A new collaboration between The Dukes and three other theatres is set to bring high quality drama for young people to Lancaster soon.

Savage Children is a highlight of our spring season and tells the stories of two remarkable young people. It’s our first collaboration with Bristol Old Vic; the egg, Bath; and Theatr Iolo from Cardiff.

It features two modern classic plays – Mirad, Boy from Bosnia, which marks its 20^th anniversary this year, and Wild Girl written ten years ago.

Mirad, which can be seen on May 21 and 22,  is set in the Bosnian civil war and focuses on one boy’s search for his mother following the death of his father.

Mirad is a unique play in its searing portrayal of the impact of war on children. Written in everyday language, it is funny, tragic and hopeful.

Each 45-minute performance of Mirad will be followed by a post show talk-back which is free to ticketholders.

Wild Girl, staged from May 23-25,  is based on the true story of ten-year-old feral girl, Memmie Le Blanc,  who was discovered on the country estate of a Count and Countess in mid-18th century France. It was written by John Retallack who has directed both Savage Children plays.

Wild Girl imitiates bird song yet can’t speak and as people attempt to save her and make her like everyone else, the play asks who will decide what’s best for her or should she decide for herself?

Each hour-long performance of this play, which is recommended for anyone aged 8 plus, will be followed by a workshop with the cast which is free to ticketholders.

Both productions portray young people in extraordinary circumstances, and consider the behaviours and rights of the child. They can be enjoyed separately or as a double-bill.

Tickets for Mirad, Boy from Bosnia, are priced £8/£6 concessions or £5 standing. Tickets for Wild Girl are priced £10/£8 concessions or £5 standing. Double-bill tickets are £14/£12. For more information and to book, ring The Dukes Box Office on 01524 598500 or visit www.dukes-lancaster.org.

We’re really looking forward to Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory making their Dukes debut soon, not least because there’s a four-legged thesp among their ranks!

Black labrador, Lollio, has won so many fans so far in his role as Crab in Two Gentlemen of Verona that he’s even got his own blog at http://lolliosblog.wordpress.com

Lollio stars alongside his owner Chris Donnelly who plays the comic role of Launce in this Shakespeare play which will be staged in The Round from May 7-11.

Artistic director, Andrew Hilton, described his four legged cast member as “an actor of the old school if ever I saw one.”

He said: “Lollio is quite hard to read, and at times, seems happier to become a member of the audience than to take centre stage himself. He hardly speaks but one does occasionally catch a brief glance of reproach.”

Designer Harriet de Winton, who has been working closely with Lollio on his costume, added:  “He is really keen to accurately represent the feral underside of Crab’s personality and we have had countless fittings with collar makers and dog tailors to finally settle upon a bit of rope. Lollio felt that minimal costume worked best for this portrayal and didn’t interfere with his physical characterisation.”

Two Gentlemen of Verona is a darkly comic early romance in which friendship and love, and loyalty and betrayal are the real players.

Two lifelong friends – the two young gentlemen of the title – are parted first by circumstance and then by rivalry in love. Can their loyalty to each other survive the test, or will new loyalties drive out the old? How deep into deceit  can one be driven by sexual obsession? And what do even the most adored of women count for in a profoundly masculine world?

Shakespeare’s comic and shocking play will be set in Edwardian Italy which means The Round will be transformed into a stone pillared piazza complete with café tables and singing waiters.
Tickets are priced £8-£18.50 with a further £2 off for concessions(except matinees). There will be post show talk-backs with the director and cast members on May 7 and after the matinee on May 8. To book, ring The Dukes box office on 01524 598500 or visit www.dukes-lancaster.org

“Brilliant to see energetic, re-imagined, gripping teenage tragedy in Hamlet @TheDukesTheatre! Well done to all involved.”

“Hamlet is a must see! Last night tonight – incredible energy and soundtrack. Talented bunch of kids @TheDukesTheatre”

“Hamlet @TheDukesTheatre was absolutely the best! Stunning performances, boundless energy,commitment & TRUTH. Astonishing”

“Saw the play last night, it was absolutely fantastic and a real joy to watch! Well done to everyone involved!!”

