TV comedy stars, stage performances of children’s favourite stories and a women-only wartime photography exhibition are coming to Bishop Auckland this spring, alongside a range of impressive comedy and music performances.
The Bishop Auckland Town Hall spring season boasts a host of musical events, from original acoustic tracks from The Seahorses front man Chris Helme on Friday 1 February, to amazing tributes to pop favourites, Rod Stewart: Tribute by Bob Wyper on Friday 8 February, Little Mix Magic on Sunday 17 February and Swede Dreamz ABBA on Friday 22 March.
The venue’s monthly lunchtime Jazz concerts also return, with guitar and vocal duo Hand to Mouth; a mixture of bebop, American songbook and original piano compositions from the Dean Stockdale Trio; the classic sound of 50’s hard bop with the Mick Shoulder Quartet; and some fantastic lyrical trumpet work from the Noel Dennis Trio.
Side-splitting Hilarity Bites sessions are also back, starting on Friday 18 January with the north east’s own Jason Cook, writer and star of TV’s Hebburn and Murder on the Blackpool Express. The monthly comedy shows include some of the best headline acts in the UK, including those featured on Live at the Apollo, The Last Leg and Mock the Week.
Little ones will love singing along to their favourite nursery rhymes when The People’s Theatre Company presents There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly on Saturday 23 March. Written especially for grown-ups to enjoy with their children, the show is a feast of songs and colourful animal characters.
The family fun continues on Wednesday 10 April when The Little Mermaid swims into the Town Hall, with an under-the-sea spectacular featuring pop songs and puppets galore. Lego Block Parties and drama and music workshops will also keep kids entertained during the February half-term holidays.
A special event to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on Saturday 26 January will feature a fascinating talk by Holocaust survivor Eva Clarke who was born in Mauthausen concentration camp, Austria in 1945. Eva will share her experiences, as one of the only survivors of her family, 15 members of which were killed in Auschwitz-Birkenau. Tickets for the event are free and also include performances from local schools and an exhibition about the Durham Light Infantry’s involvement in the liberation of Bergen-Belen death camp.
Another season highlight, the Town Hall’s No Man’s Land exhibition, on display from Saturday 26 January to Saturday 6 April, will offer audiences rarely seen female perspectives of the First World War, featuring images taken by women who worked as nurses, ambulance drivers, and official photographers, as well as contemporary artists directly inspired by the conflict. A series of talks, events and workshops also complement the exhibition.
Visitors will have a second chance to see some of 2018’s best films this spring too, including Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again, Murder on the Orient Express, A Star is Born and many more at the bargain price of £5.
More information about the season’s full programme and tickets for all events are available online from www.bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk, in person from the Town Hall’s box office, or by telephoning 03000 269 524.
