A round up of events in the Cheshire area
THEATRE AND DANCE
Until 3rd
Fame
Based on the Oscar winning musical film, this new production will take you on a hi-octane roller coaster ride through dizzy heights and crashing lows as a group of star-struck wannabes embark on their quest for the ultimate accolade – fame.
The Regent
Theatre, Stoke on Trent
Until 3rd
Much Ado About Nothing
One of Shakespeare’s greatest comedies featuring the impetuous Claudio and Hero, who meet and fall desperately in love and plan to get married in seven days’ time.
The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester 0161 833 9833
5th-10th
Rock of Ages
Ben Richard stars as rock god Stacee Jaxx with Noel Sullivan as Drew Boley in this ultimate rock mix-tape musical – a hilarious story of dreams, love and rock.
The Palace Theatre, Manchester, 0844 871 3018
5th-10th
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
The classical American musical set in 1850s Oregon starring Dancing on Ice champion Sam Attwater and runner up in BBC One’s How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria, Helena Blackman.
The Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, 0844 871 7649
5th-10th
Fame the Musical
Experience the dizzy height and crashing lows as a group of star-struck wannabes embark on their quest for the ultimate accolade – fame.
The Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays, Manchester, 0844 815 48736th-
10th
Dial M For Murder
Frederick Knott’s intense and darkly gripping thriller, famously filmed by Alfred Hitchcock, stars Christopher Timothy on stage as Inspector Hubbard.
The Opera House, Manchester, 0844 871 7660
12th-24th
Fawlty Towers
One of the best-known and most-loved TV series from the halcyon days of British comedy – the 1970s. The three episodes featured are Waldorf Salad, The Psychiatrist and Kippers.
The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 01244 341296
13th-14th
Rites of War
Six aerialists and dancers combine their rich visual language with music, film and news commentary to reveal the ugly truths and unexpected beauty of living and loving through conflicts.
The Lowry Theatre, Salford Quays, 0844 815 4873
19th-24th
Last of the Duty Free
Keith Barron, Gwen Taylor and Neil Stacy are reunited in this stage adaptation of a TV classic. With love in the Mediterranean air, holidaymakers watch on in disbelief as deceptions, misunderstandings and preposterous situations unfold, with the love struck protagonists trying every trick in the book in order to keep their amorous intentions a secret.
The Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, 0844 871 7649
21st-24th
Natural Causes
Play by Eric Chappell.
Knutsford Little Theatre, 01565 633000
23rd-31st
Death of a Salesman
Nantwich Players present this drama about one man’s belief in the promise of the American Dream, by Arthur Miller, directed by Jerry Park.
27th The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged)
The Reduced Shakespeare Company present all 37 Shakespeare plays in just 97 minutes! An irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard’s oeuvre.
Lyceum Theatre, Crewe
27th-31st
Catch-22
Set in the closing months of World War II, a bombardier named Yossarian is trapped in the absurd world of an inescapable war. Frantic and furious as thousands of people he has never met try to kill him, Yossarian is stalked and thwarted by the merciless Catch-22.
Liverpool Playhouse, 0151 709 4776
27th-31st
Avenue Q
A laugh out loud musical that tells the story of a recent college graduate named Princeton who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. There he meets Kate (the girl next door), Rod (the Republican), Trekkie (internet sexpert), Lucy the slut and other colourful types.
The Palace Theatre, Manchester, 0844 871 7660
29th
Rich Hall
Rich Hall’s critically acclaimed grouchy, deadpan style has established him as a master of absurdist irony and the king of rapid-fire wit.
Parr Hall, Warrington
MUSIC AND CONCERTS
3rd
The Halle: Spies and Spooks
Standing in the shadows, exchanging suitcases, cracking code, all just another day in the office for a top secret agent. These undercover tasks are full of suspense and what better way than to build that tension than through a superb soundtrack like this one presented by The Halle.
The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 0844 907 9000
3rd
Spectacular Season Finale
The Northern Chamber Orchestra present this concert featuring music by Vivaldi, Corelli, Villa Lobos, Bach, Piazzolla, Myers and Strauss.
Heritage Centre, Macclesfield, 01625 378123
17th
Chetham’s School of Music
The largest specialist music school in the UK guarantee a memorable evening with chamber ensembles and soloists performing with their orchestra Serenata Strings.
St Wilfrid’s Church, Grappenhall, 01925 263183
23rd
Billy Ocean
The British king of soul performs a brand new show with hits including When The Going Gets Tough and Caribbean Queen.
Parr Hall, Warrington
23rd
Chris Connor is Elvis
The world’s fastest rising, leading Elvis performer with his tribute to Elvis Presley.
