What’ s ON
8
MAY
JON RICHARDSON: THE OLD MAN TV funnyman Jon Richardson returns to freshly refurbished
Middlesbrough Town Hall with his brand-new show. The 8 Out Of 10 Cats and Live At The Apollo star has gone down a storm on his previous trips to Teesside and looks set to have sides splitting once again. Expect the usual razorsharp quips and unique life observations from the British Comedy Award nominee, who has become a husband and father since his last time in the North East. Suitable for age 16 + Where: Middlesbrough Town Hall When: Friday May 18, 8pm Price: £ 20.50( plus booking fee) Book: Online at middlesbroughtownhall. co. uk or call 01642 729729
THE SEARCHERS IN CONCERT Treat your honey to some retro musical sugar as The Searchers dock into the area. The band’ s official website describes them as second only to The Beatles as Liverpool’ s finest‘ 60s group. Expect a stream of classic hits from the Scouse songmeisters, such as Sweets For My Sweet, Needles And Pins and Don’ t Throw Your Love Away. Where: Billingham Forum Theatre When: Sunday May 20, 7.30pm Price: £ 21 Book: Online at forumtheatrebillingham. co. uk or call 01642 552663.
STOCKTON STAGES A four-day festival of music and comedy talent, Stockton Stages is back for 2018. The lengthy line-up features live music and comedy at Arc, The Georgian Theatre and Ku Bar, and free town centre entertainment for all the family on the high street. Teesside’ s extraordinary characters and heritage will also be celebrated in the latest chapter of Mike McGrother’ s Pub Opera. Where: Stockton High Street & town centre( various venues) When: Wednesday May 30 to Saturday June 2
Price: Free and ticketed event Book: Online at stocktonstages. co. uk
RUSSELL BRAND: RE: BIRTH You need to do a lot of partying to think and act like Russell Brand, and the zany funnyman leaves a lasting impression wherever he goes. The world’ s most famous West Ham fan gives his own inimitable take on modern life and our place in the universe in his latest show. And he tries to wrap his creative mind around a key question about his baby daughter:“ What happens if she grows up to be like me or, worse, date someone like me?” Now there’ s a thought … Suitable for age 16 + Where: Middlesbrough Town Hall When: Thursday May 31 Price: £ 27.50 plus booking fee Book: Online at middlesbroughtownhall. co. uk or call 01642 729729
JUNE
GIOVANNI PERNICE- BORN TO WIN He was actually a finalist on Strictly Come Dancing rather than a winner, but who are we to tell Giovanni Pernice what to call his latest UK and Ireland tour? The Italian stallion is so popular with fans of the Charleston and the Cha-Cha-Cha that his last show at Middlesbrough Theatre sold out quickly, so snap your tickets up for his eagerly-awaited return fast. Luba Mushtuk, a dancer and assistant choreographer on Strictly, will be among the glamorous guests busting a move. Where: Middlesbrough Theatre When: Saturday June 2, 3pm & 8pm Price: £ 29.50 /£ 27.50 concessions Book: Online at middlesbroughtheatre. co. uk or call the box office on 01642 815181
RICH HALL: RICH HALL’ S HOEDOWN The red-hot comedy continues in the region as deadpan joke king Rich Hall touches down with his unique brand of humour. The American grouch- the inspiration for Matt Groening’ s dour bartender character Moe Szyslak in The Simpsons- will crack wise about UK-US relations while taking plenty of digs at Donald Trump. It would be rude not to.
Where: Princess Alexandra Auditorium, Yarm When: Friday June 8, 8pm Price: £ 17 Book: Online at the thepaaonline. org or call 01642 792587
TONY CHRISTIE IN CONCERT The powerful veteran vocalist will be going through his chart-topping repertoire when he returns to the region. Where: Billingham Forum Theatre When: Tuesday June 12, 7.30pm Price: £ 25 seats, £ 23 concessions Book: Online at the Forum Theatre website or call 01642 552663
AN EVENING WITH MARTI PELLOW Wet Wet Wet frontman and housewives’ favourite Pellow performs at a special gala black tie evening hosted by Smooth Radio and billed as the annual highlight of the Rockliffe Hall events calendar. Famed for a string of chart busters such as Sweet Little Mystery and Love Is All Around, Pellow will perform a 75-minute set. Guests will also be treated to a three-course menu created by new Hall executive chef Aaron Craig, and a champagne reception. Funds will be raised on the night for three high-profile charities including the Alan Shearer Foundation. Where: Rockliffe Hall When: Friday June 15, 7pm Price: From £ 140 Book: Call 01325 729999