A round up of events in the Cheshire area

THEATRE AND DANCE

1st-3rd

Refugee Boy

Adapted for the stage by Lemn Sissay, this gripping tale charts one boy’s courageous fight for recognition in a realistic, painful but hopeful picture of the challenges facing a young refugee alone in a strange country.

Waterside Arts Centre, Sale, 0161 912 5616

2nd-5th

Lord of the Flies

Matthew Bourne unites New Adventures dancers with remarkable young North West talent in this extraordinary adaptation of William Golding’s classic novel.

The Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays 0844 815 4873

3rd-12th

When We Are Married

JB Priestley’s gloriously timeless traditional British comedy about class and hypocrisy.

The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 01244 341296

4th-5th

The Merry Widow

The champagne sparkle of Paris in the 1890s, the romance of the Viennese waltz, the naughtiness of the Can-Can and the political intrigues and liaisons of Embassy soirees are all brought to life by the magic of Lehar’s delightful melodies you know and love.

Buxton Opera House, 0845 127 2190

7th-11th

Masque – The People Trapped Behind Their Own City Walls

1642 – a city on the brink of devastation. This is a compelling and original play told from the point of view of the people trapped inside the city walls.

Theatre in the Quarter, Chester, 01244 500959

15th-19th

The Perfect Murder

Have you ever wondered how to commit the perfect murder? Victor Smiley and his wife Joan have been married for a long time. But their marriage has reached crisis point and Victor has decided there is only one way to get Joan out of his life forever.

The Opera House, Manchester, 0844 871 7660

15th-20th

Robin Cousin’s Ice

Dazzling new production from Olympic champion Robin Cousins featuring hand-picked figure skating talent from around the globe.

The Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays 0844 815 4873

22nd-26th

20th Century Boy the Musical

Brand new musical, inspired by the life of rock legend Marc Bolan, explodes onto the stage nearly four decades after the iconic star’s tragic death, featuring some of the greatest pop songs ever written.

The Opera House, Manchester, 0844 871 7660

25th

The Little Mermaid

Ballet Theatre UK present The Little Mermaid, who falls in love with a human prince and gives up everything to win his love.

The Brindley Theatre, Runcorn, 0151 907 8360

26th-27th

My First Ballet – Coppelia

English National Ballet present Coppelia, telling the comic family tale of an eccentric toymaker and his mechanical doll in beautifully adapted version for young audiences.

The Palace Theatre, Manchester, 0844 871 7660

28th-May

3rd Fame

Based on the Oscar-winning musical film, this brand new production will take you on a hi-octane roller coaster ride through dizzy heights and crashing lows as a group of star struck wannabes embark on their quest for the ultimate accolade – fame.

The Regent Theatre, Stoke on Trent

Until May 3rd

Much Ado About Nothing

One of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies featuring the impetuous Claudio and Hero, who meet and fall desperately in love and plan to get married in seven days time.

The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester 0161 833 9833

MUSIC AND CONCERTS

5th

BBC Philharmonic

Conductor John Storgards takes on the solar system in Holst’s The Planets. Also featuring Manchester Chamber Choir and trumpeter Hakan Hardenberger.

The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 0844 907 9000

5th

The Magic of Mozart

Frodsham and District Choral Society present this concert featuring Mozart’s haunting Requiem and other short works such as his Ave Verum and Laudate Dominum.

St Laurence’s Church, Frodsham, 01829 751867

5th

Manchester Piano Trio

This trio is one of the UK’s most established and popular ensembles, with Adi Brett (violin and associate leader of Manchester Camerata), Nicholas Trygstad (principal cello of the Halle) and Jeremy Young (concert pianist and head of chamber music at the RNCM).

St Wilfrid’s Church, Grappenhall, 01925 263183

10th

The Halle

A semi-staged performance of Kurt Weill’s thrilling work of musical theatre, The Seven Deadly Sins, brings to life the composer’s last major collaboration with Bertolt Brecht, a great modern parable about the evils of greed and capitalism.

The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 0844 907 9000

11th

Buzzcocks

The Buzzcocks have been thrilling audiences for over 30 years. Once called ‘the Beatles of punk’, their music blends high-octane guitar, and drum power with heartrending statements of love won and lost or dismay at the modern world to create a unique catalogue of unforgettable music – music they continue to deliver to fans old and new around the world with undiminished passion and energy.

