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