From panto frolics to an audience with The Iron Lady, Helen Stiles rounds up her pick of events happening around the county in January
EXHIBITIONS
Speed to the West: A Nostalgic Journey - Until 7 January
Last chance to see this glorious exhibition at Dorset County Museum, Dorchester celebrating the romance of the 20th century travel poster from the ‘Golden Age’ of the railway.
New Pictures: New Year - Until 28 January
Work by Adam Binder, Jennifer Mackenzie, Ann Armitage, Sarah Spackman, Carry Akroyd, Mark Coreth and John Maddison feature at this exhibition at the Jerram Gallery in Sherborne.
Modern and Contemporary Prints - 14 January – 11 February
This annual exhibition at The Art Stable in Child Okeford will blow away any post Christmas blues. Revel in a glorious array of prints from stellar names of the 20th and 21st century art world including Edward Ardizzone, David Hockney, L.S. Lowry, Brian Rice and Fernand Leger.
Music Architecture Poole - 14 January – 11 February
Drawings by architecture students from Arts University Bournemouth exploring the link between music and architecture feature at this exhibition at Lighthouse, Poole.
PERFORMANCE
Jack Whitehall: At Large - 7 – 8 January
Multi award-winning stand-up comic Jack Whitehall brings his funny bone to Bournemouth. BIC Windsor Hall 0844 576 3000.
The Ghosts of Mr Dickens - 11 January
As the best-selling author sets sail for his final tour of America ghosts of friends, family and characters from his books visit in Untold Theatre’s thrilling performance. Shelley Theatre, Boscombe 01202 413600.
Playing Maggie: The Iron Lady - 11 & 14 January
Pip Utton steps into the court shoes of The Iron Lady and takes questions from the floor. Starts 7.30pm. 11 Jan: Nether Compton VH 01935 413220; 14 Jan: West Stafford VH 01305 265282.
The Never-ending Nightmare - 13 January
The Circus of Horrors blends the bizarre, brave and beautiful into an Alice in Horrorland type performance. Lighthouse, Poole 01202 280000.
Warren Miller Film Tour - 14 January
Go on a breathtaking cinematic journey with some of the world’s best skiers and snowboarders as they chase powder. Lighthouse, Poole 01202 280000.
The Nutcracker & Swan Lake - 15–17 January
Saint Petersburg Classic Ballet perform two of Tchaikovsky’s masterpieces. 15/16 Jan: The Nutcracker 17 Jan: Swan Lake. Lighthouse, Poole 01202 280000.
Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience - 19 – 22 January
Basil, Sybil and Manuel dish up a ‘70s-style 3-course meal and a good dollop of mayhem at The Terrace Café. Lighthouse, Poole 01202 280000.
Graffiti Classics - 20-22 January
From Beethoven to Bluegrass, Strauss to Saturday Night Fever these 16 strings, 8 dancing feet and 4 voices make classical music fantastically exhilarating. Starts 7.30pm. 20 Jan: Durweston VH 01258 488883; 21 Jan: Portesham VH 01305 871925; 22 Jan Corfe Castle VH 07590 352219.
From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads - 27 January
David Bowie superfan Martin embarks on a thrilling journey of sound and vision to a blistering Bowie soundtrack. Corn Exchange Dorset.
MUSIC
New Year’s Day Strauss Gala - 1 January
See in the New Year in style with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra’s traditional celebration of the King of Waltz, Johann Strauss. Lighthouse, Poole 01202 280000
New Year Viennese Concert - 8 January
Bournemouth Concert Brass welcome in the New Year to the rhythm of the waltz and the polka at the Regent, Christchurch at 3pm. Box office 01202 499199
Kathryn Roberts & Sean Lakeman - 12-15 January
Crowned winners of the BBC Radio 2 Folk Award for Best Duo 2013 & 2016 their songs cover everything from wicked mermaids to a lonely whale. Starts 7.30pm. 12 Jan: Sandford Orcas VH 01963 220208; 13 Jan: Morden VH 01929 459431; 14 Jan: Comrades Hall Broadwindsor 01308 867644; 15 Jan (4pm) Piddletrenthide Memorial Hall 01300 348247
Megson - 21 January
The Teeside folk duo combine lush harmonies with driving rhythmic guitars at the Corn Exchange, Dorchester 01305 266926.
Lavolta - 22 January
The 11-piece chamber ensemble, featuring vocalists Kate Westbrook and Sarah Owen, perform an afternoon concert of 20th century music at the Corn Exchange, Dorchester 01305 266926.
Fire in the North Sky - 26–28 January
Be transported by songs, adventure and the stories of Kalevala as storyteller Nick Hennessey and three virtuoso Finnish musicians bring these epic tales from Finland alive. 26 Jan: Sherling Studio, Lighthouse, Poole 01202 280000; 27 Jan: Pamela Hambro Hall, Winterborne Stickland 01258 880920; 28 Jan: Wootton Fitzpaine VH 01297 560948.
Back to Bacharach - 27 January
Some of the finest West End singers perform Burt Bacharach’s timeless hits including Alfie, Close To You, Walk On By and Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head. Weymouth Pavilion 01305 783225.
Israel in Eygpt - 28 January
The New Elizabethan Singers perform Handel’s dramatic musical depiction of Israel’s Exodus from Egypt with professional soloists and an orchestra that includes a period brass section. 7.30pm, St Mary’s Church, Bridport.
IT’S PANTO TIME
Jack and the Beanstalk - Until 1 January
Fee-fi-fo-fum the magic beans have been planted at Weymouth Pavilion. Box office 01305 783225.
Cinderella - Until 2 January
Spectacular costumes, comedy capers and real ponies feature in this family panto at Bournemouth Pavilion with a star cast including Dani Harmer (CBBC Tracey Beaker & BBC Strictly Come Dancing) as Cinders. Bookings 0844 576 3000.
Sleeping Beauty - Until 2 January
Who will wake the princess from her slumber at the Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne 01202 885566.
Aladdin - Until 7 January
Aladdin flies in on his magic carpet with a lamp of extraordinary powers at Lighthouse, Poole 01202 280000.
Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs - 21 – 28 January
Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the fairest of us all? Queen Malevolent is not a happy bunny because it’s Snow White. Luckily the plucky princess has plenty of pals to protect her in this fun-filled extravaganza from the award-winning Highcliffe Charity Players at Regent Theatre, Christchurch 01202 499199
