Durham Mysteries attracted over 3,000 people from the region and the UK to ten specially created plays.

Based on well known Bible stories, they were a contemporary revival of a traditional mystery cycle featuring theatre, dance, opera, urban arts and animation.

Creative director, Simon Stallworthy, said: “We were delighted by the success of Durham Mysteries, which saw over 300 people from across Durham and the region enjoying their moment in the spotlight.

“The response from the public was overwhelming, with sellout performances at both Gala Theatre and Durham Cathedral.

“We hope that the popularity of this event will help to set the stage for similar events in the future.”

It is hoped that Durham Mysteries will become a regular feature in the cultural calendar with the next event scheduled for 2013.

Kate James, event organiser, and creative planner for Durham County Council’s Festival Durham programme said: “This was an incredibly ambitious project in which some of the best creative talents in the industry joined forces to create a production representing two extremes of culture in Durham - grassroots, community activity and high-spec delivery and cultural expertise.

“Having taken nearly three years to develop, we’re delighted that it has been a hit, which similarly to the highly successful Lumiere, demonstrates the breadth of our cultural offering and ambitions.”

The Durham Mysteries were produced in association with NewcastleGateshead Initiative and funded by The Arts Council of England, Durham County Council, One North East and Northern Rock.
 

An image ('Circus' pictured) by Diana Afanador from Bogota, Columbia will feature in Durham County Council’s second annual Spring Open Art Exhibition at Locomotion, which opens next week.

Diana, who is currently studying for an MA in fine art at Northumbria University, heard about the event from her friend and fellow artist Sarah Genner. Sarah graduated from Manchester University but has been living in Columbia for the past five years.

Their work will be on display at The National Railway Museum, Shildon from Monday, 19 April to Sunday, 9 May.

David Newell, Durham County Council Community Arts Coordinator, said: “Having artists from as far away as South America entering the competition is a big plus for County Durham. Diana and Sarah’s work will be on display alongside a wide variety of pieces from local artists, all of which is once again of a particularly high standard.”

The winner of the competition, who will receive a £1,000 prize, will be announced at a preview of the exhibition on Sunday, 18 April.

The winner will be chosen by a panel of expert judges from the art world, with prizes of £500 and £250 will also being awarded to second and third place runners up.
 

The Bureau of Silly Ideas is encouraging people to join its crusade to see the activity adopted as an official event at London 2012.

And on Saturday, 17 and Sunday, 18 April, they will be visiting the DLI Museum and Durham Art Gallery to recruit supporters.

During the free event in the museum and gallery’s grounds, visitors will be able to test their pie-throwing talents and add their name to an official petition to introduce the sport at the London Olympics.

James Lowther, Durham County Council Principal Arts Officer, said: “The weekend’s events are a great way for all the family to celebrate the end of the school Easter holidays. I’d encourage people to come along and show their support for this seriously silly sport.”

Artist Jennifer Douglas will also be spending the weekend asking visitors to help her transform the art gallery into a fantasy wonderland.

Jennifer, whose work is currently on show at the gallery, will be inviting people of all ages to help her create a magical installation using artists’ materials.

Sessions will take place on Saturday and Sunday between 10.30am and 12.30pm and from 1pm to 3pm.

Normal museum and gallery admission charges will apply.
 

Trying out for the role of Christ in a new contemporary revival of a traditional mystery play cycle, hopefuls were put through their paces. And to get an idea of the real marvel and spectacle of a miracle, producers even tried to recreate the wonder of walking on water! (picture - auditionee, Scott Reay)

But rather than the exotic Sea of Galilee, wannabe Jesus’ had to settle for Hardwick Hall Lake, County Durham for the feat.

Durham Mysteries will take place from Thursday to Saturday May 27- 29, across three venues in Durham City Centre. Presenting fresh and inspiring offerings from the likes of award-winning authors David Almond (Skellig) and BBC 3’s Ian McMillan, the production will see a reinvention of traditional bible stories including Noah and the Flood, Cain & Abel, The Nativity and the Fall of Lucifer.

On each of the three nights there will be the opportunity to see the whole cycle of 10 Mystery Plays in one incredible evening of drama and spectacle. The plays will take place at three venues, including the iconic Durham Cathedral, Durham Gala Theatre and outdoor picnic-style venue, The Sands.

Tickets ON SALE NOW!
Gala Theatre performance only: £5 (£3 conc)
Durham Cathedral performance only: £5 (£3 conc)
The Sands performances only: £15 (£10 conc)
ALL PLAYS PACKAGE: £20 (£15 conc)

For more information on the full 2010 mystery play cycle, please visit www.durhammysteries.co.uk or call Durham Gala Theatre Box Office on 0191 332404.

 

Tim Harrison’s ‘The Crucifixion’ is one of ten specially commissioned plays which will make up an exciting contemporary revival of a traditional mystery play cycle, exclusively devised for Durham by some of the best creative practitioners working in the UK today.

