Preview: George Egg at Barnard Castle Witham Arts Centre

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GEORGE EGG COOKS UP 

LAUGHS IN TEESDALE

George Egg: Anarchist Cook

Barnard CastleWitham Arts Centre

Saturday 30^th January 2016

ANARCHIC COMEDY CHEF GEORGE EGG BRINGS HIS CRACKING NEW SHOW TO THE WITHAM.

Kicking off 2016 in both hilarious and delicious fashion George Egg: Anarchist Cook, presents his flaming cocktail of stand-up comedy,striking innovation and extreme multi-tasking on Saturday 30 January.

After years of staying in hotel rooms and suffering unimpressive room service, George Egg decided to take matters into his own hands.

During the course of his mind-bendingly original comedy-cum-lecture, George prepares a three-course meal on equipment commonly found in hotels - from irons and kettles to the humble trouser press - and if you fancy it, you can try it at the end of the show.

A total sell-out at this year's Edinburgh Fringe and 2014/2015's Brighton Fringe Festival, Anarchist Cook is a hilarious, one-of-a-kind show to whet your appetite and tickle your funny bone.

Hailed as 'a Tommy Cooper for the twenty first century' George has been a professional stand-up comedian for the last two decades.

He has toured in Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, Spain, Austria, France and of course extensively in the United Kingdom, both on the stage and on the television, and more recently has been the support act for Lee Mack, Mickey Flannagan and Jack Dee.

Peter Dixon, of promoters Funny Way To Be, said: "George Egg's show was a sellout hit at last year's Edinburgh Festival, and will be of great interest to cookery lovers as well as comedy fans."

Tickets for all shows are available now from funnywaytobe.com. 

News: Panto Fans Raise £10k for Children’s Cancer Charity

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Panto Fans Raise £10k for Children’s Cancer Charity – Oh Yes they Did!

Customs House Executive Director Ray Spencer

hands over funds to Dee Tyler from CLIC Sargent

Panto fans have raised almost £10,000 for a children’s cancer charity.

The Customs House in South Shields supported CLICSargent, cancer support for the young, by holding collections at the end of every panto performance.

The cast of Alice in Wonderland with Harrison Cochrane

who has been helped by CLIC Sargent

The theatre saw a massive 26,000 people through its doors this Christmas to see Alice in Wonderland and theatre goers raised a massive £9,731.06 by dropping their change – and often notes – into the collection buckets.

Customs House Executive director Ray Spencer MBE, who also writes, directs and stars in the annual pantomime, said: “The collection reflects the warm hearts and generosity of our audiences and we are delighted to be able to support this valued and valuable work.”

Every year The Customs House, which is itself a charitable trust, raise funds for a chosen cause and this year’s total is its highest yet.

Mr Spencer added: “We are delighted to be handing so much over to CLIC. The work they do is just fantastic and we’re thrilled the people who support our pantomime dug deep and helped to support such a worthy cause – together we really can make a difference.”

Every day 10 children and young people in the UK are diagnosed with cancer. CLIC Sargent helps provide support to those children, teenagers, young adults and their families, helping them to get the most out of life while offering clinical, practical, financial and emotional support.

Dee Tyler, area fundraising manager for CLICSargent, added: “We are extremely thankful to The Customs House for choosing to support CLIC Sargent this year with the panto collections and want them, and the generous people who attended the shows, to know how much their help is appreciated.  This wonderful total is enough to allow CLIC Sargent to support two and a half families through their treatment: emotionally, financially and medically.  Thanks also go out to the volunteer collectors who gave up their time, over a very period Christmas period, to support the charity. This huge figure would not have been reached without their help.”

Preview: Eight at Newcastle Peoples Theatre

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Superbly simple, slick, and razor sharp

Eight by Ella Hickson

Newcastle Peoples Theatre

Tuesday 9th - Saturday 13th February 2016

Photo: Paula Smart

Photo: Paula Smart

Just how good can a set of monologues performed on a blank stage be? The answer is “exceptional”, according to the critics who raved about this show when it first appeared at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in 2008.

Photo: Paula Smart

Hickson’s Fringe smash went on to find success in the West End and off-Broadway, so we are very excited to introduce this production to our audiences as yet another Newcastle premiere for the People’s Theatre in our Studio Upstairs.

Photo: Paula Smart

This collection of emotionally charged, unsettling, and intriguing monologues offers a revelatory state-of-the-nation look at the Britain we live in right now.

Photo: Paula Smart

The characters - ranging from high-class hookers, through soul-devouring hedonists, to 7/7 survivors - represent a generation living in a world where it seems anything and everything has become acceptable.

Photo: Paula Smart

Heart-strings are pulled as hope and individual faith are sought amidst crisp and sharply observed social cynicism.

Photo: Paula Smart

At times bleak, and with a melancholy undertow, these feisty 21st Century soliloquies offer a gritty response to the cosy world of Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads.

