For tickets call
0191 219 3455








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Theatre

The Empty Space and Gary Kitching present
Me + Mr C



Thursday 2 September
Thursday 23 September
Thursday 7 October
7.30pm,
Tickets £7.50 / £5

Me & Mr C is one man on stage making people laugh.
But it isn't stand up comedy.

It's a story about "Me" and his silent, fibreglass companion.
But it won't be the same story every night.

It's the sorrowful tale of a man with nothing left to lose, told by an arch improviser.
But this particular tale can't be finished without the help of the audience.

Gary Kitching is a rare talent moving seamlessly between searing comedy and heartbreaking honesty, and this, his first solo show, won't be like anything you've seen before.
But it will be a great night out that you'll never forget.

Suitable for ages 14+
 

NTC presents
The Old Curiosity Shop
By Charles Dickens


Thursday 16 September
7.30pm
Tickets £8.50 / £6

It’s not about a shop at all. Dickens changed his mind. It’s a journey, a flight undertaken by the girl Nell and her gambling-addicted Grandfather. A flight from demons and enemies.

Dogging their footsteps are the bad-guys, Quilp and the crooked lawyer Brass. Along the road Nell and Grandfather meet a whole Fun and Horror House set of characters who help and hinder, amuse and bemuse, sucker and succour them.

True to the inner life of the book this adaptation shows Dickens at his best, funniest and as a master of the grotesque.

Suitable for ages 12+
 

Angel Exit Theatre company presents
Moonfleet


Thursday 14 October
7.30pm
Tickets £8.50 / £6

A straggling gang of buffoons are washed up among the flotsam onto Dorset’s wild shores and conspire to tell J Meade Falkner’s classic smuggling adventure, Moonfleet.

Angel Exit’s new show weaves together striking physicality, puppetry and live shanty singing to tell this dastardly tale of smugglers, shipwrecks and hidden treasure.

Suitable for ages 8+

"Theatrical invention is everywhere...visually exciting throughout, this production never loses the quality of a life-changing adventure story" - The Stage

Skimstone presents
Fish and the Yesterday Song



Thursday 21 October
7.30pm
Tickets £8.50 / £6

Performed by an ensemble of award winning artists/composers/performers this is a mixture of audio/visual and live performance of beautifully woven poetic memories and mythical tales performed with stunning projections and soundscapes … Humorous, haunting, magical, mysterious. Sit and soak it in or maybe join in by sewing in a story…

Suitable for ages 8+


Indigo Entertainments presents
My Darling Clemmie


Thursday 11 November
7.30pm,
Tickets £8.50 / £6

My Darling Clemmie is the remarkable, moving and highly entertaining story of the woman who married one of the truly great figures of the 20th century: Sir Winston Churchill. Clementine Churchill was described as “The Guardian Angel of our country’s guardian” by Lord Halifax.

With grateful acknowledgments to Lady Soames

Suitable for ages 13+

Penny Dreadful Productions presents
The Missionary’s Position



Friday 19 November
7.30pm,
Tickets £8.50 / £6

The Missionary’s Position is the real life story of the Rector of Stiffkey – the original Dirty Vicar and great English eccentric of the 1930’s. A vaudeville comic turned clergyman, it was Reverend Harold Davidson’s mission to save the countless young women working on the notorious Soho streets from a life of sin. So why was he up in court on 5 counts of immoral conduct?

“You have to save their bodies before you can save their souls”
Reverend Harold Davidson
Join the MC and his vaudeville troupe for a wild night at the music hall, and discover what really happened to Harold on his desperate descent from pulpit to carnival freak show.

Suitable for ages 14 +

Red Ladder Presents
Sex & Docks
& Rock ‘n’ Roll
written by Chumbawamba’s Boff Whalley



Thursday 25 November
7.30pm,
Tickets £8.50 / £6

Set in 1960’s Liverpool during a dockworkers and seafarers strike the play looks and laughs at this changing world through the microcosm of one terraced house where the TV does battle with the upright piano. Against a backdrop of picketing, marches and jailings one local family, the McDermotts fight, laugh, lie and sing their way through these challenging times fuelled by home-brewed banana beer and a tea-chest bass. Jack croons the classics, Jerry sings skiffle and beat and Mum belts out the old bawdy sailor’s songs. “Keep the noise down, love, Z-Cars is on.”

It’s history with choruses you can sing along to with Red Ladder reconnecting noisily with a great tradition of radical, political and entertaining theatre.

Suitable for ages 15+

NTC presents
Beauty and the Beast



Tuesday 7 December
1.30pm + 7.00pm
Tickets £8.50 / £6

A beautiful girl, a father on his uppers, an enchanted castle, a mad gallop through the forest, a deserted rose garden, a promise unkept, a classic tale, a love story.

This is a story you’ve always known, but you’ll feel you were hearing it for the first time. It’s funny, it’s sad, it’s exciting. It will warm your heart and send shivers up your spine, whether you are young or old.

What more could you want in the middle of a long winter?

