Our pick of the top events during November
THEATRE
1st
Sean Lock
Purple Van Man is a hilarious new stand up show by Sean Lock. We all know what the ‘white van man’ thinks about the world in which we live, but it’s time to hear a new point of view from purple van man.
The Charter Theatre, Preston, 0844 844 7710
1st-30th
Sweeney Todd
Heart-poundingly entertaining musical thriller about a man driven mad by injustice. A razor sharp tale of vengeance and true love, featuring some of the finest music ever written for the theatre.
Royal Exchange, Manchester, 0161 833 9833
Until 2nd
Long Day’s Journey Into Night
American drama classic by Eugene O’Neill. There’s shattering revelations as the Tyrone family hurl accusations and allegations at each other over the course of a single day.
Bolton Octagon Theatre, 01200 520661
Until 2nd
Life of Riley
Grange Drama present this amateur production of Alan Ayckbourn’s play.
Victoria Hall, Grange-over-Sands, 015395 36762
Until 3rd
Cirque Du Soleil
Alegria is a classic Cirque du Soleil production that features gravity-defying acrobatics which will dazzle and astound audiences of all ages.
Echo Arena, Liverpool, 0151 475 8888
4th-9th
Dr Dolittle
Walmsley Church A.O & D.S present their autumn production this classic tale by Leslie Bricusse.
The Parish Hall, Egerton, Bolton, 01204 305812
5th-9th
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
A musical comedy that centres on the lives of six quirky adolescents who have entered into a ‘bee’, a competition that asks the contestants to spell a variety of words, usually with a broad degree of difficulty.
Royal Court, Liverpool, 0870 787 1866
Until 6th
An Inspector Calls
A celbratory dinner party at the Birling family home is shattered by the arrival of an inspector investigating a young woman’s suicide.
Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, 017687 74411
6th
Company Chameleon
Contemporary dance troupe Company Chameleon perform a double bill including Eden, a poetic piece with an original score by John Matthias.
Live at LICA, Lancaster University, 01524 594151
6th-9th
See How They Run
Preston Drama Club present this farce by Philip King. Penelope Toop, once and actress, now the wife of the Rev Lionel Toop meets her former acting partner Clive Winton, now serving in the army.Clive invites her out for a reunion, borrowing Lionel’s clerical garb as the town is off limits to him. When the local gossip catches them re-enacting a scene from Private Lives, she grasps the end of a very long stick.
The Playhouse Theatre, Preston, 01772 744771
Until 8th
The Shape of Things
Black American comedy set in a liberal arts college all about the contemporary obsession with appearances.
Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, 017687 74411
9th-30th
Singin’ In The Rain
Starring stage and screen leading man Maxwell Caulfield as studio boss R.F Simpson, pop legend Faye Tozer as starlet Lina Lamont and Stephanie Anelli as Cosmo Brown.
The Opera House, Manchester, 0844 0871 3018
12th-16th
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake
Thrilling, audacious and totally original, Matthew Bourne’s modern day classic makes a welcome return.
The Lowry, Salford, 0844 815 4873
13th-16th
Player’s Angels
The Club Players present this play by Amanda Wittington, set in Coronation year and following the hops and dreams of a group of friends who work on the production line of the John Player Tobacco Factory. The play is a warm hearted look at their everyday lives, with spectacular sets and fascinating scenes.
Broughton Club, Whittingham Lane, Broughton, Preston, 01772 774208
15th-January 11th
Robin Hood
A captivating festive treat that will transport you to another world.
Octagon Theatre, Bolton, 01204 520661
Until 16th
Wicked Manchester
The global musical phenomenon that tells the incredible untold story of the Witches of Oz begins a major tour in Manchester.
The Palace Theatre, Manchester, 0844 871 3038
16th-Janury 4th, 2014
Jack and the Beanstalk
Traditional pantomime with all the trimmings with the retune of Fine Time Fontayne as Dame Trott and Richard J Fletcher as Simple Simon.
The Coliseum Theatre, Oldham, 0161 624 2829
22nd-30th
Old Actors Never Die
Southport Dramatic Club present this hilarious comedy by Lynne Brittney.
Little Theatre, Southport, 01704 530521
25th-30th
The Mousetrap
Agatha Christie’s British classic on its first ever tour of the UK.
The Grand Theatre, Blackpool, 01253 743339
29th- January 4th, 2014
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
30th-January 5th, 2014
Jack and the Beanstalk
Bolton panto favourite Stu Francis returns to his local theatre with Ben-Ryan Davies from Rochdale and Charlie Cairoli Jnr, son of the Blackpool Tower Circus clown.
The Albert Halls, Bolton, 01204 332064
CONCERTS
6th
Clitheroe Concerts
Clitheroe Concerts society present this programme of work by Biber, Mozart, Bartok and Brahms with Alicja Smietana on violin and Grzegorz Mania on piano.
CRGS 6th Form Centre, Clitheroe, www.clitheroeconcerts.org
8th
Marillion
One of the UK music scene’s best kept secrets, Marillion are purveyors of soulful, powerful and often deeply moving music, with a long standing reputation for blistering live shows.
