Lancaster Arts City

18/06/2026

18/06/2026

Collect Your Holiday Memories Now: New Art of Travel Course Comes to Halton Mill

Holidaymakers, day-trippers and dreamers are asked to start collecting raw materials for a new creative travel project at Halton Mill, Lancaster, this autumn.

Photographs, postcards, maps, shells, sketches, tickets, diary notes, fabric, sound recordings and found objects could all become part of The Art of Travel, a six-week course led by cultural traveller Fiona Frank and Lancaster artist Wendy Moore.

The sessions will run from Thursday 1 October 2026, giving participants the summer to gather ideas, images and mementoes from their trips.

“The Art of Travel is open to travellers of all ages and abilities – anyone who loves, dreams of, or wants to revisit journeys through creativity. Participants will explore their experiences through artforms including drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, photography and sound, creating work inspired by places they’ve been and places they may go next,” said Fiona, now 71, who began travelling, mostly solo, six years ago.

She added: “This will be a relaxed space where people can revisit journeys, imagine new ones and work on creative projects. I want to bring people together to create art about their travel experiences and dreams.”

Fiona, who worked for many years in educational research at Lancaster University, has a long-standing interest in travel, culture and community participation. She has also drawn inspiration from her artistic family background: her aunt was the Scottish Art Nouveau artist Hannah Frank, whose work Fiona has championed since 2003, helping bring it to wider audiences in the UK, North America and South America.

She organised the ‘For Dom, Bruno and the Amazon’ exhibition at Halton Mill in 2022 after extensive travels in South America, raising awareness of environmental and indigenous causes in Brazil.

With her melodeon and concertina Fiona has travelled across North and South America, playing music and dancing with performers - on street corners, public transport, on stages, in community venues and in people’s homes.

She also organised the Musical Journeys concert series, which raised £1,500 for local charities.

Wendy Moore, a multimedia artist, based in Lancaster, works under the name Fairy God Mum. She is known for her vibrant and culturally inspired work and will bring practical creative skills to the sessions. Her work spans murals, jewellery, mosaics and upcycled art, and she has extensive experience of leading workshops in schools and a wide range of community settings, encouraging people to explore their own ideas and creativity.

“Wendy, one of my favourite artists and teachers, is the ideal person to collaborate with on this project. She has such a gift for encouraging creativity, connection and wellbeing and has years of art teaching experience,” said Fiona.

The six-week course costs £48, with one free place left (out of two) for people who would like to attend but cannot currently afford it.

Booking: more info and register at trybooking.co.uk/GCVW

18/06/2026

Ready for an adventure in the woods? The Dukes park show rehearsals are ON!
Robin Hood
17th JULY - 23rd AUGUST
Summer’s here, and that means one thing. “Robin Hood” and his crew are just around the corner, riding through the glens of Williamson Park - and this is your favourite vigilante as you’ve never seen him before!

This week, rehearsals finally kicked off. On Monday, our cast and crew gathered to have their first readthrough of the script, and were treated to a presentation showing off the spectacular design sketches. With just one month to go, the countdown to opening night has well and truly begun!

Following the success of last year’s park show The Wizard of Oz, director Elvi Piper returns to sprinkle her magic. Giving us a glimpse into the brand new show, Elvi says:

“Audiences can expect a big summer adventure with plenty of laughs, music, a little bit of romance and absolutely epic amounts of action! At its heart, it’s a story about community, standing up for what’s right and finding hope in difficult times, but it’s also packed full of high-octane adventure. It’s the perfect story for the Park!”

We’re also welcoming back writer Daniel Bye and designer Caitlin Mawhinney, who is bringing her colourful vision of a “medieval dream” to Lancaster. And if you still can’t get last year’s brilliant songs out of your head, musical duo Bay Bryan and Claire O’Connor are also returning to bring the park alive with their original tunes!

