What's on in north Northumberland - February 23 - March 2

STAGE/THEATRE

Today

Shark in the Park. Alnwick Playhouse, 1.30pm and 3.30pm. Timothy Pope is looking through his telescope, but wait, is that a shark in the park? From the creative team behind The Hairy Maclary Show, see all three of Nick Sharratt’s Shark in the Park books live on stage in this family production. Tickets: standard £10, child/student £8.50.

FILMS

Tonight

Silence. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.30pm. The story of two Catholic missionaries who face the ultimate test of faith when they travel to Japan in search of their missing mentor at a time when Catholicism was outlawed and their presence forbidden. Tickets: premier £8.50, standard £8, concs £7.50, child/student £5.50. Certificate (15).

Tomorrow and Saturday

The Lego Batman Movie. Alnwick Playhouse, 2pm. Bruce Wayne must not only deal with the criminals of Gotham City, but also the responsibility of raising a boy he adopted. Tickets: premier £8.50, standard £8, concs £7.50, child/student £5.50. Certificate (U).

Tomorrow

La La Land. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.30pm. Aspiring actress Mia and jazz musician Sebastian are faced with some decisions that begin to fray the fragile fabric of their love affair, and the dreams they worked so hard to maintain threaten to rip them apart. Tickets: premier £8.50, standard £8, concs £7.50, child/student £5.50. Certificate (12A).

Saturday and Thursday

T2: Trainspotting. The Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. First there was an opportunity, then there was betrayal. Twenty years have gone by, much has changed, but just as much remains the same. Mark Renton returns to the only place he can ever call home. They are waiting for him – Spud, Sick Boy, and Begbie. Tickets: £7.45, concs £6.45. Certificate (18).

Tuesday

Berwick Film Society presents Marguerite. The Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. A Parisian diva has delusions that she can sing like a bird, and her doting audience encourages her indulgence. A tender, drole portrayal of a uniquely entertaining character in this lush French costume drama set in the 1920s. Tickets: £7.95, concs £6.95, BFS pass holders free. Certificate (15).

Wednesday

Live by Night. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.30pm. Boston, 1926. The 1920s are roaring, liquor is flowing, bullets are flying, and one man sets out to make his mark on the world. Tickets: premier £8.50, standard £8, concs £7.50, child/student £5.50. Certificate (15).

Thursday

Manchester by the Sea. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.30pm. An uncle is obliged to return home to care for his nephew after his brother dies, and he struggles with the decision that he is to be the guardian. Tickets: premier £8.50, standard £8, concs £7.50, child/student £5.50. Certificate (15).

LIVE MUSIC/DANCE

Tonight

Glendale Accordion and Fiddle Club: The Bon Accords Trio. Glendale Hall, Wooler, 7.30pm to 11pm. Members £5, non-members £6.50, including buffet.

Tonight

Rod Clements. Rothbury Roots. The Queen’s Head, Rothbury, 8pm. Rod’s solo gigs see him revisiting classic Lindisfarne songs and gems from various projects over the decades, as well as roots blues material that was, and remains, a great musical influence. Tickets: £10, available from The Queen’s Head.

Tonight

Martin Carthy and John Kirkpatrick. The Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. These two interpreters of English folk traditions – guitarist/singer Martin Carthy and squeezebox virtuoso/singer John Kirkpatrick – have been long-time collaborators in a variety of musical projects, from Kirkpatrick’s 1976 Morris tunes album Plain Capers to Steeleye Span, to Brass Monkey. Tickets: £16.50.

Tomorrow

Open Mic Night. The Tanners Arms, Alnwick, 8.30pm.

Saturday

Official Pink tribute act Alecia Karr. Jubilee Social Club, Highcliffe, 8pm. Tickets: £8 in advance, £10 on the night. For more information, contact the club on 01289 305597.

Saturday

Metropolitan Opera: Rusalka. Alnwick Playhouse, 5.55pm. Kristine Opolais stars in the role that helped launch her international career, the mythical Rusalka, who sings the haunting Song to the Moon. Mary Zimmerman brings her theatrical imagination to Dvorák’s fairytale of love and longing, rejection and redemption. Tickets: premier £21, standard £20, concs £19, child/student £10, friends £18.

Monday

Northumberland Traditional Music Session. The Ship Inn, Low Newton. Contact Jack or Pam Daws on 01665 722835.

Tuesday

Buskers Night. The Craster Arms, Beadnell. 8pm. An acoustic session of modern and traditional folk, original singer-songwriters and group sing-a-long. All abilities and styles welcome and entry is free.

