the nation’s best loved comedians is celebrated in The Tommy Cooper Show (Thu 24 September). West End leading man Daniel Taylor stars as Tommy Cooper in the knockout performance of the year. With the story, the gags and the magic this promises to be a very special show. Then, roaring on to the stage will be Dinosaur Zoo (Fri 25 & Sat 26 September). From cute baby dinos to teeth-gnashing giants, marvel and interact with extraordinary, life-like dinosaurs in this imaginative and hilarious show, live from the West End.
Hear the best songs from the world’s opera houses, Broadway theatres and concert halls as we welcome Tenors Un Limited to the Civic Theatre (Mon 28 September). Their soaring vocals, lush harmonies and fun personalities are the perfect recipe for a great night out. Soaring to different heights is Doug Scott’s Everest The Hard Way (Tue 29 September). Marking the 40th anniversary of the first ascent of Everest ‘the hard way’ by the late Dougal Haston and Doug Scott, this special lecture, lavishly illustrated with Doug’s celebrated photography, will provide a very personal account of this legendary first climb.
Blasting onto the Civic Theatre stage is the Syd Lawrence Orchestra The Swinging Big Band (Wed 30 September). Hear the music of the swing era brought back to life with the youthful verve that made it the smash hit music of its day.
We are proud to welcome back the Russian State Ballet and Opera House with Verdi’s compelling opera La Traviata (Tue 6 October). This production will star the Bolshoi Theatre soloist Irina Bozhenko, an impressive cast and a 30 piece live orchestra. La Traviata combines compelling characters with hugely powerful, moving and instantly recognisable melodies, making it still, 162 years after its 1853 debut, one of the most emotionally engaging and popular operas of all time.
Taking us back to the swinging 60s we bring you the All Star 60s (Wed 7 October). Imagine five iconic 60s bands who have enjoyed phenomenal success throughout their musical careers, getting together to perform all their hits…. And you have the fantastic All Star 60s. Brian Poole and the original Tremeloes, Chip Hawkes, Dave Munden, The Troggs and Badfinger featuring Bob Jackson. The Ivy League and The Pacemakers will round off this fabulous array of talent.
Autumn wouldn’t be the same without a visit from the comedy icon that is Ken Dodd. A comedian of unrivalled legendary status, a national treasure who has been entertaining audiences for a lifetime of happiness and laughter, don’t miss The Ken Dodd Happiness Show (Thu 8 & Fri 9 October). From one comedy icon to another as The Basil Brush Show bounces onto the Civic Theatre stage (Sat 10 October). Basil Brush is a star with an outstanding ability to entertain and make people of all ages laugh and smile – a fantastic show for the whole family.
Bringing a touch of glamour to the Civic Theatre will be Strictly Come Dancing favourites Anya Garnis and Robin Windsor as they present Puttin’ On The Ritz (Sun 11 – Tues 13 October). This song and dance extravaganza takes you on a wonderful musical journey and features music from George Gershwin, Irving Berlin and Cole Porter. With a cast of award-winning singers and dancers, the most famous songs of the golden age of Hollywood will be recreated live on stage.
As the nights draw in, there is nothing better than a classic ghost story. We bring you two in one night as Middle Ground Theatre Company present The Signalman and The Waiting Room (Wed 14 – Sat 17 October) – a spine chilling double bill featuring Jack Shepherd. Set in 1880 The Signalman tells of a tormented railwayman haunted by visions of impending disaster on his isolated stretch of line. The Waiting Room follows George Pendlebury as he is forced to spend a night alone in an old station waiting room having missed his connection.
Warming up those cold October nights, DarlingtonOS presents South Pacific (Wed 21 – Sat 31October). Set against the dramatic background of an idyllic South Pacific island during World War Two, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific intertwines the themes of love, duty and prejudice to create a story that is funny, heart-breaking and thought-provoking. For younger audiences, Under Foot (Wed 21 October, Quaker Meeting House) is an interactive sound and movement performance where the audience is invited to explore different floor surfaces, responding to the textures and sensations through movement, dance and play (recommended age 1 – 5).
In the run up to the end the calendar year there is, quite simply, something for everyone. Nigel Havers, Martin Jarvis, Sian Phillips and Christine Kavanagh star in Oscar Wilde’s classic The Importance of Being Earnest (Tue 3 – Sat 7 November). This much loved and brilliantly witty masterpiece elegantly lampoons the hypocrisies of a Victorian society and features some of the finest dialogue to be found in theatre.
The Touring Consortium Theatre Company and Royal & Derngate present Dawn King’s new adaptation of Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World (Tue 10 – Sat 14 November). Welcome to the future, where a genetically engineered class system has finally brought order and stability to the world. This ‘Brave New World’ has no family, religion or war. People are safe, healthy and not afraid of death. When this stability is threatened, one young woman learns the pain of love and one young man gives in to the love of pain.
They’re here, they’re live on stage and they are going The Full Monty (Mon 16 – Sat 21 November). In 1997, a British film about six out of work Sheffield steelworkers with nothing to lose, took the world by storm! Featuring songs from the film by Donna Summer, Hot Chocolate and Tom Jones, this award-winning production is one huge package of laughs and emotion.
Stand back, ladies… the Hoff is here. Darlington Civic Theatre welcomes the legendary David Hasselhoff in the all-new musical Last Night A DJ Saved My Life (Mon 23 – Sat 28 November). Packed with hits from the 80s and 90s it’s the story of two generations colliding, as a badly behaved parent tries to control a wild child teenager – all based around the club scene of Ibiza.
We see out 2015 in traditional style with our family pantomime, and this year we present the greatest pantomime of them all – Cinderella (Sat 5 December 2015 – Sun 10 January 2016). A star studded cast headed by Britain’s Got Talent winners Ashleigh and Pudsey with Brendan Sheerin from Channel 4’s Coach Trip and The X-Factor finalist Niki Evans, this promises to be another magical pantomime.
Tickets for the autumn season are on sale NOW!
For further information about the full Autumn Season programme, pick up one of our brochures located in venues across Darlington including Darlington Civic Theatre Box Offices, or contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk