TAKE PART IN THE GOOD OLD DAYS

An opportunity for children to be part of the show with a half term workshop and performance with The Good Old Days of Variety at Darlington Civic Theatre in April.

And now, for your delectation and amusement, a fantastical foray into the magical world of Music Hall and Variety…

With half term just around the corner, what better way to keep your little ones entertained than on a special workshop and performance at Darlington Civic Theatre.

On Tuesday 5 April go back in time to visit the Civic Theatre’s roots in the era of music hall and variety. Children will work with expert leaders in the workshop to create a singing routine to be performed on Wednesday 6 April as part of the professional show The Good Old Days of Variety starring legendary entertainer Anita Harris and The Grumbleweeds.

The workshop will run from 10am to 3pm on Tuesday 5 April. The performance will run from 2pm to approximately 4pm on Wednesday 6 April.

This is a fantastic opportunity for young children to learn new skills, make new friends and tread the boards of the Civic Theatre stage. The cost per young person (suitable for ages 7+) is £15.

ArtsSpark Youth Theatre and Dance members £10.

With a full supporting cast, hilarious comedy, live musicians and lots of songs to sing along to, The Good Old Days of Variety is a guaranteed fun show for the whole family.

To book a place on the workshop please call the Box Office on 01325 486 555

The Good Old Days of Variety is at Darlington Civic Theatre on Wednesday 6 April at 2pm. Tickets* are £15.50 with discounts available.

To book for the show contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

EASTER WEEKEND IN LONDON

The renowned Wintershall Players bring their awe-inspiring full scale re-enactmentThe Passion of Jesus to Trafalgar Square on Good Friday, 25 March 2016

Brought to life by a cast of over a hundred, all in resplendent costumes, along with horses, doves and donkeys. Featuring realistic scenes and a heart moving interpretation of the crucifixion and resurrection, The Passion ofJesus is an unforgettable experience.  (Parental guidance is advised)

The Passion’s Christian message embraces all denominations and this is highlighted by the active and continued involvement of the ecumenical Christian charity, Bible Society, as well as two of the country’s principal Church leaders, The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster and the Bishop of London.

‘As Londoners across the capital and beyond celebrate Easter I am delighted that The Passion of Jesus returning to Trafalgar Square. It is a wonderful event that brings to life the Christian message and attracts people of all faiths right in the heart of our great city.’ –The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson

The Wintershall Players will be performing the Life of Christ at the Wintershall Estate in Surrey from the 21-26 June and the Wintershall Nativity from the 14-18 December.

NORTHERN BALLET BRING CLASSIC LOVE STORY TO SHEFFIELD

Northern Ballet returns to the Lyceum Theatre this spring with modern classic Swan Lake from Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 March.  A modern take on a beautifully tragic tale of love and obsession, Swan Lake, choreographed by David Nixon OBE, is told through the Company’s unique blend of classical ballet and drama

Haunted by a childhood tragedy resulting in the death of his beloved brother, Anthony looks to the water for answers – in whatever form they take. An ethereal swan-like creature emerges and Anthony finds an unknown joy and freedom he has not felt since he was a boy, but on returning home, he finds himself conflicted. Torn between his two friends, the mystical swan beckons – what path will Anthony choose?

Set in New England at the start of the twentieth century, a time of long lazy summers and old world grace, this production, which was first performed in 2004, features costumes capturing the luxury and refined affluence of the era.

Set designs by Dave Gillan, lighting by Peter Mumford and Tchaikovsky’s unforgettable score played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia complete the retelling of this infamous story.

Lovers of dance will not want to miss this absorbing adaptation of one of the greatest love stories of all time.

Swan Lake visits the Lyceum Theatre from Tuesday 15 – Saturday 19 March.  Tickets are on sale now, priced from £12.00 – £37.00 and can be purchased in person at Sheffield Theatres’ Box Office, by calling 0114 249 6000 or online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk. A transaction fee of £1.50 (£1.00 online) applies to all bookings made at the Box Office, excluding cash.

