A NEW production of Alan Bennett’s Talking Heads is just one of the highlights of the spring programme at the Gala Theatre.

Originally filmed for television 30 years ago, the modern classic offers access into three seemingly ordinary lives with observant monologues.

The Gala-produced show includes the stories A Chip in the Sugar, Bed Among the Lentils and Soldiering On and follows the venue’s critically acclaimed production of Educating Rita earlier in the year.

Talking Heads runs from Tuesday to Saturday, March 6-10, with a two for one offer on opening night and £12 tickets for all matinees.

Tickets for the performance on Wednesday, 7 March are also available at just £12 if booked before the New Year.

The season’s packed theatre schedule also includes Crimes Under The Sun, a drama inspired by Agatha Christie and The 39 Steps about a hilarious yet murderous trip to the English Riviera on Wednesday, April 25.

Tickets cost just £10 if booked before January 31.

Young theatre-goers will be kept entertained thanks to a number of children’s shows including Bear and Butterfly, a charming tale about love, loss and friendship, for those aged four to seven.

Two performances of the show are taking place on Wednesday, January 24, with family tickets at £22.

On Sunday, February 4, a new show, Monstersaurus! follows young inventor Monty as he creates a whole world of wacky inventions and incredible monsters suitable for those aged three and above.

Theatre company Kitchen Zoo are also bringing two family shows to the theatre, with Edward Lear’s The Owl and the Pussycat being brought to life on Tuesday, March 27 followed by The Tin Foil Astronaut on Sunday, April 15.

The Durham City venue is also hosting some of the country’s best-loved comedians, with Sarah Millican, Ed Gamble and Joe Lycett having already sold out.

Tickets are selling fast for other comedians including Dave Spikey, who brings his 30th anniversary tour to the North East on Thursday, January 25 followed by Lefty Scum, a show featuring Josie Long, Jonny and the Baptists and protest musician Grace Petrie on Sunday, February 25.

Later in the year, John Robins brings his angst-ridden show to Gala on Friday, March 30 just months after it was voted Best Comedy Show at Edinburgh Fringe, while Jeremy Hardy performs at the venue on Thursday, April 26.

Musical performances are also taking place throughout the season, kicking off on Monday, January 22 with a special performance by some of Britain’s leading folk musicians, including The Young’uns, Faustus, Nancy Kerr and members of Bellowhead for a re-telling of Peter Bellamy’s legendary folk ballads The Transports.

Other highlights include singer-songwriter John Smith on Sunday, February 4, award-winning jazz vocalist and Radio 2 presenter Clare Teal and trio on Friday, April 13 and popular folk singer Cara Dillon on Thursday, April 19.

Fans of Jane Austen can see a talk from Dr Lucy Worsley, who comes to Gala on Monday, March 19 to discuss her new biography of the author, while writer and broadcaster Stuart Maconie will share his experiences retracing the famous Jarrow Crusade in 1936 with his show on Saturday, February 10.

This year also sees the first Durham Adventure Festival, a three-day event celebrating adventure and wilderness from Friday to Sunday, April 27-29.

Film screenings, fascinating talks and free basecamp sessions showcasing the very best in exploration and endurance will all be included in the festival which will leave audiences motivated to get outside and enjoy their own adventures.