Suitable for age 3 +

 

Comedy

The Grinning Idiot Comedy Club presents
Simon Donald, Rob Collins + MC Dan Willis


Friday 1 October
7.30pm
Tickets £10

Comedy is coming to Arts Centre Washington and for our very first show we welcome Simon Donald, a North East legend who was one of the founder members of cult comic VIZ. Simon has moved away from putting his characters to print and now created a number of amazing new characters which he performs live.
“The highlight was very definitely Simon Donald... absolutely hilarious” –The Guardian.

Joining Simon will be Rob Collins. Since reaching the final of "So You Think You're Funny?" 2004, Rob has gone on to become a very much in demand act on the UK stand up circuit . "Gives audiences exactly what they want...told with the sort of natural chattiness it's impossible to dislike"- www.chortle.co.uk

MC for the night will be North East born and bred comedian Dan Willis
"A very, very funny act … had me laughing all night" - Rory Bremner

Suitable for age 18+

 

Patrick Monahan
– The Ladyboys Of Iran

plus support from Alan Seaman



Friday 22 October
7.30pm,
Tickets £10

Following the success of his 2009 national tour, the brilliant Middlesbrough-Irish-Iranian comic is embarking on a full-scale British tour. The veteran of several sell-out Edinburgh Fringe runs and for a long time the warm-up man for Friday Night With Jonathan Ross , Patrick's breathtaking gift for interaction combines with sharp and hilarious observations , paying special attention to his unique cultural roots. Also often seen on The Paul O'Grady Show, other TV credits among many include The World Stands Up and The Armstrong and Miller Show.

Suitable for age 18+


Laugh the New Year In!
New Years Eve Bash
Live Comedy, Buffet and Disco
With Seymour Mace, John Scott + MC Dan Willis



Friday 31 December
7.30pm – late (bar till 1am)Tickets £25

Celebrate New Years Eve at Arts Centre Washington and enjoy a night of laughter, dancing and great food and drink. Joining us for the festivities will be award winning Jarrow comic, Seymore Mace one of the best headline acts in the country; he's also the voice of CITV and the man who plays “Steve” in BBC3's “Ideal”. Also on the bill is John Scott , a native Scotsman now living in the North East described by The Observer as "Among the top 5 comics emerging from Scotland” plus MC Dan Willis.

There is also a buffet included in the price of the ticket and a great disco on till late
In association with the Grinning Idiot Comedy Club. Tickets are limited for this event and must be pre-booked


Music

Hothouse
A monthly showcase for the best new bands in the northeast
Doors 8.00 pm, bar open till midnight
£3.50 advance / £4


Friday 24 September:
The Sunday Club presents
Moonrunners, Burn down Las Vegas + support
MoonRunners are a fantastic five piece alternative rock band from Sunderland, who have been together since 2009.

Friday 15 October:
We Beat The System, Sonner + support
We Beat The System are a Alternative/Indie Experimental five piece band who have recently come back from supporting Welsh band 'The Automatic'.

Friday 26 November:
The Castells, Rainfall Down, + support
The Castells play dirty Rock and Roll with lots and lots of soul.

Pandemic


Regular live music night performed by and for under 18’s
6.30 – 9.30
Tickets £1
Sunday 29 August

 

Davy Lamp Folk Club
Is held every Saturday evening at the
Arts Centre Washington.
Each night starts with an informal session from 7.30pm
which welcomes musicians  of all levels of ability. 
click here for more information
For more details visit www.davylampfolkclub.co.uk
 

Buskers’ In The Bar
The Courtyard Bar hosts the regular weekly
buskers’ session every Monday night, from 8.30pm.
With the fantastic Paul Liddell

 

Spoken Word

Hyperlexic
featuring the Poetry Karaoke

Thursday 30 September
7.30pm,
Tickets £6 / £4

We welcome back Hyperlexic, a fun filled night of spoken word. We have four of the North East’s top performance poets for a night of high energy rhythm and rhyme. Jeff Price and Alfie Crow return after wowing the audience at our last Hyperlexic night in March plus we have added two of the hottest rising stars of the performance poetry circuit. Sky Hawkins has a tale or two to tell about being a single mother on a council housing estate and Amanda Baker brings the voices of dozens of her amazing and hilarious caricatures to her work.

Plus for the first time ever we have our Poetry Karaoke. If you want to perform your favourite poem bring it along on the night, we will also have some of our favourite poems available for you to read on stage. To take part in the Karaoke email us on matthew.blyth@sunderland.gov.uk or call 0191 219 3455 to reserve your place (places limited, one poem each)

Suitable for age 14+



Dance

Low Barn Ceilidh Nights
Dancing and traditional music for the whole family in the Low Barn
7.30pm
Tickets £6 / £4
 

Friday 10 September
Harvest Ceilidh
With The Tony Corcoran Ceilidh Band
Our autumn season kicks off with the return of the fantastic Tony Corcoran Ceilidh Band for a Harvest Ceilidh.

Friday 3 December
Christmas Ceilidh
With the Monster Ceilidh Band
Providing the music for our Christmas Ceilidh will be the high energy, fun loving Monster Ceilidh Band. Come along for the perfect start to your Christmas celebrations.