With music and words by Durham musician Tim Harrison, direction from Em Whitfield and choreography from Helen Whitfield, The Crucifixion will be the ninth play in the 2010 Durham Mysteries cycle, dramatically depicting the spectacle of the trial, suffering and death of Jesus Christ from the perspective of a north east lad drafted into the Roman Army.

Tim said: “There are records that trade links between the north east of England and Rome were established in the time of Christ. The story runs from the perspective of the character of the young Geordie soldier drafted into the Roman Army who is reporting back to his superiors about his own involvement in Christ’s passion, and how this profoundly changes his life.
 

“The text is minimal, weaving together scripture and original material, whist the story is presented through dance, mime and music. The music, which is inspired by contemporary jazz and classical music, is based on an ancient Good Friday plainsong hymn, "Crux Fidelis". In a similar way, the dance brings together elements of contemporary and classical styles.”

The play is to be acted by some of Durham’s most talented young performers, aged between 15- 20, including 16 year old Alex Frost - Younger in the role of Jesus, but Tim says not to be fooled by the cast, as this production is anything but child’s play.
 

Tickets
Gala Theatre performance only: £5 (£3 conc)
Durham Cathedral performance only: £5 (£3 conc)
The Sands performances only: £15 (£10 conc)
ALL PLAYS PACKAGE: £20 (£15 conc)

For more information on the full 2010 mystery play cycle, please visit www.durhammysteries.co.uk or call Durham Gala Theatre Box Office on 0191 3324041
 

You can download the leaflet here or pick up a copy from Tourist Information Centres and other outlets across the North East from next week.

The Durham Celebration Weekend-  Saturday and Sunday March 20th and 21st - sees attractions and events taking part across the county offering either free admission, waiving the fee to some part of their attraction, or offering a limited number of free, or two for the price of one, entries.

If you're interested you can pick up vouchers at Tourist Information Centres and libraries in the County from next Wednesday which allow up to six people to take advantage of the offers at most attractions taking part. A special 'passport' is also available for either The Bowes Museum or Beamish Museum which admits two adults for the price of one during the weekend.

All 10 unsuccessful bidders have received feedback from the judging panel about their bids and Durham was praised for a well presented, strong bid and robust programme.

With a growing track record and well thought through delivery arrangements, the judges said the bid could deliver a successful programme with significant impacts.

But they were concerned about the ‘number and size of venues’ and other ‘visitor infrastructure which may restrict its ability to host very large scale events.’

While there was ‘good variety to the programme’ and ‘elements of national and international excellence,’ they felt there should be more ‘populist’ culture to widen its appeal.

Compared to the strongest bids, they said that Durham’s ‘cultural and visitor infrastructure might constrain its ability to sustain a high quality cultural programme over 12 months and to generate the economic impacts sought for 2013.’

“We value this sort of feedback as it not only tells us where we are doing well but also points us in the direction of the areas we need to focus on and improve in the future, said Councillor Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council.

“The majority of the bid assessment is supportive. The judges found the bid was extremely well presented, well developed and structured, and set out a clear programme of events and activities for 2013 and the run up to it.

“They acknowledged that it built on our cultural strengths, our buildings, landscapes, events, festivals and our artistic expertise and that we had explored a range of solutions for our lack of very large venues.

“However, we feel the very intimate and historic nature of Durham is one of our key strengths and what made us unique among the other bidders.

“But the judges were also impressed by the wide ranging support for the bid both locally and regionally, including funders, and our ability to deliver a strong programme of regular events and festivals as well as larger one-off events such as the hugely successful Lumiere.

“All the feedback will stand us in good stead as we plan to showcase our cultural offer in 2013 when we will have a major sporting event in an Ashes Test Match, a unique cultural icon in the Lindisfarne Gospels and a magical way of illuminating our heritage in the Lumiere winter light festival.

“We have already felt the benefits of the bidding process which has provided a springboard to help us achieve our aspirations. It will spur us on to redouble our efforts and make 2013 an amazing year in Durham,” he said.
 

The weekend offers FREE admission (or some element of a FREE offer) to events, attractions and experiences across the county on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 March. Those already expressing interest are The Bowes Museum, Beamish Open Air Museum, Crook Hall Gardens, The Botanic Gardens and The Oriental Museum, all of whom are considering offering free entry (in some cases with a limit in numbers) during the weekend. Locomotion and Durham Cathedral will also be taking part by waiving the fee to some part of their attraction.

We anticipate that the Northern Echo will promote the weekend to the county’s residents as well as publishing entry vouchers in the week leading up to the Durham Celebration Weekend. Residents will also be able to collect entry vouchers from Tourist Information Centres and libraries across the county.

Schemes like this are quite common across the country and take place in Norfolk, York and Sussex, to name a few. They are successful at generating first time visits and delivering additional visits from visiting friends and relatives in the six months after the event. York’s Residents First weekend has been running successfully for 15 year and the last Sussex event has generated 900 first time visits from local people.

If you are interested in taking part, please download the agreement form and email back to the coordinator. Alternatively you can call Jill Cole on 07802 603008 or email jill.cole@durham.gov.uk