What's on in north Northumberland - October 27 - November 3

Stage/Theatre

Tonight

Branagh Theatre: The Entertainer (Live Broadcast). The Maltings, Berwick, 7.15pm. John Osborne’s modern classic conjures the seedy glamour of the old music halls for an explosive examination of public masks and private torment. Tickets: £16.75, £15.75 concs, child £8.75. Schools: student £5 and teacher free (min. 10 students).

Saturday

Berwick Festival Opera: The Vampyre. The Maltings, Berwick, 7.30pm. After the huge success of last year’s The Mikado, Rocket Opera’s superbly talented company of North East based singers return for this romantic opera in two acts by Heinrich Marschner. Tickets: £20, concs £18, under 16s free.

Wednesday and Thursday

George Orwell’s 1984. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.30pm. The Duchess’s Community High School stage adaptation of George Orwell’s classic novel. Tickets: premier £9, standard £8, child/student £6.

FILMS

Today till Sunday

Storks. The Maltings, Berwick, 2pm. Storks deliver babies, or at least they used to. Now they deliver packages for global internet giant Cornerstore.com. Junior, the company’s top delivery stork, is about to be promoted when he accidentally activates the Baby Making Machine. Tickets: £7.45, £6.45 concs, child £4.45 (16 and under), baby free (two and under). Certificate (U).

Tonight

Kubo and the Two Strings. Alnwick Playhouse, 2pm. Animation. Kubo lives a quiet, normal life in a small shoreside village until a spirit from the past turns his life upside down. Tickets: premier £7.80, standard £7.50, concs £7, child/student £5.50, friends £6.75. Certificate (PG).

Tomorrow till Thursday

The Girl on the Train. The Maltings, Berwick. Times vary, check Maltings website. The Girl on the Train is the story of Rachel Watson’s life post-divorce as her daily commute passes her former home. Tickets: £7.45, £6.45 concs, child £4.45 (16 and under). Certificate (15).

Saturday

Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children. Alnwick Playhouse, 12.15pm. When Jacob discovers clues to a mystery that spans different worlds and times, he finds Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. However, the mystery and danger only deepen as he gets to know the residents and learns more about their special powers. Tickets: premier £7.80, standard £7.50, concs £7, child/student £5.50, friends £6.75. Certificate (12A).

Tuesday

Hell or High Water. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.30pm. A divorced father and his ex-con older brother resort to robbing banks in order to save their family’s ranch in West Texas. Tickets: premier £7.80, standard £7.50, concs £7, child/student £5.50, friends £6.75. Certificate (15).

Live Music/Dance

Tomorrow

Steve Phillips and The Rough Diamonds. The Queens Head, Rothbury, 8pm. Steve is considered one of the best blues guitarists in Europe. The Rough Diamonds are a quartet of talented multi-instrumentalists, at home playing blues, country, jazz and roots music. Tickets: £8 in advance from The Queens Head, or £10 on the door.

Tomorrow

Peatbog Faeries. Alnwick Playhouse, 8pm. The Peatbog Faeries are the figurehead trailblazers of the Celtic dance music renaissance, drawing upon a dazzling myriad of influences, from traditional jigs and reels through jazz, hip hop, reggae and more. Tickets: premier £17.50, standard £16.50.

Saturday

Andy Craig in Concert. Gallery 45, Felton, 7.30pm. Andy will be performing his own music, as well as showing off his photographs in My Northumberland – A Journey In Photographs, Songs and Music. Tickets are £6 and are available from the Gallery.

Saturday

Hallowe’en Ceilidh. Acklington Village Hall, 7pm. Music from The Whistling Sheep. Bring a contribution to the pooled supper, and also drinks if you wish, though there will be a bar. Children are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Tickets £5. Please call Alison Sharpe on 01670 761451 for reservations.

Saturday

Michael Bublé – TOUR STOP 148. Alnwick Playhouse, 7.30pm. Filmed for the big screen with superb 5.1 surround sound, Michael Bublé – Tour Stop 148 showcases thrilling live performances of many of the Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter’s biggest hits. Tickets: premier £13.50, standard £12.50, child/student £10.

Tuesday

Bottle Bank Band Autumn Concert. Creighton Memorial Hall, Embleton, Northumberland, 7.30pm. Four Tyneside fiddlers – Sophy Ball, Chloe Jones, David Jones and Stewart Hardy – return to provide an exhilarating evening of inspiring music, with a repertoire which is firmly rooted in, but by no means limited to, the North East of England. Tickets £10 on the door or available online at bottlebankband.eventbrite.co.uk

Wednesday

Scott Cook. Barrels Ale House, Berwick-upon-Tweed, 8pm to 10.30pm. Globetrotting Canadian roots balladeer Scott Cook comes to Berwick during his latest tour. He will be accompanied by fellow troubadour Jez Hellard and will promote his fifth album. By donation.

Until November 6

Exhibition by Artist Helen Poremba. Gallery 45, Felton, 10am to 5pm. Helen uses free motion embroidery, along with scraps of material, to depict beautiful detailed botanical studies. “Like drawing with thread, and using a paint box of coloured fabric.”

EVENTS

Today

The Big Draw - Costume and Props. Alnwick Playhouse, 10am. Costume and Props with Carrie – lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Tickets: £10.

Tonight

Joy of Jive. Felton Village Hall, 7.30pm. Joy of Jive classes of modern jive are continuing in full swing, and they will continue to teach in the hall every other Thursday evening. Beginners are welcome and partners are not necessary.

