What’s On in Cheshire - February 2014

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

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