A NEW play is being written to celebrate the return of the Lindisfarne Gospels to the North-East next summer.

Tyneside-based Ed Waugh and Trevor Wood have been commissioned to write A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Durham, which will get its premiere at the Gala Theatre, in Durham City, on July 2, 2013.

The priceless Gospels, which are owned by the British Library, in London, will be displayed in Palace Green Library, Durham, July 1 to September 30.

Mr Wood said: “We are really pleased to be asked to write this play.

“While we have utmost respect for the subject matter we can assure everyone it will be very funny.

“We have some amazing material to work with and there will be 1,400 years of North-East history crammed into one unmissable production.”

The play has been commissioned by Visit County Durham.

Melanie Sensicle, the tourism agency’s chief executive, said: “Lindisfarne Gospels Durham will be a catalyst for a celebration of the region’s cultural and artistic heritage.

“There will be a host of events around the region and one of the most exciting and original will be this play.

“As the title suggests this is a lighthearted and fun performance which takes a humorous look at the story of the Lindisfarne Gospels, featuring St Cuthbert, the Venerable Bede, the kings of Northumbria, 390 cows and of course the Viking invasion on 793.”

The show will be at the Gala from July 2 to 6, with evening performances at 7.30pm and a Saturday matinee at 2.30pm.

Tickets are £15 for adults, £13 for concessions and £12 for Gala Friends.

To book, call 0191-3324041 or visit galadurham.co.uk For more information on the Gospels loan, visit lindisfarnegospels.com