As honorary merry men, you can follow Robin and his crew as they galavant around the park. When an unexpected event changes his destiny, Robin must team up with Maid Marian, Jen, and Friar Tuck to save the day against the evil Sheriff and the spoiled Prince Foppingham. You can expect to see woodland spirits, high-stakes challenges, and exciting duels - all in the beautiful setting of Williamson Park.

Robin Hood runs on Tuesdays - Sundays from July 17 - August 23 at 7.15pm. Tickets must be booked in advance. Group bookings negotiable, please contact The Dukes Box Office on 01524 598500 or [email protected]
Ticket Information:
Tickets are available for purchase online at https://dukeslancaster.org/whats-on/theatre/robin-hood or by contacting the Dukes Theatre box office at 01524 598 500. Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.

17/06/2026

THE HIGHWAYMAN RIDES AGAIN: JOHN GODBER'S AWARD-NOMINATED ADVENTURE RETURNS FOR A 2026 UK TOUR CALLING AT .

at The Dukes, Lancaster Wednesday, Sept 23 – Saturday, Sept 26, 2026

Following a critically acclaimed premiere and award nominations, John Godber's thrilling theatrical adventure The Highwayman is set to ride again as it embarks on a major UK tour this autumn.
Written and directed by one of the UK's most celebrated playwrights, The Highwayman transports audiences to Yorkshire in 1769 – a region booming with opportunity, social climbing, gambling and gin. But where there's wealth, temptation is never far behind, and one notorious outlaw is determined to take his share.

From the writer of Bouncers, Teachers and Do I Love You?, this fast-paced new production blends Godber's trademark humour, sharp social observation and larger-than-life characters into a hilarious and exhilarating theatrical adventure.

It’s 1769 and everyone is flocking north, every ale house is packed with the great and the bad.

13/06/2026

Iago Banet, a virtuoso Spanish guitarist based in the UK, is performing at The Gregson Centre in Lancaster on 31st July from 7:00pm.

Iago is currently touring his third album to impressive audiences and rave reviews. He has recently supported the legendary Jethro Tull in Spain and appeared on BBC Radio 3 In Tune twice, and also featured on BBC Radio 2's The Blues Show with Cerys Matthews; and he has performed at renowned festivals, such as Brecon Jazz, Aberjazz and Celtic Connections, amongst many others.

​For more information visit:

The "one man band" on acoustic guitar returns to the Gregson! Described as ‘a master of the guitar’ by BBC Radio 3 In Tune, as 'nothing short of phenomenal' in a recent review, and as a ‘highly recommended artist’ by Celtic Connections, Iago Banet creates stories without words, enthralling a...

13/05/2026

The Dukes announce the incredible cast for this year’s park show…
ROBIN HOOD!

17th JULY - 23rd AUGUST

Cast headshots can be downloaded here
The merry band is assembling as The Dukes announces the cast for its 2026 Park Show, Robin Hood.
This summer’s EPIC outdoor adventure will see audiences journey through Williamson Park alongside the legendary outlaw Robin Hood and his band of rebels in a thrilling production packed with music, mischief and mayhem.
Leading the company in the title role of Robin Hood is Joe Parker, whose theatre credits include Hamlet, Romeo & Juliet, The Merchant of Venice and Northanger Abbey. His television work includes The Baby (Sky/HBO), Hollyoaks and Doctors.
Playing the Sheriff is Ian Crowe, whose recent theatre credits include A Christmas Carol for Eastern Angles, Robin Hood at Oldham Coliseum and Alice In Wonderland at Kew Gardens. His screen work includes the feature film Daisies in December opposite Joss Ackland and Jean Simmons.
Returning to the Park Show following last summer’s The Wizard of Oz is Lisa Howard, who takes on the role of Friar Tuck. Lisa is a familiar face to Dukes audiences, appearing in her eighth Park Show season. Her extensive theatre career include Ladies That Bus and Ladies That Dig here at The Dukes, other collaborations includes Leeds Playhouse, Hull Truck, Northern Broadsides and York Theatre Royal, while television credits include Coronation Street, Heartbeat and Where the Heart Is.
Also returning after appearing as Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz last year is Hope Yolanda, who will play Marian. Her recent theatre credits include Private Lives and Taming of the “Shrew” for HER Productions and Fire Raisers for We Merry Dancers.
Eve Pereira, who appeared as Alice in Alice in Wonderland in 2024, joins the company as Jen. A graduate of Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Eve’s theatre credits include Pride and Prejudice for Bolton Octagon, Theatr Clwyd, Hull Truck, Stephen Joseph Theatre and Theatre By The Lake, alongside The Snow Queen and A Little Princess.
Matthew Ganley, who also appeared in last year’s The Wizard of Oz as the Wizard of Oz, will play Lord Foppingham. Matthew’s extensive stage career includes Little Shop of Horrors, One Man Two Guvnors, Around the World in 80 Days and Once The Musical in the West End. Television credits include Coronation Street, Emmerdale, Waterloo Road and Accused.
Robin Hood continues The Dukes’ long-running tradition of spectacular open-air theatre and promises a bold new take on the classic tale for audiences of all ages.
Book now for professional theatre written, directed and produced in Lancaster!
Ticket Information:
Tickets are available for purchase online at https://dukeslancaster.org/whats-on/theatre/robin-hood or by contacting the Dukes Theatre box office at 01524 598 500. Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.

