What’s On in Cheshire - February 2014
Carmen in Stockport - Credit: Getty Images
A round up of events in the Cheshire area during February
THEATRE AND DANCE
5th
Carmen
The Russain State Ballet and Opera House presents this powerful and passionate drama of love and rejection featuring an impressive cast and accompanied by a large live orchestra with more than 30 musicians.
The Plaza Theatre, Stockport, 0161 477 7779
11th-15th
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Run For Your Wife
Centenary Theatre present this classic comedy by Ray Cooney – John Smith, who leads two separate lives with two separate wives for many years, finally comes unstuck with hilarious consequences.
The Brindley Theatre, Runcorn, 0151 907 8360
14th-22nd
The Lonesome West
Nantwich Players present this funny and touching play by Irish playwright, Martin McDonagh.
The Civic Hall, Nantwich, 01270 600727
15th
Crime and Passion: A Victorian Valentine
Liverpool’s premier murder mystery events company Lovehistory, present the biggest and best fully interactive murder mystery dining experience set within the grandeur of one of Liverpool’s most famous buildings.
St George’s Hall, Liverpool, 0844 800 0410
17th-22nd
Black Coffee
Robert Powell starts as Hercule Poirot in a new production of Agatha Christie’s first ever play, Black Coffee. A quintessential English country estate is thrown into chaos following the murder of eccentric inventor Sir Claud Amory and the theft of his new earth shattering formula.
Regent Theatre, Stoke on Trent, 0844 871 7649
21st-March 8th
The Seagull
The Library Theatre present this new version of the captivating study of the corrosion of youthful idealism, wasted ambitions and unrequited love.
The Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays, 0843 208 6010
26th-March 8th
Black Roses: The Killing of Sophie Lancaster
Julie Hesmondhalgh (Hayley Cropper, Coronation Street) stars in this play – an elegy to Sophie by poet Simon Armitage.
The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, 0161 833 9833
MUSIC AND CONCERTS
1st
Kathryn Rudge
This exciting young singer, named by the Times as the ‘rising star of classical music 2012’, performs with Daniel Brown on piano, singing favourite operatic arias as well as songs ranging from Mozart to Ivor Novello.
St Wilfrid’s Church, Grappenhall, 01925 263183
2nd
Johann Strauss Gala
A delectable fusion of music, dance and song in what has to be the ultimate Viennese party. Hosting the performance is showman, Rainer Hersch, who with his inimitable wit and panache whisks the audience back to 19th century Vienna on a light-hearted journey through a programme of the finest waltzes and polkas from the Strauss musical dynasty and other timeless dance music.
The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 0844 907 9000
7th-8th
Nabucco and Aida
The celebrated Chisinau National Opera and Philharmonic Orchestra with international guest soloists present these epic Verdi operas, sung in Italian with English subtitles.
Liverpool Empire Theatre, 0844 871 3017
13th
David Gest’s Legends of Soul
Television star and legendary producer David Gest makes musical history by bringing an all star line up of 10 soul and motown artists to more than 30 venues throughout the UK.
The Plaza Theatre, Stockport, 0161 477 7779
24th
Penguin Café
Following a sell-out tour last year and performances across Japan and Australia, Penguin Café release their new album, The Red Book in February as well as touring.
Epstein Theatre, Liverpool, 0871 220 0260
27th-March 2nd
Liverpool International Jazz Festival
This festival is back and will include performances from celebrated British Jazz pianist and multi-award winner Jason Rebello who opens the festival, Anglo-American jazz ‘supergroup’ The Impossible Gentlemen and the Stuart McCallum Trio among the names.
The Capstone Theatre, Liverpool, 0844 8000 410
FAIRS, FESTIVALS, DAYS OUT AND CHARITY EVENTS
1st-2nd
Rode Hall Snowdrop Walks
Explore the gardens and see the seasonal flowers at Rode Hall. Take a break in the tearoom and visit the gift shop selling seasonal gifts.
Rode Hall and Gardens, www.rodehall.co.uk
7th
Bangor on Dee Races
Feel the excitement and anticipation as the horses race around the jump course and hear the crowds cheer and celebrate as the horses cross the line.
Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse, Wrexham, 01244 304610
8th-June 29th
Bloom: A celebration of gardens, birds and UK Wildlife
Nature comes alive in spring and the zoo can be a relaxing and inspiring place to be.
Chester Zoo, 01244 380280
13th-16th
Chester Antiques & Fine Art Show
Featuring specialists including Graham Reed showing 19th and 20th century watercolours and oils by many collectible artists, Baron Fine Art, with paintings by many north west artists. English pottery features on the stand of Roger Deville, arms and armour at Garth Vincent Antiques and glass from the 17th to 20th centuries will be shown.
County Grandstand, Chester Racecourse, 01825 744074
15th-23rd
February Fun
Half term fun for all the family with a selection of theme park rides, shows and exciting attractions.
Gulliver’s World Resort, Warrington, 01925 444888
15th-April 19th
Fashioned with Silk
An exhibition referencing the famous silk heritage of the Macclesfield area through a stunning installation of dress toiles and pattern pieces, each exquisitely embellished and embroidered.
Macclesfield Silk Museum, 01625 612045
18th
Deer Feed and Trailer Ride
Take a trailer ride with the rangers to watch the winter deer feed and get a close look at hundreds of deer feeding in their beautiful, natural setting.
Tatton Park, Knutsford, 01625 374400
23rd
Sunday Snowdrop Walk
Enjoy a guided tour of the snowdrops and other winter plants at Ness in the company of horticulturalist and lecturer, Andrew Lambie.
Ness Botanic Gardens, Ness, Neston, 0845 030 4063
26th
Telescopes for the amateur astronomer workshop
This talk describes and shows examples of the types of telescopes now available for use by amateurs to observe the planets, stars and galaxies along with their relative strengths and weaknesses.
Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, Macclesfield, 01477 571766
Until March 15th
Collectable Prints Exhibition
Editions Ltd., Gallery, in the heart of Liverpool’s financial district, are delighted to showcase an exhibition of original limited edition, collaged & hand painted silkscreens, from the country’s most innovative printmakers : Bruce McLean, Dan Baldwin, Sir Peter Blake, Barbara Rae CBE RA RE & Charlotte Cornish.
Editions Ltd : Gallery, 16 Cook Street Liverpool, 0151 236 4236
OUR FAB FIVE
3rd
Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story
Loved by critics and audiences alike, Buddy tells the enchanting tale of the musical icon’s meteoric rise to fame and his final legendary performance at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa before his tragic and untimely death.
The Opera House, Manchester, 0844 871 3018
4th-8th
Iolanthe
Bentley Operatic Society present Gilbert and Sullivan’s hilarious opera, Iolanthe, essentially a satire on politics and the arrogance (and dim-wittedness) of the ruling classed as represented by The House of Lords.
The Brindley Theatre, Runcorn, 0151 907 8360
8th
Trumpet Cheer
The Northern Chamber Orchestra present this concert with Tracey Redfern on trumpet and Nicholas Ward on violin, performing pieces by Arriaga, Grieg, Haydn, Dvorak and Beethoven.
Heritage Centre, Macclesfield, 01625 378123
15th-23rd
Scarecrow Festival
Visit the Scarecrow Festival in the gardens and farm at Tatton this half term. There will be more than 30 scarecrows resident in the gardens, find the farmyard scarecrows and have a go at making your own.
Tatton Park, Knutsford, 01625 374400
25th-27th
The Wizard of Oz
Upton-by-Chester High School in association with Musicscope presents this classic tale.
The Brindley Theatre, Runcorn, 0151 907 8360