THEATRE AND DANCE

1st-June 1st

A Doll’s House

Ibsen’s classic. Nora, played by Cush Jumbo, is married to Torvold, a recently promoted bank manager. Life seems content and settled until their marriage is threatened by a terrible secret from her past.

The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, 0844 815 4873

2nd-4th Losing the Plot

A new comedy written and directed by John Godber. Jack Munroe walks out on his job, his wife and children. After travelling to Europe to write his much-talked about novel, he returns with no novel, no money and no idea why he left. In a world on the edge are we all losing the plot?

Buxton Opera House, 0845 127 2190

7th- 11th I Was A Rat

Philip Pullman’s classic children’s novel is brought to life for the first time in the UK. Full of music, comedy and fantastic physical performances it will surprise, delight and move audiences of all ages.

The Lowry, Salford Quays, Manchester, 0843 503333

7th-11th Blood Brothers

Willy Russell’s legendary musical is back on tour, telling the tale of twins who separated by birth and then grew up on opposite sides of the track.

The Regent Theatre, Stoke on Trent, 0844 871 7649

9th-11th Memory Lane

A musical journey through the past six decades including some of the greatest all-time hits by Judy Garland, Connie Francis, Buddy Holly, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, Abba, Michael Buble and many more.

The Brindley, Runcorn, 0151 907 8360

17th-25th The Forsyte Saga

The Nantwich Players present this sprawling tale spanning the years 1886 to 1920, featuring scandalous affairs, divorces, financial wrangling, births and deaths, clashes between young and old, love scorned and love redeemed.

The Civic Hall, Nantwich, 01270 600727

18th-19th My First Cinderella

English National Ballet present this favourite where children three and over can get their first taste of classical dance.

The Opera House, Manchester, 0844 871 3018, www.ballet.org.uk

20th-25th

The Rocky Horror Show

Follow squeaky clean sweethearts Brad and Janet on an adventure they’ll never forget. An evening of fun, frolics and frivolity in this classic show.

The Regent Theatre, Stoke on Trent, 0844 871 7649

20th-25th Carnaby Street

Set in London’s West End in the 60s, with the background of iconic clubs, fashion and characters this is the real musical story of a generation.

The Opera House, Manchester, 0844 871 7660

21st-24th Seven Brides for Seven Brothers

The multi award-winning Centenary Theatre Company present this all-time happy classic from the stage and screen.

The Brindley Theatre, Runcorn, 0151 907 8360

22nd Miss Nightengale: The Burlesque Musical

Sex, scandal and showbiz in 1940s’ London. Two men struggle in the shadows of a war-torn city to thrust a new cabaret star into the spotlight. But backstage lurk secrets more devastating than the Blitz. Miss Nightengale celebrates the vintage glamour, wit and sounds of war-torn West End.

Royal Court Liverpool, 0870 787 1866, www.royalcourtliverpool.co.uk

22nd-26th Walking with Dinosaurs

This stunning theatrical event is back with 20 life-size dinosaurs. Be amazed as you witness these creatures walk the earth once more.

Echo Arena, Liverpool, www.echoarena.com

23rd Mugenkyo Taiko Drummers

Concert of thundering rhythms on huge taiko drums, mysterious masked choreography with inventive lighting, muscular synchronism timed to perfection, post apocalyptic imagery and infectious belly laugh humour, all in a display of pure energy and sheer athleticism.

The Plaza Theatre, Stockport, 0161 477 7779

27th-June 1st Acorn Antiques The Musical

A musical version of Victoria Wood’s soap opera parody, set in the fictional Manchesterford and featuring the irrepressible Mrs Overall complete with macaroons and wrinkly tights.

The Garrick Playhouse, Altrincham, 0161 928 1677

MUSIC AND CONCERTS

11th From Bach to Bond

Manchester-based pianist Emmanuel Vass performs a programme of music that shows his extraordinary virtuosity, not only in music by Bach, Chopin, Debussy and Gershwin but also in his own Lisztian arrangements of contemporary classics like Bohemian Rhapsody and the James Bond theme.

Heswall Hall, Heswall, 0151 342 2614

18th Spring Opera Showcase

Internationally renowned director Michael McCaffery directs this year’s Spring Opera Showcase, the culmination of a week of masterclasses where five singers are selected by audition to work with the director, music coach and pianist for a week.

Clonter Opera Theatre, Congleton, 01260 224514

18th Musica Nova Concert

Programme of works by Mendelssohn and Schubert performed by Musica Nova, led and directed by Jem Beadley.

All Saints Church, Cheadle Hulme, 07583 165175

18th Live at St Wilfrid’s

Chetham’s School of Music guarantee a memorable evening with chamber ensembles and soloists performing with their orchestra, Serenata Strings.