Ruby in the Dust presents:

The Woman In Black
Adapted by Stephen MALLATRATT
from the novel by Susan HILL                                                     

• New cast for hit thriller The Woman In Black
• Malcolm James and Matt Connor have their first performance this evening
• Show now in its 27th year in West End
• Booking until 21 January 2017

A new cast will take to the stage of the Fortune Theatre this evening in The Woman In Black, one of the most exciting, gripping and successful theatre events ever performed, now in its 27th year in the West End in a production revisited by original director Robin Herford.

Malcolm James plays Arthur Kipps and Matt Connor plays The Actor.

Malcolm James reclaims the role of Arthur Kipps after starring in the national tour of The Woman in Black. His recent theatre credits include Birdsong (national tour), Equus (London Classic Theatre), Potting Shed (Finborough Theatre), The Importance of Being Earnest, Private Fears in Public Places, My Night With Reg (all Library Theatre) and The Lady in the Van(Salisbury Playhouse).

Matt Connor makes his West End debut in The Woman In Black.  His previous roles include Sons of the Desert (Royal Court Liverpool), The Glass Menagerie (Chipping Norton Theatre), 101 Dalmatians, Around the World in 80 Days and A Christmas Carol all New Vic).  On screen he has appeared in Doctors (BBC), Coronation Street (Granada) and Hollyoaks (Lime Pictures).

Unanimously acclaimed by the critics, The Woman In Black combines the power and intensity of live theatre with the cinematic quality of film noir.  More than seven million people have been transported into a terrifying world in an unremitting drama that has them literally jumping out of their seats.

The Woman In Black was first performed at the Theatre-By-The-Sea in Scarborough in 1987. The original production received rave reviews, paving the way for future productions throughout the country. It reached the West End in 1989 where it has been a major success ever since. Its success has subsequently reached a global level, having spread to the US, South America and through to the Tokyo theatre scene, and beyond.

A major motion picture version of The Woman In Black was released in February 2012, starring Daniel Radcliffe. It became the highest-grossing British horror film ever, taking more than $100 million worldwide.

THREE NEW INHOUSE SHOWS AT THEATRE N16

 THE X FACTOR 2016 LIVE TOUR

Sheffield Arena

Friday 11th March

The X Factor Live Tour returns to Sheffield Arena next week, starring winner Louisa Johnson alongside finalists Anton Stephans, 4th Impact, Reggie ‘N’ Bollie, Lauren Murray, Che Chesterman, Mason Noise and Seann Miley Moore performing classic songs and viewers favourites from the TV series.

The X Factor 2016 Live Tour is a countrywide tour stopping off at Sheffield Arena on Friday 11th March with contestants performing classic songs and viewers’ favourites from the TV series.

Attended by over three million people, The X Factor Live Tour has been one of the most successful annual arena tours in the UK for the past eleven years. Tickets are on sale now so don’t miss the opportunity to catch this year’s stars live.

Tickets purchased online at www.sheffieldarena.co.uk or via the ticket hotline on 0114 256 5656 are priced £60.50, £38.50, £21.45 (including booking fee) with family tickets £203.52, £132.00 (including booking fee).

Tickets purchased in person at the Arena box office are priced £57.75, £36.75, £20.48 (including booking fee) with family tickets £194.24, £126.00 (including booking fee).

Don’t miss the opportunity to catch this year’s stars live in Sheffield.

ELLIE GOULDING

Sepcial guest John Newman

Sheffield Arena

Saturday 12^th March 2016 

Ellie Goulding will perform a Sheffield Arena headline debut next week on Saturday 12th March as part of a UK tour.

The tour comes hot-on-the-heels of her third studio album ‘Delirium’, released in November on Polydor Records.  It has been a whirlwind few years for the singer from Herefordshire. Since the release of her debut ‘Lights’ in 2010, she has sold over 20 million records, had two Number One albums, won two Brit Awards and had Vevo views and streams both in excess of one billion. This year’s ‘Love Me Like You Do’ single, meanwhile, was a worldwide Number One hitting the top spot in 70 countries and breaking the record for the most streamed song in one week. Some artists might be inhibited about where to go after such success but Goulding had no doubts: make everything bigger, better and braver.

