A CLASSIC radio show of yesteryear is being brought to the stage as part of the new live theatre season at Barnard Castle’s arts centre.
Three episodes of The Navy Lark, which ran from 1959 to 1977, will be performed by James Hurn, famous for his one-man show Hancock and Co.
The Navy Lark was set aboard a Royal Navy frigate called HMS Troutbridge and followed the exploits of Sub Lt Phillips, the scheming Chief Petty Office Pertwee and Lt Murray.
The show will be performed on Saturday, February 29, at 7.30pm.
The season’s stage offering at The Witham kicks off on Saturday, January 18, when The Castle Players begin their tour of Charles Dickens’ The Old Curiosity Shop (see next week’s issue of the Mercury for a full preview, plus dates and venues). Next up is a stage musical, Guy from theatre company leo&hyde, on Friday, February 7.
With a soundtrack of electronic pop anthems, the show is described as Queer as Folk meets Bridget Jones in a witty, heartfelt story about dating when you’re gay.
Working with The Bowes Museum and Leeds University as part of the Year of the Dealer project, The Witham is hosting Quinneys on Saturday, March 28.
A comedy-drama, it concentrates on Joseph Quinney, the head of a firm of antiques dealers and covers love, money, social climbing, fakes and forgeries. Tickets are only £5 and include an invite to the pre-show drinks reception at 6.30pm.
Naked Hope completes the theatre programme, a one-man show depicting the raconteur, wit and self-styled “stately homo”, Quentin Crisp, by Mark Farrelly on Thursday, April 16.
Programming and marketing manager Sarah Gent said: “In a rurally remote area, it is vital that we offer our local community the chance to enjoy high quality cultural experiences. We’re proud to be presenting this diverse and exciting programme of events for January to April and would urge everyone to pick up a programme to discover what’s happening at The Witham.”
Full details of dates, times and tickets are available online at www.thewitham.org.uk or from the box office on 01833 631107.
