"Elektra" tells the tragic story of the daughter and son of the late king Agamemnon planning retribution for their mother who murdered him. "The Women of the Thesmophoria" is a satiric comedy featuring the playwright Euripides that makes fun of the tragic genre and the role of women within it.
Polloi Productions presents a double bill of Euripides' "Elektra" and Aristophanes' "The Women at the Thesmophoria". This pair of plays represents the tragedy and comedy genres of Ancient Greek theatre.
"Elektra", translated by famed classicist Emily Wilson, describes the revenge plot of the children of Agamemnon against their murderous mother Clytemnestra. Follow Elektra and Orestes as they take revenge on the scheming woman who murdered their father.
"The Women at the Thesmophoria" is an adapted version by student Samantha Dotson. It attempts to bring to the modern stage the comedic work of Aristophanes as he tells of the plotted revenge of the women of Athens against the playwright Euripides. As the women bring him to trial for defamation, Euripides' kinsman Mnesilochus sneaks into their meeting dressed as a woman in hopes of changing their minds about Euripides. He is discovered, and Euripides and Mnesilochus have to scheme of a way to free themselves from the Thesmophoria before it's too late.
Content warnings: Violence / Scenes of a sexual nature
£7 Standard
£6 Concession (inc. Classics Society Members)
£5 Durham Student Theatre
This produciton takes place at the Mount Oswald Hub, The Drive, DH1 3LD.
The performances will begin at 7:10pm and last until approximatelyy 9pm with a 10 minute interval.
Join Durham University Big Band and Durham University Jazz Orchestra for their yearly Jazzy Christmas charity gig at the Assembly Rooms Theatre for an evening of festive classics, blazing solos and Christmas cheer!
Jazzy Christmas is the Durham University Jazz Ensembles’ yearly charity Christmas gig, and one of the most popular in the calendar. Join DUJO and DUBB at the Assembly Rooms Theatre for a night of Christmas classics, with a set from each band. The proceedings for the evening will be donated to our charity partner for the year.
£7 Standard
£6 Concession
£5 Durham Student Music Members
This production takes place at Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre, 40 N Bailey, DH1 3ET.
The performance begins at 7.30pm and will finish at approximately 9.30pm, including a 20 minute interval. Doors open 30 minutes prior to the start of the performance.
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Laugh yourself a merry little Christmas,
Watch an improv show,
We will keep you laughing 'til you're all aglow!
Shellshock! Improvised Comedy, Durham's premier improv comedy group, present their signature blend of scenes and sketches. The show is entirely unscripted and made up on the spot - no two shows are ever the same. Come along for an evening of laughter as you give prompts and suggestions to help shape every scene!
Warnings: As the show is improvised, we can't predict the content exactly. However, we always strive to avoid heavy topics and keep our shows light. There will be audience participation and possibly some strong language.
£5 Standard
£3.50 Concession
£3.50 Durham Student Theatre
This performance will take place at Durham Students' Union Learning Lounge, Dunelm House, New Elvet, Durham, DH1 3AN.
This performance will begin at 7:30pm and last until approximately 8:45pm. Doors will open 15 minutes before the start of the performance.
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“Merry DUMT-mas!” is Durham University Musical Theatre Troupe’s festive showcase, featuring Christmas classics and musical hits from Anastasia, The Muppet Christmas Carol, Elf the Musical and more to get you in the mood for a very Durham Christmas!
"Merry DUMT-mas!" is Durham University Musical Theatre Troupe’s whimsical Christmas showcase, filled with festive cheer and iconic holiday numbers. This seasonal celebration brings together a delightful mix of classic and contemporary songs from beloved musicals like Anastasia, The Muppet Christmas Carol, and Elf the Musical.
With captivating performances, sparkling energy, and a dash of Durham charm, DUMT’s talented cast creates a heartwarming experience that captures the joy and nostalgia of the holiday season. Perfect for families, friends, and Christmas lovers,
Merry DUMT-mas! promises to get everyone in the festive spirit and set the stage for a magical holiday.
£7 Standard
£6 Concession
£5 Durham Student Theatre Members
This production takes place in the Concert Room, Music Department, Palace Green DH1 3RL.
This performance begins at 8pm, and doors will open 30 minutes before the start time.
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All I want for Christmas… is some festive a cappella! Presenting a diverse selection of a cappella, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.