St Wilfrid’s Church, Grappenhall, 01925 263183

30th We’ll Meet Again: 60th Anniversary Coronation Tribute

A celebratory concert bringing together music that has played a part in all our lives over the last 60 years since the Coronation of the Queen. The concert includes a tribute to the coronation with classic music including ‘Rule Britannia’ and ‘Land of Hope and Glory’.

Liverpool Philharmonic, 0151 709 3789

FAIRS, FESTIVALS, DAYS OUT AND CHARITY EVENTS

4th Archive launch

Special event to celebrate the launch of the Cheshire Image Bank, a website featuring almost 22,000 historic photographs of the county, with exhibitions, stalls, experts advice and refreshments.

Chester History & Heritage, St Michael’s Church, Chester, 01244 972210, www.cheshireimagebank.gov.uk

4th-6th Craft, Gift and Food Fair

Wide selection of handmade crafts and gifts from around the world in two large marquees.

Capesthorne Hall, Macclesfield, www.creativecrafts-online.co.uk

5th-6th Tudor May Day Festival

An authentic Tudor May Day festival with music and entertainment.

Speke Hall, Liverpool, www.nationaltrust.org.uk

6th Outlaws

Medieval outlaws are causing havoc in the woodlands against the Baron of Halton. Whose side will you be on? Normal admission applies.

Norton Priory Museum and Gardens, Runcorn, 01928 569895

6th Victorian May Day

Entertainment includes music and traditional maypole and Punch and Judy.

Quarry Bank Mill, Styal, www.nationaltrust.org.uk

10th-12th Frodsham Bee Festival

Speakers will visit the town to talk about the UK’s bee population and a food and drink festival will celebrate the quality and diversity of the regions local food and drink producers. Entertainment will also include a junior football tournament, It’s a Knockout and a music festival on Sunday afternoon.

Frodsham, www.cheshirehive.co.uk

11th-12th Marbury Merry Days

Traditional country fair celebrating it’s 34th year of fundraising for St Michael & All Angels Church with a packed programme of events including the main attraction, the American Civil War Society, a group of English enthusiasts who bring the battle to life. They will give drill demonstrations and re-enact battles as well as have living history camps on the field. Other entertainment includes dog and terrier racing, maypole dancing and morris dancing, puppets shows, classic cars and craft and gift fair.

Church Field, Marbury, www.marburymerrydays.co.uk

12th Cycletta

The UK’s best women-only bike rides, supported by Olympic gold medallist Victoria Pendleton. It starts and finishes at Tatton Park.

Tatton Park, Knutsford, www.cycletta.co.uk

12th Plant Fair

The Hardy Plant Society Clwyd Group present this plant fair with nurseries and members’ plant stalls.

Holywell Community Centre, Flintshire, 01352 780697, www.hardy-plant.org.uk

17th-19th Foodies Festival

Meet Michelin starred chefs and learn how to cook their favourite dishes live in the chefs’ theatre. There’s food tasting sessions, there will be local and national food and drink experts as well as a children’s cookery theatre.

Tatton Park, Knutsford, www.foodiesfestival.com

26th-27th The 36th Cheshire Classic Weekend

With classic cars, motorcycles and Jaguars (Sunday) and Festival of Transport (Monday) including classic cars and motorcycles, VWs and Minis, customs and American vehicles.

Capesthorne Hall, near Macclesfield, www.classiccarshows.org

Reader Recommendations

Werneth Concert Band 30th Anniversary Concert

Venue: The Forum Theatre, Romiley

Tickets £8, concessions £6, available from ‘Interiors by Gainsborough’, Compstall Road, Romiley, Tel 0161 494 0914

The programme will include the first public performances of two works commissioned by the band, with other items, including pieces by Jule Styne and Lerner & Loewe. There will also be contributions from the Werneth Wind Quintet and the Werneth Saxophone Quartet.

Spring Festival

With Sir Roddy Llewellyn

Combermere Abbey

between Whitchurch and Nantwich SY13 4AJ

Wednesday 22 May 2013

10am - 4pm or 6pm - 9pm

Contact Jane Thompson, St Luke’s Cheshire Hospice, Grosvenor House, Queensway, Winsford, Cheshire CW7 1BH

Snow Fun - Kids Go Free, Chill Factore

May Half Term - 25th May – 2nd June

The fantastic Kids Go Free offer is available on exhilarating snow activities from Luging to Tubing. Throw on your snow boots and experience some school holiday thrills for much less – as a junior goes free with every paying adult!

Snow Carver, Extreme Sledging, Ski and Snowboard Taster Lessons, Snowscoot, Airboarding, Luge Ice Slide, Tubing, Sledging, Snowplay, Snow Zipper, Climbing Taster,

For bookings and more information on activities and offers available at Chill Factore, visit www.chillfactore.com or call 0161 749 2222. Advance booking is strongly recommended on all activities.