What’s On - Shows - October 15 onwards

Oct 13 2009 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

SHOWS

ALSAGER: October 15 - Dancers and choreographers Laila Diallo and Melanie Demers present Sense of Self, a poetic and powerful reflection on identity, at Alsager Arts Centre at 7pm and 9pm. Tickets £7, concessions £4.50. Ring 0161 247 5302 for details.

ALSAGER: October 21 - Apples and Snakes present a performance poetry showcase compered by Ann Wilson at Alsager Arts Centre at 7.30pm. Tickets £7, concessions £4.50. Ring 0161 247 5302 for details.

ALSAGER: October 27 - The Blue Stocking Social Club presents Home From Home including cabaret and theatre playing out a series of scenes around the subject of family at Alsager Arts Centre at 7.30pm. Tickets £7, concessions £4.50. Ring 0161 247 5302 for details.

CHESTER: October 15 - Chester Literature Festival presents Bitesize Lunchtime Poems featuring Dr Graham Atkin, senior lecturer in the Department of English at the University of Chester, reading poetry about God, the Devil, Heaven and Hell at Oddfellows at 1pm. Admission free. Ring 0845 241 7868 or visit www.chesterfestivals.co.uk.

CHESTER: October 15 - Chester Literature Festival presents Chester Writers - a public reading of new writing at the Bull & Stirrup from 7.30-10pm. Admission £4. Ring 0845 241 7868 or visit www.chesterfestivals.co.uk.

CHESTER: October 16 - Chester Literature Festival presents new writer Jayne Joso talking about her novel Soothing Music For Stray Cats at Oddfellows at 1pm. Tickets £5 including tea and cakes. Ring 0845 241 7868 or visit www.chesterfestivals.co.uk.

CHESTER: October 16 - Chester Literature Festival presents Behind The Scenes with novelist Kate Atkinson, whose latest novel is When Will There Be Good News?, at The Queen’s School at 7.30pm. Tickets £7.50. Ring 0845 241 7868 or visit www.chesterfestivals.co.uk.

CHESTER: October 16-17 - Chester Operatic Society present Play It Again Sam, music from the 1930s, 40s and beyond in a cabaret style evening at The Guildhall in Watergate Street at 7.30pm. Tickets £10. Ring 01244 675431.

CHESTER: October 17 - Chester Literature Festival presents Chester-born novelist Paul Dowswell talking about his new book Auslander at St Mary’s Centre at 12.15pm. Admission free. Ring 0845 241 7868 or visit www.chesterfestivals.co.uk.

CHESTER: October 17 - Chester Literature Festival presents Sir Richard Eyre, former director of the National Theatre, talking theatre with Emma Lucia Hands in the Grosvenor Museum Lecture Theatre at 3pm. Admission £7.50. Ring 0845 241 7868 or visit www.chesterfestivals.co.uk.

CHESTER: October 17 - Chester Literature Festival presents Lippy Blossoms, poetry cabaret time with Patricia Ace, Hazel Cameron , Caroline McKay and Lilla Scott at Bishop Lloyd’s Palace at 3.30pm. Admission free. Ring 0845 241 7868 or visit www.chesterfestivals.co.uk.

CHESTER: October 17 - Chester Literature Festival presents A Twist of Malice - Ann Drysdale, Joy Howard and Gina Shaw take a look at life from the older woman’s point of view at St Mary’s Centre at 3.45pm. Admission free. Ring 0845 241 7868 or visit www.chesterfestivals.co.uk.

CHESTER: October 17 - Chester Literature Festival presents Liberty Tree - Tales of Robin Hood and the English Radicals with Hugh Lupton & Nick Hennessey at St Mary’s Centre at 7.30pm. Admission £10 includes interval drink. Suitable for 10+. Ring 0845 241 7868 or visit www.chesterfestivals.co.uk.

CHESTER: October 17 - Alexander’s Comedy Club presents Stanley McHale at Alexander’s in Rufus Court at 8pm. Tickets £10. Ring 01244 340005 or visit www.alexanderslive.com.

