May and June 2010

01/04/2010

Further Info & Photographs From: Katie Porter, PR Executive, Visit York. Tel: 01904 554436, Email: kp@visityork.org

If you're interested in a particular event or would like to do an outside broadcast from York we'd love to hear from you. Looking for a different angle? Why not visit the media room on our website www.visityork.org/media and click on themed fact sheets for ideas...

May Events 2010

National Railway Museum

Bank Holiday Fun
1 - 3 May
Free admission
For those who haven't yet experienced the newly restored replica Rocket in steam, take the chance to jump aboard for a steam ride* this May Bank Holiday.

*Small charge applies for steam rides

New Exhibition
Great Western Railway Reflections
28 May - 1 November 2010
Free admission
This free new exhibition celebrates the 175th anniversary of the founding of the Great Western Railway. The displays take a sideways look at the GWR through the nicknames by which it was known and showcases the NRM's collections of small objects, posters and paintings relating to the GWR.

May half term activities
29 May - 6 June
Free admission
Come and say a fond farewell to the iconic Mallard before she makes her way up to Locomotion, the National Railway Museum at Shildon (23 June). Step on board the footplate with our Explainers, hear how it became the fastest steam locomotive in the world and get crafty with themed learning activities.

Public contact: For more information, visit www.nrm.org.uk , telephone 08448 153 139 or email nrm@nrm.org.uk Press contact: Roy Gibson, Tel: 01904 686262 Email: press.office@nrm.org.uk

York Minster

New Exhibition
Creation
Saturday 1 May - Sunday 6 June 2010
An exhibition exploring the Creation, by Jacqui Frost and Paul Field for the Deo Gloria Trust. Ten textiles panels use vibrant and intense colours to depict scenes from the book of Genesis. Situated in the Lady Chapel, the exhibition will provide a contemporary interpretation to contemplate alongside 600 year old interpretations of Creation scenes from the Great East Window.

Public contact: Entry to York Minster is: £8 Adults, £7 Consessions, Under 16's free accompanied by an adult, entry is free to York residents with a York/Minster card.
Press contact: Kendal Mosley-Chalk, Tel: 0844 939 0014, ext 2842 / 07540883 407 Email: kendalm@yorkminster.org

Exhibition
Museums at Night
Friday 14 May 2010
A night to discover what lies beneath the great York Minster. This will give visitors the chance to explore the museum after hours where free activities will be taking place. Candlelit guided ‘Tooling Tours' will show you the original masons' marks from the Norman Cathedral in the Crypt (booking in advance is essential).

Crypt and Candles will be at 8pm, giving an opportunity to reflect in the peaceful surroundings of the crypt. (Please note that access is by stairs and there is no lift).

York Art Gallery

New Exhibition
China: Journey to the East
22 May - 5 September 2010
Main Gallery
Free admission
China: Journey to the East, supported by BP, a CHINA NOW legacy project, spans 3,000 years of Chinese history and culture, exploring themes of play and performance, technology, belief and festivals, food and drink, and language and writing.
China has been a major influence on many parts of the world through trade and the movement of peoples. Chinese Diaspora communities form a vital part of the history of many countries, including Britain.
This unique exhibition features over 100 objects from the British Museum, the largest loan of Chinese material the Museum has made in the UK. The exhibition also includes objects from the collections of some of the partner museums and from elsewhere within their regions. The tour is organised through the British Museum's Partnership UK scheme.

New Exhibition
York Mystery Plays
3 April - 8 September 2010 (Please note: The manuscript is on show until 5 August)
Little Gallery
Free admission
The only surviving copy of an original manuscript of the world famous York Mystery Plays is going on show in a special exhibition this spring. The document, dating from the 15th Century, is on loan to the gallery from the British Library in London.

It will feature alongside paintings and works on paper showing the original stopping places of the waggons in the city and other documents and artefacts from the time they first ran and when they were reintroduced in the 1950s.

The manuscript will go on show from 3 April until 5 August 2010 and will be opened at two different pages during its stay.

New Exhibition
English Country Garden - A ceramic exhibition celebrating the joys of summer
14 May - 1 September 2010
The Pot Gallery
Free admission
A garden of ceramic riches will spring in to life at York Art Gallery this summer.

An English Country Garden will see works inspired by plants, flowers, animals and birds displayed in a space inspired by beauty of a summer garden.

It will feature pieces by internationally renowned ceramicists such as Kate Malone and Rosemary Wren as well as Rockingham Pottery and items from the gallery's nationally important studio pottery collection.

This is the second exhibition to take place in the new Gallery of Pots, a designated space for the gallery's ceramics collection.

Public contact: Visit www.yorkartgallery.co.uk Tel: 01904 687687
Press contact: Lee Clark, York Museums Trust. Tel: 01904 687670 Email: lee.clark@ymt.org.uk

Fairfax House

Residents Open Day
Saturday 8 May - Thursday 13 May 2010
Due to winter closure at the time of this year's Residents Festival back in January, Treasurer's House is giving York residents the chance to visit this historic building free of charge during normal opening hours during selected dates this May. Residents just need to show their YorkCard to get free entry.

