There’s quite a selection of drama, dance and opera coming to Durham’s Gala Theatre between March and May.
From 2 to 4 March, London Classic Theatre’s production of Hysteria by Terry Johnson tells how in Hampstead in 1938 Sigmund Freud has fled Nazi-occupied Austria and is settled in leafy Swiss Cottage. The ageing Freud intends to spend his last days in peaceful contemplation, but, when Salvador Dali pays a visit and discovers a naked woman in the closet, mayhem ensues. Johnson’s classic farce reveals what happens when two of the twentieth century’s most brilliant and original minds collide.
Just a few days later, on 7 March, Phoenix Dance Theatre presents a new triple bill of Calyx from choreographer and company dancer Sandrine Monin and composer Roberto Rusconi, Beast by choreographer and ex-company dancer Douglas Thorpe and Maybe Yes Maybe, Maybe No Maybe by Aletta Collins.
Calyx is inspired by and based upon the poetry of French writer Charles Baudelaire and explores the themes of beauty, desire and decadence found in his book Les Fleurs du Mal. Beast immerses the audience in the darkest reaches of the mind, using six dancers in a powerful and brutal performance while Maybe Yes Maybe, Maybe No Maybe, using a live microphone, sees five dancers blend movement and voices to create a unique and witty piece of dance.
On 15 March, Northern Ballet Theatre brings its latest piece for children, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, to Durham.
April sees another theatre classic in Durham when the Gala presents its in-house production of Will Russell’s Educating Rita. Running from 4 to 8, Rebecca Frecknall’s production features Sunderland-born Jessica Johnson as Rita and Patrick Driver (Silent Witness and Call the Midwife) as Frank. See our news story of 8 February for more details.
On 9 and 10 May, Birmingham Royal Ballet returns to the theatre with one of its ever-popular triple bills and also in May English Touring Opera returns with two productions.
On 15, it presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic opera Patience and on 16, in complete contrast, it will perform Puccini’s Tosca.