“@TheDukesTheatre incredible production of Hamlet ! well done for supporting young people!!!”

“Lovely work from a lively youth ensemble at @TheDukesTheatre. Great to see a performance space alive w bodies and intention. Well done all!”

“Saw the show Tuesday ,well done to the entire ensemble it’s absolutely brilliant ,Lucas Button is superb ,’twas an evening of ‘Sublime Madness ”

“@TheDukesTheatre #Hamlet was absolutely amazing last night!! Congratulations#awesomeproduction“

“Hamlet @TheDukesTheatre blew me away.”

“Hamlet @TheDukesTheatre was thoroughly enjoyable this evening. Some great performances and wonderful to see such enthusiasm for Shakespeare”

“A truely captivating performance from the whole cast on thursday evening, it really did make me feel part of the play, some raw emotion coming from certain members of the cast who I can see are going to go very far in acting, I look forward to seeing more from all at The Round & congratulate them for putting on a Fantastic performance. Also a huge thankyou to louie for allowing me to over see the rehearsals for a day, it gave me an insight into the hard work that goes into making a production such as this.”

“Completely blown away by #Hamlet@TheDukesTheatre this evening- what talent!! Congratulations to everyone involved x”

REVIEWS

Click on the links below to read reviews of the production.

The British Theatre Guide – “a physical and forceful production with several original and highly-dramatic staging techniques, that betrays a great deal of commitment and, above all, talent.”

Lancaster Evening Post – “an energetic, intelligent and passionate spectacle.”

We need you to join our community company who’ll play an important role in this summer’s outdoor production of Robin Hood.

We’re proud to produce the UK’s biggest walkabout outdoor theatre season in Williamson Park and would like talented members of the public to experience the park show from a completely different – and unique – perspective.

The community company will perform alongside seven professional actors in front of hundreds of people each night.

The only qualifications you need is to be enthusiastic about performing in a large scale, professional production; a strong performer with bags of energy and commitment and a great team player who is happy to perform outdoors in all weathers.

You also need to be available for ten evening rehearsals and to perform Monday-Saturday for three weeks in the summer. Robin Hood runs from July 5-August 10.

Open taster sessions for prospective performers will be held on the evenings of May 2 and May 17.

Associate director, Louie Ingham said: “We’re looking for people with experience of performing who love being part of a big team. This is a great opportunity for talented performers to play a part in a major professional production.”

To find out more or to chat it through, contact Louie on 01524 598521 or email lfingham@dukes-lancaster.org

We always aim to host events which all ages can participate in and enjoy – and next week is no exception.

Not only do we open with Hamlet, produced by our Young Actors & Young Company, but we’re also staging the latest in a series of events in conjunction with Age UK Lancashire and Joseph A. Jones & Co Solicitors.

This pioneering project  is part of an initiative to increase older people’s access to the arts and recently reached the semi-finals of the national Ageing Well Challenge Prize.

On Monday, April 15, we will be screening the Doris Day classic musical, Calamity Jane(U) at 2pm. From 1pm,  guests can also take advantage of the Journey Café where anyone with memory problems and their families can find helpful information and friendly advice.

Research has shown that people with dementia and their relatives often struggle to find opportunities to socialise and worry that they won’t be welcome in public places.

Our  events provide access to the arts and entertainment in a comfortable welcoming environment, away from a care setting.

People who have attended previous events suggested big screen musicals would be particularly popular so Singin’ In The Rain was shown in January.

April’s offering  stars Doris Day as the frontier tomboy who is sent to Chicago to bring classy stage star Adelaide Adams back to entertain her home town of Deadwood. Through a case of mistaken identity, Jane returns instead with Adelaide’s maid Katie who tries to make Jane more lady-like.

The screening is open and welcoming to everyone but has been specially programmed for people with dementia and their families. Some changes will be made to lighting and sound to ensure that a comfortable environment is created.

During the interval, there will be a chance for a singalong with Lancaster’s Andy Whitfield at the piano.

Entry to the Journey Café is free. Tickets for Calamity Jane are £4 including tea/coffee and a pastry. Assistance will be available from Age UK Lancashire for those struggling to find transport to events – please ask for further information when booking tickets.