Clocks, Cogs & Wheels
Tuesday 25 May, 7pm
Horologist David Barker will reveal the intricate details of the Noel Terry collection of clocks and disassemble and reassemble one to reveal its construction and interior workings of a timepiece.

Exhibition
The Flowing Bowl
Until Sunday 30 May
Take a last chance to see The Flowing Bowl exhibition, focusing on paintings and decorative objects, ranging from the early punch bowls and exquisite silver tankards made in York, to the English glass in the John Butler collection.

Public contact: For more detailed information about any of the activities happening throughout 2010, please visit www.fairfaxhouse.co.uk , email info@fairfaxhouse.co.uk or ring 01904 655543. Press contact: Hannah Philip, tel: 01904 655543 email: hannahphilip@yorkcivictrust.co.uk or Melanie Paris, tel: 01904 647408, email: hello@melanieparis.com

Clifford's Tower

Knight's Trail
Saturday 1, Sunday 2 and Monday 3 May
From 10am
The Queen has asked that the mini model English Heritage knights and squires be invited to a banquet. All those that can find them and deliver the invitation in time will be royally rewarded with a fun sticker.

Tudor Trail for Children
Saturday 29 May to Sunday 6 June
From 10am - 6pm
A hunt for Henry VIII and his six wives, giving children an insight into finding out more about the untimely deaths of Anne Boleyn and Kathryn Howard. Children will need to keep their heads to complete this trail and receive their sticker prize.

Public contact: Visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/cliffords for more information or telephone 01904 646940
Press contact: Danielle Bradley, email danielle.bradley@english-heritage.org.uk

Treasurer's House
Residents Open Day
Saturday 8 May - Thursday 13 May 2010
Due to winter closure at the time of this year's Residents Festival back in January, Treasurer's House is giving York residents the chance to visit this historic building free of charge during normal opening hours during selected dates this May. Residents just need to show their YorkCard to get free entry.

Public contact: For more information please contact Jane Lewis, Administrator 01904 624247 Email: treasurershouse@nationaltrust.org.uk
Press contact: Jane Whitehead, Property Manager or Lisa Holden, Visitor Services Manager, Treasurer's House, Minster Yard, York. Tel 01904 624247; Fax 01904 647372; email treasurershouse@nationaltrust.org.uk ; www.nationaltrust.org.uk

Merchant Adventurers' Hall
Residents Open Day
Saturday 8 May - Thursday 13 May 2010
Due to winter closure at the time of this year's Residents Festival back in January, Treasurer's House is giving York residents the chance to visit this historic building free of charge during normal opening hours during selected dates this May. Residents just need to show their YorkCard to get free entry.

Public and Press Contact: Lauren Marshall (Hall Manager) Telephone: 01904 654818 Email: hall.manager@theyorkcompany.co.uk

Yorkshire Air Museum

Battlegroup North & Military Wheels & Wings Show
Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 May
The show that keeps growing and growing. A Military Vehicle spectacular with the
largest gathering of historic military vehicles in the North of England and the second
largest in the whole of the United Kingdom, as well as superb Living History displays
and the ever popular Wargaming Show.

Admission: £7 Adults, £5 Senior Citizens and £4 Children. Family (2A + 3C) £18 Tel: 01904 608595.

Public contact: Visit www.yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk For further information, please call the Museum on 01904 608595 or e-mail: museum@yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk
Press Contact: Ian Richardson 01904 608718 or e-mail: pr@yorkshireairmuseum.co.uk

Castle Howard

‘Alice' Outdoor Promenade Theatre Production
Sunday 23 May to Monday 31 May 2010
Visit Castle Howard to experience ‘Alice' - an outdoor promenade theatre production based on the classic stories by Lewis Carroll. Presented by Park Lane Stage Company and Leeds City College. Performances start at 2pm daily.

Adults £15.00 and children £10.00 (which includes admission to Castle Howard).

Public contact: For tickets please call the Park Lane College Box Office on 07762 159163. Visit www.leedscitycollege.ac.uk/alice for more details.
Press contact: Rachel Jack, telephone 01653 648624 or email rjack@castlehoward.co.uk

York Theatre Royal

Wednesday 5 - Saturday 8 May
Belt Up Theatre in association with the Bureau of Surrealist Research present
Lorca Is Dead
Or A Brief History Of Surrealism
Written by Dominic J. Allen

The clock dripping down the wall has just struck 19:36 A.D. The poet Garcia Lorca is dead. Join the Paris Surrealists as they race to tell the story of Lorca, Spain's most beloved poet, before everything comes crashing down around their ears.

