Only in England exhibition, The Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, opens on Saturday, and runs until May 7
Fascinated by the eccentricities of English social customs, Tony Ray-Jones spent the latter half of the 1960s travelling across England, photographing what he saw as a disappearing way of life. 

Humorous yet melancholy, these works had a profound influence on photographer Martin Parr. This exhibition of photographs examines the close relationship between the work of these two important photographers and their fascination with the English. 

The Northern Echo:
The History Wardrobe presents The Fabulous Fifties, Kiplin Hall, Richmond, on Saturday, 4.30pm and 6.30pm
Get glammed up for high tea and fifties’ fashion with Lucy Adlington of the fabulous History Wardrobe! The reality of life for housewives in the 50s could be far from glamorous, but in this lively presentation Lucy transforms a domestic drudge into a glamour goddess.

This Cinderella transformation - inspired by Dior's New Look - is achieved with the help of bullet bras, sugared petticoats and sterling advice from the Experts... all set in the decade that reinvented dazzle.

If you remember the Liberty bodice, then this is definitely the show for you.

  • Tickets £17.50 including high tea on 01748-818178. 

Elkie Brooks, Yarm School, Yarm, on Saturday, 7.30pm
Quite simply one of the most successful and popular singers the UK has ever produced.

Now in the fifth decade of her career, Elkie Brooks is still proving to be one of the most powerful and versatile vocal talents of our generation. With numerous hit singles, million selling albums and awards, her annual tours are a treat for fans old and new.

Performing some of her classic hits, blues and jazz, 2016 sees Elkie release her 21st studio album which is one of her most exciting yet. 
Elkie is a stunning performer and whatever she does, she does it best live.

Bodies of Evidence, Workhouse Museum, Ripon, on Saturday, 2-3.30pm
Find out what forensic science techniques, commonly associated with crime scene investigations, can also tell us about historic lifestyles with Tim Thompson, Professor of Forensic Anthropology. 
Talk & Skeleton workshop £5 

The Northern Echo:

Murder, Margaret and Me, Theatre Royal, York, on various dates until March 4
In the early sixties two national treasures were the creative force behind one of British cinema’s most successful franchises. But there’s an intriguing mystery behind the Miss Marple movies.

They were almost never made... Agatha Christie didn’t want Margaret Rutherford to bring her most cherished creation to life. And Margaret Rutherford was mortified at the prospects of sullying her reputation with something as sordid as murder... 

This is the story of the real reason why the acting legend and “funniest woman alive” didn’t want to take on the role that made her celebrated across the world. Margaret and Agatha form an unlikely friendship filled with afternoon tea, brandy snaps and gossip.

Meanwhile Agatha turns detective herself and she’s on a mission. She’s determined to unearth Rutherford’s tragic and shocking secret. Tickets on 01904-623568.