A round of events in the Cheshire area during March

THEATRE AND DANCE

1st

Ballroom to Broadway

Anton Du Beke stars in this trip of treats celebrating the golden sounds of musical through a star-spangled programme of dance and song.

The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 0161 907 9000

1st

La Boheme

One of the most romantic operas ever written, telling the tragic tale of the doomed, consumptive Mimi and her love for a penniless writer. This classic tale of Parisian love and loss, presented by Ellen Kent, features many famous arias.

The Opera House, Manchester, 0844 871 7660

3rd-8th

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 Regent Theatre, Stoke-On-Trent, 0844 871 7649

3rd-8th

Blood Brothers

Written by Willy Russell, this legendary production tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences.

Crewe Lyceum, 01270 508789

6th

Don Quixote

The Russian State Ballet of Siberia present this Russian showpiece of thrilling technique, pure panache and explosive balletic fireworks in this enchanting story of an eccentric, yet noble old gentleman, Don Quixote.

Buxton Opera House, 0845 127 2190

6th-8th

Macbeth

Based on Shakespeare’s great tragedy, Verdi has created a gripping music drama of extravagance and originality.

The Lowry, Salford Quays, 0844 815 4873

7th

Giselle

The Russian State Ballet of Siberia present this story of beautiful village girl Giselle and her aristocratic but duplicitous lover, Duke Albrecht in this most poignant of all classical ballets.

Buxton Opera House, 0845 127 2190

Until 8th

Let It Be

The ever-popular music of The Beatles is the big attraction of this concert, jam-packed with more than 40 of The Beatles greatest hits, direct from the West End.

The Palace Theatre, Manchester, 0844 871 7660

Until 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

Until 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

11th-12th

Ballad of the Burning Star

Theatre Ad Infinitum presents its new award-winning musical play. Armed with music, killer heels and a lethal troop of divas, an enraged Israeli executues a story of victimhood, persecution, aggression and love. With shrapnel-sharp voices and moves as smooth as an oiled tank chain, this cabaret troop invites you on a journey into the core of the conflicted Jewish state.

Unity Theatre, Liverpool, 0844 873 2888

12th-22nd

Pests

The latest play by Vivienne Franzmann, centres on sisters Pink and Rolly. Rolly loves Pink. And Pink loves getting bombed off her face. Trapped in a tiny rotting world, they are cuffed to a past that refuses to release them.

Royal Exchange, Manchester, 0161 833 9833

14th-16th

One Dream: The Beryl Marsden Story

The life and career of Liverpool-born singer Beryl Marsden is celebrated in this new musical.

Epstein Theatre, Liverpool, 0844 888 4411

17th-22nd

Evita

Evita tells the story of Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine director Juan Peron, from her young and ambitious beginnings to the enormous wealth and power she gained and her ultimate rise to sainthood.

The Palace Theatre, Manchester, 0844 871 7660

17th-22nd

The Mousetrap

With an atmosphere shuddering in suspense and a brilliantly intricate plot, murder lurks around every corner in this 60th anniversary production.

The Lowry, Salford Quays, 0844 815 4873

19th

Ed Byrne

A self confessed ‘miserable old git’ since the age of 23, Ed Byrne is now in his 40s, with a rip roaring comedy tour you won’t want to miss.

Crewe Lyceum, 01270 368242

19th-22nd

Deathtrap

By Ira Levin, this play presented by Knutsford Little Theatre features many plot twists and references itself as a play within a play.

Knutsford Little Theatre, 01565 633000

24th-29th

Tonight’s The Night

Smash hit musical comedy inspired by the songs of Rod Stewart and starring Jade Ewen from the Sugarbabes, launches a new tour.

The Regent Theatre, Stoke-On-Trent, 0844 871 7649

28th-30th

Peter Pan On Ice

The world-renowned Russian Ice Stars brings a new adaptation of this famous adventure by JM Barries. Wendy, Michael and John are visited in the nursery by Peter Pan himself, who teaches them to fly with the help of Tinker Bell and takes them on a magical journey to Never Land.