The Studio, Nantwich, 0871 220 0260
29th
The South
Ex members of The Beautiful South, Dave Hemingway and Alison Wheeler sing many of their hits from their back catalogue with a nine piece band also performing several songs from their debut album as The South.
The Brindley, Runcorn, 0151 977 8360
31st
The Halle: West End Musicals
Take a trip to the West End without leaving the North West. Conductor Stephen Bell is joined by two of the hottest West End talents for a fantastic collection of some of the best show-stopping scores ever written.
The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 0161 907 9000
FAIRS, FESTIVALS, DAYS OUT AND CHARITY EVENTS
3rd May
Warrington LitFest
As part of the town’s exciting literary event, Warrington-born author Helen Walsh, aged 37, will take a Q& A session and discuss her award-winning books, including a reading from her new novel, The Lemon Grove.
Studio Theatre, Pyramid Arts centre. Details of this and related events www.warringtonlitfest.co.uk
3rd-July 26th
Splendid Silks
Macclesfield Decorative and Fine Arts Society and Macclesfield Silk Museum have teamed up to host a Young Arts project and exhibition. In this project Young Arts have created work based on historic Chinease silk garments and artefacts in the archive at the museum – this exhibition is the work they have produced along with original artefacts from the museum stores.
Macclesfield Silk Museum, info@silkmacclesfield.org.uk
4th
Holmes Chapel Village Fair
Entertainment includes Punch and Judy, magic show, fairground rides, games, stalls, tombolas, displays and events and live music from Federal Blues Inc and Ivy In The Attic.
The Victoria Club, Holmes Chapel, 01477 532231
10th-11th
Marbury Merry Days
Traditional country fair, celebrating its 35th year of fundraising for St Michael and All Angels Church, with a packed programme of events. The main attraction will be the Vikings who bring the Dark Ages to life – staging mock battles with blood curdling cries, brandishing axes and broadswords and launching a Long boat on the Mere.
Marbury village, www.marburymerrydays.co.uk
11th
Plant Fair
The Hardy Plant Society Clwyd Group plant fair with nurseries and members plant stalls.
Holywell Community Centre, Flintshire, 01352 780697
18th
Lymm Artisan Market
Stalls selling locally produced food and high quality handmade items.
Lymm Youth and Community Centre, Lymm, 07972 916198
22nd
Golf Day
14th annual golf day regularly attracting around 100 golfers including celebrities such as Sir Bobby Charlton. Brunch and 18 holes of golf followed by presentation dinner and entertainment.
Mere Golf Resort & Spa, 01565 830053
25th-26th
Farm Feast
A festival of food and drink, music and farming fun, previously known as Wirral Food and Drink Festival. Keeping quality local, seasonal and artisan food and drink at its heart, this year it will evolve into a fully fledged family festival with two music stages, providing the perfect start to a summer of fun.
Claremont Farm, Wirral, www.farmfeast.co.uk
31st-June 1st
The Audlem RNLI Festival
Hosted by Overwater Marina, this charity weekend promises to be fun and educational for all the family. There will be something for everyone on land and the water, with fun activities including farm tractor rides, pony rides, falconry displays, a dog agility show, tug of war, duck racing and hula hooping contests, and it’s not all just for the kids either!
Overwater Marina
OUR FAB FIVE
10th
Ballroom Comedy Club
Four top comedians, headed by Rob Rouse, an award-winning comic and TV regular, hosting Channel 4’s Friday Night Projects. He is joined by Dave Twentyman, Chris McCausland and MC Ste Porter.
Sandbach Town Hall, www.sandbach.gov.uk
11th
Swan Lake
Vienna Festival Ballet perform one of the best known love stories with lavish costumes, stunning scenery, international stars and the glorious music of Tchaikovsky.
Parr Hall, Warrington
12th-24th
Fawlty Towers
One of the best-known and most-loved TV series from the halcyon days of British comedy – the 1970s. The three episodes featured are Waldorf Salad, The Psychiatrist and Kippers.
The Forum Studio Theatre, Chester, 01244 341296
23rd-31st
Physical Fest
The only festival of its kind in Europe, Tmesis Theatre will be bringing the very best and most established artists from all corners of the globe, with companies from the US, Poland and Brazil joining the UK performers.
www.physicalfest.com
25th
The Prince’s Trust Polo Day
Start the day with a champagne reception and Sunday lunch before watching the teams compete in an exciting exhibition polo match. This fabulous social occasion finishes on a high with a special set from a Prince’s Trust Celebrity Ambassador.
Chester Racecourse, 0161 874 7538