A round up of events in Lancashire and the Lake District during February
THEATRE
Until 2nd
King Arthur & The Knights of the Round Table
Broughton Drama Group present this year’s pantomime extravaganza.
The Victory Hall, Broughton-in-Furness, 01229 716115
5th-8th
Sweeney Todd
LGGS and LRGS present the tale of the demon barber Sweeney Todd by Stephen Sondheim.
The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster, 01524 598500
11th-15th
Twelfth Night
Filter Theatre’s explosive version of Twelfth Night, as part of the city’s season of Shakespeare this spring.
The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster, 01524 598500
12th
Jimeoin – Yes, yes, Whatever…?!
Hilarious world-class stand-up from one of live comedy’s internationally acclaimed masters.
The Albert Halls, Bolton, 01204 334400
12th-22nd
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Robert Lindsay, Rufus Hound and Katherine Kingsley star in the UK premiere of Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, based on the legendary 1988 film starring Michael Caine and Steve Martin.
The Opera House, Manchester, 0844 871 3018
Until 15th
Blindsided
World premiere with the drama centring on a girl growing up in a battered part of Stockport at the end of the seventies, who falls in love with the man who will break her heart into a thousand pieces.
The Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, 0161 833 9833
19th
Sarah Millican: Homebird
The British Comedy Award’s Queen of Comedy Sarah Millican is giving up the party scene, easing off the drinking and is settling down.
The Guild Hall, Preston, 0844 844 7710
19th-22nd
The Cemetery Club
Preston Drama Club presents this show about three Jewish widows – the founder members of ‘The Cemetery Club’ meet each month before going to visit their husband’s graves.
The Playhouse, Preston, 01772 744771
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
Until 22nd
Bedroom Farce
Funny, gripping and acutely observed, Alan Ayckbourn’s sophisticated comedy lifts the lid on the secrets of middle-class marriage. Over the course of one night, one outrageously selfish couple parade their problems around the bedrooms of three other couples, exposing the cracks in other people’s marriages as well as their own.
The Coliseum Theatre, Oldham, 0161 624 2829
Until 22nd
Hobson’s Choice
Classic Lancashire comedy by Harold Brighouse telling the story of Salford widower Henry Hobson, struggling to handle his three grown up daughters, each seeking a husband and escape from the family run boot makers shop.
The Octagon Theatre, Bolton, 01204 520661
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
27th-April 22nd
Twelfth Night
Set in a stately home in Lancashire, Downton Abbey meets Upstairs Downstairs in a world of drunks in the kitchen, feisty in-between maids, foolish aristocrats, irreverent comics, love sick young men and beautiful ladies in love.
The Octagon Theatre, Bolton, 01204 520661
CONCERTS
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
5th
Kimwilton Trio
Clitheroe Concerts Society has a policy of engaging young up-and-coming artists and the February concert does just that featuring Kimon Parry on clarinet, Antony Ingham on piano and Will Melvin on violin.
Clitheroe Royal Grammar School Sixth Form Centre, www.clitheroeconcerts.org
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
8th
Elvis the Ultimate Performance
The world’s leading Elvis performer, Chris Connor performs his tribute to Elvis.
The Wigan/Hindley Rose Club, 01934 256903
13th
Rosemere Cancer Foundation Annual Valentines Concert
Classical singer Camilla Kerslake is set to headline Rosemere’s annual candlelight concert held within the dramatic surroundings of Blackburn Catherdral. All funds raised will go to help the Rosemere Cancer Foundation.
Blackburn Cathedral, tickets from 01772 522913, www.rosemere.org.uk
15th
Night at the Opera
Bury Choral Society present a selection from well known opera choruses.
The Met, Bury, www.burychoral.org
21st
Mike and The Mechanics
The Albert Halls, Bolton, 01204 334400
23rd
The South
Ex members of The Beautiful South, Dave Hemingway and Alison Wheeler will be singing many of their hits with a nine piece band, as well as several songs from their debut album as ‘The South’.
Lowther Pavilion, Lytham St Annes, 01253 794221
COUNTY DAYS OUT
14th-15th
Ghostly Evenings at Hoghton Tower
Silent torchbearers guide you through the darkened halls of the Tower, where you will encounter spectres from the past and be regaled with ghostly happenings from across the centuries. Venture through the underground passages where footsteps from another time echo alongside your own. Finally dine in the warmth and comfort of the Vaio Room. Tickets cost £25.
Hoghton Tower, near Preston, 0844 888 9991
16th
Hoghton Tower Farmers’ Market
Local farmers market with house also open for guided tours.
Hoghton Tower, near Preston
EXHIBITIONS
9th-March 9th
Here ant There, Ici et la by Tracy Levine
A major solo exhibition that reveals a long awaited series of Levine’s Yorkshire Dales paintings, contrasting with a series of recent work from the South West of France.
The Gallery at Rheged, Penrith, 01768 860033, www.tracylevine.co.uk
Until March 9th
Tails of Cumbria
Exhibition of paintings by Jo McGrath, featuring her favourite theme – farm animals.
Severn Studio, Brantwood, Coniston, 015394 41396
Until March 29th
Patrick Caulfield
Exhibition of vibrant and witty paintings and prints by Patrick Caulfield, whose iconic and bold style makes him one of the UK’s most distinctive artisits.
Abbot Hall Art Gallery and Museum, Kendal
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 FAVOURITE FIVE
6th-7th
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.
St Helens Theatre Royal, 01744 756000
15th
Inspector Norse
Lip Service Theatre Company present this madcap spoof on the Scandinavian detective story.
Lowther Pavilion, Lytham, 01253 794221, www.lowtherpavilion.co.uk
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
27th
Brendan Cole – Licence To Thrill
Brendan Cole is set to dazzle audiences across the UK. Join him and a cast of 20 musicians and dancers as they take you on a journey of music and dance in this spectacular night of theatre entertainment – an evening of ballroom magic and Latin excitement with music from across the ages.
The Guild Hall, Preston, 0844 844 7710
27th-March 2nd
Liverpool International Jazz Festival
This new 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 amongst the names.
The Capstone Theatre, Liverpool, 0844 8000 410