Times: 7.45pm
Performance Location: Studio
Free events during the day in the foyer, starting at noon (see website)
Tickets: £10 (Tue-Thu), £12 (Fri & Sat), £5 (students & u25s), concessions available

Tuesday 4 May
Script Yorkshire and York Theatre Royal present
Script Factor: All Winners Final

New scripts to be performed and discussed by members of the audience in this, the All-Winners Final of Script Factor 2009/10!

Times: 7.45pm
Performance Location: Studio
Tickets: £5, £4 Script Yorkshire and YCSP members

Thursday 13 May - Saturday 5 June
Pilot Theatre and York Theatre Royal
Catcher
Before Chapman shot Lennon
Written by Richard Hurford

New York, December 8, 1980.
Mark Chapman shoots and kills John Lennon.

A hotel room, December 7, 1980.
Mark Chapman opens The Catcher in the Rye and reads as the book's hero Holden Caulfield brings an escort to his hotel room. To talk.
Mark picks up the phone and does the same.

Twenty-four hours later John Lennon is dead.

No one knows what took place in that hotel room on Mark's last night of anonymity. Until now. A woman comes forward with her story - a girl in a green dress trapped in a New York hotel room - the story of John, Holden and Mark Chapman. Remixed, re-lived, re-imagined.

Times: 7.45pm with 1.30pm (Thu) 2.00pm (Sat) matinee
Performance Location: Studio
Tickets: £10 (Tue - Thu) £12 (Fri & Sat) £5 students & u25s, concessions available

Tuesday 25 May
As part of Pilot's Platform Festival, May 2010
The Mystery of Jack and the Clones of Chaos
Written by Richard Hurford
Directed by Katie Posner

Thirteen year old Jack has his own bedroom and he likes it that way. But everything changes when the ‘Clones of Chaos' move in.

They look just like him, but they say and do weird things that get him into all sorts of trouble. Even his own parents don't know who he is anymore.

Can Jack discover who the ‘Clones of Chaos' really are and why they're picking on him - before they take over his world forever? For 8 years+

Times: 1.30pm & 7.00pm
Performance Location: Studio
Tickets: £5

Saturday 22 - Wednesday 26 May
As part of Pilot's Platform Festival, May 2010-03-31
Made in Argentina
Directed by Marcus Romer

Three cutting edge tales about life in school Buenos Aires style transfer to York from Argentina where this production premiered in March. Presented in association with Argentinian Theatre Company Atina and Platform 11+, these plays are performed in Spanish and English For 14+

Times: Sat 22 May 2.00pm, Mon 24 May 7.00pm, Wed 26 May 1.30pm
Performance Location: Studio
Tickets: £5

Monday 24 May
At York Theatre Royal
Comedy Night

Stand up comedy returns to the main house with another evening of merriment and mirth featuring some of the world's top comedians. Headlined by IF.COM EDDIE Award-Winner (formerly the Perrier Awards) Phil Nichol, with British Comedy Award nominee and ITV 'Take The Mike' Award Winner Paul Kerensa (**** Metro), Chortle Award-Winner and Jongleurs regular Jo Enright compered by "skilful stand-up" (Time Out Magazine), Geoff Whiting.

*Lineup may be subject to change, visit the website for the latest information.
**Will contain strong language and adult material

Date: Mon 24 May
Time: 7.30pm
Performance location: Main House
Tickets: £12, £5 students and u25s (upper circle)

Tuesday 25 May
Belt Up Theatre present
The Tartuffe
By James Wilkes after Moliere
Come and hear the tale of disgraced actor, Orgon Poquelin's fall from grace at the hands of the charlatan holy man, Tartuffe. A mad-cap, comic and raucous reincarnation of Moliere's timeless classic returning to York for one night only after sell out runs in Edinburgh, London and Great Wyrley, South Staffordshire!
"hysterically funny" FIVE stars, Time Out
Time: 7.30pm
Performance Location: Main House
Suitable for: 14+, contains strong language & adult references
Tickets: £17 (Dress Circle) £15 (Stalls) £13 (Upper Circle) £10 (Gallery) £5 students & u25s

Wednesday 26 May
Gem Music presents
Millegro
York Contemporary Choir
Sure on this Shining Night

Classics, Jazz, World Music and Soul..... York's most innovative contemporary choir brings you a CHORAL CELEBRATION dedicated to the unexpected!

Alongside Astor Piazzolla and Bernstein the evening features inspired music by living composers from Cuba and The Philippines followed by an exciting wave of popular music, including "Fever", "Amazing Grace", "Ain't Nobody" and "The Love Cats"!

By Musical Director Ewa Salecka and pianist Greg Birch, featuring saxophonist Tim Twomey, "Sure on this Shining Night" is guaranteed to leave you bursting with song!

Time: 7.30pm
Performance Location: Main House
Tickets: £8 - £10, £5 concessions, students & u25s

Friday 28 - Saturday 29 May
Birmingham Royal Ballet

Three contrasting ballets showcasing the diverse talents of the company and appealing to all tastes.

Set in the garden of an Italian Renaissance villa, Allegri diversi gives life to Rossini's light and playful score with effortless elegance.

