A round up of events in and around Cheshire during September

THEATRE & DANCE

2nd-3rd

Dinosaur Zoo

Dinosaur Zoo creators, Erth, use ingenious puppetry to bring dinosaurs to life in an interactive and imaginative live show, featuring a cast of prehistoric creatures including one of the most ferocious predators to ever walk the earth – the Tyrannasaurus Rex.

The Opera House, Manchester, 0844 871 3018

5th-10th

Cats

Song and dance based loosely on the T.S Elliot poems Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.

The Regent Theatre, Stoke on Trent,

0844 871 7649

8th-October 15th

A Street Car Named Desire

Maxine Peake takes on the role of fragile heroine Blanche DuBois in Tennessee Williams prize-winning play. Blanche, battling a gripping addiction, looks for relief in the claustrophobic home of her sister Stella and her hot-blooded husband Stanley.

The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, 0161 833 9833

9th

Stick Man

Scamp Theatre’s delightful adaptation of Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler’s hugely popular children’s book, Stick Man. Touching, funny and utterly original, this award-winning production features a trio of top actors and is packed full of puppetry, songs, live music and funky moves.

The Lyceum Theatre, Crewe, 01270 368242

10th-17th

Ladies in Lavender

An evocative, heart-warming story set in picturesque Cornwall in 1937. Two ageing sisters discover a handsome young man near death on the beach below their home. As they nurse him back to health the mystery of his true identity unfolds in a touching, often funny and emotionally moving story, revealing you’re never too old to fall in love.

Stockport Garrick Theatre, 0161 480 5866

15th-24th

The 39 Steps

Tip Top Productions present Alfred Hitchcock’s classic thriller, featuring four fearless actors playing 130 roles in 100 minutes of fast-paced fun and thrilling action.

The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester,

01244 341296

17th

Chinese State Circus

The Chinese State Circus return with a new show – Dynasty. 30 world-class acrobats, aerial artists and jugglers will wow audiences alongside the super-human physical skills and dexterity of the masters of the martial arts – the Shaolin Warriers.

Buxton Opera House, 01298 72190

17th

Madam Butterfly

The Russian State Opera returns with a stunning new production of Puccini’s Madam Butterfly – the tale of the doomed love of an American naval lieutenant and his young Japanese bride.

Venue Cymru, Llandudno, 01492 872000

20th (&27th)

Mind’s A Labyrinth

Likened to Sarah Kane, Martin McDonagh and Eastenders at its darkest hour this play is a unique experience which doesn’t follow usual theatrical conventions. This play stands out from the rest, not only in story and taboo subject matters, but also in terms of directorial style and authorial voice. It is a hard-hitting exploration into the mind of one boarderline personality sufferer and her traumatic family.

Gullivers (Ballroom), NQ, Manchester,

www.newlinetheatre.co.uk

20th

Carmen

The Russian State Opera returns with a mix of fierce passion and gorgeous melodies. Feel the thrill and passion of love, jealousy and violence of 19th century Seville in one of Bizet’s most popular pieces.

The Lyceum Theatre, Crewe, 01270 368242

20th-October 8th

Twopence to Cross the Mersey

Telling the true story of a young girl and her formerly wealthy family as they are thrown into poverty during the Great Depression of the 1930s. Leaving behind the nannies, servants and comfortable middle-class life in the South West of England, they uproot their shattered lives and choose Liverpool as the place to start again to rebuild their dreams and fortune. Unbeknown to them however, a terrible shock awaits them.

Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool, 0151 709 4321

27th-October 1st

Giselle

English National Ballet presents the world premiere of Akram Khan’s Giselle – one of the greatest romantic ballets of all time.

The Palace Theatre, Manchester, 0844 871 3019

MUSIC & CONCERTS

3rd

September Songs

Warrington Male Voice Choir welcome back their old friends The Houghton Weavers, who have been entertaining audiences for over 40 years with their blend of popular folk music, humour and audience participation.

Parr Hall, Warrington,

www.pyramidparrhall.com

Until 3rd Sep

Cheshire Oaks Introduces

Every Saturday until the end of the summer break, Cheshire Oaks will be hosting a live music event where shoppers can combine their retail experience with a spot of live entertainment. Country singer/songwriters Demi Marriner and Luke Fenlon are just some of the acts performing live sessions across the event and you can even have a go at busking yourself. For more information contact CheshireOaks.marketing@mcarthurglen.com.

4th

David Bowie Reimagined

A special tribute – No.6 composer in residence, Joe Duddell, works with Manchester Camarata to specially commission this performance. This exclusive work will feature arrangements of songs from Bowie’s career, with very special guests on each song.

Festival No.6, http://festivalbumber6,com/music

8th

Buddy Holly’s Winter Dance Party

Celebrating what would have been Buddy Holly’s 80th birthday, Marc Robinson and the Counterfeit Crickets bring you a show to celebrate the man and his music.

The Plaza Theatre, Stockport,

0161 480 3818

17th

Starsailor

Starsailor will headline the Warrington Festival following a full day of performances from local artists in tribute to Warrington’s Viola Beach and their manager who died tragically young in a car crash earlier this year.

Bank Park, Warrington, 01925 442345

22nd

Live at St Wilfrid’s

Mezzo soprano Kathryn Rudge and pianist Duncan Glenday perform favourite arias and songs ranging from Rossini to Rodgers and Hammerstein.