CHESTER: October 18 - Chester Literature Festival presents Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall talks about his new book River Cottage Every Day at Chez Jules at 11.30am. Admission £10 for talk only, £30 for talk and three-course lunch designed by Fearnley-Whittingstall. Ring 0845 241 7868 or visit www.chesterfestivals.co.uk.

CHESTER: October 23-24 - Up The Wall - an adventure in sound and light in which audiences embark on a celebratory promenade witnessing live art, contemporary performance, sonic art and architectural projection at the Roman Gardens from 7-9pm. Admission free. Ring 01244 409113.

CHESTER - October 24 - Boogie Nights 70s & 80s Night -two rooms of music at Diva’s Showbar in Station Road. Fancy dress optional. Doors open at 8pm. Admission £5 before 9pm, £7 after. Over 25s only. Ring 07929 055879 for details or visit www.fusionpartynights.co.uk.

CHESTER: October 28-31 - Brownpaper Productions presents This Is My Musical 2, a musical journey through shows including Jersey Boys, Legally Blonde, Grease, Wicked and many more at the Forum Studio Theatre in Hamilton Place at 7.30pm. Tickets £10, concessions £9. Ring 01244 341296 or visit www.tiptopproductions.co.uk.

CHESTER: October 31 - Alexander’s Comedy Club presents Juliet Myers and Lewis Charlesworth at Alexander’s in Rufus Court at 8pm. Tickets £10. Ring 01244 340005 or visit www.alexanderslive.com.

CHESTER: November 21 - Cheshire Rural Youring Arts presents Two Friends Productions’ show Pretty Witty Nell, a one-woman comedy about Nell Gwyn, the most popular mistress of Charles II, at Mollington and Backford Village Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £9-£5. Ring 01244 851045.

ELLESMERE PORT: October 21-24 - Ellesmere Port Musical Theatre Company present Sweet Charity at the Civic Hall at 7.30pm. Ring 0151 339 4390 or visit www.amdramtheatre.com.

FADDILEY: December 4 - Cheshire Rural Touring Network presents Blaize Theatre’s production of The Christmas Cratchits at the Goodwill Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £9-£5. Ring 01270 524441.

LIVERPOOL: October 18 - American Superslam Wrestling featuring top American stars at the Empire Theatre, Lime Street, at 3pm. Tickets £12. Visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

LIVERPOOL: October 26 - Hi-Five Surprise - join Cat, Chris, Emma, Jenny and Luke and their friends Jup Jup and Chats and get ready to party at the Empire Theatre, Lime Street, at 1pm. Tickets £14.50, children £12.50. Visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

LIVERPOOL: October 31-November 1 - Eddie Izzard brings his Stripped tour to the Echo Arena. Tickets £30. Ring 0844 8000 400 or visit www.accliverpool.com.

LIVERPOOL: November 8 - WWE Raw presents DX Invasion Tour at the Echo Arena. Tickets £50-£30. Ring 0844 8000 400 or visit www.accliverpool.com.

LIVERPOOL: November 17 - Daniel Kitson brings his stand-up show We Are Gathered Here to the Playhouse Theatre in Williamson Square at 7.30pm. Ring 0151 709 4776 or visit www.everymanplayhouse.com.

LIVERPOOL: November 25-29 - Disney On Ice present Princess Wishes at the Echo Arena. Tickets £33.50-£11.50. Ring 0844 8000 400 or visit www.accliverpool.com.

LIVERPOOL: December 13 - Abba - The Show at the Echo Arena. Tickets £35. Ring 0844 8000 400 or visit www.accliverpool.com.

LIVERPOOL: January 18-19 - Strictly Come Dancing Live! at the Echo Arena. Tickets £55-£35. Ring 0844 8000 400 or visit www.accliverpool.com.

LLANDUDNO: October 31 - A Journey with Ray Mears - a celebration of Canada, Earth’s last great wilderness, with the best selling author and TV presenter, at Venue Cymru at 8pm. Tickets £21.50-£16. Ring 01492 872000 or visit www.venuecymru.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 15 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Football Detective - Tom Palmer is the author of Puffin’s Football Detective and Football Academy series and invites school football teams to combine football, sleuthing and literary knowledge in this fun event at Borders Manchester Fort at 10.30am and 1.30pm. Book on 0161 833 0208.