Grosse Fuge opens with four men and four women dancing in separate groups, apparently disinterested in the other. As the music becomes more and more complex so does the dance and it becomes clear the dancers are in fact performing for each other. Finally they become four couples, dancing together in celebration.

The Centre and its Opposite is a brand-new work from contemporary choreographer Garry Stewart, Artistic Director of Australian Dance Theatre. This stylish and dynamic piece is set to a rhythmically powerful electronic soundscape and presents the audience with an intense explosion of rapid-fire classical ballet fused with hard-edged contemporary dance.

Times: 7.30pm with a 2.30pm (Sat) matinee
Performance Location: Main House
Tickets: £10 - £20, £5 students & u25s (50 available in the upper circle)

Public contact: For a full list of events happening at York Theatre Royal in May or to make a booking, visit www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk or telephone 01904 623568.
Press contact: Rebecca Storey, Press & Media Manager, York Theatre Royal, Tel: 01904 550149, Email: Rebecca.storey@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

North York Moors

Drystone Walling Workshops
Sunday 16 and Sunday 30 May
The art of drystone walling will be revealed during a hands-on workshop at Sutton Bank National Park Centre. Led by National Park Authority Ranger, Carl Cockerill, the full-day event gives a basic introduction to building with limestone.

The workshops take place between 10.30am and 4pm and cost £12.50 for adults and £10 for children (the workshop is only suitable for children aged 12 and over and they must be accompanied by an adult). Booking is advisable to guarantee a place. The workshops are accessible by Moorsbus which starts at just £5 for an all-day ticket, go to www.moors.uk.net/moorsbus for more information and to plan a route.

The Wonderful World of Small Mammals
Saturday 22 May
Find out more fascinating facts about the most secretive of our native wildlife - small mammals - and look for traces of them around The Moors National Park Centre as they celebrate International Biodiversity Day. The event takes place from 11am to 12.30am and costs £4 (not suitable for children under five; all children under nine to be accompanied by an adult). Booking is advisable to guarantee a place.

Advanced Mountain Bike Ride
Sunday 23 May
Explore the beautiful landscape and spectacular views around Sutton Bank National Park Centre on a 25 mile mountain bike ride with Senior Ranger Simon Bassindale. Suitable for more experienced riders (red/black mountain bike route rating), the ride starts from Sutton Bank National Park Centre and follows quiet roads and moorland tracks through the North York Moors, Hambleton Hills and Rye Valley. The all-day ride starts at 10am and costs £3 - over 18s only. Booking is advisable to guarantee a place.

Archery
Monday 31 May
The Whitby Company of Archers will be on site all day to give hands-on instruction for those wanting to have a go at archery. Pay £3.50 and you can have as many goes as you like during the day. Moorsbus will be calling at the Centre on this day - to check timetables go to www.moors.uk.net/moorsbus

Public contact: For more information or to book an event, telephone 01439 772738.
Press contact: Rachel McIntosh, Communications Officer - North York Moors National Park Authority, Tel: 01439 770657 Email: r.mcintosh@northyorkmoors-npa.gov.uk

Carlton Towers

Steam Spectacular
Saturday 29 to Monday 31 May
Top steam fair attractions including: steam engines, classic cars, vintage tractors, classic motorcycles, fairground organs, vintage commercials and tractor pulling. Live bands (Saturday and Sunday evening) and a spectacular fireworks display (Saturday evening).

Open daily 10am to 5.30pm plus Saturday 6pm till 11pm. £8 adults, £7 over 65s, £3 under 16s and £20 Family ticket (2+3). Public camping for the weekend, including Family Admission £45.

Public contact: For more information please call 08432 897931.
Press contact for Carlton Towers: Paul Brice, General Manager, Tel: 01405 861662

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

Abbey Tours
Saturday 1 - Monday 31 May
Daily 11am, 1pm, 2pm
Normal admission prices apply
Join a free tour to discover fascinating facts and stories about the Abbey and monks. Meet at Porter's Lodge.

Mr Aislabie's Garden Tour
Saturday 1 - Monday 31 May
Daily 11.30am
Normal admission prices apply
Free tour taking in the grand design of the Georgian landscape including Deer Park and Water Garden. Meet at Porter's Lodge.

Bank Holiday Fun - Things with Wings!
Saturday 1 - Monday 3 May
11am - 4pm
Normal admission prices apply
Free trails and drop in self-led activities for children in Swanley Grange.

St Mary's Church Tour
Sunday 2 May
11am
Free tour of the richly decorated Victorian High Gothic church designed by William Burges. Meet at St Mary's church.

Fountains Hall Day
Monday 3 May
From 11am
Normal admission prices apply
A day of activities at Fountains Hall. The Elizabethan gardens and herb garden will be open with behind the scenes of the hall, and refreshments available in the garden.

Early Birds
Saturday 8 May
7am
Walk and listen to the chatter of the early birds. Hearing is believing! Meet at the Visitor Centre.

