Page 22 - NLP244603 "NE Volume" Magazine (56pp 240 x 170 self cover)

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STAGE
BRASSED OFF
AT GALA THEATRE, DURHAM
It’s 1992 and County Durham pits are facing closures. Communities are at breaking point and the future looks bleak for the workers and their families. Can the treasured tradition of the brass band offer any solace? Brassed Off, the funny and life-affirming tale of community spirit and triumph in the face of adversity, returns to the stage thanks to a Gala Durham Production. Adapted from the hit 1996 screenplay by Mark Herman, featuring Ewan McGregor, Tara Fitzgerald, Pete Postlethwaite and Stephen Tompkinson, it brings the popular film to North East audiences. Band conductor Danny has held a lifelong ambition to lead his local colliery band from County Durham to the National Brass Band Competition held at the Royal Albert Hall in London; it is the Holy Grail for the world of brass bands. Just when that dream looks like it might eventually happen, the pits face closure and his home town is thrown into conflict. Gloria has been sent back to her former town to determine the profitability of the pit for the management of British Coal. She also plays the Flugelhorn and having played a rendition of Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez, she is allowed to join the local brass band. As she rekindles a childhood romance, Danny is fighting a losing battle trying to keep band members interested and committed. His son Paul (played by Stephen Tompkinson in the film) is depressed, and as the band members all face their own personal battles, the issue of whether to vote for redundancy from the pit looms large as something they all have to reconcile with. The stage production will feature brass bands from County Durham, including the NASUWT Riverside Band, performing music including the William Tell Overture and Land of Hope and Glory. It has been adapted from the film by Paul Allen and directed by Conrad Nelson, who has previously directed Brassed Off at the New Vic Theatre in London. Conrad noted: “The lives of the working classes have always inspired and, in turn, been inspired by great art, music and theatre. In this new production, we're relocating Brassed Off to the coal fields of County Durham. It's a poignant setting for the play, but in truth, the themes of this story are universal.” Brassed Off runs from Tuesday 6th – Saturday 24th September, with BSL Performances on Saturday 10th and Tuesday 20th September.
EMMA CHESWORTH
Tickets: £20.00 Advance | Visit: galadurham.co.uk
CATCH 22
AT ARC, STOCKTON
The laughs are back at ARC in Stockton this August with the return of their incredibly popular recurring comedy night, the Catch 22 Comedy Club. The line-up this time around consists of a mixture of both familiar comics who you may be likely to have seen on your TV screens, as well as some other top-class comedians, and rising stars, from up and down the country. MC’ing on the night will be the fabulous Nina Gilligan. Gilligan has been on the comedy scene since 2011 and has become a regular and always-popular persona on the comedy circuit, performing at clubs and venues across the UK. With her storytelling style of comedy, Nina will share her outrageous and observational humour with a Teesside audience – and you can be guaranteed to fall in love with both her and her razor-sharp wit. Joining the evening’s line-up is Rob Mulholland, a six-foot-seven comedy powerhouse. With a number of awards under his belt including Hilarity Bites New Act of the Year, Funhouse Comedy Champion of Champions, and English Comedian of The Year, audiences are guaranteed belly laughs as big as the man himself. Mulholland has established himself as a mischievous rascal on the circuit who has a bombastic delivery style mixed with his playful yet filth-mongering comedy tirades. Although he is able to adapt to any crowd and any event, Mulholland is no stranger to the northern scene, as he forged his career in the fires of the Northern comedy circuits and now takes his comedy across the world. As a self-proclaimed performer who holds a heart full of humour and a gob full of shite, I’m sure you will embrace Rob with open arms. With two outstanding comedians set to delight and entertain you, and the rest of the line- up yet to be announced, the evening’s line-up is already
22 \\ NE VOLUME MAGAZINE \\ CULTURE
OMEDY