MANCHESTER: October 15 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Cynthia McLeod and Dorothea Smartt providing insights into lives affected by the transatlantic slave trade, at Manchester Central Library committee room at 1pm. Tickets free but booking advised on 0843 208 0500 or via www.quaytickets.com.

MANCHESTER: October 15 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents afternoon tea with broadcaster and journalist Joan Bakewell at the Midland Hotel French Restaurant at 3pm. Tickets £12 including afternoon tea and scones. Book on 0843 208 0500 or via www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 15 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Darwin - A Life in Poems with poet Ruth Padel reading from her most recent collection, a poetic biography of her great-great-grandfather, at Manchester Museum’s Animal Life Gallery at 7.30pm. Tickets £7, concessions £5. Book on 0843 208 0500 or via www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 15 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Another Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy - Artemis Fowl creator Eoin Colfer talks about being given the task of penning a 30th anniversary sequel to the legendary Douglas Adams series, at Contact Theatre at 8pm. Tickets £7, concessions £5. Book on 0161 274 0600 or via www.contact-theatre.org.

MANCHESTER: October 16 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Words and Pictures with historian, editor and author Jenny Uglow talking about the relationship between writers and artists at Manchester Art Gallery at 1pm. Tickets £5, concessions £3. Book on 0843 208 0500 or via www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 16 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Kate Atkinson talk about her work including her series of books about private detective Jackson Brodie, at Friends Meeting House at 4pm. Tickets £7, concessions £5. Book on 0843 208 0500 or via www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 16 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Fay Weldon talking about her life and work including her new novel Chalcot Crescent at Friends Meeting House at 6pm. Tickets £7, concessions £5. Book on 0843 208 0500 or via www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 16 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Buddhist poets Linda Chase, Julia Lewis, Grevel Lindop and Stephen Parr at the Buddhist Centre at 6pm. Free event but booking advised on 0843 208 0500 or via www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 16 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Jill Dawson and Kate Mosse talking about their latest, war-themed novels at Friends Meeting House at 7.30pm. Tickets £7, concessions £5. Book on 0843 208 0500 or via www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 17 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Is There A Novelist In The House? featuring six unpublished novelists pitching their works to a panel of movers and shakers at Manchester Central Library’s Committee Room from 11am-1pm. Free event but booking advised on 0843 208 0500 or via www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 17 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Maya Chowdhry and Segun Lee-French launching their debut collections of poetry with a joint reading at Manchester Central Library’s Committee Room from 1.30pm. Free event but booking advised on 0843 208 0500 or via www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 17 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents a book launch by Manchester poet Michael Schmidt at the Epernay Champagne & Cocktail Bar at 6pm. Tickets £5, concessions £3. Book on 0843 208 0500 or via www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 18 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Family Cartooning Workshop with John Byrne at Manchester Comedy Store at 3pm. Tickets £5 adults, £3 children. Book on 0843 208 0500 or via www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 18 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Northern Salt - a showcase of Northern talent including Elizabeth Baines, Robert Graham, Mark Illis and John Siddique at the Whitworth Art Gallery at 3pm. Tickets free but booking advised on 0843 208 0500 or via www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 18 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents crime writers Mark Billingham and Val McDermid talking about their work at the Whitworth Art Gallery at 5pm. Tickets £7, concessions £5. Ring 0843 208 0500 or visit www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 19 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Irish poets Michael Longley and Tom French at the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama’s John Thaw Studio at 6pm. Tickets £5, concessions £3. Ring 0843 208 0500 or visit www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 19 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Dario Adanti and Paco Roca talk about graphic fiction from the Spanish-speaking world at Instituto Cervantes at 6.30pm. Tickets free but booking required on 0843 208 0500 or visit www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 19 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents No Point In Not Being Friends, a showcase for new talent, with Jacob Polley, Adelle Stripe and Matthew Welton at Matt & Phred’s Jazz Club at 7.30pm. Tickets £3. Ring 0843 208 0500 or visit www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 19 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Face 2 Face with celebrated TV writer Jimmy McGovern at the Cornerhouse from 6-7.30pm. Tickets free but issued on first come first served basis by emailing thewritersroom.events@bbc.co.uk with Jimmy McGovern in the subject header.

