What's on in north Northumberland - February 18 - February 25

Stage/Theatre

Thursday, February 25

National Theatre Live: As You Like It. Alnwick Playhouse, 7pm. William Shakespeare’s comedy of love and change comes to the National Theatre for the first time in more than 30 years, with Rosalie Craig taking on the role of Rosalind. Tickets: £16.50 premier, £15.50 standard, £14.50 concs, £10 child/student.

Films

Today

The Great Performing Rope – Where do we go from here? Film, cake and conversation. The Maltings, Berwick, 4.30pm. In October, the Great Performing Rope occupied the streets of Berwick, creating a 900m-long route through the town centre, carrying 900 personal stories, memories and hopes of the people of Berwick and visitors. Join November Club, the creative organisation behind the event, for a film screening documenting the event, some tea and cake and a conversation about what could happen next to these 900 stories for Berwick. Free admission.

Tonight

Sisters. The Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. Tina Fey and Amy Poehler are the chalk-and-cheese Ellis sisters, brought together by their parents’ unilateral decision to sell the old family home and move into a more manageable retirement condo. Ordered to clear out their childhood bedrooms, the overgrown kids resolve to stage one final party. Tickets: £7.75, £6.75 concs, £4.75 child (ages 15 and 16 only). Certificate (15).

Tonight

Sunset Song. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.30pm. John Guthrie, a Scottish farmer, rules his family with an iron fist and an unwavering religious conviction, refusing to tolerate any dissent from his wife Jean, son Will or spirited daughter Chris. When Jean dies, Chris becomes the woman of the house and finds herself in the midst of a brutal war between her father and brother. Tickets: £7.80 premier, £7.50 standard, £7 concs, £5.50 child/student, £6.75 friends. Certificate (15).

Until Sunday

Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip. The Maltings, Berwick. Times vary. Alvin, Simon and Theodore come to believe that Dave is going to propose to his new girlfriend in Miami and dump them. They have three days to get to him and stop the proposal, saving themselves not only from losing Dave, but possibly from gaining a terrible stepbrother. Tickets: £7.75, £6.75 concs, £4.75 child (16 and under), baby free (two and under). Certificate (PG).

Tomorrow

The Revenant. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.30pm. One man’s epic adventure of survival and the power of the human spirit. Frontiersman Hugh Glass sets out on a path of vengeance against those who left him for dead. Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy star in a film directed by Alejandro G Iñárritu. Tickets: £7.80 premier, £7.50 standard, £7 concs, £5.50 child/student. Certificate (15).

Saturday

Capture the Flag. Seahouses Hub, 3pm. Mike Goldwing stows away on a rocket bound for the Moon to fulfil his grandfather’s lost dream of being an astronaut. Meanwhile, a Texas billionaire is also racing to the moon to destroy the Apollo XI flag and rewrite history in his favour. Tickets: £7 adult, £6.50 concs, £4 child, £19 family of four. Certificate (PG).

Saturday

Bridge of Spies. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.30pm. When a pilot is detained in the Soviet Union during the Cold War, the CIA recruits an American lawyer to assist in his rescue. Tom Hanks and Mark Rylance star. Tickets: £7.80 premier, £7.50 standard, £7 concs, £5.50 child/student, £6.75 friends. Certificate (12A).

Tuesday

Berwick Film Society: Wild Tales (Relatos salvajes). The Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. An anarchic stab at bureaucracy, red tape and exasperating humanity, produced by Pedro Almodovar, these six short tales boldly show what can happen when people are pushed to the edge of reason. Wicked and darkly humorous, this was last year’s most successful foreign language film. Tickets: £7.75, £6.75 concs, BFS Passholders free. Certificate (15).

Tuesday and Wednesday

Creed. The Maltings, Berwick, 1pm (Tues), 7.30pm (Weds). Adonis Johnson is the son of the famous boxing champion Apollo Creed, who died in a boxing match in Rocky IV (1985). Adonis wasn’t born until after his father’s death and wants to follow his father’s footsteps in boxing. Tickets: £7.75, £6.75 concs, £4.75 child. Certificate (12A).

Live Music/Dance

Tomorrow

Tom McConville Trio with Jane and Phil Waites. Berwick United Reformed Church, Main Street, Spittal, 7.30pm. Expect dustbowl ballads, bluegrass, old time tunes, high energy jigs, reels, airs and waltzes. Tickets: £7.50 adult, £4 under-17s, £20 family ticket (includes refreshments). On sale in Spittal Food Store, call 07752 403409 or online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/highlights or www.beboxoffice.com

Saturday

Findlay Napier. Etal Village Hall. Doors open 7.30pm. Music begins at 8pm. Findlay Napier is a highly-regarded performer and creative force on the Scottish music scene. The support act will be flute player Freya Rae and guitarist Louis Bingham. Tickets are £12 and can be booked by e-mailing [email protected] or on 01890 820566.

