Cheshire Life’s guide to the best events in and around the county this month. Compiled by Rebekka O’Grady.

THEATRE & DANCE

September 28th - October 15th

Orbit Festival

This festival brings together innovative new work from theatre makers across the globe who want to explore our place in the world. Many of these shows come straight from the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, exploring our relationship with the past, how we remember, the stories we tell ourselves and what it is that makes us who we are.

Home, Manchester, 0161 200 1500

3rd

Stewart Lee: Content Provider

After four years of writing and performing half hour episodes of stand up for his TV show, this is his first brand new, long-form, full length show since the award-winning Carpet Remnant World.

Storyhouse, Chester, 0844 815 7202

11th - 14th

Blood Runs Deep

Single mother Karen Richards is on the run with her unsuspecting son, praying she can hide their chilling family secret and live a normal life. When an unwelcome visitor arrives at her home, the truth catches up with her, resulting in t errifying consequences.

The Gladstone Theatre, Port Sunlight, 0151 643 8757

17th

Ray Mears: Born To Go Wild

The survivalist, bushcraft expert, author and photographer will give audiences a unique insight into his wilderness travels and survival techniques. He will include tales of his most recent travels and also talk extensively about fire, what it means to humanity and the essential role it plays in our survival.

Crewe Lyceum, 01270 368 242

18th - 28th

Parliament Square

In this Bruntwood Prize winning new play, James Fritz imagines the fall-out from a powerful act of protest. He insightfully questions the draw of extreme demonstration, asking where the line falls between complete commitment and dangerous obsession.

Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, 0161 833 9833

23rd - November 4th

Sunset Boulevard

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony Award winning is a compelling story of romance and obsession. Hollyoaks and Strictly star, Danny Mac, will be performing as impoverished screen writer, Joe Gillis, who when on the run from debt collectors stumbles into Norma Desmond’s reclusive world.

Palace Theatre, Manchester, 0844 871 3019

24th - 31st

Chamber of Horror

This Halloween, take your courage in your hands and embark on a voyage through the cold, dark passageways and eerie cells of St George’s Hall. Brave audience members can expect a mixture of staged scenes inspired from the best and scariest horror genres, and encounter unexpected characters throughout their journey.

St George’s Hall, Liverpool, 0844 800 0410

26th

Russian National Ballet: The Nutcracker

Featuring a timeless score by Tchaikovsky, The Nutcracker is a certified classic, replete with evocative music and beautiful dance. This ballet is the ultimate and beautiful fairy-tale where goodness and beauty triumph.

The Brindley, Runcorn, 0151 907 8360

28th

Dr John Cooper Clarke

The poet, movie star, TV and radio presenter and social and cultural comedian will be in Warrington to share a mix of classic verse, extraordinary new material and ponderings on modern life.

Parr Hall, Warrington, 01925 442345

MUSIC AND CONCERTS

5th

Tori Amos

The celebrated singer-songwriter is on a world tour after unveiling her hotly-anticipated new album, Native Invader.

Palace Theatre, Manchester, 0844 871 3019

6th

Union Jill

The Yorkshire-based female duo have been touring festivals and folk clubs with their distinctive harmonies and lighthearted performances for over a decade. Their show embraces the audience, as they craft a journey through clever lyrics and soaring vocals.

Macclesfield Library, 01625 374000

6th

Belinda Carlisle

Belinda will perform tracks from her album ‘Heaven On Earth’ along with an impressive back catalogue.

Manchester Academy 1, 0161 832 1111

7th

40th anniversary: Stockport Symphony Orchestra

The orchestra celebrate their 40th anniversary season with a celebration concert. Guests will be greeted with a drinks reception and pre-concert entertainment before the concert the main hall. A large cake celebrating the anniversary will be cut by the Mayor of Stockport during the interval.

Stockport Town Hall, www.stockportsymphony.co.uk

12th October

The Swingshift Big Band

A nostalgic evening showcasing the classic swing music of Glenn Miller and Frank Sinatra.

St Wilfrid’s Church, Grappenhall, 01925 263183

14th

Tom Robinson and Band

To mark the 40th anniversary of 2-4-6-8 Motorway, Tom Robinson pays tribute to the original Tom Robinson Band by performing his entire ‘Power In The Darkness’ album at select venues across the country.

Nantwich Civic Hall, www.tomrobinson.com

15th

Soul Sessions with Apphia

Direct from sell-out performances in Shanghai, New York and London, Apphia Campbell returns with the companion piece to her hit show, Black is the Colour of my Voice. In her Soul Sessions cabaret, Apphia celebrates Simone’s brilliant music with live piano accompaniment.

Waterside Arts Centre, Sale, 0161 912 5616

20th

Kate Rusby

Singer-songwriter Kate Rusby brings her beautiful brand of Folk music to Chester. She will showcase tracks from new albumn, Life in a Paper Boat, alongside carefully selected much loved classics from her back catalogue spanning 25 years.

