Catch up with all the Latest News from the Alley Theatre.

Forget the snow….Spring is coming

to the Alley thanks to Aladdin

and his crew!

The Alley Theatre went Panto crazy this month, as Aladdin and his crew delivered the new Alley Theatre Events Guide 2011 to Chairperson of Strabane District Council, Cllr Michaela Boyle.

TO DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE CLICK HERE!

The Alley Theatre, a facility of Strabane District Council, has a packed programme between December to April 2011, including top drama productions from Bruiser Theatre Company, The 25th Strabane Drama Festival, comedy from Jeremy Hardy and Brendan Grace, music for Trad legends De Dannan, Kintra, StageWrite and ballet with Ballet UK and Cinderella.

“This January the Alley will also be welcoming Puddle Alley and its cracking new panto, Aladdin, the biggest community panto Strabane has seen in 25 years” commented John Kerr, The Alley Theatre manager. “The panto is written and directed by Aodh McCay and will feature a large local cast and a very special North West celeb!! We urge patrons to book early for the biggest panto to hit Strabane in 25years and see something truly magical”

“This season we also have a breathtaking exhibition programme. Artworks set to go on display at the Alley will feature some of the best up and coming artists from the UK, Europe and Asia. The intimate venue will also host a large number of established artists, including the highly respected Maurice Harron, famous for his “Tinnies” statues in Strabane.” For more information on exhibitions click here.

“Interested in getting involved? Well the Alley is also offering a superb array of top art workshops for all ages, ranging from DJ workshops, drama classes, painting, dance and lots more. For more information on workshops, please click here.

“Last season we saw excellent attendance levels, something which we know will continue into 2011. As always we have an excellent mixuture of music, drama, comedy and dance, however we always urge early bookings from patrons.”

To view a full listings of all the shows coming to the Alley click here or click here

to download the new guide.

Santa’s Show set for full house

at the Alley!

Tickets now limited for Santa’s hit new show at the Alley, “A Wish For Santa” (Dec 18th at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m).

“We only have 20 tickets per show left, so if you haven’t booked yet, now is the time to snap them up” commented Pauline O’Neill from the Alley Theatre.

This magical tale, featuring the most wanted man in the world, Santa Claus, is the ideal treat for your little ones this Christmas.

The show tells the tale of Santa and his Magic Book of Wishes, which have been stolen, but by who? Who can it have been? Was it the Plunder Pirates? The Robber Robots?? Or worst of all, the Grisly Gift Gremlins???

“Get your little ones ready for the big day with this wonderful visit to see the real Santa on stage at the Alley! Tickets start at only £5 and we shall have Santa on hand at the foyer to wave all the children goodbye in the foyer at the end of the show!” To book the last remaining tickets call the Alley Theatre Box office on 028 7138 4444 or click here.

Your Place or Mine?

The legacy of the Plantation period is to be the topic of a discussion night set to be chaired by BBC’s Mark Carruthers  at the Alley Theatre on Thursday, December 9th at 7.30 p.m.

A  guest panel including Paddy Harte, retired Fine Gael TD for Donegal North East, Darrach McDonald, author of Blood and Thunder (Inside an Ulster Protestant Band) and Dr Patrick Fitzgerald, Research Fellow at Queens University will be discussing the lasting legacy of this turning point in Irish and British history.

Also joining the panel will be Cannon David Crooks (past pupil and ‘expert’ on Royal School in Raphoe, also his parish is in Donegal Ulster Scots heartland (Rector of the Grouped Parishes of Taughboyne with Craigadooish, Newtowncunningham and Killea, Rural Dean of Raphoe, and Hon. Canon of St Eunan’s Cathedral, Raphoe, to be also Diocesan Registrar (Derry & Raphoe).

Each panel member will present a 10 minute presentation about their view of the legacy of the Plantation period, which is approaching it 400th anniversary this year. After the presentations, the audience and panel will then discussed this issues raised at this free event, developing a greater understanding of our shared heritage and cultures.

For more information contact Your Place or Mine Project officer, Pauline O’Neill, on 028 7188 4760. This project has been delivered as part of the Culural, Heritage and Identity Programme. It is supported by the Peace III programme and managed for the Special EU Programmes Body by the North West Peace III Cluster.

Limited tickets for

Cross Community Carol Concert!

Always one of the highlights of the festive season, the annual Strabane Cross Community Carol Concert (December 20th) is heading for a sell out this week, as eager patrons snap up the last tickets to see RTE’s Chloe Coyle perform on stage at the Alley Theatre.
“This wonderful Christmas event has been a massive fundraiser for the Marie Curie Cancer Care charity, and this year will be no exception” commented John Kerr, the Alley Theatre’s manager.
“We have very limited seats left now for the show, which will feature music from St Joseph’s Brass Band and the Derg Valley Choir and special guest perfomer, Chloe Coyle, winner of RTE’s All Ireland Talent Show.”
Only days before Christmas, this show offers the habitual gusto of festive cheer, audience participation, a wonderful programme of readings, carols and recitals.  “All proceeds on the night will go towards Marie Curie Cancer Care (Strabane Branch), so it’s a great way to have a wonderful night out, all in the name of such a good cause. We are only a matter of a few dozen seats away from a sell out crowd, so I urge anyone thinking of booking to snap up the last tickets now at only £5 via the Alley Box office (029 7138 4444) or book online at www.alley-theatre.com” concluded the Alley’s Manager.

And finally…..

Stuck for an idea of what to get your loved ones this Christmas…well check out our suggestions for your Christmas

For the parents?

He’s the king of Irish comedy, that everyone adores….Brendan Grace, who will be at the Alley on Feb 25th. Give your folks a night of laughter with one of the best in the business! Click here for more info.

Your wonderful sister?

You have shared a lifetime together, full of tears and laughter. Why not treat her to a night out at the Alley to see the breathtaking play, Blood Brothers,  which has every emotion possible packed in this award winning show from Willy Russell. Click here for more information.

The brother who always helps out?

Treat him to a night out with top comedy from Jeremy Hardy, star of QI, Radio 4 and the Sorry I Haven’t a Clue. One of the top comedians in the UK and Ireland, he gets a 5 star rating from the Alley! Click here to book now.

For the little ones?

It has to be tickets to see Aladdin in Janaury…OH YES IT IS! For family fun this is a must see show this season, click here for more information.

For those people who have everything,

and you can never work out

what to give them !

We all know someone who has everything and we stress each year about what to get them. Don’t worry anymore, the ideal gift is an Alley Theatre Christmas Gift voucher! Offer them a great night out on you, allowing them to choose from over 50 plus shows per season. For more info, click here.