Our guide to the best entertainment in and around Cheshire

THEATRE & DANCE

Until 3rd

Love Labour’s Lost & Much Ado About Nothing

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s hugely acclaimed pairing of these two plays comes to Manchester this winter. The action in Love’s Labour Lost and Love Labour’s Won (Much Ado About Nothing) takes place either side of World War One and both shows feature the same company of actors.

The Opera House, Manchester, 0844 871 3018

3rd-January 21st

Sweet Charity

The hustle and bustle of New York City comes to the Royal Exchange. Charity is a dancer. With a heart tattoed on her arm and always looking for love she has a habit of falling for the wrong man. When she meets shy tax accountant Oscar it seems as though her luck might have changed. Their romance sends them whirling and spinning through the dance halls, churches and streets of 1960s New York, but not everything’s a walk in the park and Charity soon faces a choice between Oscar and the wild existence she has tried to keep from him.

Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, 0161 833 9833

6th-15th January

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Audiences of all ages will be flying high with a mixture of madness, intrigue and exuberance. Starring Jason Manford as Caractacus Potts, Michelle Collins as Baroness Bomburst and Phill Jupitus as Lord Scrumptious/Baron Bomburst.

The Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays, 0843 208 6000

9th

Rich Hall

TV star and comedian Rich Hall shares his grouchy, deadpan style with the public on his latest tour.

Parr Hall, Warrington, 01925 442345

9th-17th

Breezeblock Park

Nantwich Players present one of Willy Russell’s first plays. Set on a Liverpool housing estate in the run up to Christmas, Breezeblock Park is a comedy about the ups and downs of family life.

Civic Theatre, Nantwich, 01270 600727

10th-17th

Kes

A deeply moving play based on the very successful 1969 film directed by Ken Loach about a community which fails its young. Billy Casper is neglected by his feckless mother, beaten up by his older brother and bullied by his PE teacher. His only solace is his kestrel, on which he lavishes all the tenderness he has never known.

Stockport Garrick Theatre, 0161 480 5866

13th

Christmas Gothic

Three seasonal tales of terror to scintillate the gooseflesh. Christmas; a time to remember the past, celebrate the present and look to the future; a time of feasts and festivities; of holly and mistletoe; a time of visits and visitations. A time for ghosts.

The Brindley Theatre, Runcorn, 0151 907 8360

Until 28th

Billy Elliott the Musical

Set in a northern mining town, against the background of the 1984/’85 miners’ strike, Billy Elliot is the inspirational story of a young boy’s struggle against the odds to make his dream come true.

The Palace Theatre, Manchester, 0844 871 3019

30th

Roy Chubby Brown

Britain’s lewdest, crudest and boldest comedian is set to entertain audiences with his 40th anniversary tour.

The Regent Theatre, Stoke on Trent, 0844 871 7649

MUSIC & CONCERTS

3rd

Winter Wonders

The Northern Chamber Orchestra with King’s School Foundation Choir and soprano Alison Langer present a concert with music including pieces from Britten, Delius, Finzi, Dvorak, Debussy, Gershwin and Shostakovich.

Heritage Centre, Macclesfield, 0161 247 2220

9th

Fleetwood Bac

The world’s first and best Fleetwood Mac tribute band, endorsed by Mick Fleetwood himself, will be featuring songs from the Peter Green days and Stevie Nicks’ solo career.

Live Rooms, Chester, 0871 220 0260

15th

Andre Rieu

Andre Rieu together with his 60-piece Johann Strauss Orchestra and many soloists will enthuse fans with his humorous and colourful new programme.

Echo Arena, Liverpool, 0844 8000 400

16th

Kate Rusby

One of the finest interpreters of traditional folk songs and one of our most emotive songwriters, will be performing tracks form her new album alongside some traditional songs and carols.

Parr Hall, Warrington, 01925 442345

24th

Sing-A-Long Frozen

A sing-a-long special on Christmas Eve for this hit, animated film. Fearless optimist Anna sets off on an epic journey – teaming up with rugged mountain man Kristoff and his loyal reindeer Sven.

Venue Cymru, 01492 577888

31st

A Night at the Oscars

Say goodbye to 2016 in style with Manchester Camerata orchestra and their evening of Hollywood glamour celebrating the best of the movies. The concert features music from Oscar-winning films including Star Wars, The Bodyguard, James Bond, Indiana Jones and Titanic and features the talents of West End stars Louise Dearman and Oliver Tompsett. Why not arrive early for entertainment in the foyer and a glass of champagne?

The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 0161 907 9000

OUR FAB FOUR

Until 3rd

The Nutcracker

English National Ballet present this acclaimed production of this seasonal classic ballet.

The Empire Theatre, Liverpool, 0844 871 3017

7th-17th

La Vie Parisienne

Glitz and glamour head to the Royal Northern College of Music as RNCM Opera present Offenbach’s La Vie Parisienne, directed by Stuart Barker and conducted by Andrew Greenwood and featuring talented students from the School of Vocal Studies and Opera.

RNCM, Manchester, 0161 907 5555

11th

Forever Jackson

Hit touring stage show, Forever Jackson will debut a combination of dining and dancing with award-winning theatre.

Tatton Park, Knutsford, 01625 374400

21st

Jason Donovan

Eighties heart-throb and star of the stage is touring with his Ten Good Reasons tour. His debut album of the same name remains a massive fan favourite and in this tour is performed in full for the first time.

Parr Hall, Warrington, 01925 442345