Fancy a music gig to help you through the week? Here's a selection of the best gigs, plus theatre and stand-up comedy in the city for this week.

There's always plenty going on in Durham and the city attracts everything from top national productions through to up and coming talent breaking on to the scene. Here's the Durham music concerts, comedy and theatre productions we've found for the week of August 19-25 2019.

Read next: Bowes Museum exhibitions for 2019 and beyond

The starred links below are affiliate - at no extra cost to you, ExplorAR receives commission, without which we couldn't keep this site running.

#1: Much Ado About Nothing, Raby Castle

A group of soldiers returns from the war to a household in Messina, kindling love interests and reigniting old rivalries. The parallel love stories of Beatrice, Benedick, Claudio and Hero become entangled with plotting, frivolity and melodrama in Shakespeare's famous comedy.

The HandleBards pedal from venue to venue with all the set, props and costume necessary to perform environmentally sustainable Shakespeare across the globe.

Much Ado About Nothing is on Tuesday August 20 at 7pm (doors open 6pm). You can also prebook a picnic when booking online.

Tickets cost £15 and £10 concessions and children from the booking page.

Read next: Durham County Council has started construction on its new headquarters- here are the transport changes

#2: Gin & Jazz Summer Evenings, Rockliffe Hall

Rockliffe Hall is holding gin and jazz evenings every Wednesday evening in the Brasserie restaurant. Playing for visitors is guitar and saxophone duo Somethin' Blue. The evening includes a three course meal and a gin and tonic on arrival. To book call Rockliffe Hall on 01325 729999 or email enquiries@rockliffehall.com.

Read next: Durham family events in Durham for this weekend

#3: Little Shop of Horrors, Stanley Civic Hall

A nerdy florist finds his chance for success and romance with the help of a giant man-eating plant who demands to be fed.

The film screening of Little Shop of Horrors is at Stanley Civic Hall on Friday August 23 at 6pm.

Tickets cost £3 from the booking page.

#4: Emma Pollock, Old Cinema Launderette

Emma Pollock is a founding member of Glasgow indie rock band The Delgados and their influential record label, Chemikal Underground.

Emma Pollock is in Durham on Saturday August 24 at 7pm.

Tickets cost £18 plus £1.80 booking fee from the booking page.

Read next: Enjoy the summer with a County Durham guided walk

#5: Wharton Brass Concert, Wharton Park

The series of Wharton Park brass concerts continues on Sunday August 25 at 1-3pm. Simply head down to the amphitheatre in Wharton Park (behind Durham railway station) for this free concert.

Read next: What's on at Durham Cathedral throughout August

Feature image credit: Alden Chadwick from Leeds, UK (CC BY 2.0)