A round-up of events in Lancashire and the Lake District during August
THEATRE & DANCE
3rd
Romeo & Juliet
The Bard’s work comes to life in a unique way. They’ll also do The Taming of The Shrew on the 4th.
Hoghton Tower, near Preston, 01254 852986
6th-November 4th
Iron
A moving and absorbing psychological drama as mother and daughter try to break the barriers of time, memory and punishment that separate them.
Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, 017687 74411
11th-13th
The Secret Garden
The classic novel is brought to life in an adaptation by BAFTA-nominated writer, Janys Chambers.
Octagon Theatre, Bolton, 01204 520661
12th
Hollywood Special Effects Show
Interactive science and special effects show that goes behind the scenes of films to discover the science and secrets of creating movie magic.
Charter Theatre, Preston, 01772 804444
19th-27th
Sunny Afternoon
Featuring some of The Kinks’ best-loved songs, this production explores the highs and lows of one of Britain’s most iconic bands.
The Opera House, Manchester, 0844 871 3018
23rd
Danny the Champion of the World
Illyria perform this heartwarming story by Roald Dahl, perfectly suited to the open air.
Brantwood, Coniston, www.brantwood.org.uk
23rd
Much Ado About Nothing
The Lord Chamberlain’s Men invite you to join them for Shakespeare’s sparkling battle of the sexes comedy. Performed in the open air with traditional music and dance.
Rufford Old Hall, 01704 821254
Until 29th
New adventures of Captain Pool and his Mersey Mariners
Fun-packed and activity filled event promising to make ship-shape sailors of those who are a little green around the gills. St George’s Hall, Liverpool, 0844 800 0410
29th-September 3rd
Sister Act
The Broadway and West End smash hit musical comedy returns to the UK with a brand new production directed and choreographed by Craig Revel Horwood.
The Palace Theatre, Manchester, 0844 871 3018
Until September 4th
Where is Peter Rabbit?
World premiere of this show based on Beatrix Potter’s books and some of her best loved animal characters. This musical adventure will capture Potter’s poetry, freshness and humour, while staying faithful to her unforgettable illustrations.
Old Laundry Theatre, Bowness on Windermere, www.hop-skip-jump.com
MUSIC & CONCERTS
1st-7th
Lytham Festival
Rock legend Bryan Adams and Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds are the two headline acts for this year’s Lytham Festival. There will also be performances from stars including The Village People, Bay City Rollers and Earth Wind & Fire and a host of West End stars.
Lytham Green, 0844 888 9991
6th
Nowt like the 80s
Do you remember the 80s? A decade of Rubik’s Cubes, shoulder pads and Walkmans. The Lancashire Hotpots do and they bring you a show of music and comedy.
The Platform, Morecambe, 01524 582803
12th
Simply the Best
A brand new theatre show set in a concert style following the life story and career of musical icon Tina Turner.
Viva, Blackpool, 01253 297297
12th
We’ll Meet Again
With live music from the Martyn St James Band, this afternoon show is a tribute to the Armed Forces of yesterday, today and tomorrow.
Lowther Pavilion, Lytham, 01253 794221
13th-14th
Towneley Music Festival
Family friendly festival with two stages with live music, fairground rides, entertainment and a beer tent with real ales and cider.
Towneley Park, Burnley, 01282 477130
19th
Houghton Weavers Fundraising Concert
A charity concert in aid of the Lancashire Teaching Hospitals Charity Fund.
Park Hall, Charnock Richard, 01772 524412
20th
Snake Davis Band
Saxophonist Snake Davis will perform alongside another rising star from the Ribble Valley, Grace Davies, whose recent single has been played on Radio One.
The Grand, Clitheroe, 01200 421599
22nd-29th
Garstang Arts & Music Festival
A unique festival fusing art, music, shows, heritage, culture, crafts, workshops and local produce. There will also be performances of opera, poetry, traditional songs, an historical lecture and choir recitals.
Garstang, 01995 602125
26th-29th
The Great British Rhythm & Blues Festival
The legacy continues as The Great British Rhythm and Blues Festival celebrates its 26th year of bringing some of the best R&B to Colne.
Colne, 01282 661234
28th
Whitehaven Male Voice Choir
Singing a repertoire of songs from musical shows, popular songs, spirituals and classical pieces.
Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, 017687 74411
COUNTY DAYS OUT
6th
Garstang Show
Livestock and horticulture displays as well as a quad bike stunt show, Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling, farmers’ market, food demonstrations and more.
The showground, Garstang, 07867 313346
7th-8th
Blackpool AirShow
Planes classic and modern take to the skies – a marvellous day out for young and old.
Tower Festival Headland, Promenade, Blackpool, 01253 478222
12th-14th
Royal Lancashire Show
A celebration of our great British countryside with the organisers promising a brilliant family day out.
