Northumberland Libraries is turning 100 this year and as part of its celebrations it is partnering with Théâtre Sans Frontières and the Queen’s Hall Adult Drama Group to put on a drama performance.

The play is called Many Happy Returns! and will be performed in Bellingham, Allendale, Haltwhistle and Rothbury.

Many Happy Returns! is a joyful theatre production sharing the history of Northumberland Libraries through drama, storytelling and songs

Many Happy Returns! traces the history of the Northumberland County Library Service from its beginnings in 1924 through to the 21st century: changes in reading habits, service provision and the impacts of technology. Fun facts and curious occurrences, including the burning of a book deemed too racy for its reader!

Many Happy Returns! tells the stories of the many people involved in running the service, from the original county librarian, Ruth Baker, to mobile librarians such as John Cunliffe, the author of Postman Pat. We hear the experiences and reflections of people visiting libraries across the county, on buses and in buildings, past and present.

And what of the books themselves, how do they feel visiting different homes or maybe not being taken out at all – left on the shelf, or even ending up in Sweden…?

Based on research at Northumberland Archives and conversations with Northumberland readers and librarians, Many Happy Returns! uses drama, storytelling, original music and songs to celebrate our love of books and reading. 

Tickets, which are available on Eventbrite or at your local library, cost £7 with performances at: 

Bellingham Town Hall - 15 November, 7.00pm

Rothbury Jubilee Institute - 17 November, 2.30pm

Allendale Village Hall - 21 November, 2.30pm

Haltwhistle Library - 22 November, 7.00pm