St Mary's Church Tour
Wednesday 19 May
11am
Free tour of the richly decorated Victorian High Gothic church designed by William Burges. Meet at St Mary's church.

World Heritage Site Tour
Saturday 22 May
10.30am
Normal admission prices apply
Take a tour to find out what makes Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal a World Heritage Site. Meet at the Visitor Centre.

Pentecost Service
Sunday 23 May
3pm
Ecumenical service in St Mary's church. Everyone welcome.

Fairies, Goblins, Herbs and Plants!
Saturday 29 May
10.30am
Normal admission prices apply
A family walk to discover the folk tales and fairy stories linked to herbs and plants around the estate. Meet at the Visitor Centre.

Get Medieval
Saturday 29 - Monday 31 May
11am - 5pm
Normal admission prices apply
Join the costumed re-enactors around their medieval encampment. Watch and take part in activities and demonstrations based on 15th century life.

School Holiday Fun - Things with Wings!
Saturday 29 May - Sunday 6 June
11am - 4pm
Normal admission prices apply
Free trails and drop in self-led activities for children in Swanley Grange.

Meet the Gardener
Monday 31 May
11am - 3pm
Normal admission prices apply
Get top tips from Steve our gardener on how to grow your own vegetables, no matter how small your growing space is, and have a go at sowing seeds yourself.

Public contact: For further details on all events, telephone 01765 608888.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Admission Prices:
Adult £8.50
Child £4.55
Under 5 FREE
Family £21.60

National Trust and English Heritage Members FREE

Open daily 10am-5pm
Further information, Tel: Estate Office, 01765 608888 / www.fountainsabbey.org.uk

Press contact: Please contact Alexa Morton, Visitor Experience and Marketing Manager, Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, Estate Office, Ripon, North Yorkshire, HG4 3DY. Tel: 01765 643199. Email: alexa.morton@nationaltrust.org.uk

June Events 2010

York Cycle Show 2010
York Knavesmire
Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 June 2010
10.30am - 6.30pm Saturday and 10.30am - 4.30pm Sunday
Join over 10,000 cyclists from across the UK and beyond for a host of cycling events, including: Trade Show & Exhibition, arena events, the CTC National Rally and Camping Weekend. The Saturday will see organised rides from 20 miles to 150 km. The show will also see a Zero Gravity Stunt Show, a cyclists' service at York Minster and a Grand Parade through the city. There will also be Cycle Club displays, Veteran cycles and Saturday night on-site musical entertainment.

Public contact: For more information visit www.ctc.org.uk
Press contact: John Taylorson, Tel: 0844 736 8456.

National Railway Museum

Farewell to Mallard
23 June
Free admission
Witness the record-breaker, Mallard as she leaves the NRM in spectacular fashion and is then pulled by Tornado to Locomotion, the National Railway Museum's County Durham attraction. This is a unique opportunity to see two of the most famous locomotives in the world set off up the East Coast Main Line together.
Time and location for viewing to be confirmed, keep checking the website (www.nrm.org.uk) for more details.

Public contact: For more information, visit www.nrm.org.uk , telephone 08448 153 139 or email nrm@nrm.org.uk Press contact: Roy Gibson, Tel: 01904 686262 Email: press.office@nrm.org.uk

DIG

Bugs are Brilliant!
26th - 27th June , 10am - 4pm
DIG, St. Saviour's Church, St. Saviourgate, YO1 8NN
Free
Learn all about our fascinating insect friends with this chance to meet and handle a selection of creepy crawlies and to have a go at insect artwork (26th June), then get hands-on to build some amazing insect habitats and to see insects in close-up on our big screen (27th June). A National Insect Week event.

The Blood Beast Terror (12A)
26th June , 8pm
DIG, St. Saviour's Church, St. Saviourgate, YO1 8NN
£2.50.
Join your host, a Victorian entomologist, for this screening of a camp horror classic, which features Peter Cushing and Roy Hudd doing battle with a giant moth. With a chance to buy spooky retro sweets and refreshments! A National Insect Week event.
Public Contact: Reservations Department Tel: 01904 615505
Press Contact: David Scott Tel: 01904 543 400

Barley Hall

Tales of Terror
1 May, 8pm
Barley Hall, 2 Coffee Yard, Off Stonegate, YO1 8AR
£10 adult, £8 conc.
Based on original commissions by the Lichfield festival and York Archaeological Trust, this evening of gentle chills and pleasing terrors draws on the work of the greatest literary masters of the macabre with ghost stories by M R James and Edgar Allan Poe, Louisa Baldwin and Lafcadio Hearn. Brought to you by The Happiness Patrol Theatre Company. Pre-booking essential: 01904 615505.

Public Contact: Reservations Department Tel: 01904 615505
Press Contact: David Scott Tel: 01904 543 400

Fairfax House

English Furniture
Tuesday 8 June, 7pm at the National Centre for Early Music
Furniture historian Adam Bowett will take a closer look at some of the famous Noel Terry collection of furniture.