Foot Notes A Capella return from a 5* Edinburgh Fringe run, complete with a new generation of Foot Notes to deliver a night of festive classics, contemporary chart-toppers and choral masterpieces, including hits by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, the lyrical melodies of Eleanor Daley, and much more! Situated in the gorgeous St Oswald’s Church, the evening promises to put you in the mood for Christmas, so join us on the 10th December for a night you won’t forget!
£8 Standard
£6 Concession
£5 Durham Student Music
This performance will take place in St Oswald's Church, Church St, Durham, DH1 3DQ.
This performance begins at 8:00pm and will last approximately an hour and twenty minutes including a 15 minute interval. Doors will open half an hour before the start of the performance.
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Durham Dynamics presents their annual A Cappella Christmas concert, mixing your favourite Christmas hits with modern pop arrangements for a festive, music filled night!
Durham Dynamics invites you to celebrate this festive season with our annual Christmas concert. Featuring a mix of traditional holiday classics and your favourite pop songs, our performance appeals to all! Join us on the 11th of December for a night of festive fun brought to you through the beauty of A Cappella!
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Christopher Marlowe’s seminal ‘Doctor Faustus’ sees ambition meet the supernatural in a gripping tale of power, temptation, and tragedy.
DUCT presents a fresh and innovative take on the classic story of a brilliant scholar who, in his thirst for limitless power and knowledge, strikes a deal with the devil, selling his soul for 24 years of magical prowess.
However, as Faustus indulges in his newfound abilities, he spirals deeper into despair, ultimately facing the dire consequences of his choice…
Content Warnings: Death / Suicide / Misogyny
£7.50 Standard
£7 Concession
£6.50 Durham Student Theatre Members
This event takes place at the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre.
The doors will open at 7 PM.
The performance will begin at 7:30PM and will last approximately 140 minutes, including a 15 minute interval.
A classic Christmas collaboration of Durham University Brass Band and Durham University Concert Band.
Settle beneath the stars in the century-old setting of Elvet Methodist Church to tones of timeless Christmas classics. Durham University Brass Band and Durham University Concert Band will collaborate to bring to life a vibrant array of music from the haunting melodies of O Holy Night and The Snowman to Leroy Anderson’s Sleigh Ride and the twist on the English classic, God Rest ye Merry Cha Cha Men. The concert will end with a massed band finale at around 21:30.
£8 Standard
£7 Concession
£6 Durham Student Music Members
This performance takes place at Elvet Methodist Church, 8 Old Elvet, Durham, DH1 3HL.
This production starts at 7.30pm and lasts 2 hours with a 20 minute interval.
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Join us in St Oswald’s Church for a night of music by Viennese composers!
Step into the elegance of Vienna with an evening of Austrian music with Durham University's Classical Ensemble! Join us at St Oswald's Church on the 13th of December for A Night in Vienna: featuring Haydn’s lively Armida Overture and Marianna Martinez’s vibrant Ouverture, both setting the stage for Schubert’s monumental Symphony No. 9, the “Great”.
£8 Standard
£6 Concession
£5 Durham Student Music Members
Free for children under 18
This performance takes place at St Oswald’s Chruch, Church St, Durham DH1 3DQ.
This performance will begin at 7.30pm and finish at approximately 9.30pm with a short interval. Doors will open 30 minutes before the start time.
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The Last Five Years is a heartfelt, two-character musical by Jason Robert Brown that explores the rise and fall of a young couple’s relationship over five years. Told from opposing timelines—Cathy’s story moves backward from heartbreak, while Jamie’s starts with their budding romance—the show blends emotional storytelling with a powerful, jazz-inspired score.
The Last Five Years, a poignant musical by Jason Robert Brown, delves into the highs and lows of a young couple’s five-year relationship. Using a unique narrative structure, Cathy’s story unfolds in reverse, starting from their breakup, while Jamie’s progresses chronologically, beginning with their blossoming romance. The opposing timelines intersect only once, at their wedding, creating a deeply emotional and introspective experience. With its intimate, two-character focus and a compelling, jazz-infused score, the musical masterfully captures the complexities of love, ambition, and heartbreak. This innovative storytelling, paired with rich, evocative music, makes The Last Five Years both moving and unforgettable.
£8.50 Standard
£7.50 Concession
£6.50 Durham Student Theatre Members
This performance is taking place at the Mark Hillery Arts Centre, Collingwood College, South Road, DH1 3LT.
This performance will begin at 7.30pm and run for 90 minutes. Doors open 30 minutes before the show starts.