MANCHESTER: October 20 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents poet and novelist Simon Armitage at St Ann’s Church at 7.30pm. Tickets £7, concessions £5. Ring 0843 208 0500 or visit www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 22 - Manchester Literature Festival 09 presents Desert Island Poems - novelist and screenwriter Frederic Raphael in conversation with Michael Schmidt at Chetham’s School of Music’s Baronial Hall at 8pm. Tickets £7, concessions £5. Ring 0843 208 0500 or visit www.manchesterliteraturefestival.co.uk.

MANCHESTER: October 23-25 - Comedian Jimmy Carr at the Apollo Theatre, Ardwick Green. Doors 7pm. Tickets £22.50. Ring 0161 242 2560.

MANCHESTER: October 28 - Al Murray brings The Pub Landlord’s Beautiful British Tour to the Apollo Theatre, Ardwick Green. Doors 7pm. Tickets £25. Ring 0161 242 2560.

NORTHWICH: October 22 - Back To The Good Old Days featuring singers Louise Franck and Kenny Richards, Beverley Alexander and Lucy Coffey, comedian Gerry Graham and chairman Graham Smith at the Memorial Hall at 2pm. Tickets £8, concessions £7. Ring 01606 867539 or visit www.cheshirwestandchester.gov.uk.

RHYL: October 21 - Edgar Allan Poe’s The Horrific Case of Mr Valcemar, a new play by Richard Layton, at the Pavilion Theatre at 7.30pm. Tickets £12, concessions £2 off. Ring 01745 330000 or visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk.

RHYL: October 23 - The Freddie Starr Show at the Pavilion Theatre at 7.30pm. Tickets £18, no concessions. Ring 01745 330000 or visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk.

RUNCORN: October 14-16 - A Timeless Collection - a musical journey from Music Hall through the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s starring four world class singers and the Memory Lane Dancers at The Brindley in High Street at 2pm and 7pm on Wednesday, 2pm on Thursday and Friday. Tickets £8. Ring 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

RUNCORN: October 17 - Solid Gold Country Legends featuring Jeanne Jordan and BJ Thomas, together with Randy Ryman and The Outlaw Country Band at The Brindley in High Street at 7.30pm. Tickets £15, £14. Ring 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

RUNCORN: October 22 - Comedian Jan Ravens at The Brindley Studio in High Street at 8pm. Tickets £15, concessions £13. Ring 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

RUNCORN: October 23 - Rob Grant - Standing Up - comedian and co-creator of Red Dwarf brings his new stand-up show to The Brindley Studio in High Street at 8pm. Tickets £15. Ring 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

RUNCORN: November 6-7 - Bluegrass & Beyond Festival - Halton’s annual festival featuring Bluegrass and other roots music from the UK and overseas, featuring performances by Clive Carroll, Tony Furtado (USA), Bakers Fabulous Boys, Chill Until Blue, Cousin Pearl, Hope Mountain Band, Jaywalkers, Mind The Step, Shake The Roots, Cousin Pearl and Helsby Young Bluegrass Stars, all at The Brindley, High Street. Weekend tickets £24, concessions £20. Friday and Saturday evening £10, Saturday daytime £5. Ring 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

SALFORD: October 16-17 - Comedian Simon Amstell brings his Do Nothing tour to The Lowry, Salford Quays, at 7.30pm. Tickets £20, concessions £2 off. Ring 0870 111 2000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

SALFORD: October 25 - Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre presents The Three Bears at The Lowry, Salford Quays, at noon and 2pm. Adults £7, children £5. Suitable for ages 3-7. Ring 0870 111 2000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

STOKE-ON-TRENT: October 15 - Gotta Sing, Gotta Dance - from Gershwin to Grease, from Lloyd-Webber to Wicked, a cast of top West End performers take an exhilarating ride through the world of musical theatre at Victoria Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £18-£14. Ring 0844 871 7649 or ring www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke.

STOKE-ON-TRENT: October 16 - Made in Britain - The Six-Five Special Edition - a celebration of the music of 50s and 60s recording star Craig Douglas also featuring hits by Cliff Richard and Billy Fury, at Victoria Hall at 7.30pm. Tickets £15, concessions £14. Ring 0844 871 7649 or ring www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke.