Saturday

Northern Ballet: Tortoise and the Hare. The Maltings, Berwick, 2pm, 4pm and 6pm. Following the sell-out successes of The Ugly Duckling, Three Little Pigs and Elves and the Shoemaker and the TV adaptations for CBeebies, Northern Ballet brings its magic to Tortoise and the Hare. Tickets: £5.50 adults, £4.50 children.

Sunday

Friends of the Union Chain Bridge. Berwickshire High School, Duns, hosts an eclectic concert with something for everyone. Tickets £5, £4 concs, available from Berwickshire High School, Duns Post Office and on the door. The aim of the Friends of the Union Chain Bridge is to raise awareness of its importance in the history of civil engineering and to raise the money needed to fully restore and interpret the bridge by its bicentenary in 2020.

Monday

Northumberland traditional music session. Ship Inn, Low Newton. 8pm. Contact Jack or Pam Daws on 01665 722835 for more information.

Wednesday

Sarah Beth Briggs and James Lisney. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.30pm. These highly regarded British pianists and chamber musicians now combine their skills in this exciting piano duo combination. The programme features works by Schubert, Mozart and many more. Tickets: £16 standard, £15 concs. Full-time students under the age of 26 admitted free, but must be booked in person.

Thursday

Rothbury Roots presents Yvonne Lyon. The Queen’s Head, Rothbury. Doors 7.30pm, starts 8pm. Singer-songwriter Yvonne Lyon is among the best at doing what she does. Her songs are beautiful and her voice is beautiful too. Admission £10.

Thursday

Glendale Accordion and Fiddle Club. Guest artist: Neil Hardie SDB at the Glendale Hall, Wooler, 7.30pm to 11pm. Tickets: £5 members, £6.50 visitors, including buffet. Contact 01668 216437.

EVENTS

Tonight

Warkworth and District Flower Club. A workshop will be run by Marion Hinchley, from 7.30pm, in Warkworth Memorial Hall.

Tonight

Aln Valley Railway Trust meeting. Old Waiting Room, Alnwick Station, at 7.15pm for 7.30pm. There will be a talk entitled ‘Railway Roundabout to HS2: 50 years of following the railway scene’. The trust welcomes visitors, members and their guests for a small donation towards meeting costs. Refreshments will be available from about 7pm.

Every Thursday

Gateway drop-in. Shilbottle Community Hall, from 10am to 4pm. A free drop-in to meet friends over refreshments, play cards, read newspapers, watch television, or use the internet and, in the afternoon, join the craft group.

Every Thursday

Learn to dance ballroom and Latin. A new class for absolute beginners. Every Thursday at Marshall Meadows Country House Hotel, at 7pm. The cost is £2.50 per person. For further details phone 01289 307953

Until April 17

Eric Ennion: Ripples from the House on the Shore. The Granary Gallery, Berwick, Wednesday to Sunday, 11am to 4pm. Ripples from the House on the Shore’ celebrates the work of Eric Ennion (1900–81) and features more than 30 watercolours and preparatory sketches. Free admission.

Tomorrow

Pilates. Keep fit for the over-60s at Lesbury Village Hall, 11am, for one hour. Further session on Friday, February 26. £16 per person for four sessions. Mats and equipment provided. Contact 01665 830531, 07906 146163 or [email protected] or sign up at Lesbury Post Office.

Tomorrow until April 14

Nordic Art exhibitition. St Mary’s Inn, St Mary’s Park, Stannington, 8am to 11pm. Nordic art is in the spotlight as Brita Granstrom exhibits her work. An acute observer of moments of intimacy, her paintings offer visual delights in abundance. Free admission. (See panel).

Tomorrow

Fashion show. The Guildhall, Berwick, 7.15 for 7.30pm. Proceeds going to Hazel Bettison’s mayoral charity, the RNLI. The net profits will go to the local, not the national branch. Tickets are £10 each and limited in number. They are available from the Antiques Centre, next to Asda in Tweedmouth on 01289 309911, or from Brenda Crowcroft at [email protected] or on 01289 304175. Tickets include a free glass of wine and canapés. There will also be a raffle.

Every Friday

Coffee morning. Enjoy a coffee and biscuits and do your bit for the lifeboats every Friday morning at Alnwick Playhouse. From 10am in the upstairs bar

Saturday

Starting family history research from scratch. Bailiffgate Museum, Alnwick, 10am to 1pm. An introduction to finding ancestors for those new to family history or who want to hone their skills. Free to members of Northumberland and Durham Family History Society, donation to funds invited for non-members. Normal museum entry applies. See bailiffgatemuseum.co.uk/saturdaytraining

Wednesday

Alnwick Wildlife Group meeting. St Michael’s Church Hall, Cannongate, Alnwick, 7.30pm. Gill Thompson will give a talk entitled ‘Iconic Birds of the Northumberland National Park’. Followed by free refreshments and a good chance to chat. Admission £2 non-members.