Storyhouse, Chester, 0844 815 7202

21st

Zoe Rahman

Jazz pianist and composer Zoe Rahman is to perform with the Inner City Ensemble. A vibrant and highly individual artist, her style is deeply rooted in jazz yet reflects her classical background, British/Bengali heritage and very broad musical taste.

Pyramid, Warrington, 01925 442345

29th

FolkLaw

Audiences will enjoy exhilarating songs and acrobatic fiddle playing as FolkLaw get your feet tapping and mind thinking with earthy vocals interwoven with distinctive vocal harmonies, mandola and guitars.

Alexanders Live, Chester, 01244 401402

COUNTY DAYS OUT & CHARITY EVENTS

1st

Autumn Plant Fair

Enjoy a day out browsing the specialist plant nurseries selling unusual plants, shrubs and bulbs and gather great ideas for your garden for the following year.

Arley Hall and Gardens, Northwich, 01565 777 353

6th - 15th

Knutsford Literature Festival

The festival is now in its 18th year and features biography, history, art, horticulture, food, travel and much more. Speakers will include Helen Rappaport, Vanessa Nicholson, Chris Bryant, Kathryn Hughes and Anne De Courcy.

Knutsford, www.knutsfordlitfest.org

6th - 21st

Goosfest

This not for profit arts and music festival offers a diverse programme of events, from classical, folk, jazz and contemporary music to theatre, stand-up comedy or craft. There will also be a series of lectures and workshops.

Goostrey village, www.goosfest.com

12th - 15th

Great Northern Contemporary Craft Fair

Over 150 of the UK’s talented designer-makers have been selected to take part in the show, which will feature workshops, pop-up studios and talks, giving visitors the chance to learn about the inspiration, materials, making process and stories behind the work on sale.

Upper Campfield Market, Manchester, www.greatnorthernevents.co.uk

12th – 15th

The Chester Antiques Show

Chester’s famous Racecourse Pavilion is set to be transformed once into a treasure trove of fine art and antiques, classic collector’s items, 20th century designer pieces and interior furnishing. More than 40 dealers and thousands of selected art and artifacts will be on sale.

Chester Racecourse, www.penman-fairs.co.uk

27th - 28th

Originals

Tthe organisers will bring together 36 artists and makers from across Cheshire, North Wales, Derbyshire and Yorkshire. They will include painters, photographers, printmakers, potters, jewellers and glass, textile, woodcraft and mixed-media artists.

Chester Town Hall, www.originals-at.com

27th - 29th

Buy Art Fair

The fair returns for its tenth event bringing galleries and artists from across the UK. Over 3,000 original artworks will be for sale and there will be a host of events and activities at the fair and across the city.

Manchester Central Convention Complex, www.buyartfair.co.uk

28th

Firework Spectacular

The Anderton Boat Lift’s firework spectacular is back with a bang. Visitors can watch the display from the lawned terraces overlooking the picturesque River Weaver and the Boat Lift. There will be live music and a licensed bar.

Anderton Boat Lift, Northwich, 01606 786777

29th

Crewe Cosmopolitan Food Festival

Celebrate the cultural diversity of the modern world with flavours from across the globe at this food festival. There will also be live music throughout the day.

Crewe town centre, www.crewefoodfestival.co.uk

29th

Halloween Capers at Capesthorne

An afternoon of spooky fun with a Ghostly Woodland Trail, a Ghost Walk through the Haunted Hall & lots more. 12 – 5pm.

Capesthorne Hall, 01625 861221 www.capesthorne.com

FAB FOUR

September 29th – October 28th

Warrington Contemporary Arts Festival 2017

This annual arts festival aims to engage and develop both artists and audiences in a range of art-forms. The Open competition and exhibition celebrates the talents of local contemporary artists and photographers, whether professional, amateur or student. Warrington Museum & Art Gallery, www.warringtonarts festival.co.uk

9th - 14th

Blood Brothers

The 30th anniversary tour of Bill Kenwright’s musical, Blood Brothers tells the captivating story of twin boys separated at birth, only to be reunited by a twist of fate and a mother’s haunting secret. Storyhouse, Chester, 0844 815 7202

11th - 14th

Song of the Earth/La Sylphide

Two works new to English National Ballet’s repertoire, Sir Kenneth MacMillan’s masterwork, Song of the Earth and August Bournonville’s La Sylphide, recreated by Frank Andersen and Eva Kloborg, will be performed in Manchester.

Palace Theatre, Manchester, 0844 871 3019

19th – 29th

Manchester Science Festival

A place for innovative, surprising and meaningful experiences, people of all ages can ignite their curiosity in science at this festival. The first headliner is Robots, an exhibition exploring humanity’s 500-year quest to recreate ourselves in mechanised form. It features a unique collection of over 100 robots, from a 16th-century mechanical monk to robots from both science fiction and modern-day research labs. Museum of Science and Industry, Manchester, 0161 606 0169