News: Wizardry and wit collide at hilarious improv show at Gala Theatre

Grab your wands, don your house robes and catch the Hogwarts Express to the Gala Theatre this month for a magical improv show.

The smash hit Harry Potter-inspired comedy Spontaneous Potter promises to leave fans spellbound when it arrives at the Durham City venue on Saturday 18 January.

It sees the talented cast conjure up a different story at each performance based on titles suggested by the audience and features a live musical accompaniment.

Previous plots include Harry Potter and the Chamber of Commerce, Harry Potter and the Neville Wears Prada, Harry Potter and the Rise of the Planet of the Snapes and Harry Potter and the Struggle for a Decent Mortgage in This Economy.

The award-winning show is presented by The Spontaneous Players, one of the UK’s leading improv troupes. Founded in 2015, the group performs a weekly sold-out residency at Edinburgh’s Monkey Barrel, has won a Scottish Comedy Award and has developed a large following on the UK comedy circuit.

Reviews of Spontaneous Potter have been dazzling, with the EdFringeReview describing it as a “Flawlessly executed improv comedy – pure, unadulterated hilarity.”

The performance in County Durham is part of a national tour and the cast cannot wait to visit the region.

Will Naameh, a Slytherin, said: “We are tremendously excited about coming to Durham. We’ve toured extensively around the North East before, and the Gala was one of the first venues we ever talked about bringing the show to. Three years after conceiving the show, it’s finally happening.”

Jenny Laahs, a Ravenclaw and the show’s musical director, added: “Durham is where I went to university, so I’m absolutely thrilled to be treading the boards at the Gala again.”

Robin Byers, Gala Theatre manager, said: “We’re really looking forward to welcoming The Spontaneous Players to the Gala Theatre, as we’ve heard fantastic things about them and the show. This is an experience no Potterhead will want to miss out on and is the perfect way to extend the magic of Christmas into January.”

Spontaneous Potter is aimed at people aged 16 and over, and tickets cost £12 or £10 for concessions. To book, click Here or call 03000 266 600.