The 2017 production, Victorian Values, opens at The Witham, in Barnard Castle, on Saturday, January 7, before touring to nine community venues in Teesdale and Weardale.
Using popular songs from the music hall and contemporary writings, the show provides a lively impression of 19th century life.
For some, Victorian values represented the rewards of hard work and industry, for others the daily struggle to survive.
For everyone the music hall provided the light relief and satirical edge that made life bearable.
Laurence Sach, director, said: “The songs have such witty lyrics and catchy tunes, and yet they also make you think about the harsh conditions in the 19th century.
“For the Victorian audience the music hall was popular entertainment and many of the songs reflected social issues that would have been understood only too well.
“I Live in Trafalgar Square is about sleeping rough in Lon-don and Have You Paid the Rent is about the imminent arrival of the dreaded rent collector.”
There is also a more local connection in the play. Mention is made of campaigning journalist William Stead, who appears as one of the characters. Stead was born in Northumberland, apprenticed in Newcastle, and in 1871, aged only 22, became editor of the Northern Echo in Darlington.
He later moved to London where he became the influential editor of the Pall Mall Gazette campaigning on numerous social issues prior to his death in 1912 aboard the Titanic.
Victorian Values promises to be a tuneful, entertaining and thought provoking production that continues the winter touring tradition of the Castle Players.
Victorian Values opens at The Witham, Barnard Castle at 7.30pm on Saturday, January 7.
Tickets cost £10 or £8 for under 16s. Contact: 01833 631107 or visit www.the
witham.org.uk
It is then on at the following venues:
Gilling West Village Hall, Friday, January 13, at 7.30pm. Tickets: £8/under-16 £4. Call 01748 823556/850302,
St Cuthbert’s Centre, Crook. Sunday, January 15, at 3pm. Tickets: £5/under-16s and under £2. Call 01388 730495.
Bowes and Gilmonby Village Hall, Friday, January 20, at 7.30pm. Tickets: £10/£9 conc/ students £5. Call 01833 628357.All Saints, Blackwell, Darlington. Saturday, January 21, at 7.30pm. Tickets: £5. Call 01325 469891.
Gainford Academy Theatre. Sunday, January 22, at 3pm. Tickets £7.50. Call 01325 733140.
St Mary’s Parish Hall, Barnard Castle. Friday, January 27, at 7.30pm. Tickets: £6 in advance/£8 on the door. Under-16s £4 in advance/£5 on the door. Call 01833 637714.
Dalton and Gayles Village Hall, Saturday, January 28, at 7.30pm. Tickets: £7.50/children £4. Call 01833 621234. Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult.
Scarth Hall, Staindrop. Saturday, February 4, at 7.30pm. Tickets: £9.50 including complimentary drink. Call 01833 660786 or email scarth
halltickets@gmail.com
Romaldkirk Reading Rooms, Sunday, February 5, at 3pm. Tickets: £8. Call 01833 650271.
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