A Journey Through Jazz

New Orleans, the Deep South, Memphis and up the Mississippi to Chicago to arrive eventually in Harlem.

High Society Jazz Band

Simply Einstein

An innovative one-man play about the immensely rich, scientific, personal and political life of one of the 20th centurys greatest thinkers.
Simply Einstein traces his story from the politically naive, romantic student of his early days in Europe, through the glory years of Relativity, the Nobel Prize and international fame, to the disillusioned, philandering and ultimately frustrated theorist he became towards the end of his career in America.

Blue Lizard Company

Get up and Tie Your Fingers

A drama by Ann Coburn, directed by Gillian Hambleton and designed by Michelle Huitson for Northumberland Theatre Company is set against the background of the loss of the Eyemouth fishing fleet in the great storm of 1881.
This funny, deeply moving and ultimately uplifting story concerns three women fighting the demons we all have to face - coping with death, dealing with guilt and learning to let our children go.

NTC Theatre Company

Happy Days

Founded in 1995 and based in Lancaster, Freehold Theatre Company have built a strong reputation for touring innovative, quality productions.
Through song, humour and pathos, in this play by Beckett, a controversial figure in world drama, though not as familiar as his 'Waiting for Godot', we learn how we can triumph over life's trials

Freehold Theatre Company

Winter in Majorca

Michael Lunts presents the story of Frederick Chopin and his dramatic stay in a monastery on the island of Majorca with his lover, the writer George Sand.
The music composed a result of this adventure - preludes, polonaises and mazurkas, are amongst his best-loved works and are played live as part of the action.
In the recreation of the monastic cell in which the lovers stayed, the lighting, sound and music conjure up the atmosphere of this strange interlude in the composer's life

Michael Lunts.

Dancing for the Deities

Annapurna Indian Dance Company present enjoyable and imaginative programmes, with a vision to achieve harmony and understanding between people of different cultures through Indian dance.
The company, who aim to introduce the rich artistic and cultural heritage of India, through performances of graceful and rhythmic dance and storytelling, present this spectacular, beautiful and traditional programme with verve, colour and vitality - the true spirit of India

Annapurna Dance Company

The Cutting

Maureen O'Brien

On remand, suspected of killing her mother, Judith is also the prisoner of her own silence. As a last resort, Alex, a psychiatrist, is called in to make a psychiatric assessment. He battles against her entrenched and lonely silence until at last he breaks the dam.
An extraordinary story pours out, her life revealed, her imprisonment broken. She speaks directly to another human being, probably for the first time in her life.

Freerange Theatre Company

The Amity Wind Quintet

Our Annual Spring Concert

Royal Northern College of Music

The Mystery of Irma Vep

by Charles Ludlum

On a dark and stormy night Lady Enid arrives at The Mandacrest Estate with her new husband, Lord Edgar, who is under the spell of his deceased first wife and haunted by something that's prowling the grounds. Strange things begin to happen around Lady Enid and she soon discovers the mystery of Irma Vep, whose portrait hangs over the fireplace

The Angus and Ross Theatre Company with Helmsley Arts Centre

Fur Coat & Magic Knickers

by Rona Munro

Maggie is a compulsive shopper with more cards than Hallmark. She just has to BUY BUY BUY! But why has she got her eye on that store detective? Personal Shopper Jenny is at breaking point, her job's on the line, she just has to SELL! But she has Second Hand Rose to contend with! Rose, has a hot date for her daughter's wedding and she just refuses to get into those Magic Knickers! Alarm bells ring and three women find themselves in the adventure of a lifetime, will they ever be the same again?

The MsFits Theatre Company

The Isolani Quartet

The Isolani Quartet formed in late 2008 are four Japanese musicians who even though they are still in the early stages of development have been praised for their rare sense of communication and real musical flair. They recently won the RNCM Nossek Prize for String Quartets and have concerts scheduled throughout the UK and Germany in the 2009/2010 season. They were one of only six quartets chosen to participate in the prestigious Melbourne Asia-Pacific Chamber Music Competition held in July.

Royal Northern College of Music

The History of England

by Jane Austen

Written in 1791 when Jane was only sixteen, this delightful burlesque romps gleefully through the reigns of English monarchs from Henry IV to Charles I and was probably the funniest little book of history before "1066 and All That". Jane's History doesn't care about dates, facts, or the truth - only about making you smile and laugh. Now her book is a stage show. This acclaimed adaptation by Tim Heath stars Carole Carpenter and is produced in association with Guildford's Yvonne Arnaud Theatre.

Tim Heath Productions

Percy Kelly

Chris Wadsworth an expert on the paintings of the late Percy Kelly gives an illustrated lecture on his work and life, parts of which were spent in Levens and Kendal. Born in Workington in 1918 into a poor working class family, Kelly left school at 14. His talent for painting and drawing became noted but he was 42 when he entered Carlisle College of Art. Just as his reputation was building, he chose not to exhibit and sell his work and eventually died, a lonely man, in 1993, leaving a wealth of largely undiscovered treasures spanning 50 years

Chris Wadsworth, Castlegate House Gallery, Cockermouth

Alternative Medicine

Set in the waiting-room of a G.P.'s surgery, with the usual reception desk, chairs and table with magazines. At the beginning and end of the play, the time is the present. Between, we go on a ten-year journey of discovery with Enid Pringle, the receptionist. A 'liberating' experience for her, which includes green tea, cream cakes - and more. An accessible and entertaining production, blending humour and poignancy, bringing the messages that 'life should be fun', and 'it's never too late'.

Gloves Off Productions

Gulliver

by Kit Lambert

Gulliver's Travels brought to life by Hijinx in a unique and delightful style, in this biting new play by Kit Lambert, inspired by Jonathan Swift's fantastical satire, which explores the relationship between the mysterious Dr Gulliver and his tormented creator Swift, as they travel through the writer's unruly imagination and try not to lose their way. Capturing the humour and darkness of a man struggling to survive in an absurd world, this classic story is as fresh and relevant as ever!

Hijinx Theatre Company

Voice Male

The distinctive sound of men's voices in concert is an enduring combination in music and composers have frequently written their most informal work for such ensembles, usually in a convivial setting! The repertoire of Voice Male encompasses five centuries, from Tudor times to the present day, in a stimulating mix of styles, including Madrigals, Glees, Barbershop and part songs by Romantic and Victorian composers, the latest arrangements of some modern favourites and items for the festive season

Nicholas Drew, Alex Laing, William Coleman & Nicholas Perfect