Get on your feet and join in the fun at our wonderful Ceilidh nights. Don’t worry if you don’t know the dances as a “Caller” will lead you through all of them.

 

Dance + Music

Noche Flamenco


Friday 12 November
Flamenco Lesson 7.30 – 8.30pm – Low Barn
Performance 8.30-10pm - Theatre
Tickets £8.50 / £6

Noche Flamenco is an eclectic blend of passionate dance, fiery guitar playing and complex rhythms from southern Spain. Each performance fuses modern and traditional elements of Flamenco.

The show features Mark Boden on guitar and vocals and Venezuelan born Carla Soto, a breathtaking Flamenco dancer. Also featured is Phil Philo, guitar, and Kris McConnell with his infectious percussion rhythms.

Sure to be a night of high energy leaving you wanting more.

A flamenco dancing workshop is included in the price of the ticket and will take place from 7.30pm. This workshop will give participants the chance to learn one of the most beautiful flamenco dances: Sevillanas.


Taking Part


For the Young...


REMIX - free arts activities for 13 – 19 years olds every Wednesday night at Arts Centre Washington, 6 – 8pm. Including drama, music, visual arts, dance, film and more

Click here fore more information.


Washington Youth
Theatre
(8 – 12 yrs)
Join the Washington Youth Theatre Company and
learn about stagecraft and script writing, take
part in productions and films as well as making
great new friends along the way.
Junior (8 –10 years)
Saturdays 10.15 – 11.45am 

Intermediate (11 -12 years)
Saturdays 12.00 – 1.30pm

£42 for 12 weeks

Saturday Art Club
(8 - 12 yrs)

Join the Saturday Art Club and find out just
how much fun art can really be. Using techniques
such as painting, drawing, printing and sculpture
in fun & creative projects.
Saturdays 1.30 – 3.30pm
£48 for 12 weeks

Oxclose Music Project
(In association with Oxclose and District Young Peoples Project)
Sundays 3pm – 6pm
Support, equipment and practicing facilities that allow young peopleto form their own bands, record their own music and perform “live”to their peers and others
Free
For more information contact: 0191 4173382


Summer courses

UMT:PLAY


2 – 6 August
Suitable for 11 – 24 year olds
FREE

UMT:PLAY is an antidote to the many Pop Idol, Star-search shows which seem to dominate popular culture right now. Using professional working musicians, young people who get a space for the school will be asked to pick up their instrument, use their voice but most importantly - take their pen to paper as it’s original composition we are interested in.

At UMT:PLAY, all styles of music are welcome, but enthusiasm is a must.

Young people will get the opportunity to:-

• Get started – rehearsal space and other musicians to collaborate with
• Receive expert tuition (vocal skills, songwriting, stagecraft)
• Develop and produce their own event
• Record and take home their own material

UMT:PLAY will offer a wide range of musical training but it is interested in what happens when different kinds of music are integrated; on offer is DJ training, music production, vocal work, instrument tuition, band development, rapping – there really are no limits.

For more information contact Bob at Generator:
E: bob@generator.org.uk
T: 0191 255 4468
www.generator.org.uk
 

You Can Sing!
A series of short vocal workshops for all ages and abilities

Saturday 31 July
10.00 am – 5.00 pm
Day rate: £9 full price, £7.50 seniors,
£4.50 under 18s, unwaged
Session rate: £3 / £2.50 / £1.50

There will be 14 workshop sessions during the day – ranging from family fun to singing for older people, as well as individual voice clinics.

Singing is fun and for everyone!

20,000 Voices will fill Arts Centre Washington with singing on Saturday 31 July. The day – from 10.00 am – 5.00 pm - will be packed with workshops for all ages, vocal advice and training, family fun and a big sing finale. You will even be able to book for a 15 minute singing lesson!

You don’t need any singing experience – sessions will be designed for different ages, interests and abilities.

Everyone can sing – and so can YOU! Come and discover your voice and what it can do.
Leaders include: Ed Aldcroft, Alison Barton, Kat Davidson, Bridie Jackson, Andrew Scott and Maggi Ballantyne.

Call 0191 219 3455 to book your place



And for the young at heart…

Watercolour Classes
Unleash your creative potential at the Arts Centre
Washington’s Watercolour class. Professional artist
Vince Cooper will teach you techniques in shade,
colour and tone and demonstrate the unique effects
that only watercolour can give.
Tuesdays 10 am - 12 pm & 7pm - 9pm
£50 for 10 weeks Sequence Dancing Learn Waltzes, Quicksteps, Foxtrots and Tangos Tuesdays afternoons from 1.15 pm – 3.30pm Admission £2
Tea Dance
Thursdays 1.30 – 3.30, with live music,
Admission £1.50 includes refreshments.

The “Nifties”
Talks and demonstrations every other
Wednesday 1.30 – 3.00 pm
Admission £1.50 includes refreshments.

Arts & Craft Fairs
The first Saturday of every month
(excluding January)
10 am – 4pm, free admission