Conspiracy? Corruption? Fake news and misinformation? Is this a modern-day news article or is it Terry Pratchett's 'The Truth'!? A journalistic crime thriller in the fantastical world of Ankh-Morpork.
William de Worde has somehow found himself editor of Ankh-Morpork's first newspaper. Well, with a name like that...
Launched into the world of investigative journalism, alongside reporter Sacharissa Cripslock, William soon learns that the news is a risky business. For a start, his colleagues include a band of axe-wielding dwarfs and a recovering vampire with a life-threatening passion for flash photography.
It's a big news week: the most powerful man in the city has been arrested, leaving Ankh-Morpork without a leader. Meanwhile a dangerous criminal organisation will do anything to control the story...
£7.50 Standard
£6.50 Concessions
£6 Durham Student Theatre Members
This performance is taking place at The Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre, 40 N Bailey, Durham, DH1 3LE.
This production begins at 7.30pm and will last 135m with a 15 minute interval.
Charlie journeys to Los Angeles to uncover the truth behind Elliott Smith’s death, meeting lost dreamers and faded stars, exploring the delicate balance of dreams and disappointments, and finding reasons to keep living.
Sick to death of pity and eggshells, Charlie Watson-Fox travels to Los Angeles with no luggage or money to uncover the truth behind Elliott Smith’s mysterious death. On the way they meet the host of ex-dreamers and C-list semi-celebrities whose fates, secrets and theories elucidate the paradox of dreams and disappointments upon which America’s brightest state is built. A musical fantasia into heroes, depressive episodes and finding reasons to keep living, Everything Means Nothing to Me explores the intimate journey of two troubled strangers who never even meet.
Content Warnings: Suicide / Mental illness / Death / Knife crime / Drug Abuse / Traffic collision / Sexual assault / strobe lighting / Use of haze
£7 Standard
£6 Concessions
£5.50 Durham Student Theatre Members
This production takes place at the Mark Hillery Arts Centre, Collingwood College, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LT.
The performance will begin at 7.00pm and last until approximately 9.45pm with a 15 minute interval. Doors will open 30 minutes before the start time.
Pitch Productions takes on one of “the funniest and most brilliant short plays” in its rendition of White Liars and Black Comedy, the hilarious double-billed farce by Peter Shaffer.
White Liars delves into the tangled web of class and truth, where characters' lies become their truth. Meanwhile, Black Comedy is a rollicking farce centered on Carol and Brindsley who decorate their house using their neighbour’s furniture whilst he’s away to impress a millionaire art buyer. When a sudden power cut plunges their home into darkness, their mischief and lies are exposed as their bewildered, chaotic neighbours stumble through the house. The world is turned upside down, including the lighting, which is reversed for the audience the entire play.
£7 Standard
£6.50 Concession
£6 Durham Student Theatre Members
This production takes place at the Sir THomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre, 40 North Bailey, Durham, DH1 3ET.
This performance begins at 7.30pm and lasts 140 minutes with a 10 minute interval. Doors will open at 7pm.
Peter Schaffer's delightful comedy follows the adventures of Lettice Duffet, an enthusiast for architectural beauty with a tendency towards exaggeration and the dramatic- come along for a heartwarming and uplifting comedy!
Lettice and Lovage charts the development of an unlikely friendship between Lettice Duffet, an enthusiastic tour guide for Fustian House who enjoys fabricating the house's history, and Lotte, her disapproving employer, and the outlandish consequences that ensue! Follow along in this charming story as Schaffer considers how strong friendships can blossom in the most unlikely of circumstances, unexpectedly improving both of their lives for the better.
£6 Standard
£4 Concession
£4 Durham Student Theatre
This production takes place at the Dowrick Suite, Trevelyan College, DH1 3LN.
The performance will begin at 7pm and run until 9.30pm with a 15 minute interval. Doors will open 30 minutesbefore the start of the production.
Follow twenty-eight days in the life of eighteen-year-old Patrick, as a mysterious wooden box helps him control his destiny, for better or for worse.
February is cursed. Or so eighteen-year-old Patrick believes. As his life fills with mock exams, cross country races, a bully and an unrequited crush, it looks as if the next four weeks will be nothing but dreary. But when he stumbles across a Fatecube – a box with the alleged ability to predict one’s destiny – he's able to take control of his day-to-day struggles; dodging illnesses, winning competitions and earning the attention of the girl he likes. Fate has its own plans, however, and Patrick’s meddling soon has dire consequences.
