Performing and visual arts events

The majority of performances in Easington in an average year are musical  so we are delighted this year (2007) to be welcoming back Mad Alice Theatre Company with an open air week of Shakespeare's The Tempest. Details of their visit are given below. Also presented below are details of the Annual Music Festival, Horden Welfare Park's Brass Band Series, the district's Summer Carnivals and contact details for some of the local organisations staging events within the district throughout the year. 

About this service

The Tempest by William Shakespeare

A contemporary, open - air,  promenade production freely adapted from Shakespeare's The Tempest by Paul Harman of CTC Theatre. See magic, hear poetry, feel the sweet pleasures of being in the hands of a master story teller. This production is suitable for family audiences including children from 9 years and over.

Performing the play will be Mad Alice Theatre Company, an established ensemble of regionally - based professionals, the team which made A Midsummer Night's Dream a great hit in Easington's Crimdon Dene in 2005 and in parks across the North East. Their return visit with The Tempest will be to a new venue - the extensive parkland behind Dalton Park, the retail outlet at Murton, close to the A19.

A promenade production involves the audience following the action of the play as it unfolds in different locations across the parkland. "Sensible" shoes and clothing are therefore advisable, as are folding chairs for anyone for whom standing is a problem.              

Public performances of the play will take place at 7.30pm on Thursday 12 July, Friday 13 and Saturday 14. Performances for schools will take place at 1.15pm daily from Tuesday 19 to Friday 13 July and at 10am on Wednesday 11.

Further details of school performances can be obtained from Louise Thompson of Dalton Park on 0191 526 6157 or E-mail Tickets for public performances are on sale from At Your Service at Dalton Park on 0191 526 6157.

Horden Welfare Park Brass Band Series

All concerts take place at 2pm on the band stand in the award-winning Horden Welfare Park, Park Road, Horden. Admission is free.

2pm Sunday 10 June - Broughton's Brass Band

2pm Sunday 15 July - RMT Easington Colliery Band ( A Durham International Brass Festival event)

2pm Sunday 12 August - Watch this space

2pm Sunday 9 September - GT Group Peterlee Band ( A Heritage Open Days event)

Sunday lunches and light refreshments are available from the park's restaurant. For further details of the concerts please contact Horden Parish Council on 019 518 0823 or the Arts Unit at District of Easington on 0191 527 0501.

Summer Carnivals and Shows

The summer months in Easington offer a wide range of new and well - established open air events. The proportion of visual and performing arts featured is variable from event to event and year to year, but with only one or two exceptions those listed below all do include some element of the arts.

 Pride in Easington Family Fun Day - A new addition to the district's summer programme running at Dalton Park retail outlet, Murton from 9am to 5pm on Saturday 16 June 07. The aim is to showcase all the good things on offer in the district and, in the process, to provide  a fun-filled day out for families. For details contact the Pride in Easington unit at the District Council on 0191 527 0501 or At Your Service at Dalton Park on 0191 526 6500.

Three Villages Carnival - Revived in 2004 by the Regeneration Partnership for Wingate, Station Town and Hutton Henry, the 2007 event will run on Saturday 24 June in and around Station Town Community Centre.  Details from Jackie Gibson at the Partnership office, telephone 01429 838482.

Wheatley Hill Centenary Heritage Festival - A week long celebration of the centenary of the local cemetery opened in 1907 by the great Peter Lee, miner, trade unionist and inspirational civic leader in various Durham communities, including Wheatley Hill. Venues include local schools, the Club, the Community Centre, the Heritage Centre and the open air. Most events take place from Friday 29 June to Sunday 1 July. Details from Pauline Carr 01429 820890.

Action Packed Futures - This annual event takes place under the auspices of a different County Durham district council each year. 2007 is Easington's first opportunity to play host, which we will do on Sunday 1 July at the Helford Road cricket ground in Peterlee. Action Packed Futures combines entertainment with hands-on activities provided by a wide range of groups and organisations which are actively working to encourage us to adopt a more sustainable way of life. It's a day for all ages. Details from  Helen Douglas of Pride in Easington at District of Easington on 0191 527 0501.  

Shotton Carnival - Highly successful community event in its fifth year. Runs on Saturday 7th July 07  at the Recreation Ground, Station Road, Shotton Colliery. Details from Rona Hardy at Ronahardy@yahoo.co.uk.

Celebrating Our Coast - A community festival with a strong green flavour together with arts, entertainment and family fun. The 2007 event will run on Saturday July 22 at a new venue: Crimdon Park, near Blackhall. Details from Natural England on 0191 586 0004. 

Seaham Carnival - Run by Seaham Town Council this long established event is one of the district's biggest, with several entertainment stages, a fun fair and a variety of stalls stretching from Church Street (main shopping street) along the sea front. For the second year, the Seaham Maritime Music Festival Association will be organising a carnival procession with bands and up to 150 costumed children, an all-day community music stage and a hands-on arts marquee for children and families. The procession will begin on the seafront on George Elmey Lifeboat Way, just beside the construction site for the new shopping centre.  To find out more about the Association and its plans contact either the Arts Unit at District of Easington on 0191 527 0501 or Seaham Parks Department on 0191 581 2943. The 2007 Carnival runs on Sunday 29 July.  Details from the Town Council on 0191 581 8034 

Murton Carnival - Revived in 2007 thanks to the efforts of the Parish Council, Murton Carnival will take place in Murton Welfare Park on Saturday 18 August 07. Contact the Parish Clerk, Linda Wardle, for details on 0191 520 8651.

Monk Hesleden Carnival Day - Co-ordinated by the Parish Council and taking place in Blackhall Welfare Park from 12.00 midday to 4pm on Sunday 19 August 07. For details contact the parish clerk, Linda Wardle, on 07949 151792.

Haswell Harness Racing - Run under UKSRA rules this annual meeting offers an exciting and colourful afternoon of racing including several shetland pony events for children. Refreshments are available - alcoholic and otherwise - and several bookies. The venue is Mazine Terrace between Haswell and Haswell Plough and the normal date the Sunday before the August bank holiday. As at 2 May 2007, this year's event is not yet confirmed. For details contact 0191 527 3704. 

East Durham Ride and Drive Show - East Durham Ride and Drive Club's annual show includes well over 30 classes plus pony jumping and entertainment. The event normally begins at 11am and takes place behind the Plough Inn on the B1283 at Haswell Plough on August Bank Holiday Monday. For further details enquire at Haswell Plough Mart which takes place weekly on Saturday mornings behind the Plough Inn.   

Peterlee Show - The biggest of the district's summer events, Peterlee Show runs for two days on the Cricket Ground at Helford Road. There's a show ring, a fair ground, half a dozen big marquees, a large range of stalls, a dog show and a procession through the town with bands. The dates for 2007 are Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 September. Full details from Peterlee Town Council on 0191 586 2491. 

Haswell Carnival - Saturday 8 September 07 from 10am to 2pm. Venue will probably be the grounds of the new Haswell MIND building. Details from Joanne Cook on 07779 346289.

Brass Bands

Despite the loss of its pits the district is still home to six brass bands, all of which give regular concerts. For details contact:

Seaham Town Band - Jim Bagley 0191 5130378

Broughtons Brass Band - Dick Quin 0191 5269477

RMT Easington Colliery Band - Scott Meikle 0191 520 8900

GT Group Peterlee Band - Trevor Langthorne 01429 824017

Murton Colliery Band - Dave & Jacqui Jenkin 0191 373 5120

Trimdon Concert Brass - Dennis Jordan 01429 880285

Some frequently asked questions

How do I get to play in the annual music festival?

Send your details to Dave Clarke (see contact details below)