New Exhibition
Dress to Impress
Friday 18 June - Sunday 21 November 2010
A special exhibition of costume looking at the fabulous clothing worn by members of 18th century polite society and exploring and revealing the exquisite fabrics and extravagant ornamentation used.

Castle Howard

Castle Howard and Brideshead: Fact, Fiction and In-Between
Wednesday 16 June 2010
Join the Castle Howard Curator for a lecture and discover how Evelyn Waugh's famous story has come to influence the way the public view one of England's favourite historic houses. The lecture includes a private viewing of the ‘Brideshead Restored' exhibition with wine and canapés. Lecture commences at 5.30pm.

Public contact: Telephone 01653 648621or email house@castlehoward.co.uk
Press contact: Rachel Jack, telephone 01653 648624 or email rjack@castlehoward.co.uk

York Theatre Royal

Tuesday 1 - Saturday 5 June
Back by Popular Demand...
dinnerladies
Written by Victoria Wood

Returning to York Theatre Royal after a sell out run last Spring.
Take one huge hit sitcom from BBC TV; place on a stage in its hugely-successful
national tour with Andrew Dunn and Sue Devaney from the original cast of the TV series.
Blend in Victoria Wood's writing, undoubtedly some of the funniest on TV, and whip into a play, based on the second TV series.

Times: 7.30pm with 2pm (Thu)/2.30pm (Sat) matinees
Performance Location: Main House
Tickets: £10 - £20, £5 Students & u25s
Access Performances: Audio Described; Sat 5 Jun, 2.30 & 7.30

Tuesday 8 June
York Theatre Royal in association with Spoon Tree Productions presents
LaLaLuna
by Wolfe Bowart

A whimsical and hilarious tale of the moon's caretaker as he struggles to re-light the darkened moon, LaLaluna is circus, clown theatre and film woven together with a poetic and comic physical language all its own.

Beloved by audiences of all ages around the planet, LaLaLuna is the joyful solo creation from Wolfe Bowart, one of today's masters of physical theatre. A rare opportunity to see this acclaimed international performer.

Times: 2.00pm & 7.00pm
Performance Location: Main House
Tickets: £10 - £15, £5 Students & u25s

Wednesday 9 - Saturday 12 June
Northern Broadsides in partnership with the New Vic Theatre present
Geoffrey Chaucer's
The Canterbury Tales

A new version by Mike Poulton
Directed by Conrad Nelson

The Tabard Inn, London, sometime in the fourteenth century. A motley group of individuals - Knight, Cook, Miller, Squire, Wife and more - gather for their pilgrimage to Canterbury Cathedral. On the way, they regale each other with their colourful tales and thus unfolds one of the greatest collections of stories ever told.

Come to The Canterbury Tales and experience theatrical riches it's almost impossible to sum up: love stories, rude stories and farce most lewd, high romance and hidden depths, chivalry, villainy, jousting and boisterous antics, mirth and merriment, poetry and puppetry and a good dose of song and dance.

Times: 7.30pm with a 1.30pm (Thu) /2.30pm (Sat) matinee
Performance Location: Main House
Tickets: £10 - £20, £5 students & u25s

Tuesday 15 - Saturday 19 June
Little Feet Children's Theatre Festival

This year York Theatre Royal and tutti frutti are working together in a new way by bringing to York some of the best children's theatre currently available from the UK, France and Italy, in our brand new LITTLE FEET, A FESTIVAL of CHILDREN'S THEATRE. Every space in the building is being given over for children and their families to enagage with wonderful stories and theatre, even for those as young as 18 months old! Our warm thanks go to York City Council for working in partnership with us and Arts Council England for their support.

Wednesday 16 June
La Baracca (ITALY) present
The Colours of Water

Water came with the rain
and the hidden garden was suddenly brought into life.
Fountains and basins were filled.
Fruit, leaves, trees and plants have dusted off their colours
and the rainbow appeared high up in the sky.
In the middle of the hidden garden, there is someone who's looking for
water.

Times: 11am & 1.30pm
Performance Location: Studio
Tickets: £8 Adults, £5 children, students & u25s
Suitable for: 1 - 4

Thursday 17 June
Big Window (UK) present
Looking for the Rainbow

One morning Kirsty wakes up to see the most beautiful rainbow ever and the rainbow's end is only three gardens away. She persuades her mum to come with her and together they set off to find it. Soon they are lost and the real adventure begins!

Times: 11am & 1.30pm
Performance Location: Studio
Tickets: £8 Adults, £5 children, students & u25s

Suitable for: 18 months - 3

Saturday 19 June
Freehand Theatre (UK) present
Who's Been Sitting in my Chair?

A delightful and playful interpretation of a well-known tale - with porridge and bears and one-two-three chairs. A tale that's not too BIG and not too small but just right. Mind you, telling this story is not so easy when it's wintertime and the bears won't wake up - Zzzzzzzzz - what do bears dream about? But spring in the air puts a spring in all our steps and one little girl with golden hair is always a step ahead. And when Small Bear gets lost, we all have to go on a bear hunt!

