What’s On in Lancashire and the Lake District during January

THEATRE

Until 4th

A Christmas Carol

Coronation Street scriptwriter Debbie Oates, turns her talents to Dickens famous festive story which she sets in Victorian Lancaster. Catchy songs, Northern humour and plenty of Bah humbug combine for the perfect Christmas treat.

The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster, 01524 598500

5th

Licence to Thrill

Brendan Cole and a cast of 14 musicians and six world class dancers dazzle audiences with scintillating music and choreography in this two hour dance and big band extravamganza.

The Palace Theatre, Manchester, 0844 871 3019

Until 5th January

Peter Pan

Emmerdale’s Tom Lister, BBC Radio Lancashire favourite Steve Royle, Radio Wave’s Hayley Kay and BBC The Voice’s Jordon Lee-Davies star in Blackpool’s annual pantomime.

The Grand Theatre, Blackpool, 01253 743339

10th

Giselle

The story of a beautiful village girl Giselle and her aristocratic but duplicitous lover, Duke Albrecht. The most poignant of all classical ballets combines powerful emotions and visual splendour in a chilling and heart-rending tale of love, treachery and forgiveness from beyond the grave.

The Grand Theatre, Blackpool, 01253 290190

Until 11th

Swallows and Amazons

Based on the classic children’s book set on Coniston Water, this is a fresh and inventive new adaptation by Helen Edmundson, including original songs by Neil Hannon of The Divine Comedy.

Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, 017687 74411

13th-14th

Swan Lake

The greatest romantic ballet of all time is brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s haunting and unforgettable score. From the impressive splendour of the Palace ballroom to the moon lit lake where swans glide in perfect formation, this compelling tale of tragic romance has it all – exquisite ensemble pieces, memorable pas de deaux and breathtaking solos.

The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 0844 907 9000

15th-18th

Time and Time Again

Preston Drama Club present this comedy by Alan Ayckbourn. Leonard is a poet, divorced. Peter is a sportsman, Graham is a would-be philanderer. Anna is Graham’s wife and Leonard’s sister. Joan is Peter’s fiancée. Peter works for Graham. A year of draughts, cricket, football and meaningful conversations with the garden gnome later, the status quo has shifted, but not quite as you might expect.

Playhouse Theatre, Preston, 01772 744771

18th-17th

Wrong ‘Un

February 1918 and after several decades of protest and four years of bloody war Parliament is poised to grant what the suffragettes have demanded and fought for – votes for all women.

The Lowry Theatre, Salford, Manchester, 0844 815 4873

Until 18th January

That Day We Sang

Big-hearted and nostalgic Manchester love story for all the family, written by Victoria Wood.

Royal Exchange Theatre, Manchester, 0161 833 9833

20th-24th

The Pride

Philip, Oliver and Sylvia exist in a complex love triangle which spans over half a century, living and loving simultaneously in 1958 and the present against a background of changing attitudes towards homosexuality. Contains scenes of a sexual nature.

The Opera House, Manchester, 0844 871 7660

20th-25th

The Holly and The Ivy

In a Norfolk vicarage on Christmas Eve 1947, the Reverend Martin Gregory’s family gathers to celebrate Christmas. Peace and goodwill radiates from the elderly vicar who is cared for by his young daughter. But the veneer of good form and good manners peels away with the arrival of two irritable aunts and and errant daughter. As secrets emerge, the family are forced to confront their regrets and anxieties. Even the loveable vicar is not immune to the stresses and strains of family life.

The Coliseum Theatre, Oldham, 0161 624 2829

23rd-25th

Perfect Murder

The Hall Players present this thriller by Hugh Jones. Carla Moorland has been murdered and accountant John Hoskins, who has been having an extra-marital affair with her, is certain he knows who did it – himself. John’s wife Elizabeth, rather than calling the police, is determined to keep John out of prison, even if it means an innocent man will be punished for the crime.

St Martin’s Parish Hall, Broadway, Fulwood, 01772 863801

23rd-25th

Cirque Berserk

Cirque style skills and artistry meet the thrills and spills of the big top as Cirque Berserk comes to town.

The Lowry Theatre, Salford, Manchester, 0844 815 4873

23rd-February 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,

23rd – February 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

27th

Vampires Rock

Steve Steinman once again plays the supremely evil Baron Von Rockula owner of the Live and Let Die Club in Vampires Rock.

The Palace Theatre, Manchester, 0844 871 7660

27th-Feb 1st

Thriller Live

Thriller Live continues to moonwalk around the world, taking you on a visuak, audio and electrifying journey through the magic of Michael Jackson’s 30 year musical history.

The Opera House, Manchester, 0844 871 7660

CONCERTS

5th

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.

Liverpool Philharmonic, 0151 709 3789

15th

Recital Concert

Harris Music Club present soloists from Chethams School.

The Minster Church of St John, Preston, 01772 719433

17th

Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra

Chief conductor Vasily Petrenko conducts Brahams’ Third Symphony and Hindemith’s Concert Music with the programme completed by Beethovan’s Piano Concerto performed by the 2012 Leeds Piano Competition winner, Frederico Colli.

The Guildhall, Preston, 0845 344 2026

25th

Faure Concert

Kendal South Choir present this concert including Faure’s Requiem and other French music with soprano Tracie Penwarden and bass-baritone Jolyon Dodgson joining conductor Ian Thompsan and Kendal South Choir.

St Thomas’s Church, Kendal, 015395 32241

COUNTY DAYS OUT

14th

The Harris – An Architectural Gem

Take a free tour of the Harris building and find out more about its fascinating architecture and history. Tour starts from 1pm and last for 45 minutes.

Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston, 01772 258248

19th

Get Ready for the Big Garden Bird Watch

Participatory event – brush up your garden bird ID skills and make a bird feeder to attract the birds to make your garden their home.

RSPB Discovery Centre, Lytham St Annes, 01253 796292

25th

Clitheroe Collectors Market and Car Boot Sale

500 stalls of antiques, collectables and second hand goods.

Clitheroe Auction Mart, 01253 782828

26th

Lytham Hall Snowdrop Walks

The snowdrop season starts, with a trail through the woodland to see the stunning snowdrop displays plus chainsaw carving in action on-site.

Lytham Hall, 01253 736678

EXHIBITIONS

Until 5th January

That Golden Stain of Time by Don Fitzpatrick

A series of Polaroid images inspired by John Ruskin’s The Lamp of Memory, specially assembled during a number of visits to Brantwood.

Brantwood, Coniston, 015394 41396

Until 25th

Harris Open Exhibition

Ever popular celebration of Preston’s creative talent, with work from local professional and amateur artists.

Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Preston, 01772 258248

11th- March 9th

Tails of Cumbria

Exhibition of paintings by Jo McGrath, featuring her favourite theme – farm animals.

Severn Studio, Brantwood, Coniston, 015394 41396

17th-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

OUR FAVOURITE FIVE

4th

New Year in Vienna

The Halle present this concert with favourite arias, waltzes and polkas from the Strauss family, Lehar and others to celebrate the new year.

The Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, 0844 907 9000

13th

Re:play Festival

The seventh annual re:play festival which brings together the best productions seen in Manchester and Salford’s non theatre spaces over the previous 12 month, as well as presenting a range of developmental opportunities for new writers and new work commissioned especially for the festival.

www.librarytheatre.com

20th-25th

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 Palace Theatre, Manchester, 0844 871 3019

28th

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.

Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, 0151 709 3789

31st-February 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