A guide to some of the best entertainment around the region compiled by Tony Greenway
THEATRE
Until April 5th
Kes
This is a dance-theatre adaptation by Barnsley-born director and choreographer Jonathan Watkins with original music by Alex Baranowski. Eight professional and 20 young local dancers combine dance, physical theatre and puppetry in this world premiere production which brings to life the moving story of Kes, a wild kestrel hawk and schoolboy Billy Casper.
Crucible Theatre 0114 249 6000 sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
April 1st-5th
An August Bank Holiday Lark
Northern Broadsides presents a ‘gentle, deeply moving drama poised at the tipping point of war.’ It’s set during an idyllic summer in Lancashire in 1914, with background noises of the looming conflict getting louder all the time. Written by Deborah McAndrew and directed by Barrie Rutter.
York Theatre Royal 01904 623568 yorktheatreroyal.co.uk also April 8th-19th West Yorkshire Playhouse wyp.org.uk 0113 213 7700 also Stephen Joseph Theatre Scarborough April 22nd–26th 01723 370541 sjt.uk.com
April 1st – 5th
Home Sweet Home
A production from Bradford-based Freedom Studios that uses real stories and experiences of older people from the city. The cast features eight professional performers and a chorus of volunteer older people from Bradford.
Ukrainian Centre Bradford 01274 432000 bradford-theatres.co.uk
April 24th-May 10th
The Threepenny Opera
Bertold Brecht and Kurt Weill’s masterpiece, with Weill’s iconic music played live on stage by the actors themselves. Songs include Pirate Jenny and, of course, Mack the Knife. All together: ‘Oh the shark has, pretty teeth dear...’
West Yorkshire Playhouse 0113 213 7700 wyp.org.uk
April 23rd
Choose Your Own Documentary
This Scotsman Fringe first award-winning show is billed as ‘a unique and compelling interactive experience — part stand-up storytelling, part film documentary.’ By giving the audience keypads to vote, every twist and turn is in its hands. ‘A deeply moving testimony to the small choices we all make in our lives and the profound effects they can have.’ — The Scotsman.
Harrogate Theatre 01423 502116 harrogatetheatre.co.uk
CHILDREN
April 8th-9th
Peppa Pig’s Big Splash
Peppa Pig is a fabulous cartoon, shown daily on Channel Five; a treat for pre-school and infant school children that grown-ups can chuckle at too. In fact, non parents, it’s worth considering having children just so you have the excuse to watch the adventures of Peppa, George, Daddy Pig, Mummy Pig, et al, and their obsession with jumping in and out of muddy puddles. This live show features puppets and sing-along-songs and will, basically, be a sure-fire hit with your younger ones.
Lyceum Sheffield 0114 249 6000 sheffieldtheatres.co.uk also April 26th & 27th Victoria Theatre Halifax 01422 351158 calderdale.gov.uk/victoria
CONCERTS
April 3rd
Gary Barlow
Isn’t fame a fickle mistress? When Gary Barlow first went solo in the late 1990s he fell out with Robbie Williams (who eclipsed him, totally), then fell off the radar. Now Barlow is a megastar again, selling out arenas — and he and Williams are best buds. Barlow released the fastest-selling album of 2013 (called Since I Saw You Last), has been an X Factor judge, organised the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Concert and — most impressively, I reckon — coaxed notoriously shy Abba star Agnetha Fältskog out of retirement to sing a duet with him at a Children in Need concert (which he also organised); the silver-tongued charmer. He’s already been awarded an OBE, but a knighthood can’t be far away.
First Direct Arena Leeds 0844 248 1585 firstdirectarena.com also April 20th Sheffield Motorpoint Arena 0114 256 5656 motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk
April 30th
McBusted
What do you get if you join McFly with Busted? Well, a great big headache, that’s for sure, but you also get a musical ‘supergroup’ (which isn’t that super, if I’m honest – but then it’s not really aimed at the likes of me). Expect a run-through of both groups’ back catalogues.
First Direct Arena Leeds 0844 248 1585 firstdirectarena.com
April 30th
Sarah Gillespie Quartet
‘Sarah Gillespie is not quite folk, nor jazz, nor pop, nor protest singer,’ says Dean Clough. ‘She’s all of them. And a bit more.’ She’s also in demand at festivals around the world and has been a headliner at Ronnie Scott’s in London. Ooh, by the way, Sarah is playing the Milton Rooms in Malton on May 4th if you can’t get to Halifax.
Dean Clough Halifax 01422 250250 deanclough.com
COMEDY
April 29th
Simon Evans
A stand-up star from Live at the Apollo and Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow who is back in the funny business after a run at last year’s Edinburgh Fringe. ‘Sizzlingly entertaining, beautifully crafted, devastatingly funny gags.’ — The Guardian.
Harrogate Theatre 01423 502116 harrogatetheatre.co.uk
April 11th & 12th
Rich Hall
That grouchy Perrier Award-winning stand-up guy from Montana, USA, is back in the UK (actually – did he ever leave?) with a new show featuring comedy, banter and music. Just a heads up: Rich is also appearing at City Varieties in Leeds on May 1st.