The Palace Theatre, Manchester, 0844 871 7660

MUSIC AND CONCERTS

Until 2nd

Liverpool International Jazz Festival

This festival will include performances from British Jazz pianist and multi-award winner Jason Rebello who opens the event, Anglo-American jazz ‘supergroup’ The Impossible Gentlemen and Stuart McCallum Trio amongst the names.

The Capstone Theatre, Liverpool, 0844 8000 410

8th

BBC Philharmonic - Strauss’s Voice

Richard Strauss used a colossal orchestra to tell the story of an imaginary hero, complete with enemies and battles. Ein Heldenleben is an irresistibly flamboyant musical self-portrait and one of the all-time great orchestral showpieces.

The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 0844 815 4873

8th

Soloists from the Northern Chamber Orchestra

A programme of contrasts and early works – from a playful Haydyn to Brahms’ richly-coloured Sextet and rounded off with an early masterpiece by Mendelssohn.

Heritage Centre, Macclesfield, 01625 378123

8th

Galliiarda – A Tale of Two Cities

Music by native and foreign composers which contributed to the rich tapestry of London and Paris. This programme will include music by Handel, Rameau and Thomas Arne (of Rule Britannia fame).

St Wilfrid’s Church, Grappenhall, 01925 263183

11th

911

The Big Reunion Stars, boy band 911, are back with a brand new album on tour.

Parr Hall, Warrington, 01925 442345

12th

Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry

Grammy award-winning reggae and dub artist, who has been highly influential in the development of reggae and dub music in Jamaica and overseas, plays Liverpool.

The Kazimer, Liverpool, 0871 220 0260, www.lee-perry.com

12th

Y-Squared

Yelian He and Yasmin Rowe pair Poulenc’s Sonata with the second of Mendelssohn’s sonatas, in this concert which forms part of the Manchester Mid-Day series.

The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 0844 815 4873

FAIRS, FESTIVALS, DAYS OUT AND CHARITY EVENTS

1st-November 11th

Sanctuary from the Trenches

Dunham Massey marks the centenary of the First World War by being transformed back into the Stamford Military Hospital, as it was from 1917-1919. Walk the hospital ward, learn about the ‘Tommies’ who stayed there and see original objects from the hospital which have been carefully preserved.

Dunham Massey, Altrincham

6th-15th

Chester International Film Festival

The 28th annual festival from Chester Film Society – providing the people of Chester and surrounding areas the chance to see some of the finer films of world cinema in a relaxing and appreciative atmosphere.

St Mary’s Centre, Chester, 01244 371750

20th-23rd

Chester Wine Festival

The city’s second wine festival which also features a trip back to the past on a fascinating tour of the ancient hostelries within the city walls.

Various locations, Chester

22nd

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 finishing line.

Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse, Wrexham, 01244 304610

Until April 19th

Fashioned with Silk

Exhibition referencing the silk heritage of Macclesfield through a stunning installation of dress toiles and pattern pieces, each exquisitely embellished and embroidered.

Macclesfield Silk Museum, 01625 612045

OUR FAB FIVE

6th

The Busch Ensemble

The three members of the Busch Ensemble present a programme of Haydn and Mendelssohn.

The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 0844 815 4873

8th

Swan Lake

The greatest romantic ballet of all time, brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score, performed by The Russian State Ballet of Siberia.

Buxton Opera House, 0845 127 2190

18th-22nd

Dance ‘Til Dawn

Strictly Come Dancing favourites Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace present a brand new show. After wowing audiences across the country with Midnight Tango, the dazzling duo return in a sensational dance show straight from the golden age of Hollywood.

The Opera House, Manchester, 0844 871 7660

23rd

Tom Wrigglesworth

Edinburgh comedy award nominee, Sony award winner and Chortle award winner and star of Radio 4 and BBC2, Tom Wrigglesworth explores the poignant relationship he had with his grandfather, delving into taped interviews they had done during Tom’s childhood and living out the fantasy of being able to make one final interview with his hero.

Pyramid, Warrington, 01925 442345

26th-29th

Arcadia

Alsager Community Theatre present this play by Tom Stoppard, telling the story of two present day rival historians (Hannah and Bernard) who are researching events which took place in 1809 at Lord Croom’s country house in Derbyshire, events involving Byron, poetry, adultery, a duel, a hermit, landscape gardening and mathematics.

Alsager Civic Centre, 01260 276165