Tuesday

Royal Opera House LIVE: The Sleeping Beauty. Alnwick Playhouse, 7pm. A perennial delight and a much-loved classic, The Royal Ballet‘s The Sleeping Beauty combines the best of classical ballet, with all its charms and virtuosity, splendid music and talented dancers. Tickets: premier £16, standard £15, child/student £10.

Thursday

Rothbury Accordion and Fiddle Club, with The Iain MacPhail band. The Queens Head Hotel, Rothbury, 7.30pm. Members’ subscription £8. Members’ monthly admission £4. Non-members’ monthly admission £5. Musicians and visitors welcome. Contact: 01668 281307.

EVENTS

Until Sunday

Northumbrian Knitting Retreat. St Cuthbert’s House, Seahouses. Enjoy a relaxing three- night knitting retreat, based at St Cuthbert’s House, nestled on the inspiring and beautiful North Northumberland coast, in the company of tutor Judith Goodfellow, of Fine Fettle Fibres. For more information contact 01665 720456.

Every Thursday

Hadston Dance Group. Hadston Community Centre, 1pm. A two-hour session, with tea and a biscuit served half way through, £1.50 per person. Dance tuition is free.

Every Thursday

Berwick Arts Choir. United Reformed Church, Spittal, 7.30pm. Singers in all sections would be welcome, and no audition is necessary.

Every Thursday

Gateway drop-in. Shilbottle Community Hall, 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 there is a craft group.

Every Thursday

Learn to dance ballroom and Latin. Marshall Meadows Country House Hotel, 7.30pm. The class costs £2.50 per person. Call 01289 307953 for more information.

Tomorrow

Berwick Macular Society. The Baptist Church Hall, Berwick, 11am to 1pm. Anyone affected by sight loss is welcome to attend. For more details, phone 07526 663821.

Tomorrow

Bird Week at Wyevale Garden Centres: Bird Finger Puppets. Design your own bird for a finger puppet show. £2.50 (20 minute sessions).

Tomorrow

Quiz Night. St Aidan’s Hall, Berwick-upon-Tweed, 7.30pm. Teams of four, £10 per team. Tea, coffee, biscuits and a raffle.

Tomorrow

Seeing Stars at Berwick Museum and Art Gallery: Berwick Museum and Art Gallery, 7pm. The attraction has been awarded a grant to celebrate the achievements of scientists from the Borders. The museum will be using the grant to celebrate the lives of eminent scientists like Dr Johnstone, as well as Sir David Brewster FRS (1781-1868), the inventor of the kaleidoscope. The programme will begin with a stargazing session, lift your eyes to the heavens to see what stars and planets can be seen in the night sky over Berwick. Free admission.

Saturday

Car Boot Sale. Organised by Alnwick Lions’ Club. Proceeds go to Lions’ local charities. In the car park of Alnwick’s Homebase store, in Willowburn Avenue, 9am to noon. £10 per car, customers free. To book a space, email [email protected] or call 07478 491669.

Every Saturday

Modern and sequence dancing. St Aidan’s Hall, Church Street, Berwick, 8pm to 11pm. Entry £3, includes refreshments.

Sunday

Coffee Morning. Amble RNLI Lifeboat Station, 10am to 1pm, to raise funds in aid of Amble’s lifeboats.

Wednesday

Dusting the Dunes. Cresswell Foreshore. Join Northumberland Wildlife Trust staff and volunteers for a spring beach clean at Cresswell Foreshore and Cresswell Pond. Wear appropriate clothing and be prepared for beach habitat. Litter pickers, gloves and bags will be provided, however resources are limited so attendees are asked to bring their own equipment where possible. Please meet at Cresswell car park, opposite the Drift Cafe. No booking required, but if you are planning to attend please contact [email protected]

Wednesday

Meet the Artist: Gemma Burditt. The Maltings, Berwick, 6pm. Join Berwick Visual Arts’ current artist in residence, film maker and animator Gemma Burditt as she talks about her work researching dairy farming in Northumberland during her residency, in partnership with the Centre for Rural Economy and Institute for Sustainability at Newcastle University. Tickets: free, but please book in advance.

Every Wednesday

Berwick Male Voice Choir. Longridge Towers School, 6.45pm to 9pm for rehearsals. New members would be welcome, and no audition is necessary.

Every Wednesday

Qi Gong for Health. Costello Centre, Bailiffgate, 2pm. Improve your posture, flexibility and strength. Cost £3 per person per session.

Thursday

Etal Flower Show. Etal Village Hall, 7pm. We are always in need of new people on the committee so please come along to show your support for this well-established local village event. Everyone welcome.

Thursday

World Book Day Tots with Helen Ellis. Alnwick Playhouse, 1.15pm to 2.30pm. Come dressed as your favourite book character, we are going on a bear hunt. Tickets: £4, one adult and up to two children from the same family, childminders (one adult and up to four children). Suitable Age 0 to three years.

