Durham’s Gala Theatre has announced its autumn season, running from October to January.
Theatrical highlights include Alan Sillitoe’s classic short story The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner, brought up-to-date in October in a new production adapted by award-winning playwright Roy Williams and presented by York-based Pilot Theatre.
The story centres on rebellious teenager Colin. Sent to a young offenders’ institute for petty crime, Colin seeks solace in running, his talent for the sport bringing him to the attention of those in charge. Set in 2012, this version takes place in real time and uses 3D film footage to pick through Colin’s thoughts.
Also in October, as part of the Durham Book Festival, is the world premiere of Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy’s adaptation of Rapunzel performed by balletLORENT and co-produced by Northern Stage.
The season’s second new drama production is Amazing Grace, written by Tyneside-based Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood.
The Vagina Monologues comes to the Gala in October, featuring Clare Buckfield, Vicky Entwistle and Chelsee Healy.
The season ends with the annual pantomime, again written and directed by Simon Stallworthy, which this year is Sleeping Beauty and stars regular baddie Neil Armstrong as the evil Wizard Scorchard, who is determined to use his magic to find the young Princess Aurora, cursed to sleep for 100 years.