A FESTIVAL of arts and music is central to the spring season at Bishop Auckland Town Hall when the theatre joins forces with febfest to present a three-week programme of shows.

Febfest is a programming partnership that has been developing over many years helping to draw people into the area and promote Bishop Auckland as a place of culture and enjoyment.

The town hall season begins with Bishop Auckland Theatre Society's pantomime, Robinson Crusoe’s Pirate Adventure, from January 14-16, followed on Wednesday, January 27, with Northumberland Theatre Company's funny and heart-warming story of The Ugly Duckling, adapted by Neil Duffield, packed with song and dance.

New year laughter comes courtesy of the Hilarity Bites Comedy Club, with headliner Eddy Brimson on Friday, January 22, followed on Friday, February 19, with Raymond Mearns and Friday, March 18, with former winner of the TimeOut Comedian of The Year award, Richard Morton.

In February, Bishop Auckland Theatre Hooligans will celebrate its 20th anniversary with a production of The Pitheaps, which follows the journey of 12 young people through a fateful summer. The play runs over three nights from February 4-6.

The febfest event brings UK jazz ensemble Swing Manouche, featuring Daniel John Martin on Wednesday, February 10, and an evening of exquisite vocals from singer-songwriter Paul Armfield on Monday, February 15.

There’s more music on Saturday, February 20, with The Baghdaddies, fresh from their 19th year world tour and 15 appearances at Glastonbury, taking to the stage alongside performers from the North-East.

Jackass Youth Theatre presents its latest show, What Are They Like, a play written as part of the National Theatre’s Connections 500 Project, on Monday, February 22.

Febfest concludes on Wednesday, February 24, with Stowaway – Hannah Barker and Lewis Hetherington’s story of a frozen body that falls out of a plane and crash lands in a B&Q car park – and the season ends with two nights of music, Mersey beat band The Fabs on Friday, March 11, and Lindisfarne frontman Marty Craggs’ The Happy Cats on Saturday, March 12.

To book tickets, contact the box office on 03000 269524 or visit the venue in person. For information and to see the full list of events, visit bishopaucklandtownhall.org.uk.