11/05/2026

An opportunity from Lancaster Arts, which may be of interest to artists and creative practitioners across the district.

What Happens If: Artist & Academic Partnership Programme (Lancaster Arts)

What happens if artists and academics come together to do something with ideas, rather than just discuss them?

Lancaster Arts is inviting applications from two artists based in the North of England to take part in a new collaborative programme exploring shared questions through doing, making and testing ideas in practice, alongside Lancaster University academics.

Working in pairs and as a group between June and September 2026, participants will take part in a series of online and in-person sessions and develop a shared inquiry, culminating in a public moment as part of the Festival of Dissent on 5 September.

This is a process-led opportunity. We are not looking for project proposals, but for people who are open, curious, and interested in working in exploratory ways.

Artists receive a £1500 fee, plus travel and accommodation.

Open to all disciplines. No prior experience of collaboration required.

Deadline: 21 May 2026

More information and application details:

What Happens If What happens If artists and academics come together to do something with ideas, rather than just discuss them? What Happens If is a new Lancaster Arts programme bringing together two artists with two academics to explore questions on the theme of dissent through making, testing...

11/05/2026

Morecambe Town Council Grants Fund Opens for 2026
Applications are now open for Morecambe Town Council’s Community Grants Fund, offering local organisations the chance to secure support for projects that strengthen communities across the town. With a refreshed process and online application now in place, groups are being encouraged to take a careful look at the updated criteria and plan ahead to avoid last minute hurdles.

Date & time: deadline Monday 18 May 2026 12:00

Find out more here

03/05/2026

OPPORTUNITY
More Music are currently seeking three new Trustees and a Chair of the Board of Directors.
This is an opportunity to be part of a much-loved community organisation, and part of a team providing creative opportunities for thousands of participants, artists & musicians engaging with More Music’s innovative programme of workshops and events.

For full details and to apply:

A music and education charity based at the Hothouse in Morecambe

29/04/2026

Take Root Apprenticeship Programme
LPM Dance |

Application Deadline: 5pm Friday 1 May 2026

Auditions are now open for interested in joining LPM Dance’s inclusive, creative and socially engaged contemporary practice, offering an opportunity to work with the company’s distinctive performance style that combines physical theatre, storytelling and collaboration across professional and community contexts; auditions are aimed at dancers with strong contemporary technique, creativity and a willingness to engage in devised and ensemble-led work, with successful applicants potentially joining future projects, performances and touring activity as part of LPM’s wider artistic programme.

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More info at

Take Root Take Root Apprentice Programme We are recruiting! LPM Dance is seeking two emerging/early career, North-West based dance artists for an exciting and bespoke paid apprenticeship opportunity. Take Root offers an artist‑centred pathway for emerging and early‑career dance practitioners to ...