The Customs House in South Shields has announced its January to April 2017 programme.
As usual it features a mixture of drama, tribute bands, musicals, dance, comedy and even magic from visiting and local professional companies and bands as well as amateur and youth groups.
The first show of the season—as always in the spring—will be the last of the previous season, for the panto, Jack and the Beanstalk, continues until 7 January. Then the season proper begins. The theatre and dance highlights are:
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19 January at 7:30
The Dressing Room
By Bobby Ball
Set behind-the-scenes at a run-down theatre, Tommy Cannon and Bobby Ball find themselves involved in the crazy goings-on of compère Stu Francis and fellow comic Johnnie Casson. It combines sitcom with variety and comedy. -
31 January
Putting the Band Back Together
Unfolding Theatre in association with LittleMighty
Across the UK there are thousands of guitars propped up in bedrooms, drum kits taking up too much space in garages. Now it’s time to blow off the dust and Unfolding Theatre is putting the band back together. Ross Millard (The Futureheads), Maria Crocker and Alex Elliott reveal the epic emotions in people’s relationships with music. -
15 to 18 February at 7:30 (Thursday and Saturday matinées at 2:30)
Five Dead Nobodies
By Susan Wear and Rob Lawson
The local paper has been the heartbeat of the community for 200 years—but now it’s fighting for its life in the battle against the Internet. The desperate editor knows just what he needs to bring the readers back and save his job—a good murder… or two… or more… -
22 to 24 February at 2PM
And the Cow Jumped Over the Moon
By Ray Spencer
A Customs House production, starring Jack (Luke Maddison) and Arbuthnot (David John Hopper) from Jack and the Beanstalk. -
25 February at 7:30
Giselle
Presented by Ballet Theatre UK -
1 and 2 March at 1:30 and 7:30
Seussical the Musical
Presented by the University of Sunderland -
7 to 11 March at 7:30 (Saturday matinée at 2:30)
The Rock
By David Cooke, music by Grahame Wright
A musical inspired by the history, myths and legends of Marsden Rock.
An amateur production. -
12 and 13 March at 7:30
Musical Differences
By Robin French
The Customs House Youth Theatre (Seniors)
The YT’s entry for National Theatre Connections. -
15 March
Holmes And Watson: The Farewell Tour
By Stuart Fortey
Fresh from their sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe, join Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson in an evening of intrigue, amazement and amusement. -
25 and 26 March
The Sound Of Murder
By William Fairchild
Charles Norbury is a writer of children’s books but he doesn’t like children. An unlovable man, he has no friends and is arrogant and cruel. His wife, starved of love, has met another man. In their cottage, a tape recorder has been left on during a conversation between his wife and her lover in which the latter plans the author’s murder. -
27 March
Yes or No?
By Rachael Walsh
The Customs House Youth Theatre (Juniors) -
31 March at 7:30
Great Expectations – The Musical
Book and music by Teddy Hayes
A musical version of Charles Dickens’s classic tale, full of romance, revenge, adventure and music and dance. -
23 April (11AM and 2:30)
The Little Mermaid
Presented by The Panto Company
A young girl who believes there is a better life for her out of the water, but will she be prepared to give up everything? There’s a handsome prince, an evil baddie, a funny sidekick, great songs and loads of laughs.