Our pick of events in Cheshire throughout August

THEATRE AND DANCE

2nd

The Comedy of Errors

Off the Ground Theatre present Shakespeare’s joyful comedy of mistaken identity, following the fortunes of two sets of identical twins.

Ness Botanic Gardens, Neston, 0845 030 4063

Until 3rd

9 to 5: The Musical

Starring Natalie Casey as Judy Bernly, Jackie Clune as Violet Newstead, Anita Louise Combe as Roz Keith, Amy Lennox as Doralee Rhodes and Ben Richards as Franklin Hart.

Liverpool Empire Theatre, 0844 871 3017

5th-10th

Peter Pan

Summer Theatre performance and a unique opportunity to take part in this spectacular production. Go from the page to the stage in just one week ending with a full scale, professional public performance. Open to those between 7 and 18, you’ll work alongside professional actors with ABD Productions.

Wythenshawe Forum Hall, 01704 880607, www.abdproductions.co.uk

8th-10th

Grease the Musical

An annual stage experience which gives budding actors, singers, dancers and musicians aged 11 to 21 the chance to work on a professionally run theatre stage. This year it culminates in the Grease the Musical.

The Palace Theatre, Manchester

10th

Pride and Prejudice

Chapterhouse Theatre Company present this Jane Austen classic. Step back in time, meeting Elizabeth Bennett and her sisters and enjoy a summer picnic.

Reaseheath Hall, Nantwich, 01270 613210

14th

Twelfth Night

Chapterhouse Theatre Company presents this new production of Shakespeare’s comic tale of shipwrecks, sea storms and mistaken identity in the open air.

Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield

18th

Babe The Sheep Pig

Dick King-Smith’s classic tale is brought to life in this open air production.

Tatton Park, Knutsford, 01625 374400

20th-24th

9-5 The Musical

Feisty, fun and fabulous show based on the hit movie, centreing on three women as they turn the tables on their sexist, egotistical, lying, bigot of a boss.

The Opera House, Manchester, 0844 871 7660

21st-24th

West Side Story

National Youth Music Theatre present a cast of 40 and an orchestra of 35 exceptionally talented young people from all over the UK as two young idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs in 1950s New York.

Victoria Warehouse, Manchester, 0161 835 3500

Until 25th

Grosvenor Park Open Air Theatre

Chester Performs are staging three productions, Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Othello as well as the swashbuckling tale of Cyrano de Bergerac.

Grosvenor Park, Chester, 0845 241 7868

25th

Blakemere Summer Fair

All proceeds go to charity from the fun day out for all the family featuring lots of stalls, games and shows for kids.

Blakemere village, Sandiway, 01606 883261

MUSIC AND CONCERTS

3rd

Liverpool Pride

Amelia Lily will top the bill at this 2013 superhero themed festival which is full of home-grown and UK talent including rock/pop band My Forever.

Liverpool Pier head and throughout the Stanley Street Quarter, www.liverpoolpride.co.uk

10th

Sandbach Fake Festival

Line up includes tributes to Queen, Greenday and The Red Hot Chilli Peppers.

Sandbach RUFC, www.fakefestivals.co.uk

17th

The Rat Pack Vegas Spectacular

Wonderful memories of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Junior in this fabulous live production.

Arley Hall and Gardens, Northwich, 01565 777353

Until 8th September

Tickle the Ivories

Liverpool ONE will be alive with the sound of music as the popular and award- winning Tickle the Ivories festival returns to its streets for the third year. The pianos which are scattered throughout Liverpool ONE for ten weeks will host a range of pianists from professionals to members of the public.

Liverpool ONE, www.liverpool-one.com

FAIRS, FESTIVALS, DAYS OUT AND CHARITY EVENTS

1st-11th

Lammas at the Hall

The 1st of August marked the beginning of the harvest in Tudor times, so find out more about this time of the year in this unusual family event.

Little Moreton Hall, 01260 272018

2nd-3rd

Macclesfield and District Sheep Dog Trials

A two-day event, with well behaved dogs on leads welcome. There’s a craft fair on the Saturday, Tug-o-War on Friday and concert on Sunday night by Norman Prince, Johnnie Casson and singer Carolynn May.

The Trials Field, Sutton, near Macclesfield, 01260 223333

2nd-4th

CarFest North

Watch some of the world’s greatest cars charging round a race track. Other entertainment includes live music for a fun, family friendly weekend.

Oulton Park, Little Budworth

4th

Teddy Bears’ Picnic

Fun family day to raise funds for the Donna Louise Children’s Hospice. Entertainment includes face painting, tombola, games, treasure hunt and much more.

Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, Malpas, 01270 611600

11th

Viking Sunday at the Old Hall

The Vikings of Middle England invade Tatton’s Old Hall. Experience skirmish and domestic life, have a go at archery and try on armour.

Tatton Park, Knutsford, 01625 374400

17th

Annual Show

Saughall Gardening Club’s annual show where club members and Saughall residents are invited to submit their prize exhibits.

The Vernon Institute, Saughall, 01244 881059

17th-18th

Tatton Park Classic, Vintage and Sports Car Show

Around 2,000 vintage and classic cars, up to 70 top car club displays and special events for the Rolls Royce Enthusiasts Club and Avis Owners Club.

Tatton Park, Knutsford, 01625 374400

25th

Classic Car and Motorcycle Show

The 38th annual classic car and motorcycle show including the North West Mercedes Day.

Capesthorne Hall, Maclesfield, www.classicshows.org

26th-27th

The Big Treasure Hunt

Pirates have landed, with family activities for all to enjoy!

Norton Priory, Runcorn, 01928 569895

29th

Edwardian Sports

Test your skills at Lyme’s Edwardian Sports Event with tug or war, egg and spoon, sack race and a spot of cricket.

Lyme Park, 01663 762023

OUR FAB FIVE

4th

VW North West Car Show

The largest gathering of Volkswagons, both air and water cooled in the North of England. From Beetles to Golfs, Beach Buggys to Camper Vans with hundreds of specialist trade stands, auto jumble, car club displays, children’s rides and entertainment.

Tatton Park, Knutsford, 01625 374400

8th-17th

This is My Musical

Musical compilation showcase featuring songs from the latest productions packing in West End and Broadway audiences, cleverly mixed with the musicals of yesteryear.

The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 01244 341296

10th

Romeo and Juliet

Folksy Theatre present another Shakespearean classic in the open air in the Walled Garden. Picnics welcome.

Norton Priory, Runcorn, 01928 569895

16th

The South

Timeless tunes made famous by The Beautiful South performed in the covered amphitheatre by ex members Dave Hemigway and Alison Wheeler.

Gawsworth Hall, Macclesfield, 01260 223456

25th

Eaton Hall Gardens Charity Open Day

The gardens at the family home of the Duke and Duchess of Westminster are open to the public to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association Cheshire, Chester Childbirth Appeal and The Three Villages Project.

Eaton Hall, Eccleston, Chester, 01244 684400