Harrogate Theatre 01423 502116 harrogatetheatre.co.uk also April 19th York Theatre Royal 01904 623568 yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
OPERA
April 11th
The Magic Flute
Mozart’s final hoorah — and a revival of Liam Steel’s 2009 production by the English Touring Opera. The Observer said this was ‘as good and mad as opera gets.’
Lyceum Sheffield 0114 249 6000 sheffieldtheatres.co.uk also April 15th York Theatre Royal 01904 623568 yorktheatreroyal.co.uk
EVENTS
April 19th-May 5th
World Snooker Championship
I can’t tell you which players will be appearing at The Crucible this spring (although I’ve got a good idea). That’s because the names of the top 16 seeded stars will be announced following the PTC Grand Final on March 24th (which takes place after the time of writing); and the full draw will be made following completion of the Qualifiers on April 16th. Still, I can tell you this - book early, because sessions will sell out fast.
The Crucible Sheffield Crucible 0114 249 6000 sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
April 13th & April 20th
In Conversation with...
Edward Fox (April 13th) & Dame Eileen Atkins (April 20th) are not-to-be-missed appearances from two British theatrical legends, who are stalwarts of stage, screen and TV. The event is in aid of the Theatre Royal’s Triple Anniversary Fundraising Appeal.
The Georgian Theatre Royal Richmond 01748 825252 georgiantheatreroyal.co.uk
April 15th – 17th
Torvill and Dean’s Dancing on Ice
I hate to break this to you, but Strictly Come Dancing could go on for years yet and the BBC seems to be in no hurry to see it go. Over on ITV meanwhile, Dancing on Ice has already been canned, so kudos to the third channel and ice champs Torvill and Dean for knowing when to bow out gracefully. Before they go though, there’s the small matter of a national Dancing on Ice tour to consider. Confirmed celebrities (and I use the term very loosely) include Hayley Tamaddon, Kyran Bracken (no, I didn’t know who they were either), Ray Quinn and Joe Pasquale.
Sheffield Motorpoint Arena 0114 256 5656 motorpointarenasheffield.co.uk also April 26th & 27th First Direct Arena Leeds 0844 248 1585 firstdirectarena.com
April 9th
Doug Allan – In the Company of Giants
Who is Doug Allan? Well, you’ve seen his film footage often enough, even if you didn’t realise it at the time. Doug, you see, is an award-winning cameraman whose CV includes Blue Planet, Planet Earth, Frozen Earth and Ocean Giants. Here he reveals what it’s like to face a hungry polar bear and its cubs as they emerge from their den (pretty scary, I would imagine) and to be stalked by killer whales in the straits of Gibraltar (ditto). Extraordinary animal adventures and awesome wildlife film footage.
Harrogate Theatre 01423 502116 harrogatetheatre.co.uk
EXHIBITIONS
Until June
Philip-Lorca diCorcia Photographs: 1975-2012
A free exhibition by one of the world’s most important photographers, whose work varies from informal snaps to artfully-staged theatrical shots. This show features work from six major series including Hustlers (featuring male prostitutes), Heads (single figures walking across New York’s Times Square) and Lucky 13 (dramatically lit pole dancers).
The Hepworth Wakefield 01924 247360 hepworthwakefield.org
April 4th, 5th, 6th 12th & 13th
York Open Studios
A great annual free event which gives the public the chance to visit the studios of over 70 working York-based artists across two weekends to see sculpture, printmaking, painting, traditional crafts, illustration, textiles and ceramics. This year’s line-up includes internationally respected ceramicists Ruth King, Loretta Braganza and Isa Denyer plus artists who are passionate about keeping traditional craft skills alive, including willow weaver Heather Dawes and stained glass expert Ann Sotheran. To find out more about the artists and where there studios are based visit the website or Facebook page. For a free map, register online or call the number below.
Various venues 01904 706123 yorkopenstudios.co.uk
FESTIVALS
April 24th-27th
Harrogate Spring Flower Show
Truth be told, it doesn’t feel much like spring as I’m writing this. It is cold. It is grey. It is wet. But then it isn’t the end of April when the flowers are in bud, the sky is blue and the temperature in Yorkshire is always a balmy 75 degrees. Expect spring show gardens, cookery demos, crafts, gifts, shopping and much more. Maybe even a bit of sun too?
Great Yorkshire Showground
Harrogate 01423 546158 flowershow.org.uk
April 19th
Open Gardens
Part of the Everingham estate, once owned by the Duke of Norfolk, Ellerker House is open as part of the National Gardens Scheme on April 19th, from noon until 5pm (£4 entrance fee, children free). There’s an Easter egg and treasure hunt for the kids, homemade cakes and teas, plus a rare plant sale and the garden is also open for private visits any time between April and October — so contact the house to arrange a time.
Ellerker House Everingham York 01430 861465 ellerkerhouse.weebly.com