Until March 3

Purely Pastels – Land and Sea by Fiona Carvell. Gallery 45, Felton. A pastel specialist and Unison Colour Associate Artist, Fiona depicts various landscapes, from the Highlands of Scotland and beaches of Northumberland, to the riverbanks of County Durham and sunrises over Lindisfarne.

Until June 4

Brick Dinos. Woodhorn Museum, Ashington. This new exhibition at the museum combines the favourite childhood topics of dinosaurs and LEGO. Brick Dinos promises to delight visitors of all ages as they will come face to face with a Jurassic world in miniature. The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday, plus Monday and Tuesday during school holidays, from 10am to 4pm.

ATTRACTIONS

All attraction opening times may vary from season to season.

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

Alnwick Castle. Closed for winter.

Alnwick Garden: 01665 511350. Open daily, 10am to 4pm. See www.alnwickgarden.com for details of events and further information. Admission £7.70 adults, £5.83 concs, £4.40 children, £21.50 family.

Bailiffgate Museum, Alnwick: 01665 605847. Open Tuesdays to Sundays, 10am to 4pm. Admission £4, £3 concs, £1 children, under fives free.

Bamburgh Castle: 01668 214515. Open weekends, 11am to 4.30pm, last admission 3.30pm. Admission £10.75 adults, £10.50 senior, £5 children, £25 family.

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

Belford Hidden History Museum. Open daily, 10am to 4pm. Free.

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens: 01661 881636. Open weekends, 10am to 4pm. Admission £8.80 adult, £7.90 concs, £5.20 children, £22.80 family.

Berwick Barracks. Closed for winter.

Chillingham Castle. Closed for winter.

Chillingham Wild Cattle Park: 01668 215250. Visit the cattle park in winter by prior arrangement. See www.chillinghamwildcattle.com for further information.

Cragside House, Gardens and Estate: 01669 620333. For details and charges visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/cragside

Dunstanburgh Castle: 01665 576231. Open weekends, 10am to 4pm. Admission: £4.70 adult, £4.20 concs, £2.80 children, £12.20 family.

Edlingham Castle: 0870 333 1181. Open during daylight. Admission free.

Etal Castle. Closed for winter.

Eyemouth Museum: Closed for winter.

Heatherslaw Corn Mill. Open February 20-24 for half-term.

Heatherslaw Light Railway. Closed for winter.

Heatherslaw Visitor Centre. Open February 20-24 for half-term.

House of Hardy Fishing Tackle Museum. Willowburn, Alnwick. Telephone 01665 510027. Open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. Free entry.

Howick Hall Gardens: Festival of Snowdrops. Wednesday to Sunday, 10.30am to 4pm. Adults £7.70, over 60s £6.60, children free. Tearoom is also open.

Lady Waterford Hall, Ford: 01890 820338. Winter visits by arrangement. See www.ford-and-etal.co.uk/lady-waterford-hall

Lindisfarne Castle: 01289 389244. The castle is closed for restoration. The Gertrude Jekyll Garden, Lime Kilns and shop remain open daily. See www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lindisfarne-castle

Lindisfarne Centre: 01289 389004. Call for opening times. Admission £4 adult, £3.50 concs, £2 children, £10 family, under fives free. See www.lindisfarne-centre.com

Lindisfarne Priory: 01289 389200. Open weekends, 10am to 4pm. Admission: £6 adult, £5.30 concs, £3.60 children, £15.60 family.

Longframlington Gardens: Winter opening by request. Call 01665 570382 or 07858 757339 or email [email protected] or see www.longframlingtongardens.co.uk

North Charlton Armstrong Household and Farming Museum. Closed for winter.

Preston Tower, Chathill: 01665 589227. Open daily, 10am to 6pm, or dusk, whichever is earlier. Admission: £2 adult, 50p children, £1.50 concs or groups.

RNLI Grace Darling Museum, Bamburgh: 01668 214910. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, last entry 3.30pm. Free admission.

Wallington: 01670 773600. House closed for winter. Walled garden open daily, 10am to 4pm. Garden and estate open daily, 10am to dusk. Admission £9.50 adult, £4.80 child, £23 family. See www.nationaltrust.org.uk/wallington

Warkworth Castle and Hermitage: 01665 711423. Castle: Open weekends, 10am to 4pm. Admission £5.80 adult, £5.20 concs, £3.40 children, £15 family. Hermitage: Closed. See www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/warkworth-castle-and-hermitage

Woodhorn Museum and Archives, Ashington: Open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm. Northumberland Archives: Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 4pm.