Blithe Spirit is Durham Student Theatre's 2025 Freshers Play, a witty farce where novelist Charles Condomine’s séance summons his mischievous first wife’s ghost, unleashing chaos as his current wife joins the haunting. Noël Coward’s classic sparkles with sharp humour and supernatural twists.

Noël Coward’s Blithe Spirit is a riotous comedy of manners and mischief. Novelist Charles Condomine invites the eccentric medium Madame Arcati to conduct a séance, hoping for inspiration for his next book. Instead, the ritual conjures up Elvira, his clever and mischievous first wife, who refuses to leave.

As Elvira’s ghost meddles with Charles’ second marriage, Ruth, his current wife, is accidentally killed and soon joins the spirited fray. With two temperamental wives haunting him into eternity, Charles finds himself trapped in a supernatural comedy of errors. This timeless farce combines Coward’s wit, sharp characterisation, and deliciously absurd situations.

£10 Standard

£9 Concession

£7 Durham Student Theatre Members

This event takes place at the Sir Thomas Allen Assembly Rooms Theatre, 40 N Bailey, Durham, DH1 3ET.

This performance begins at 7.30pm and lasts until 10pm with a short interval.

Join Durham University Choral Society for their inaugural performance of the season, bringing the reverence of Vaughan Williams' "Dona Nobis Pacem" and the radiance of Poulenc's "Gloria" to the stage of Newcastle Cathedral alongside a 60-piece orchestra.

'Durham University Choral Society, described as possessing "a warm and finely balanced" sound (The Guardian, 2024), join forces with the players of Durham University's leading Orchestras to bring a vibrant programme of choral and symphonic music to Newcastle Cathedral.

Conducted by Tim Burke (Chorus Director for Royal Northern Sinfonia Chorus and Musical Director of Tête à Tête Opera), our evening of music begins with the rousing "Gloria" by Francis Poulenc, a radiant work by the French 20th century composer that spreads joyous praise with a modern twist.  Our second half takes the audience on an extended journey influenced by the First World War from Vaughan Williams' perspective, with a choral-symphonic work entitled "Dona Nobis Pacem" (give us peace).  With introspective slower movements and the haunting fanfares of "Beat! Beat! Drums" Williams brings these tragic memories to life and depicts the light of peace emerging through the darkness.

With an evening of joyous, emotionally resonant music in the beautiful surroundings of Newcastle Cathedral, this event is not one to miss.

£17 Standard

£14 Concession

£12 Durham University Students and Staff

£10 Durham Student Music Members

This concert takes place at Newcastle Cathedral, St. Nicholas Sq, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 1PF.

The concert will begin at 7.45pm and last until approximately 9.15pm. Doors will open 45 minutes before the start time.