With original music, this play by freehand theatre is for everyone who can count to three

"Freehand Theatre's superb creations are a joy to see. They provide real and effective theatre." Times Educational Supplement

Times: 11am & 1.30pm
Performance Location: Studio
Tickets: £8 Adults, £5 children, students & u25s
Suitable for: 3 - 7

Thursday 17 - Saturday 19 June
Arcosm (FRANCE) present
Echoa
This enormously charismatic group of dancers, drummers and physical comedians seize the stage with an electrifying brand of action percussion. Infectious, inventive and utterly unique, ECHOA blurs the line between music and movement, creating a new type of performance.
‘‘...a joyful piece, full of echoes - in which each minute brings us a new experience." Le Monde

Times: 7.00pm with a 2pm (Fri) matinee
Performance Location: Main House
Suitable for: 7+
Tickets: £10 - £15, £5 students & u25s

Tuesday 22 June
THE IAN McMILLAN ORCHESTRA

‘British music at its most ingenious' The Guardian

Astonishing, awesome and beautiful songs presented by the Bard of Barnsley, Ian McMillan and composer Luke Carver Goss, with a band of jaw-dropping ensemble players.

As featured on The South Bank Show, Loose Ends, Late Junction, The Mike Harding Show, BBC Proms Plus... CD Sharp Stories out on Taith Records. A scintillating night of poems, music, comedy & improv - like nothing you've ever seen before!

Time: 7.30pm
Performance location: Main House
Tickets: £15, £12 concession, £5 students & u25s

Friday 25 June
York Theatre Royal and J-Night present
Tangomotion

"intense, epic and beautiful" Independent on Sunday

From virtuoso choreographed dance to the exquisite sound of 1930's Buenos Aires, this is a breathtaking journey into the heart of Tango Argentino.

Tangomotion features four of the world's leading tango dancers, who have previously appeared in Strictly Come Dancing, Tango Por Dos, and Madonna's film Evita. With live music from the outstanding Tango Siempre musicians and Argentinean singer Guillermo Rozenthuler.

"simply electrifying... major virtuosity shines throughout" The Scotsman

Time 7.30pm
Performance location: Main House
Tickets: £20 (Dress), £18 (Stalls), £13 (Upper Circle), £10 (Gallery) Students and U25s £5

Saturday 26 June
An Audience with Jenni Murray
Jenni Murray discusses her long career in Broadcasting, particularly her 22 years at the helm of Woman's Hour, the programme's 64 year history and her most engaging and most terrifying interviewees from Barbara Castle to Kaffe Fasset, Monica Lewinsky to Tom Hanks and Jack Nicholson, Margaret Thatcher through Blair to Gordon Brown.

Time: 7.30pm
Performance Location: Main House
Tickets: £16 (Dress Circle & Stalls), £14 (Upper Circle), £10 (Gallery),
£5 students & u25s

Public contact: For a full list of events happening at York Theatre Royal in June or to make a booking, visit www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk or telephone 01904 623568.
Press contact: Rebecca Storey, Press & Media Manager, York Theatre Royal, Tel: 01904 550149, Email: Rebecca.storey@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk

North York Moors

Brilliant Biodiversity
Tuesday 1 June 2010
Celebrate the International Year of Biodiversity with a full day exploring the different habitats of the North York Moors National Park. Have a go at mammal trapping, minibeast hunting, stream dipping, bird watching and playing wild flower bingo. Children will be supervised over lunchtime so bring a packed lunch.

The full day (10.30am to 4pm) takes place at The Moors National Park Centre and costs £15. The event is suitable for children aged 7 and over and all children under nine must be accompanied by an adult (no charge). Booking is advisable to guarantee a place.

Wild living
Tuesday 1 June
Go back to basics and learn how to live free from the land on one of several survival days in the North York Moors National Park.

See the peaceful valley of Rosdale in a different light on a Bushcraft Walkabout. Stopping at various locations, participants will undertake various bushcraft activities including building shelters and investigating animal trakcs and signs. The day costs £20 and is open to children aged 13 and over. A packed lunch is required and booking is advisable to guarantee a place.

Wild Living
Friday 4 June
At The Moors National Park Centre children can take part in an action packed ‘Hideaway in the Woods' day. Trying different forms of camouflage, children can try to ‘disappear' from the rest of the group. They'll also get to build a weatherproof shelter from materials found in the woodland which will be tested to see how watertight they are. The day costs £15 and is suitable for children aged 9 to 14. A packed lunch is required and booking is advisable to guarantee a place.

Special interest talks
The Lime & Ice project seeks to involve people in exploring and understanding the magnificent landscape of the south west corner of the North York Moors National Park and the northern part of the adjoining Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

As part of the project, there will be two free talks taking place in June at Sutton Bank National Park Centre.