Until March 3

Winter 2016 mixed open exhibition. Gallery 45, Felton. A range of subjects and media from artists including Sarah O’Dowd, Nick Potter, Malcolm Coils, Angela White, Jina Gelder and Emily Ward will be on display.

Attractions

All attraction opening times may vary during the winter season.

Aln Valley Railway, Alnwick: 0300 030 3311. For opening times and further details, visit www.alnvalleyrailway.co.uk

Alnwick Castle: 01665 511100. Alnwick Castle is now closed until March. For further information, visit the website www.alnwickcastle.com

Alnwick Garden: 01665 511350. Go to www.alnwickgarden.com for winter opening hours. Prices are £7.70 adults, £5.83 concs, £4.40 children, £21.50 for a family.

Bailiffgate Museum, Alnwick: 01665 605847. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 10am to 4pm, but closed on Mondays. Admission is £4, £3 concs, £1 child, under-fives free.

Bamburgh Castle: 01668 214515. Open daily, from 10am to 5pm, last admission 4pm. Call for winter opening hours. Admission £10.50, £5 child, £10 senior, £25 family.

Barter Books, Alnwick Station: 01665 604888. Open daily, from 9am to 5pm.

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens: 01661 881636. Open daily, from 10am to 6pm. Admission £9.20, £8.30 concs, £5.50 child, £23.90 family.

Berwick Barracks: 01289 304493. Open Monday to Friday, from 10am to 6pm. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Admission £4.80, £4.30 concs, £2.90 child, £12.50 family.

Chillingham Wild Cattle Park: 01668 215250. Open Monday to Friday: Tours at 10am, 11am, noon, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm. Sundays: Tours at 10am, 11am, noon. Closed Saturday. Admission £8, £6 concs, £3 child, £16 family.

Cragside House, Gardens and Estate: Open again this Saturday after being closed for winter.

Dunstanburgh Castle: 01665 576231. Open daily, from 10am to 6pm. Gift aid admission: £4.90, £4.40 concs, £2.90 child, £12.70 family.

Edlingham Castle: 0870 333 1181. Open during daylight hours. Free admission.

Etal Castle: 01890 820332. Open daily, from 10am to 6pm. Gift aid admission: £4.80, £4.30 concs, £2.90 child, £12.50 family.

Heatherslaw Cornmill: 01890 820488. Open daily, from 10am to 5pm. Admission £3.80, £3.20 concs, £10 family, under-fives free.

Heatherslaw Light Railway: 01890 820244. Open daily, from 10am to 4pm, first train at 11am. Return journey prices: £6.50, £6 seniors, £4.50 child, £2.50 under-fives, babies free.

Heatherslaw Visitor Centre: 01890 820338. Open daily, from 10am to 5pm.

Howick Hall Gardens: 01665 577285. Open daily, from 10.30am to 6pm, last entry 5pm. Gift aid entry: £7.70, £6.60 over 60s, children free. Closed until February.

Lady Waterford Hall, Ford: 01890 820338. Open daily, from 11am to 5pm. Admission £3, £2.70 concs, £8 family, under-fives free.

Lindisfarne Castle: 01289 389244. Call for opening times. Gift aid admission: £7.80, £3.90 child, £19.40 family.

Lindisfarne Centre: 01289 389004. Call for opening times. Admission £4, £3.50 concs, £2 child, £10 family, under-fives free.

Lindisfarne Priory: 01289 389200. Open daily, from 10am to 6pm. Gift aid admission: £6.20, £5.60 concs, £3.70 child, £16.10 family.

Longframlington Gardens, Swarland Road: 01665 570382. Winter season at the gardens and arboretum. For details, including opening times, visit www.longframlingtongardens.co.uk

Preston Tower, Chathill: 01665 589227. Open daily, from 10am to 6pm, or dusk, whichever is earlier. Admission £2.50 child, £1.50 concs or groups.

RNLI Grace Darling Museum, Bamburgh: 01668 214910. Open daily, from 10am to 5pm, last entry 4.15pm. Free admission.

Wallington: 01670 773600. Stately home near Cambo: Open Thursday to Monday, and Wednesday, from noon to 5pm. Closed Tuesday. Walled garden: Open daily, from 10am to 7pm. Garden and estate: Open daily, from 10am to dusk. Gift aid entry: £12.60, £6.30 child, £31.50 family.

Warkworth Castle and Hermitage: 01665 711423. Castle: Open daily, from 10am to 6pm (times may vary through the winter). Gift aid entry: £6, £5.40 concs, £3.60 child, £15.60 family. Hermitage: Open on Sunday and Monday only, from 11am to 4pm. Admission £4, £3.60 concs, £2.40 child, £10.40 family.

Woodhorn Museum and Archives, Ashington: 01670 624455, Queen Elizabeth II Country Park: Open Wednesday to Sunday, from 10am to 5pm. Northumberland Archives: Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.