To book and for more information, ring The Dukes box office on 01524 598500 or visit www.dukes-lancaster.org.

Those of us who were blown away by The Unsociables last spring can’t wait to see what The Dukes Young Actors & Young Company will do with Hamlet this month.

This will be one of Shakespeare’s plays like you’ve never seen it before. Set in 2013, it promises to be a vibrant, contemporary and captivating show with a bloodthirsty and heady mix of drama and a stunning soundtrack performed live by The Dukes Young Musicians.

And taking on the daunting lead role is our very own Lucas Button, 17, who has been preparing for the challenge faced by the likes of Olivier, Branagh, Tennant and Law, since September.

Lucas first trod The Dukes boards when he was 10 and played Tiny Tim in a production of A Christmas Carol.

“That was the spark that set off my love for performing,” said Lucas who turns 18 shortly after he plays Hamlet.

Lucas secured a National Youth Theatre placement in London last summer and will be attending East 15 drama school in Essex from the autumn.

He appeared in The Dukes outdoor play of Peter Pan in 2010 and in many youth productions including last year’s acclaimed show The Unsociables.

Lucas has worked closely with director Louie Ingham and the rest of the company to develop his own interpretation of this iconic role and though The Dukes version will be abridged at 90 minutes long, none of the famous lines will be missing.

During the play, Lucas will be joined on stage by a company of up to 30 young people as well as a live band playing on the balcony.

To get a taste of what’s in story, see a trailer of rehearsal footage at http://www.dukes-lancaster.org/theatre/hamlet

Hamlet is recommended for anyone aged 11 plus and runs from April 16-20. There will be a post show talk-back after the performance on April 16. To book tickets priced £8/£6 concessions, ring The Dukes box office on 01524 598500 or visit www.dukes-lancaster.org

Family and film fun make for a fantastic First Friday on April 5.

The Dukes is gearing up for a great evening as part of this monthly promotion of Lancaster Arts City.

Families are the focus between 6-7pm when we’re inviting you to help two musicians create new songs from scratch. Our gallery  will be transformed with soft seating, bean bags and gentle lighting for this free event when you’re encouraged to watch, listen and join in the fun.

Then, from 7pm, all attention will be on our Cafe Bar as dancers from Ludus and a DJ will be setting the scene for that night’s screening of Pulp Fiction(18).

Pull out your sharpest suit and soak up the atmosphere before taking your seat in the cinema for this one-off screening of Quentin Tarantino’s classic which you can enjoy at 1994 prices – £3.70/£2.30 concessions.

Other First Friday events going on elsewhere in the city include an artistic celebration of pub culture at the Lord Ashton pub from 7.30pm until late and Totally Wired at the Priory Hall from 7-10pm. Both these events are free.

The First Fridays project launched last autumn to promote Lancaster Arts City. Every First Friday of the month, Lancaster Arts Partners aim to offer a range of mainly free events encouraging residents and visitors alike to see the area afresh and try out something new on the arts scene.

Any local arts organisation or artist can submit their public art events to be included in the listings for future First Fridays by emailing firstfridays@artscity.co.uk at least two months in advance.

For more information on Lancaster Arts City, First Fridays and the free Lancaster Arts City app which features lots of what’s on information, visit www.artscity.co.uk

We’re looking for a squad of talented people to join Robin Hood and Maid Marion when we return to Williamson Park with our outdoor walkabout  show this summer.

We’ve just begun our recruitment drive for a community company for our all new version of Robin Hood which runs from July 5-August 10 so this is your big chance to join in the fun.

The community company will perform alongside seven professional actors in front of hundreds of people each night.

Each adult recruit will play a number of non-speaking roles and needs to be physically fit. We also need youngsters to play Little John’s children and experienced musicians to form a band for the production.

Robin Hood director, Joe Sumsion said: “The Dukes has a history of successfully involving performers from the community going back to the early days of the park shows.

“Our new community company will play Robin and Marion’s followers who’ll really make the woods come alive.  They will receive training and form a squad who might be playing soldiers one minute and completely different characters the next.”