Prepare to be fascinated as the mysteries of Ryedale's windy pits are revealed at an interesting talk on Tuesday 1 June. These networks of limestone fissure caves emit intriguing flurries of air from within. Find out more about their formation, importance for nature conservation and curious tales about their use in the past.

The landscape around Sutton Bank began to be formed millions of years ago as warm shallow seas laid down material which eventually turned to limestone. Join Brian Sweeney on Thursday 3 June to hear about the processes that later shaped this dramatic place including the effect of the turbulent ice age and its rushing meltwaters.

Both talks take place from 7pm to 8.30pm and booking is advisable to guarantee a place.

Carlton Towers

Dinner & Jazz Night
Friday 18 June
Enjoy listening to familiar jazz tunes whilst dining in the splendour of Carlton Towers' Staterooms. Live music and dancing.

Arrival for 7.30pm with dinner at 8pm. Lounge suit dress code. £55 per person, book a table of ten and get one place free.

Public contact: For more information or to make a reservation telephone 01405 861662.
Press contact for Carlton Towers: Paul Brice, General Manager, Tel: 01405 861662.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

Abbey Tours
Tuesday 1 - Wednesday 30 June
Daily 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm
Normal admission prices apply
Join a free tour to discover fascinating facts and stories about the Abbey and monks. Meet at Porter's Lodge.

Mr Aislabie's Garden Tour
Tuesday 1 - Wednesday 30 June
Daily 11.30am
Normal admission prices apply
Free tour taking in the grand design of the Georgian landscape including Deer Park and Water Garden. Meet at Porter's Lodge.

School Holiday Fun - Things with Wings!
Tuesday 1 - Sunday 6 June
11am - 4pm
Normal admission prices apply
Free trails and drop in self-led activities for children in Swanley Grange.

It's A Monk's Life
Wednesday 2 - Friday 4 June
2pm
Normal admission prices apply
Join us for a family tour of the Abbey. Dress in monks' robes and learn about their daily life. £1.50 plus normal admission. Suitable for 7s and over. Meet at the Visitor Centre.

St Mary's Church Tour
Saturday 5 June
11am
Free tour of the richly decorated Victorian High Gothic church designed by William Burges. Meet at St Mary's church.

Folk Tales and Folk Cures
Saturday 19 June
10.30am
Normal admission prices apply
Find out how our ancestors used wild herbs to cure their ills and why washing was never put out to dry on a lone hawthorn tree! Meet at Swanley Grange.

Photography Exhibition - Northern Landscapes
Saturday 19 - Wednesday 30 June
10am - 5pm
Normal admission prices apply
Yorkshire photographer Chris Ceaser hosts an exhibition of his work in Fountains Hall.

Father's Day Fun - Scarecrow Making!
Sunday 20 June
2pm
Normal admission prices apply
Bring your dad along and make a scarecrow for your vegetable garden. Booking essential, tel. 01765 643164.

Wildflowers of the Water Garden
Saturday 26 June
10.30am
Discover the variety of wildflowers in the Water Garden with your camera. A wildlife guide will help you to identify the flowers as you walk. Bring your camera with you. Meet at the Visitor Centre.

Public contact: For further details on all events, telephone 01765 608888.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Admission Prices:
Adult £8.50
Child £4.55
Under 5 FREE
Family £21.60

National Trust and English Heritage Members FREE

Open daily 10am-5pm
Further information, Tel: Estate Office, 01765 608888 / www.fountainsabbey.org.uk

Events running throughout May and June 2010

York Races

Dante Festival
12-14 May 2010
York in May is a fantastic place to come racing, the season lies ahead and many star horses have risen to prominence on the Knavesmire over these three days.

Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup
22 May 2010
The first Saturday of the York racing season is a family day out not to be missed, with accompanied under 16's being admitted free of charge.

The Stowe Family Law LLP Grand Cup is a Listed race, which means it will be won by a horse of real quality; last year's winner, Caracciola, went on to win at Royal Ascot.

The 40th Macmillan Charity Day
Friday 11 - Saturday 12 June 2010
Celebrating 40 years, this event has raised over £4,500,000 for good causes and provided some memorable racing excitement. Just by attending the day, racegoers will be helping to raise money for charity.

The feature race of Saturday is the Reg Griffin Memorial Trophy, the most valuable sprint handicap for three year old horses in Europe and a fitting tribute to the founder of the day.

Public contact: For more information and to buy tickets for the 2010 horse racing season, visit www.yorkracecourse.co.uk
Press contact: James Brennan Telephone: 01904 683940
Email: james.brennan@yorkracecourse.co.uk

Visit York Press Contact Details:
Kay Hyde, PR Manager, Visit York Tel: 01904 554451 Email: kh@visityork.org , Katie Porter, PR Executive, Visit York Tel: 01904 554436 Email kp@visityork.org

Public Contact Details:
York Visitor Information Centre Tel: 01904 550099 or visit www.visityork.org for details of all events happening in and around York.