A coming-of-age tale with fantastical elements, confronting our struggles of grief, identity, and the desire for control in a chaotic universe.
£7 Standard
£6.50 Concession
£6 Durham Student Theatre Members
This production takes place at the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre, 40N Bailey, Durham, DH1 3ET.
Performances will begin at 7.30pm, and last approximately 105 minutes with a 15 minute interval. Doors will open at 7pm.
Durham Student Theatre presents its annual Finalists' Showcase for one night only in the Assembly Rooms Theatre!
Showcasing the best of what Durham Student Theatre has to offer is some of this year's finalists in a celebration of all they have done over the time at Durham. As a last hurrah come and watch them act and sing their hearts out in a one-night extravaganza of all different types of theatre that we have to offer. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you'll be sad to see them go. The finalists' showcase is not one to miss.
£3 Standard
£2.50 Conession
£2 Durham Student Theatre Members
This production takes place at the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre, 40 North Bailey, Durham, DH1 3ET.
This performance will begin at 7.30pm and run until 10pm with a 10 minute interval.
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A striking regency era story about two people, too caught up in their own Pride and Prejudices to see the love before them. Will they be able to see past their judgements to find true love?
It is 1811 in the English countryside. A turbulent relationship between Elizabeth Bennet, the daughter of a country gentleman, and Fitzwilliam Darcy, a rich aristocratic landowner, begins in their meeting at a ball. Surrounded by their lovable yet chaotic kin, will the pair overcome the titular sins of pride and prejudice and accept their love for each other?
With live underscoring by a string quartet, this production is a wonderful example of the contemporary theatrical potential of a classic love story!
£7 Standard
£6 Concession
£5.50 Durham Student Theatre Members
This performance takes place at the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre, 40 North Bailey, Durham, DH1 3ET.
This production will begin at 7.30pm (or 2.30pm on an afternoon performance) and alst approximately two and a half hours with a 15 minute interval. Doors will open 30 minutes before the production.
DDF 2025 will be a week long celebration of new student writing from February 16th to February 23rd.
Join Durham Student Theatre for the 50th Anniversary of the Durham Drama Festival. Featuring nine new plays across three venues, explore the wealth of emerging talent at the UK's largest and most prolific student theatre scene.
More details to follow.
£7 Standard
£6.50 Concessions
£6 Durham Student Theatre Members
This production takes place at the Mount Oswald Hub, Durham, DH1 3FP.
The performance takes place at 7pm (or at 2.30pm on a Saturday). Front doors open 30 minutes before the show starts.
This programme is made up of three 50-minute plays with a short interval between each.
DDF 2025 will be a week long celebration of new student writing from February 16th to February 23rd.
Join Durham Student Theatre for the 50th Anniversary of the Durham Drama Festival. Featuring nine new plays across three venues, explore the wealth of emerging talent at the UK's largest and most prolific student theatre scene.
More details to follow.
£7 Standard
£6.50 Concessions
£6 Durham Student Theatre Members
This production takes place at the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre, 40 North Bailey, Durham, DH1 3ET.
The performance takes place at 7pm (or at 2.30pm on Saturday). Front doors open 30 minutes before the show starts.
This programme is made up of three 50-minute plays with a short interval between each.
DDF 2025 will be a week long celebration of new student writing from February 16th to February 23rd.
Join Durham Student Theatre for the 50th Anniversary of the Durham Drama Festival. Featuring nine new plays across three venues, explore the wealth of emerging talent at the UK's largest and most prolific student theatre scene.
More details to follow.
£7 Standard
£6.50 Concessions
£6 Durham Student Theatre Members
This production takes place at the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre, 40 North Bailey, Durham, DH1 3ET.
The performance takes place at 7pm (or at 2.30pm on Saturday). Front doors open 30 minutes before the show starts.
This programme is made up of three 50-minute plays with a short interval between each.
Durham Opera Ensemble presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe, a witty and whimsical operetta combining political satire with fairy magic, great music, and unforgettable characters.
Gilbert and Sullivan’s Iolanthe, presented by Durham Opera Ensemble, is a sparkling blend of political satire, romance, and fairy magic. Strephon, a half-fairy shepherd, loves Phyllis, a Ward of Court sought in marriage by the entire House of Lords. When a misunderstanding involving Strephon’s fairy mother, Iolanthe, causes Phyllis to renounce him, chaos ensues. The fairies retaliate by sending Strephon to Parliament, where their magic turns the British political system upside down.