Witton Country Park, Blackburn, 01254 814712
13th-14th
Lytham 1940s Wartime Festival
Immerse yourself in a weekend of entertainment, re-enactment and have-a-go fun. There will be historic vehicles, music and dance, memorabilia, talks and demonstrations plus a living history camp.
The Green, Lytham, 01253 658443
13th
Clitheroe Food Festival
This is a true food festival, with the emphasis on local food from local producers, many of which supply or work with each other.
Castle Street, Clitheroe, 01200 425111
14th
Classic Car and Motorcycle Show
The 36th classic car and motorcycle show – with house open for guided tours, tea room and gift shop open.
Hoghton Tower, near Preston, 01254 852986
18th-21st
Southport Flower Show
The UK’s largest independent flower show and a great day out. This year’s event, with a Mediterranean theme, will feature stunning show gardens, flower and vegetable displays, specialist foods and demos, celebrity guests and much more.
Victoria Park, Southport, 01704 547147
20th
The Appleby Summer Pudding
A brand new summer festival with a delicious recipe full of the finest ingredients of live bands and street circus acts with foodie treats and a vintage funfair.
Appleby Castle, www.edenarts.co.uk/appleby-summer-pudding
26th-29th
Bolton Food and Drink Festival
Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain headlines this four day festival which also features celebrity chefs James Martin, Michael Caines and John Torode.
Bolton town centre, www.boltonfoodanddrinkfestival.com
28th-29th
Summer Steamings
See 30 restored stationary steam engines – some of which powered the cotton mills of Lancashire, most running in steam. Some are the only one of their kind to have survived anywhere in the world.
Bolton Steam Museum, 01204 846490
28th-29th
Medieval Re-enactment Weekend
Admission includes access to the encampment and demonstrations including archery, candle making, weaving, apocrathy, medieval writing and much more.
Hoghton Tower, near Preston, 01254 852986
29th
Lytham Bus Day
Vintage buses and coaches from the Ribble Vehicle Preservation Trust’s collection on display at Lytham Hall. A further eleven buses will operate a free service from the hall via Lytham town centre to Fairhaven Lake and on to St Anne’s Square.
Lytham Hall, 01253 736652, www.lythamhall.org.uk
EXHIBITIONS
6th-16th October
The Ribble Valley Open Art Exhibition
This year, the theme for the Ribble Valley Open Exhibition is ‘Time’. Artists – both amateur and professional – from across the Ribble Valley and adjoining boroughs exhibit and sell work based on this theme.
Clitheroe Castle Museum, 01200 424568
11th-October 9th
Impress
Exhibition of a group of artist printmakers living and working in Cumbria.
Brantwood, Coniston, 015394 41396
Until 29th
Tibor Reich
With the rise of Nazism Tibor Reich emigrated to Britain to study textiles at Leeds University. He innovated British textiles and produced fabric known for deep use of colour and three dimensional textures.
The Whitworth Gallery, University of Manchester, www.manchester.ac.uk/whitworth
Until October 16th
Liverpool Biennial
Established in 1999, Liverpool Biennial in the UK’s Biennial of Contemporary Art – and for this, the ninth edition, a curatorial team has been assembled to bring together different interests and expertise. Tate Liverpool, will once again be a key venue in an exhibition that crosses the city.
Tate Liverpool, www.tate.org.uk
Until May 1, 2017
Fashion on the Ration: 1940s Street Style
As we mark the 75th anniversary of the announcement of clothes rationing in Britain, join IWM North for this major exhibition, exploring how fashion survived and even flourished under the strict rules of rationing.
IWM North, Manchester, www.iwm.org.uk
OUR FAVOURITE FIVE
7th
Wuthering Heights
Join Chapterhouse Theatre Company for an unforgettable evening of theatre under the stars. Can Catherine and Heathcliff’s everlasting love bring happiness, or will the very forces of nature and the moors tear them apart?
Hoghton Tower, near Preston, 01254 852986
13th
Cockerham Village Show
Classes for all skills and interests including flowers, vegetables, arts, crafts, cookery, floral art and photography – there are also lots of classes for children to enter.
Cockerham Village Hall, 01524 793549
21st
The Take That Experience
One of the finest tributes to Take That, wowing audiences with their amazing vocal, stunning costumes and electrifying dance routine, they continue to successfully recreate the magic of Take That.
The Grand Theatre, Blackpool, 01253 290190
27th-28th
Great Eccleston’s Tractor Pulling Championships
The UK’s largest tractor pulling event and UK finals. Called ‘the world’s most powerful motor sport’ this will be a great day out for all the family.
Great Eccleston Showground, www.nwtpc.co.uk
28th
Grasmere Lakeland Sports & Show
The original and world famous Lakeland Sports has over 160 years of history. The Sports comprises the old and traditional sports of fell running, Cumberland and Westmorland Wrestling and Hound Trailing.
Grasmere Sports Field, www.grasmeresports.com
