HILARIOUS stand-up comedy, robots and passionate art - there's something for everyone in Darlington and the North-East this weekend.

And don't forget that this weekend is also your last chance to see six iconic streamlined locomotives at Locomotion, the National Railway Museum, in Shildon.

If none of these floats your boat, there are hundreds more at:

 

http://whatsonindarlington.co.uk

and

http://whatsoninthenortheast.co.uk

 

What? Jason Manford: First World Problems.

Where? Civic Theatre, Darlington.

When? Saturday.

Everybody’s favourite northern comedian, Jason Manford, has announced a brand new tour for 2014. The show promises to feature a wealth of comedy anecdotes, misunderstandings and audience banter delivered with Jason’s likeable charm and teasingly intelligent wit. Jason has had a busy time since he was last on the road. After his opera singing turn saw him emerge the winner on Born To Shine (ITV1) Jason put his new found talent into practice joining Alfie Boe on tour prior to a well-received run in the critically acclaimed hit west-end musical Sweeney Todd alongside Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton. However, his comedy bones weren’t completely idle as he enjoyed appearances on QI (BBC Two), Big Fat Quiz of the Year (Channel 4), and Comedy World Cup (Channel 4). 01325 486555.

What? Robots Live

Where? Palace Green Library, Durham

When? Friday-Sunday.

Live robotic show, come and see the UK’s most popular live robotics show, where house robots BattleAxe and Goliath will fight competitors from around the region. The robots will be battling it out in a specially designed combat arena on the Durham World Heritage Site that holds a few surprises of its own. And if that’s not enough, admission to the ROBOT exhibition is free with your Robots Live ticket! In this exhibition for all the family, you’ll meet some of your favourite robot, cyborg and android stars. Some are friendly, others helpful, and a few are simply scary. 10:30am, 12:30pm, 2:30pm, 4:30pm. 0191-3342932.

What? Assemblages Experienced and Imagined

Where? The Station, Richmond

When? opens on Saturday, and runs until March 21.

An exhibition featuring four artists from Airedale with a shared passion for their art: Daniel Shiel, former “Best Shots” finalist returns to Richmond with his stunning photographic compositions. Guardian acclaimed oil painter, Dave Starley brings his distinctive, heavily textured canvases including the new “Tree Portraits” series. Former Leeds College of Art teacher, Dianne Cross, focuses her huge experience on exquisite hand built ceramics which demonstrate diverse influences from African adobe architecture to indigo blue work. Lis Holt is another highly regarded (Pot Prize winning!) ceramicist whose meticulously hand-built works reflect ancient and natural forms in contemporary shapes and gorgeous colours.

What? Brassed Off.

Where? Theatre Royal, York.

When? Friday-Sunday

Passionate and inspiring – this funny and heartwarming drama is a celebration of human endeavour and community spirit in triumph against all the odds. To coincide with the 30th anniversary of the Miners’ Strike of 1984, we are proud to present this production of Brassed Off. It is 1992, Grimley Colliery faces the threat of closure and the future of the brass band seems uncertain. With the miners torn between redundancy packages and the picket lines, bandleader Danny’s hopes of winning the national brass band competition seem like a distant dream. But the arrival of flugelhorn-playing Gloria brings hope, romance and controversy to the Yorkshire brass band on the brink of collapse. Featuring a live brass band playing a rousing score including Rodrigo’s Concierto de Aranjuez and Jerusalem. Runs until March 1. 01904-623568.

What? Snowdrop Afternoon.

Where? Greatham Hall Gardens, Hartlepool. 

When?  Sunday, 1-4.30pm.

 

The private wood at Greatham Hall Gardens will be open by kind permission of the Trustees of the Hospital, in support of Greatham in Bloom. A temporary path marked with straw will guide visitors through the carpets of snowdrops and boards will inform of some of the folklore and history of snowdrops. The path is uneven and sensible shoes are advised. There will also be the opportunity to learn something of the history of the 741 year old charity. Entrance tickets and refreshments will be on sale in Greatham Community Centre which is opposite the gates to the garden. Tickets cost £2 or £1 for pensioners and accompanied children. Greatham is off the A689 near Hartlepool, free parking in the village. 01429-870292.