With whimsical fairies, lovesick politicians, and sharp satire on privilege and power, plus a fantastic score, Iolanthe is a must-see!
£12 Standard
£9.50 Concession
£7.50 Durham Student Theatre Member
This production takes place at the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre, Durham, DH1 3ET.
Performances begin at 2.30 or 7.30pm and last approximately 160 minutes with a 10 minute interval. Doors will open 30 minutes before the start of the rehearsal.
Set in the Southern multicultural haven of New Orleans, Tennessee Williams' era defining commentary on the divided cultural American psyche, tackling the complexities of love, power, and class.
Winner of the 1948 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and understood as one 20th century's greatest plays, 'A Streetcar Named Desire' is not to be missed. Tennessee Williams explores the lives of Stella and Stanley Kowalski in their shabby apartment in Elysium Fields, set in the Southern multicultural haven of New Orleans. In a commentary on the divided cultural American psyche, their world is brought to a head by the arrival of Blanche DuBois.
Content Warnings: Physical and sexual violence / rape / racism
£7.50 Standard
£7 Concessions
£6.50 Durham Student Theatre Members
This production is taking place at the Mark Hillery Arts Centre, Collingwood College, South Road, DH1 3LT.
This performance will start at 7.30pm and run for 150 minutes with a 15 minute interval. Doors will open 30 minutes before the start time.
Set sail with The Little Mermaid, following Ariel as she explores her dreams and the challenges of the sea. This production promises unforgettable moments and a magical experience for all.
Hilde Bede Theatre makes their Assembly Rooms musical debut with Disney's "The Little Mermaid", an aquatic adventure that you won't want to miss! Follow Ariel as she tackles the challenges of the sea and following her dreams, in magical experience that will be enjoyable for everyone!
£8 Standard
£7 Concession
£6.50 Durham Student Theatre Members
This performance takes place at the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre, 40 North Bailey, Durham, DH1 3ET.
This production starts at 7.30pm and lasts until 10pm with a 15 minute interval.
Set in the turbulent heart of the French Revolution, the timeless tale of Romeo and Juliet details the fate of two ‘star-crossed lovers’, whose dizzying romantic entanglement ends in tragedy.
Durham University Classical Theatre are proud to present our annual Shakespeare production, Romeo and Juliet. In this fresh take on the Shakespearean classic, the story unfolds amid the turmoil of the French Revolution.
Juliet is the daughter of an aristocratic family loyal to the monarchy, while Romeo is a passionate revolutionary fighting for liberty and equality. Their love blossoms in secret against the violent backdrop of political upheaval and shifting alliances. As tensions rise, Romeo and Juliet's entanglement reaches boiling point, in an ending testament to the unbridled power of true love.
£8 Standard
£7 Concession
£6.50 Durham Student Theatre Members
This production takes place at the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre, 40 North Bailey, Durham, DH1 3ET.
This performance begins at 7.30pm, and doors will open at 7pm.
Based on the classic bestselling novel by Sue Townsend, this critically acclaimed West End musical brings Britain’s best-loved spotty teenager’s story to life for a new generation of theatergoers.
Life’s pretty hard when you’re a 13¾ year-old misunderstood intellectual living in a cul-de-sac in 1981. With dysfunctional parents, ungrateful elders and a growing debt to school bully Barry Kent, Adrian Mole’s life simply couldn’t get any worse! So when luminous new girl Pandora joins Adrian’s class, things look set to change for our hapless hero. Pandora immediately captures Adrian’s heart, only for his best friend Nigel to steal hers...
Based on the classic bestselling novel by Sue Townsend, this critically acclaimed West End musical brings Britain’s best-loved spotty teenager’s story to life for a new generation of theatregoers.
£8 Standard
£7 Concessions
£6.50 Durham Student Music Members
This production takes place at the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre, 40 N Bailey, Durham, DH1 3ET.
Performances start at 2.30 and 7.30pm and last 135 minutes including a 10 minute interval.
Slam of the North brings together the best performance poets from five northern universities to compete over one exciting evening!
For one night only, Durham University Poetry Society and University of Leeds Spoken Word Society present Slam of the North, bringing together the best performance poets from five northern universities to compete in a spectacular celebration of poetry and spoken word.
£7 Standard
£5 Concession
The performance will start at 7.30pm, and doors will open 30 minutes before the start of the performance. There will be a 10 minute interval
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