Photo: Paula Smart

The monologues are presented by some of the People’s most talented up-and-coming new directors and actors.

Photo: Paula Smart

Tickets:

Eight by Ella Hickson appears at Newcastle’s Peoples Theatre from Tuesday 9^th - Saturday 13^th February 2016 at 7.30pm

Tickets:      £13.50 (Conc £11)
Box Office: 0191 265 5020 (option 2) or from www.peoplestheatre.co.uk

Preview: Mousetrap at Darlington Civic Theatre

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LEGENDARY WHO-DUNNIT TO HIT DARLINGTON

The Mousetrap

Darlington Civic Theatre

Monday 8^th to Saturday 13^th February 2016

The record-breaking 60th anniversary tour of The Mousetrap comes to Darlington Civic Theatre from Monday 8 to Saturday 13 February.

The Mousetrap is famous around the world for being the longest-running show of any kind in the history of theatre, with over 25,000 performances. Now the 60th anniversary production is back starring Louise Jameson (Dr Who, EastEnders, Doc Martin) as Mrs Boyle.

The scene is set when a group of people gathered in a country house cut off by the snow discover, to their horror, that there is a murderer in their midst. Who can it be? One by one the suspicious characters reveal their sordid pasts until at the last, nerve-shredding moment the identity and the motive are finally revealed.

In her own inimitable style, Dame Agatha Christie has created an atmosphere of shuddering suspense and a brilliantly intricate plot where murder lurks around every corner.

Louise Jameson is best well-known for her long-running roles as Leela, a companion of Tom Baker’s Doctor in Doctor Who, Susan Young in Bergerac¸ Eleanor Glasson in Doc Martin, and Rosa di Marco in EastEnders. In addition to Louise’s illustrious roles on screen, she has also appeared on stage in Love, Loss and What I Wore (The Mill, Sonning), Noises Off (Mercury Theatre), Gutted (Theatre Royal, Stratford East) and Oedipus (The Liverpool Everyman & Nottingham Playhouse).

Louise said: “I thought about doing something special for my 65th birthday in 2016. Just how did I get to be 65? The same way The Mousetrap has run for nearly that length of time I suppose, so we’ll be celebrating together. That’s quite special.”

Tickets:

The Mousetrap comes to Darlington Civic Theatre from Monday 8^th - Saturday 13^th February.

Tickets* £20 to £31.50

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

*All prices include a £1 restoration levy

Preview: Gavin Webster & Romesh Ranganathan at Newcastle Tyne Theatre

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Two new additions to Tyne Theatre & Opera House’s 2016 comedy programme

Gavin Webster - Friday 13th May

Romesh Ranganathan - Sunday 6th November

Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Tyne Theatre & Opera House’s fantastic stand-up comedy line-up for 2016 continues to grow with shows from Gavin Webster on Friday 13th May and Romesh Ranganathan on Sunday 6th November.

Gavin Webster

Tyne Theatre & Opera House are thrilled to welcome back hilarious local comedian Gavin Webster. After making his modest debut in a pub in Gateshead in February 1993, Gavin has gone on to perform thousands of gigs and is known for his appearances on the likes of Never Mind the Buzzcocks and The Comedy Store. His uncompromising and sardonic style has garnered a cult following around the country and particularly in his native Tyneside.

Romesh Ranganathan

Performing at Tyne Theatre & Opera House for the first time is Romesh Ranganathan with his brand new show Irrational on Sunday 6th November. Irrational will see Romesh examine the issues close to his heart…and explain why everybody is wrong about them.

The last two years have been incredible for Ranganathan with his two critically acclaimed Edinburgh Festival shows, Rom Wasn’t Built In A Day and Rom Com being nominated for the coveted Edinburgh Festival Awards for Best Show 2014 and Best Newcomer in 2013.  This new show promises to be as much of a hit.

Sarah Millican

These two exciting announcements come hot on the heels of more exciting comedy news for Tyne Theatre & Opera House. Due to overwhelming demand Sarah Millican has confirmed an extra date on Sunday 31st July, bringing her total number of shows at the theatre up to an impressive nine, while last week comedy circuit favourite Katherine Ryan announced she would be performing in the beautiful Victorian theatre on Thursday 14th May.

Tyne Theatre & Opera House is quickly becoming the North East’s best venue to catch the biggest names in comedy.

Tickets: 

Gavin Webster - £14*, £12* Concessions - now on sale

Romesh Ranganathan - £18.50* - on sale Friday 29th January at 10am.

*plus booking fees when booking online and over the phone

The Tyne Theatre & Opera House Box Office is open 10am-3:30pm Monday to Friday and event days

Booking and Information Line: 0844 2491 000 (10am – 6pm Monday to Friday)

More information at our Website: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk

 

Preview: Sarah Millican at Newcastle Tyne Theatre

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Sarah Millican: Outsider – another extra date added on 31st July!