The Parr Hall, Warrington, 01925 442345.

12th

Celebrate! 200 Years of Macclesfield Heritage Centre

A celebratory musical journey starting in 1814, stopping off in 1914 and finishing in 2014 with a ‘hot off the press’ premiere of a new work by northern-based Adam Gorb and featuring world class pianist Steven Osbourne.

Heritage Centre, Macclesfield, 0161 247 2220

FAIRS, FESTIVALS, DAYS OUT AND CHARITY EVENTS

5th-6th

Artisan and Gift Fair and Family Fun Day

A range of stalls selling handmade gifts and food. Outdoor activities include bouncy castle, hog roast, face painter, donkey rides and birds of prey, plus café and farm shop.

Kenyon Hall Farm, Warrington, 07972 916198

6th

Plant Hunters Fair

14 of the country’s highly respected specialist nurseries each with a great range of plants. This is a fund raising event to improve the hall and offers a dazzling array of plants for just £1 entry.

Bramall Hall, Stockport, www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk

13th

Plant Hunters Fair

Specialist plant fair with a special half price entry on the day for the gardens. Cholmondeley Castle Gardens are said by many to be among the most romantically beautiful gardens they have seen. Plants will be at the heart of the event with a brilliant line up of nurseries each with something new, different and unusual for every plant lover.

Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, Malpas, www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk

15th-21st

Easter at Port Sunlight

Easter craft activities and Easter egg trail from Good Friday to Easter Monday.

Port Sunlight Museum and Garden Village, 0151 644 8973

17th-21st

The Nantwich Jazz, Blues and Music Festival

Annual festival with pubs and venues hosting famous jazz and blues performers.

Various locations in and around Nantwich, 01270 625283

18th-21st

Easter Boat Gathering and Sea Shanty Festival

During the first three days of the gathering shanty singers from across Europe will be performing their atmospheric songs among the museum historic dock buildings and renowned boat collection. Friday and Saturday evening sees a pair of formal shanty concerts.

National Waterways Museum, Ellesmere Port, 0151 335 5017

19th-21st

Easter Story Time

Join Phileas Fogg and his companion the Lindt gold bunny in the gardens as they spring into action and hop off on a journey around the world in 80 days. In the mansion step into Cinderella’s magical story and at the farm be mesmerised by Kim Lewis’s charming children’s tales of rural farming life. In the stable yard be entertained by Poz the magician’s storytime magic show and Mr Bimbamboozles’s Punch and Judy story book.

Tatton Park, Knutsford, 01625 374400

20th

Easter Plant Hunters Fair

One of the best-loved garden events in the area wooing visitors with a line up of the best nurseries around, a most charming garden and a truly relaxing and inviting atmosphere.

The Dorothy Clive Garden, Willoughbridge, www.planthuntersfairs.co.uk

26th-27th

Sandbach Transport Festival

Traditional Sunday gathering and parade as well as a static display of classic and interesting cars on the common on the Saturday.

Sandbach Town Centre, 07957 545908

FAB FIVE

3rd

Rob Newman

One of the first comedians to sell out stadium gigs (with then comedy partner David Badiel), Rob brings an eccentric show which describes the 150 year controversy in evolutionary theory and explores how the latest science demonstrates that DNA is not destiny.

The Brindley Theatre, Runcorn, 0151 907 8360

10th-13th

Scooby Doo the Musical

See the Warner Bros’ cartoon classic come to life as Scooby Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Velma and Daphne arrive in Egypt where they must solve the mystery of Pharaoh Hatchepsout’s Pyramid.

The Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays, Manchester, 0844 815 4873

19th-21st

Easter Crafts and Country Shopping Fair

Packed with home décor and furnishing ideas, arts, crafts and gifts. This is an opportunity to find fresh ideas for your home.

Tatton Park, Knutsford, 01530 834056

24th April- 4th May

Exhibition at The Sicily Oak Gallery

The British Art Portfolio return with a new collection of modern and contemporary art for an 11 day show. All works are British and original including some works by local artists. Prices range from £300 to £16,000.

Sicily Oak Gallery, Malpas, SY14 8HG.

19th-21st Easter

Chester Food, Drink and Lifestyle event

This event at Chester Racecourse has 150 food and drink exhibitors. Chefs including Simon Rimmer and Michael Caines will cook with Cheshire produce. Free children’s workshops and fun. www.chesterfoodandrink.co.uk