St Wilfrid’s Church, Grappenhall, 01925 263183

23rd

A Vision of Elvis

A full evening featuring all the classic hits from the hip swivelling 50s ‘Sun Studios’ to the ‘Movie Years’ and the ‘1968 Comeback Special’ with the finale being the electrifying ‘Jumpsuit Concert’ years.

The Brindley, Runcorn, 0151 907 8360

24th

From Haydn to Hendrix

Haydn and Mozart, the rockstars of their age, rub shoulders with 20th century rock icons. This eclectic programme from Manchester Camarata showcases the versatility of their musicians and spotlights two principal musicians Rachael Clegg, performing Vaughan Williams’ lyrical oboe concerto, and Hannah Roberts, the soloist in Haydn’s spirited cello concerto in C.

RNCM Concert Hall, Manchester,

28th

An Evening of Dirty Dancing

An homage to one of the most popular movie soundtracks of all time. This is the original concert celebration of the iconic music from the multi award-winning soundtrack to Dirty Dancing. Should be fun.

The Brindley, Runcorn, 0151 907 8360

COUNTY DAYS OUT & CHARITY EVENTS

2nd-4th

The Arley Hall Antiques & Fine Art Fair

Galloway Antiques Fairs present nationally known dealers exhibiting town and country furniture, silver, jewellery, paintings, sculpture, glass, porcelain, antiquarian books and prints, angling antiques, oriental rugs, mirrors, clocks, lighting and many decorative items.

Arley Hall, Northwich,

www.gallowayfairs.co.uk

3rd

World-first underground 10K run

This world-first will use some of the 160 square miles of underground tunnels that run under the Cheshire countryside at Winsford salt Mine.

Winsford Salt Mine, www.midcheshiredevelopmentboard.org.uk

4th

Clonter Fair & Car Boot Sale

Fair aimed at the discerning shopper, with a host of attractions from hand-made crafts and vintage cloth stalls, to good old-fashioned fair games, a fortune teller and live music.

Clonter Opera Theatre, Congleton, 01260 224514

6th

Tour of Britain

The unique opportunity to view the pleaton twice through the glorious vista of the parkland.

Tatton Park, Knutsford, 01625 374400

10th

Middlewich Annual Show

This year celebrating its 160th year, there is something for everyone at one of the few surviving traditional Cheshire shows. Along with flowers, fruit and vegetables, there will be photography, arts and crafts, cookery, with special classes for children and beginners.

Town Hall, Middlewich

11th

Heritage Open Day

Cheadle Hulme School opens to the public. Enjoy a costumed multi-media presentation and tour of the main historic buildings centred on the life of the school and its pupils in Victorian times.

Cheadle Hulme School, 0161 474 4444

16th-18th

The Tatton Park Antiques, Decorative & Art Fair

Features 50 leading antiques and art dealers from across the UK, offering a wide range of antiques and art for sale with a strong emphasis on rarity and quality.

Tatton Park, Knutsford, 01625 374400

16th-25th

Art Fair in aid of East Cheshire Hospice

Selling exhibition with over 100 local and regional artists showcasing their work, including established painters, Ben Kelly and Jenny Hirst and international textile artist Louise Gardiner.

Macclesfield Town Hall,

www.theartofcaring.org,uk

24th

Bear Grylls Survival Race and Festival

An exciting day out for the whole family – take part in a 5K or 10Km Bear Grylls survival race, big kids race or simply explore the BG festival.

Tatton Park, Knutsford, 01625 374400

30th

Michael Billington

An evening with The Guardian’s revered theatre critic of some 45 years. He will talk about, and defend, his favourite plays, as listed in his latest book, The 101 Greatest Plays from Antiquity to the Present. £7.50, students pay £4.

7pm in the Main Hall, Bollington Arts Centre,

For full details visit www.bollingtonartscentre.co.uk

OUR FAB FOUR

5th-10th

Charley’s Aunt

Farce by Brandon Thomas. Charley and Jack love Amy and Kitty. Amy is about to go away and Charley think he may miss his opportunity to ask for her hand. Then he discovers this is aunt, a Brazilian women he hardly knows, is coming for lunch – how fortuitous! Now the aunt can chaperone while the boys can ask the girls to marry them…but naturally things don’t go as planned.

The Altrinchan Garrick Playhouse, 0161 928 1677

9th, 10th & 11th

Outdoor Cinema

Enjoy a later summer screening of some favourite films. On 9th, Top Gun starring Tom Cruise, on 10th Dirty Dancing with Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey and on 11th, Willy Wonka and the Chololate Factory starring Gene Wilder.

Tatton Park, Knutsford, 01625 374400

16th

Icons of the 80s

Go West, Nik Kershaw and special guests T’Paul come together for the concert on the opening night of Warrington Festival. Their appearance kicks off a two-week celebration of culture, sport and entertainment across the town.

Bank Park, Warrington, 01925 442345

22nd-25th

Buy Art Fair

With 3,000 pieces of art from 100 exhibiting galleries and artists, Buy Art Fair is the leading art fair in the North. The Royal Academy will be exhibiting for the first time this year and McFly, the illustrator for the books by McFly is also on-site running classes. There will also be expert advice on buying antiques from Thom Hetherington, CEO of Buy Art Fair as well as much more, including The Manchester Contemporary which runs alongside the fair with a curated selection of exhibitors showing cutting edge contemporary artists.

Old Granada Studios, Manchester, http://www.buyartfair.co.uk/