Art, Exhibitions and Theatre You Won't Want to Miss in the North East this August
Our favourite stories are going live on stage and you won't want to miss the amazing Earth sculpture at Durham Cathedral
GAIA
10TH JULY–10TH SEPTEMBER
Durham Cathedral
durhamcathedral.co.uk/gaia
Vsitors to Durham Cathedral will be able to experience the Earth as it’s seen from space as the giant illuminated globe grounds itself in the cathedral. The inflated globe features 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the Earth’s surface and provides the opportunity to see Earth as it is seen from space, floating in three-dimension, and a specially made surround-sound composition by BAFTA award-winning composer Dan Jones will be played alongside the sculpture. A programme of Earth-themed events will also accompany the installation. Visitors will be able to experience Gaia daily, during cathedral opening hours.
IN OUR ELEMENT: ENCOUNTERS WITH THE COAST
UNTIL 12TH AUGUST
Gallagher & Turner, Newcastle
0191 261 4465
gallagherandturner.co.uk
Making the most of the coast, this group exhibition brings together more than 25 artworks from nine artists (including Ruth Bond, Andrew Cheetham, Amy Dennis and Melvyn Evans) to celebrate the beauty of the English coastline.
JOURNAL WORKSHOP
12TH AUGUST
From Loft To Loved, Sedgefield
fromlofttoloved.co.uk
In this workshop run by artist Abigail Lagden, aka Curiously Contrary, you’ll learn basic fabric sculpting techniques to decorate the cover of an A5 hard-backed journal, and use a dry brushing technique to enhance the fabric texture and surface detail using colour and shading. No experience is necessary, just let your imagination run wild.
CRAFT FAIR
26TH AUGUST
National Glass Centre, Sunderland
0191 515 5555
sunderlandculture.org.uk
Browse handmade crafts from the North East at the National Glass Centre’s Craft Fair which will be packed with stalls from local and regional creators. It’s the perfect opportunity to find a unique gift or to treat yourself to something special.
THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF THE LADYBIRD
UNTIL 5TH NOVEMBER
Bailiffgate Museum & Gallery, Alnwick
01665 605847
bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk
Head back in time and discover 10,000 years of history in one visit inside this museum and gallery. Until November, the museum will uncover the stories of the artists who illustrated Ladybird books for more than 30 years. This exhibition will display a collection of books, original artwork and artefacts to show how Ladybird illustrators played a big role in the success of the company in the 20th century. Hundreds of books will be available for visitors to browse through and younger visitors are encouraged to dress up in costume, follow a Ladybird mouse hunt or a Ladybird search, get lost in a book in the Ladybird reading area, and have a go at colouring in.
BOTTLED OCEAN
UNTIL 6TH NOVEMBER
Captain Cook Birthplace Museum, Middlesbrough
wearemiddlesbrough.com
This thought-provoking exhibition explores what the world could look like if we don’t change our use of plastic. It’s a unique collaboration between artists and audiences and uses more than 4,000 bottles collected from organisations and households in Middlesbrough to create an underwater seascape with jellyfish, fish and a coral reef.
GREAT ESCAPES
UNTIL 22ND DECEMBER
The Green Howards Museum, Richmond
01748 826561
greenhowards.org.uk
Celebrating the museum’s 50th anniversary and the 60th birthday of this classic war film, this special exhibition explores a rich history of escape and evasion, the kindness of strangers, personal sacrifice and real-life survival. Entry to Great Escapes is included with your admission to The Green Howards Museum.
DIRTY DANCING
1ST–5TH AUGUST
Newcastle Theatre Royal
0191 232 7010
theatreroyal.co.uk
Following a season at London’s Dominion Theatre, where Baby wasn’t put in the corner and was very much centre stage, Dirty Dancing comes to Newcastle Theatre Royal this summer. This live show brings the film to life with the hit songs Hungry Eyes and (I’ve Had) The Time Of My Life.
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
1ST–12TH AUGUST
Gala Durham
0300 026 6600
galadurham.co.uk
Alice loves helping on the rides with her dad Eric, but when her dad says they are leaving the fair, she feels lost. After dark that night, the fair comes alive and Alice finds herself in a strange new Wonderland where everything is topsy-turvy. Lewis Carroll’s characters are there to help so join them for all the fun of the fair this summer.
SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS
2ND–6TH AUGUST
Playhouse Whitley Bay
playhousewhitleybay.co.uk
Pantos aren’t just for Christmas. Snow White, a wicked Queen and a dashing Prince will tell their story with comedy antics from Summer Panto favourite Reece Sibbald. Expect toe-tapping tunes, and brilliant costumes and scenery, with star casting still to be announced.
CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
2ND–13TH AUGUST
Sunderland Empire
atgtickets.com
The sweetest musical for summer. As part of its first ever UK and Ireland tour, Charlie and The Chocolate Factory The Musical is coming to Sunderland with all-new numbers from the multi award-winning songwriters of Hairspray. Not everything is as sweet as it seems beyond the gates of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory and Charlie Bucket’s new-found friends might have bitten off more than they can chew. Get your golden ticket now!
WINNIE THE POOH
7TH–9TH AUGUST
Newcastle Theatre Royal
0191 232 7010
theatreroyal.co.uk
This summer audiences at Newcastle Theatre Royal are invited to the Hundred Acre Wood where a new story will be told with life-sized puppetry through the eyes of your favourite characters – Winnie the Pooh, Christopher Robin and their best friends Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Roo, Rabbit, Tigger and Owl. This musical stage adaptation is a must-see for kids and big kids alike.
THE SECRET GARDEN
9TH AUGUST
Gibside, Gateshead
nationaltrust.org.uk
Where is Mary’s uncle’s secret garden, and where has he hidden the key? This enchanting story, loved by all the family and packed with magical encounters, will be performed in Gibside’s Walled Garden and promises to be one of the highlights of this summer’s open-air shows.
TWELFTH NIGHT
11TH AUGUST
Gisborough Priory, Guisborough
english-heritage.org.uk
Award-winning outdoor theatre company Illyria are back, and this summer everything is not as it seems. They’ll tell this tale of romance and mistaken identities, which is always hilarious. Expect singing, sword fights and plenty of silliness.
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
30TH AUGUST
Middlesbrough Theatre
01642 815181
middlesbroughtheatre.co.uk
This Shakespearean story of marriage, wealth, jealousy and lies with live music and colourful characters sees Falstaff attempting to restore his fortunes by seducing the wives of two wealthy merchants. When the wives discover he sent them identical letters, they take their revenge.