Sarah Millican

Newcastle Tyne Theatre & Opera House

Sunday 31st July 2016

Due to phenomenal demand, Tyne Theatre & Opera House are excited to announce another extra Sarah Millican date on Sunday 31st July. She will now be taking over the theatre’s stage for an incredible 9 nights in 2016.

The hugely popular comedian is already appearing at Tyne Theatre & Opera House across 4 nights in May as part of her Outsider tour with more dates later added on the 22nd, 23rd, 29th and 30th of July.

In just 7 years Sarah Millican has gone from winning the Best Newcomer Award at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival to becoming one of the UK’s most successful and multi-award-winning comedians, who also holds the record as the highest selling female comedian in the DVD market.

Sarah is a natural storyteller who charms the audience through her skillfully delivered gag-packed anecdotes about life’s curiosities. With a track record of three sell out tours and 700,000 combined tour DVD sales to date, the Outsider tour promises to be another critically acclaimed triumph.

Having such a fantastic comedian perform 9 times over the space of a few months is amazing news for Tyne Theatre & Opera House. Since gaining a new lease of life at the beginning of last year with a new company taking over the theatre, things have gone from strength to strength. 2016’s comedy line-up is particularly exciting, with the likes of Dylan Moran, Ed Byrne and Jimeoin gracing the stage.

Theatre Director Joanne Johnson says: “I’m thrilled we are able to add another Sarah Millican date to our programme as the demand was absolutely remarkable, so it gives people who may have missed out on the previous dates another chance to snap up tickets. We expect these tickets to sell very quickly! We love Sarah, and the nine shows she has lined up at the theatre are part of a stellar comedy line-up as we become the go-to venue for big comedy names in the North East.”

Tickets:

Tickets on sale Friday 29th January at 10am and will cost £25 (plus booking fees when booking online and over the phone)

The Tyne Theatre & Opera House Box Office is open 10am-3:30pm Monday to Friday and event days

Booking and Information Line: 0844 2491 000 (10am – 6pm Monday to Friday)

More information at our Website: www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk

 

Preview: Romeo And Juliet at Sunderland Empire

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bIRMINGHAMROYAL BALLET MARKS 400 YEARS SINCE SHAKESPEARE’S DEATH with kenneth macmillan’s acclaimed production

Romeo And Juliet

Sunderland Empire

Thursday 17^th – Saturday 19^thMarch 2016

Photo: Roy Smiljanic

The timeless drama and storytelling of Shakespeare’s plays have inspired generations of theatregoers across the globe for hundreds of years. In 2016, Birmingham Royal Ballet commemorates 400 years since the death of arguably the world’s most prolific playwright with a national tour of one of the most breath-taking adaptations of his tale of star-crossed lovers, Kenneth Macmillan’s Romeo and Juliet.

Photo: Roy Smiljanic

William Shakespeare’s tragic and passionate narrative comes to life in this epic production featuring a stunning design by Paul Andrews recreating the grandeur and heat of Verona with gargantuan pillars and Italian architectural style.

A cast of over fifty dancers execute Macmillan’s esteemed choreography, from the balcony scene’s romantic, ecstatic pas de deux to large-scale fight scenes and the lovers’ heart breaking end.

Photo: Roy Smiljanic

The spectacle is accompanied by Prokofiev’s instantly recognisable score, played live at every performance by the sixty musicians that make up the Royal Ballet Sinfonia.

Separated by feuding families, Romeo and Juliet embark on a passionate yet fatally doomed love affair in a story that has captured the hearts of theatregoers for hundreds of years.

As part of Birmingham Royal Ballets ongoing commitment to involving audiences in the creative process a range of opportunities are available to go behind the scenes with the company including:

Photo: Roy Smiljanic

Friday 18 March (6.30pm) - ticket holders to the evening performance are invited to join a select panel of some of Birmingham Royal Ballet’s most influential creative forces as they discuss life as part of a world-renowned ballet company in a pre-show talk at 6.30pm (free to ticket holders but pre-booking essential).

Saturday 19 March (11.15am) – members of the public are invited behind closed doors as the Company of dancers open up their daily class. This is a rare and fascinating opportunity to take a peek behind the scenes to witness the preparation and dedication needed to be part of the UK’s leading touring classical ballet company. Ticketed event £10pp and pre-booking essential.

Saturday 19 March (12.30pm) – ticket holders to matinee performance will have the opportunity to take part in unique family fun day which includes insight sessions and the chance to go behind the scenes with Birmingham Royal Ballet.

Tickets:

Photo: Roy Smiljanic

Tickets to performances are on sale now and available in person at the Box Office on High Street West, from the Ticket Centre on 0844 871 3022* or online at www.ATGtickets.com/Sunderland*

*Calls cost 7p per minute plus your standard network charge. Booking fees may apply to telephone and online bookings