Support for Ellie Goulding’s 2016 UK tour is John Newman. One of the major breakthrough artists in the UK in recent years,Newman followed his Top 5 smash hit single “Come And Get It” with the eagerly awaited release of brand new second album “Revolve”. The follow up to Newman’s Platinum selling number 1 debut “Tribute”,   “Revolve” looks set to confirm the Yorkshireman  as one of the UK’s most singular talents and consistently successful  artists.

The success of  “Come And Get It” follows  John’s  recent collaboration with Calvin Harris on the no. 1 Global smash “Blame” which has sold over 4 million worldwide and has been streamed an unbelievable 270 million times. “Blame” gave John his third UK no. 1 single following Rudimental’s “Feel The Love” and his own chart-topping debut ”Love Me Again”.

Tickets for Ellie Gouldin with special guest John Newman  are available online atwww.sheffieldarena.co.uk, via the ticket hotline on 0114 256 5656 or in person at the Arena box office.

Tickets purchased online or by phone are priced £38.50 including booking fee.  Tickets purchased in person at the Arena box office are priced £36.75 including booking fee.

OF MICE AND MEN

The Touring Consortium Theatre Company celebrates 20 years with a new tour of John Steinbeck’s classic which comes to Darlington Civic Theatre from Tuesday 15 to Saturday 19 March.

Two migrant farm workers held together by a mutual dependence, a deep affection and an undying loyalty go in search of new beginning in the hope of attaining their shared dream: of putting together enough money to buy a small piece of land and building a home. No strangers to trouble, George and Lennie soon find themselves reeling from the fallout of an innocent misunderstanding which spirals out of control and leaves the two men, bound together by friendship, facing an earth-shattering climax. A story, raw in speech and action, full of heart and unflinching realism, it remains one of the most poignant statements of being human our contemporary theatre has produced.

The cast for Of Mice And Men includes Dave Fishley as ‘Crooks’, Nicholas Goode as ‘Whit’, Saoirse-Monica Jackson as ‘Curley’s Wife’ Neil McKinven as ‘Carlson / Boss’, Kristian Phillips as ‘Lennie’, Jonah Russell as ‘Slim’, and William Rodell as ‘George’, Ben Stott as ‘Curley’ and featuring Dudley Sutton as ‘Candy’.

Dudley Sutton is best known for his role in the BBC classic Lovejoy but is also a renowned stage actor who began his career starring in some of the most iconic plays of the sixties, including Jo Orton’s Entertaining Mr Sloane and Tom Murphy’s A Whistle In The Dark. Over the course of his career he has worked with legendary directors including Federico Fellini, Derek Jarman, Sally Potter and Ken Russell.

Created by producer Jenny King, The Touring Consortium Theatre Company will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2016. Jenny King said, “The company was created in 1996 in response to a need expressed by chief executives of several of the UKs leading touring venues for quality text based drama that reached out to new, young audiences as well as sustaining the interest of core theatre goers. Since its creation we have produced over twenty three productions and played to over a million people, and involved some 25,000 young people in our workshops and creative learning programmes.”

There is a Stage Tour available on Saturday 19 March at 11am. This is a free event but tickets are required as numbers are restricted. Please call the box office on 01325 486555 to reserve a space.

On opening night there will be live music from ‘The Tennessee Three’, re-creating the music of Steinbeck’s era. With a repertoire taken from artists like Woody Guthrie, Pete Seeger, Leadbelly and Hank Williams this trio will play the toe tapping and heart wrenching songs that were the soundtrack to America in the 1930s and 40s.

Of Mice And Men is at Darlington Civic Theatre from Tuesday 15 to Saturday 19 March.

Tickets* £17.40 to £27, discounts available. Thursday and Saturday matinees all seats £18.50. Family ticket Saturday 2.30pm £44. Under 16s and schools all seats £11 plus 1 free with every 10 booked.

To book contact the Box Office on 01325 486 555 or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk

*All prices include a £1 restoration levy

THE PROVOCATIVE AND VISCERAL EDINBURGH FRINGE HIT

THE CURING ROOM

RETURNS TO LONDON

VAULTS THEATRE

4 – 29 MAY 2016

The Curing Room, David Ian Lee’s powerful play, which caused a huge stir at the 2014 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and subsequently played a limited season at the Pleasance Islington, will return to London this summer with a four week run at the Vaults Theatre, Waterloo from 4 – 29 May, with a press night on 4 May.