Manchester Academy, www.seetickets.com/event/marillion/manchester-academy
9th
Lancashire Hotpots
Get your flat caps and weskits ready because the Lancashire Hotpots are on tour with their seventh album, Crust For Life.
King George’s Hall, Blackburn, 0844 847 1664
17th
Handel’s Messiah
Handel’s most joyous and thrilling work performed by full chorus, orchestra and organ with a quartet of brilliant young soloists.
Theatre by the Lake, Keswick, 01767 74411
19th
Britten
Bury Choral Society present Britten Rejoice in the Lamb, Vaughn Williams Te Deum and Chilcott Requiem.
Bury Parish Church, www.burychoral.org
21st
Julian Joseph Trio
A relaxed evening of jazz featuring Jospeh’s own composistions and works by Gershwin, Porter and Ellington.
Live at LICA, Lancaster University, 01524 594151
22nd-23rd
Three Towns Operatic Society in Concert
The Three Towns Operatic Society, strike the right note for everyone with a variety of songs from the shows, Broadway, popular and classical music.
The Rose Centre, Lowton, 01942 883722
22nd-23rd
Christmas Craft Fair
Three day annual craft fair with high quality crafts on offer.
Dacre Hall, Brampton, 01697 741803
23rd
Autumn Concert
Lancaster and District Choral Society present Brahms’ Requiem and Bizet’s Te Deum with full orchestra and soloists.
The Great Hall, Lancaster University, 01524 594151
27th
Dante Quartet
Clitheroe Concerts society present this concert marking Benjamin Britten’s centenary.
CRGS 6th Form Centre, Clitheroe, www.clitheroeconcerts.org
COUNTY DAYS OUT
2nd
Lancaster Fireworks Spectacular
The skies above Lancaster will be ablaze with colour at this annual firework spectacular.
Various locations, Lancaster, 01524 582906
9th
Christmas Craft Fair
Dallam School PTA is holding a craft fair with all proceeds in aid of the school.
Dallam School Hall, Milnthorpe
15th
Ghost Tours
Your chance to tour the third most haunted house in Britain if you dare, before dining in warmth and comfort.
Hoghton Tower, near Preston, 01254 852986
16th-24th
Annual Arts Crafts and Gifts Fair
One of the biggest arts, crafts and gifts fair with over 100 exhibitors selling thousands of gifts for that special Christmas or birthday gift, or just to treat yourself.
Pendle Hippodrome Theatre, Colne, www.phtheatre.co.uk
Until 17th
Kendal Mountain Festival
Celebration of mountain film, literature, art, athletics and legends that aims to inspire more people to explore, enjoy and represent mountains, wilderness and their cultures.
Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, www.mountainfest.co.uk
24th
Christmas Fayre
With stall holders, craft activities, Father Christmas and more.
RSPB Discovery Centre, Fairhaven Lake, St Annes, 01253 796292
EXHIBITIONS
Until 11th
Impress
Exhibition of 12 printmakers coming together to celebrate printing, Lino prints, etching, collographs, monoprints, all hand printed by the artists.
Up-Front, Unthank near Hutton in the Forest
16th-17th
Art and Clay 2013
Exhibition of 12 artists; Tina Balmer, Rebecca Callis, John Calver, Libby Edmondson, Nigel Edmondson, Judy Evans, James Hake, Alvin Irving, Jan Huntley-Peace, Philomena Taylor, Amy Williams and Frances Winder, showing paintings, jewellery and pottery.
The Athenaeum, Leasgill
23rd-24th
Ulverston Dickensian Festival Arts Sale
During the bustle of this year’s Dickensian Festival take a look at the quality arts and crafts for sale by members of the renowned Ulverston Society of Artists.
Coronation Hall, Ulverston
FUNDRAISING EVENTS
8th
Fashion Fusion
Extravaganza of new and used clothing, fashion show and music of the eighties with DJ and MC Peter Sweetmoore in aid of Rossendale Hospice. Tickets £5.
St Mary’s Chambers, Rawtenstall
OUR FAVOURITE FIVE
4th
The Nutcracker
One of the greatest ballets of all time, set to a beautiful score of music by Tchaikovsky, telling the story of a little girl whose godfather gives her an enchanted doll for Christmas.
The Coliseum Theatre, Oldham, 0161 624 2829
7th-9th
Curtain Up
The Hall Players present this comedy by Peter Quilter. A farcial comedy – telling the story of a group of women who inherit equal shares in an old ruined theatre and have to get involved in all kinds of chaos and madness to try to save it from destruction.
The Parish Hall, Broadway, Fulwood, Preston, 01772 863801
9th
Medieval Christmas Fair
250 stalls selling a fabulous range of delicious festive foods, artisan/handcrafted gods and beautiful giftware.
Abbot Hall Park, Kendal, 01754 876936
15th-17th
20th Annual Rock & Roll Weekendop class live bands.
A three day residential weekend of dining and dancing featuring mainstream 50s rock n roll music to seven
Imperial Hotel, Blackpool, 01332 872320
29th-1st Dec
Christmas Craft Market
Annual showcase of everything that is outstanding about Cumbrian arts and crafts, with the opportunity to buy gifts for those special people in your life.
The Brewery Arts Centre, Kendal, www.breweryarts.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here