Every Thursday

Hadston Dance Group. Hadston Community Centre, 1pm. A two-hour session, with a cup of tea and biscuit half way through. There is a charge of £1.50 per person that helps to pay room rent. Dance tuition is free to anyone who would like to learn to dance and keep reasonably fit.

Every Thursday

Berwick Arts Choir. United Reformed Church, Spittal, 7.30pm. A varied programme of choral music has been planned for 2016/2017. Singers in all sections of the choir will be made welcome – no audition is necessary.

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 class for beginners. Every Thursday at Marshall Meadows Country House Hotel, at 7.30pm. £2.50 per person. For further details, call 01289 307953.

Until Sunday

Halloween Week. The Visitor Centre, Heatherslaw, Cornhill-on-Tweed, 11am to 4pm. Enjoy a spooktacular few days across the estate, with tea rooms, shops and attractions decorated to celebrate Halloween. Throughout the week we’ll be raising funds for Radio Borders Cash For Kids so you can have fun and help disadvantaged children in North Northumberland and the Borders at the same time. Free entry.

Tomorrow

Pumpkin Carving. Heighley Gate, a Wyevale Garden Centre, 10am to noon, (20 minute sessions). £2.50. Learn how to spookify your own pumpkin. A Halloween classic.

Tomorrow

Northumberland Wildlife Trust events. Batty about Halloween, Northumberlandia, 9am to 11am. Get your pumpkins ready and have a go at batty Halloween crafts. We will be inside, but please dress appropriately for the weather. All materials will be provided, including pumpkins. All children must be accompanied by an adult. £5 per child, parents/guardian free, but please book a place online.

Every Saturday

Modern and sequence dancing. St Aidan’s Hall, Church Street, Berwick-upon-Tweed, 8pm to 11pm. Entry is £3, which includes tea or coffee and biscuits.

Saturday

Halloween Event. Chillingham Castle, near Alnwick, 6pm. Details are on our website at www.chillingham-castle.com – click events, or telephone 01668 215359.

Saturday

Service. Holy Liturgy of the Orthodox Church, St Aidan’s Church, Bamburgh, 10.30am. The service will be in English and in Byzantine style.

Saturday

In A Nutshell. Alnwick Playhouse, 11am and 2.30pm. The key to the New Year lies hidden in a Nutshell, but unlocking the secret means that everything must change. That’s life – in a Nutshell. A warm and touching story of beginnings and endings, goodbyes and hellos, told with puppets and bits and pieces. Tickets: £12.50, admits one adult with one child.

Tuesday

Sir Charles Trevelyan – A Man of Modest Means. Bailiffgate Museum, 7.30pm. The fascinating story of a family full of contradictions. Speaker Mike Fraser. Free to enter, open to all. Refreshments provided. Donation invited for the Alnwick Branch of NDFHS.

Walks

Sunday

Guided Walk. Meeting point: Edlingham. Distance: five miles. Price per person: £10. More details at shepherdswalks.co.uk

Attractions

All attraction opening times may vary from season to season.

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

Alnwick Castle: 01665 511100. See www.alnwickcastle.com for opening hours and details.

Alnwick Garden: 01665 511350. See www.alnwickgarden.com for opening hours. Admission £12.10 adults, £10.45 concs, £4.40 children, £29.70 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 daily, from 10am to 5pm, last admission 4pm. Admission £10.50, £5 children, £10 senior, £25 family.

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

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

Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens: 01661 881636. Open daily, from 10am to 6pm. Admission £9.20, £8.80 concs, £5.20 children, £22.80 family.

Berwick Barracks: 01289 304493. Open 10am to 4pm, until end of October. Closed in winter. Admission £4.80, £4.30 concs, £2.90 children, £12.50 family.

Chillingham Castle: 01668 215359. Open every afternoon, except Saturday, until end of October. Adults £9.50, £8.50 concs, £5.50 children (under five’s free), £23 family. See www.chillingham-castle.com

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 children, £16 family.

Cragside House, Gardens and Estate: 01669 620333. Closed Monday. Open Tuesday to Sunday, house 11am to 5pm, gardens and woodland 10am to 6pm. Admission £10.20, £5.10 child, £25.50 family.

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

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

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

Eyemouth Museum: 01890 751701. Open daily to end of October. Admission: £3.50 adult, £3 concs, under 16s free. See www.eyemouthmuseum.org

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 adult, £6 seniors, £4.50 children, £2.50 under fives, babies free.

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

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

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.

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 children, £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 children, £16.10 family.

Longframlington Gardens: Autumn foliage fruits and flowers. Open all year. Autumn winter opening by request. Welcome all days and times, just phone or email to pre-book. We will return to ‘open gate’ opening in the spring. Check on website or contact us for further information. Telephone 01665 570382 or 07858 757339. Email: [email protected] See website for diary of events www.longframlingtongardens.co.uk

North Charlton Armstrong Household and Farming Museum. 01665 579443. Open every Friday on the Chillingham Road, off the A1. All proceeds go to charity.

Preston Tower, Chathill: 01665 589227. Open daily, from 10am to 6pm, or dusk, whichever is earlier. Admission: £2.50 children, £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. Gift aid entry: £6, £5.40 concs, £3.60 children, £15.60 family. Hermitage: Open on Sunday and Monday only, from 11am to 4pm. Admission £4, £3.60 concs, £2.40 children, £10.40 family.

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