Associate director, Louie Ingham added: “We’re looking for people with experience of performing who love being part of a big team. This is a great opportunity for talented performers to play a part in a major professional production.”

The musicians, who will play in teams of two, ideally must have experience of playing guitar, accordion, bass or keyboard. Music is a central theme of the production which will culminate with a celebratory ‘gig’.

Youngsters with plenty of confidence and energy will be chosen to play Little John’s children who are aged between 8-11. Three pairs of children who can play that age but who may be a little older, will be required to perform at shows throughout the run.

A number of free tickets will be offered to all members of the community company so friends and family can watch them perform in this unique production.

Applications must be received by March 30 as auditions for the adult roles take place on April 6 and 21 at The Dukes and on April 14 at another venue to be confirmed.  The children’s auditions will be held in mid to late April.

Any adults applying must be free to rehearse on Tuesday evenings from April 23. From June 10, they will join the professional actors for rehearsals on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for three weeks before opening night. During the run, the company will be split in two with both halves having the chance to perform every Monday-Saturday for between two-three weeks.

The selected children will probably rehearse initially once a week after school followed by a series of sessions in May and more rehearsals as opening night approaches.

Anyone interested in auditioning for the community company can find more details by picking up an application form from The Dukes box office, ringing 01524 598500 or by visiting www.dukes-lancaster.org/robinhoodwanted

Never a theatre to shy away from topical issues, we’re pleased to be hosting an exciting new play on March 25 which takes an unflinching look at sexuality and religion in 21st Century Britain.

At a time when the subject of gay marriage is still very much under debate, Whole has been inspired by the real stories of  young people and their views on sex and religion.

The play, aimed at young people aged 13 plus,  is presented by 20 Stories High, a Liverpool-based theatre company who create dynamic challenging productions. For two years in a row they won the Brian Way Award for the UK’s Best New Play for Young People.

Whole was inspired by a ‘dinner and debate’ session attended by the company’s Youth Theatre and Young Actors Company last year when the topics of sexuality and religion were on the menu.

Co-artistic director Julia Samuels and veteran writer Philip Osment saw an opportunity for 20 Stories High to turn this debate into drama.

Whole shines a spotlight on four friends as they come of age, attempting to reconcile religious beliefs, a quest for fulfilment and an understanding of sex and sexuality.

There will be a post show talk-back after the 1.30pm performance and following the 7pm performance there will be a post show jam in DT3 hosted by 20 Stories High and local young people which is free to ticket holders.

Tickets are priced £8/£6 concessions. To book, ring The Dukes box office on 01524 598500 or visit www.dukes-lancaster.org

We are looking forward to welcoming audiences behind the scenes in March.

We have joined forces with The Alligator Club, a North West professional playwrights collective, to present twice-nightly performances of Blackout on March 14 and 15.

This walkabout show is set in the hidden spaces of The Dukes which the public don’t usually have chance to see. The wardrobe department and Green Room are just two of the locations where the drama will take place.

Blackout is set in the future where every theatre, apart from one, has died. It is the last opportunity to join a hologram guided tour of this bygone building before it shuts its door forever. As the tour concludes, only the audience can decide if this theatrical relic should be left to crumble into the past; seen only through the sterile safety of a virtual reality, web based viewer.  What will you decide?

The audience, limited to groups of up to 20 people aged 16 plus for each show, will experience a play in motion and every performance will be different.

Blackout, which will be directed by our associate director, Louie Ingham,  is the latest stage in the development of The Alligator Club which already has two sell out shows under its belt and aims to create experimental writer-led theatre shows for the wider North West region.

It is produced and written by playwrights Amman Paul Singh Brar, Kellie Smith, Kim Wiltshire and Anne Irvine. They’ve been joined by a talented trio of Lancaster and Cumbria writers: Ann Wilson and Jack Hathaway who formed part of the writing team who created The Unsociables which premiered at The Dukes last spring, and Ulverston’s Zosia Wand who penned Quicksand for The Dukes in 2011.

All tickets are priced £5. To book, ring The Dukes box office on 01524 598500 or visit www.dukes-lancaster.org