STOKE-ON-TRENT: October 23 - Hi-Five Surprise - join Cat, Chris, Emma, Jenny and Luke and their friends Jup Jup and Chats and get ready to party at Victoria Hall at 1.30pm. Tickets £14.50 adults, children £12.50. Ring 0844 871 7649 or ring www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke.

WARRINGTON: October 24 - The Al Pitcher Picture Show at the Pyramid in Palmyra Square at 7.30pm. Tickets £12. Ring 01925 442345.

WARRINGTON: October 24 - Boogie Pete Live! - join Pete as he shows you some moves, some magic and some silliness in this fun-packed show at the Parr Hall in Palmyra Square at 11am. Tickets £7.50, £6.50. Ring 01925 442345.

WINSFORD: October 24 - Andy and Mike’s Big Box of Bananas - CBeebies presenter and comedy partner Mike James bring their fast paced and very silly children’s show to the Lifestyle Centre at 2pm. Tickets £8.50, £7.50. Ring 01606 867539 or visit www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk.

WIRRAL: October 14-17 - Heswall Operatic Society present Big Band & Broadway featuring the Wirral Schools Big Band at the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight at 7.30pm. Tickets £10, concessions £7.50. Ring 0151 643 8757 or visit www.gladstonetheatre.org.uk.

WIRRAL: October 16 - An Audience with Jimmy Greaves, with special guests Roger Hunt and Ian St John, at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton at 7.30pm. Tickets £18.50, concessions £17.50. Ring 0151 666 0000 or visit www.floralpavilion.com.

WIRRAL: October 17 - Cheshire Rural Touring Network presents Umdumo Wesizwe performing traditional acapella African song and dance, direct from Zimbabwe, at Gladstone Village Hall in Burton at 7pm. Tickets £9-£5. Ring 01606 223352.

WIRRAL: October 18 - The Stan Boardman Show at the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight at 7.30pm. Tickets £13. Ring 0151 643 8757 or visit www.gladstonetheatre.org.uk.

WIRRAL: October 20-21 - Anamal Dance at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton at 7.30pm. Tickets £10. Ring 0151 666 0000 or visit www.floralpavilion.com.

WIRRAL: October 22 - Gotta Sing Gotta Dance - a magical night at the musicals at the Floral Pavilion in New Brighton at 7.30pm. Tickets £18.50, concessions £17.50. Ring 0151 666 0000 or visit www.floralpavilion.com.

WIRRAL: October 23 - Psychic Tony Stockwell at the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight at 7.30pm. Tickets £18. Ring 0151 643 8757 or visit www.gladstonetheatre.org.uk.

WIRRAL: November 12-14 - The Woolgatherers of Heswall present Humble Boy by Charlotte Hastings at Heswall Hall in Telegraph Road at 8pm. Tickets £6. Ring 0151 348 1084.

WREXHAM: November 3 - Vienna Festival Ballet presents The Nutcracker at 7.30pm in the William Aston Hall, Glyndwr University. Tickets £16, concessions £11. Ring 01978 292015 or visit www.glyndwr.ac.uk/events.

WREXHAM: November 5 - Comedian Stewart Lee at 8pm in the William Aston Hall, Glyndwr University. Tickets £15, concessions £13. Ring 01978 292015 or visit www.glyndwr.ac.uk/events.

WREXHAM: December 2 - Chekhov’s Short Plays in the Carin Finch Centre, Glyndwr University, at 7.30pm. Tickets £14, concessions £12. Ring 01978 292015 or visit www.glyndwr.ac.uk/events.

WREXHAM: December 12 - Bink and the Hairy Fairy, a family musical, at 2pm and 6.30pm in the William Aston Hall, Glyndwr University. Tickets £7 adults, £5 children, £22 family ticket. Ring 01978 292015 or visit www.glyndwr.ac.uk/events.

WREXHAM: February 25 - Comedian Rhod Gilbert in the William Aston Hall, Glyndwr University at 8pm. Tickets £16.50. Ring 01978 292015 or visit www.glyndwr.ac.uk/events.