Provocative, thought-provoking and at times darkly funny, The Curing Room is a bold, daring thriller based on true events, in which the ensemble of 7 male actors perform the show completely nude. Originally written and developed in New York with a series of workshops and public readings, The Curing Room marked its inaugural production in Edinburgh with the following cast, who will return to London: Rupert Elmes, Tom Holloway, Matt Houston, John Hoye, Harvey Robinson and Marlon Solomon. John Last will join the cast.

Spring 1944 – seven Soviet soldiers have been captured by the Nazis, stripped naked and abandoned in the locked empty cellar of a monastery in southern Poland. Deprived of all resources and ties to the world they knew, the prisoners must redefine their concepts of order and human nature and confront the ultimate taboos – murder and cannibalism – in order to survive…

Joao de Sousa said, “In spite of the moments of brutality and gore The Curing Room is a beautifully staged production with an undercurrent of hope and humanity. I’m thrilled to bring the show to new audiences at the Vaults, who’s subterranean setting so ideally suits the design of our production that I feel like it is almost site-specific!. It’s a thriller that shines a light on dark side of human behavior that is as old as humanity itself – and was inspired by an allegedly true anecdote recalled in George Steiner’s seminal work The Death of Tragedy.  However, what precisely befell these seven men ‘in the last year of the war’ will forever remain conjecture – as will the identities of the men themselves.”

DIRTY DANCING – THE CLASSIC STORY ON STAGE

NEW TOUR DATES ANNOUNCED

WORLDWIDE PHENOMENON

WILL VISIT NEW CITIES IN UK AND IRELAND

NOW BOOKING UNTIL SUMMER 2017

Producers Karl Sydow and Paul Elliott are delighted to announce that 12 new dates will be added to the UK and Ireland tour of the brand new production of Dirty Dancing – The Classic Story On Stage.. The classic story of Baby and Johnny, featuring the hit songs ‘Hungry Eyes’, ‘Hey! Baby’, ‘Do You Love Me?’ and the heart stopping ‘(I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life’, returns to the UK this summer, following two blockbuster West End runs and two hit UK tours. Casting will be announced in the spring.

Full of passion and romance, heart-pounding music and sensationally sexy dancing, the record-breaking musical is even better than before in this all new production created by an innovative new creative team; directed by Federico Bellone, choreographed by Gillian Bruce and with design re-imagined by top Italian set designer Roberto Cometti. The production premiered in Milan in July 2015, subsequently packing out the 15,000 seat Roman Arena in Verona, and has played a season in Rome, and will shortly be embarking on a major Italian tour.

The new venues for 2017 announced are as follows: Southend Cliffs Pavilion (10 – 21 January) [tickets on sale 4 March], Belgrade Theatre Coventry (30 January – 4 February), Dublin Bord Gais Theatre (6 – 11 February) [tickets on sale soon], Millennium Forum, Derry (13 – 18 February), Grand Opera House Belfast (20 – 25 February), INEC Killarney (27 February – 4 March), Ipswich Regent (20 – 25 March), Cardiff New Theatre (27 March-1 April) [on sale soon], Wycombe Swan (3 – 8 April), Leicester DeMontfort Hall (10 – 15 April), Hall for Cornwall Truro (17 – 22 April) [on sale soon], Milton Keynes Theatre (24 – 29 April), Birmingham Alexandra (29 May – 3 June).

As previously announced, following a 2 week season at the Kursaal Ostend in Belgium, the new UK production will open at the Blackpool Opera House on 11 August 2016 and will play the following venues: Orchard Theatre, Dartford (1 – 10 September), Grand, Swansea (12 – 17 September), Aylesbury Waterside (19 – 24 September), New Theatre, Wimbledon (26 September – 1 October), Palace Theatre, Manchester (10 – 15 October), Grand Opera House, York (17 – 22 October), Carlisle Sands Centre (24 – 29 October), Northampton Derngate (31 October – 5 November), Regent Theatre, Stoke (7 – 12 November), Kings Theatre, Southsea (14 – 19 November), Reading Hexagon (21 – 26 November), and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre (28 November – 3 December).

Casting to be announced after Easter.