Countryside Live, Yorkshire Event Centre, Harrogate, this weekend

Whatever the weather, Countryside Live, the little sister of the famous Great Yorkshire Show, is guaranteed to be a success as 90 per cent of the action takes place indoors! Once again, the Yorkshire Agricultural Society, organisers of the event, has drawn up an exciting programme of activities and attractions designed to appeal to visitors of all ages. If you have ever fancied yourself as a modern-day Robin Hood, have-a-go-archery should be on your agenda for the weekend or if mountain biking is more your thing, Countryside Live offers you the chance to try your skills on a purpose-built woodland course and there are demonstrations both days in the outdoor arena.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society’s Forge plays host to farriers from across the UK who will be showing off their skills while Ben Potter is once again joining the weekend’s line-up with his amazing birds of prey demonstrations. Diggerland is back by popular demand – again – while the Create and Explore area offers loads of hands-on activities including bread and sausage making, willow weaving and felt making. You’ll see the best quality cattle and sheep being judged on both days of the show, while the eye catching pigeons will be looking their best on the Saturday, and pretty poultry are on display on the Sunday.

With a dedicated equine ring, see horses and ponies all day long, with the Mountain & Moorland Ridden Section a qualifier for Olympia, and Countryside Live is once again hosting the final of the Northern Show Cross Series. Young riders are put through their paces by the Fletchers, with the prize of a trip to their yard in their sights. And in total contrast, youngsters can enjoy pony rides which will feature for the first time. Another popular aspect of Countryside Live is the Fruit, Vegetable and Flower Show, and visitors can also enjoy the tug of war competitions and Richard Savory’s fun-filled Sheep Show.

  • For more information visit countrysidelive.org.uk or call 01423-541000.
     

Classic Ghost Stories, The Signalman, Darlington Civic Theatre, on Saturday

Middle Ground Theatre Company presents their hugely successful adaptation of Charles Dickens’ The Signalman. Set in 1880, this is the exquisitely unnerving tale of a tormented signalman who is haunted by visions of impending disaster on his isolated stretch of line. Can a well meaning traveller calm the man’s fears before he spirals into self-destruction?

The show is coupled with the world stage premiere adaptation of Robert Aickman’s The Waiting Room. Having missed his connection, George Pendlebury is forced to spend a night alone in Casterton’s old station waiting room. Frozen half to death, he awakes after midnight to find that, perhaps, he is not alone after all….. A perfect way to spend a dark autumn evening...

  • Tickets on 01325-486555.
     

The Northern Echo:

Plots and Spangles, Auckland Castle, Bishop Auckland, runs until April 11. 

Guy Fawkes' story comes to life in tapestry. Includes workshops and demonstrations. Presented within Auckland Castle's beautiful State Rooms, this exhibition of lavishly embroidered priest's vestments tells the compelling and tragic tale of one woman's religious devotion in the aftermath of the Gunpowder plot. This impressive collection has been described as 'the single most important body of work by a named Englishwoman in early modern times'. Helena Wintour was only six years old when her father, the notorious Gunpowder plot conspirator Robert Wintour, was captured, put on trial and executed. She dedicated the rest of her life to the service of the Catholic faith, and to creating this rare collection of thirteen highly decorated ceremonial garments.

Each of the vestments is embroidered by hand and embellished with sequins, precious stones and pearls. This is the first time the full collection has been reunited in nearly 350 years. The vestments will be displayed alongside other 17th Century artefacts including Guy Fawkes lantern and a first folio of Shakespeare's Histories and Tragedies from 1623. Together these objects tell a complex story of faith, treason and devotion. Open 10:00am-4:00pm.

  • For more information visit aucklandcastle.or.uk or call 01388-743750. 

Whitney: Queen of the Night, Billingham Forum, on Sunday, 7.30pm

A stunning celebration of the music and life of one of the greatest singers of our time. This award winning production features a stellar line-up with rising West End star Rebecca Freckleton delivering a powerhouse and breathtaking performance as Whitney. Taking us on a magical rollercoaster ride through three decades of classic hit’s that include, I Wanna Dance With Somebody, One Moment In Time, I’m Every Woman, My Love is Your Love, So Emotional Baby, Run to You, Saving All My Love, I will Always Love You, and many more, this show beautifully remembers the most highly awarded female artiste in the world ever! Whitney’s one true legacy was her music which touched most of us at some time in our lives. Share her life and get ready for the greatest love of all in Queen of the Night!

  • Tickets on 01642-552663.

Asian Dub Foundation: Live Score of George Lucas' THX 1138, Sage Gateshead on Sunday, 8pm 

Before Star Wars George Lucas’ first feature length 1971 debut was a stylistic Sci-FI movie starring Robert Duvall and Donald Pleasence where chemical brainwashing, android police, CCTV and ultimate totalitarian control symbolise an uncomfortable authoritarian world.

Asian Dub Foundation (ADF) perform their exhilarating and fast moving live score which is a perfect complement to this immersive film about a starkly unbalanced future society. Even though it is made by one of the most successful filmmakers of all time THX 1138 has achieved cult status. Audio samples from the dialogue and soundtrack have been used by a host of influential electronic artists including, Nine Inch Nails, The Shamen, Meat Beat Manifesto, UNKLE, Orbital, and Front 242.

The film’s sound design was made by triple Oscar winner Walter Murch who also designed the soundtrack to ‘Apocalypse Now’. THX 1138 was simply years ahead of its time. ADF are celebrated for their brilliant live shows and for performing live soundtracks to films including ‘La Haine’ and ‘Battle of Algiers’. They wear their political hearts on their sleeves as this timely reinterpretation shows; in today’s surveillance led and electronically driven society many of THX 1138 themes have proved to be very prescient. , Sage.

Tickets on 0191-4434661.
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