STARTING THIS WEEK

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Little Theatre, Gloucester Street, Newtown, Chester, January 18-25)

CHESTER Theatre Club presents Lucy Kirkwood’s version of the classic story, directed by Alison Knott. Not a panto but a fairytale, a very different beast from the Disney version. Set in a seedy, run-down theatre and narrated by the rather peculiar Pink Fairy, this is a sophisticated, somewhat dark play suitable for older children and adults. It was first performed at the National Theatre in 2011 and this is the first time it has been performed elsewhere. Full of music, magic and humour, the play will delight and enchant even the most cynical of theatregoers. Call 0844 870 0887 or visit www.chestertheatreclub.co.uk.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (The Brindley, High Street, Runcorn, January 23-25)

SPLIT Ends Theatre in association with Rob Littler productions brings you the box office smash Little Shop of Horrors, featuring memorable music, magic comedy  and a man eating plant! This is the first time for this musical on the Brindley stage and a must see! Call 0151 907 8360 or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

PEPPA PIG’S BIG SPLASH (Lyceum Theatre, Heath Street, Crewe, January 22-23)

FRESH from the success of Peppa Pig’s Party and Peppa Pig’s Treasure Hunt comes Peppa’s brand new show. Come and join Peppa and her friends for another all-singing, all-dancing adventure full of songs, games and muddy puddles! The nursery roof is leaking and Peppa and her friends need to fix it - quick!  As they set up a fete to raise the money for the repairs, they’ll need your help to make sure everything goes smoothly. Join Peppa, George, Mummy and Daddy Pig, as well as Danny Dog, Pedro Pony and Suzy Sheep as they have fun putting up bunting, running stalls and organising a great day out.  There’s also a Champion Puddle Jumping competition judged by Mr Potato where everyone gets wet and Peppa’s need to find her Golden Boots! Peppa Pig returns live on stage with super cute puppets and brilliant sing-a-long songs in this brand new show that will brighten your day. So grab your wellies and brollies and get splashing! Call 01270 368242 or visit www.crewelyceum.co.uk.

STILL SHOWING

ALADDIN - THE LEGENDARY ROCK ‘N’ ROLL PANTO (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, November 29-January 18)

FRANCIS Tucker, fresh from his triumph in this summer’s Chester Mystery Plays, is reunited with Adam Keast for yet another spectacular rock ‘n’ roll panto which has become such a firm favourite at Christmas in Liverpool. Call 0151 709 4776 or visit www.everymanplayhouse.com.

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, November 29-January 25)

THE Rock ‘n’ Roll Panto is seasonal entertainment with all the trimmings – jokes, slapstick and lashings of audience participation – spiced with classic hit songs, all played by our multi-talented cast of actor/musicians. Prince Promising is crowned the country’s largest King. But the festivities are interrupted when a Wicked Witch, turns our handsome hero into a horrible Beast. To reverse his fate the Beast must win the heart of Beauty and take her hand in marriage. But can she ever really love him? Will a magic mirror help to break the curse? Or must the handsome Prince remain a Beast forever? Meanwhile, back in Wales, is the hapless Peacock Beauregarde about to succumb to the charms of Dame Bronwen Bigbreaths? Call 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk.

MR AND MRS MOON (Emlyn Williams Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, January 14-25)

WHEN the Woman Who Lives In The Moon comes down from the sky to play with the children on a beautiful beach, she likes it so much she doesn’t want to go home. Join her and feel the sand between your toes and the moonwind in your hair as we dance to the music of the stars. A sparkling new show written and directed by Tim Webb with live music written by Max Reinhardt and Catriona Price and a beautiful design by Claire de Loon. The audience will be immersed in a magical Oily Cart mix of interaction, playfulness and adventure. A sparkling new show by Oily Cart, for children aged 2-5 years. Call 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk.

THE PIED PIPER (Whitby Hall, Stanney Lane, Ellesmere Port, January 14-18)

ELLESMERE Port-based Action Transport Theatre present a festive twist on the classic tale. Once upon a time, in a town with no cats, Arrived a swarm of ravenous rats. They ate up the chocolate, they ate up the pie, They ate up so much the mayor started to cry! Can nobody save us? Will nobody try? When all of a sudden a Piper came by. I’ll rid you of rats, both thin and both long, I’ll do it with music, I’ll do it with song! But sadly the town was unwilling to pay, So one of the children must save the day! A family show with song, dance and fun, A musical adventure perfect for everyone. Visit www.piedpiperintheport.co.uk or call0151 357 2120.

COMING SOON

AVENUE Q (Forum Studio Theatre, Hamilton Place, Chester, March 6-15)

THE outrageously funny smash hit musical by Robert Lopez, Jeff Marx and Jeff Whitty comes to Chester. The show is set in a New York tenement block and features a cast of wild, witty and outspoken characters in a smart series of sketches, linked by themes of relationships, ambitions, failure and self discovery. Songs include The Internet is for Porn, I’m Not Wearing Underwear Today and Schadenfreude. Visit www.chestertheatre.co.uk or call 01244 341296.

HONOUR (Little Theatre, Gloucester Street, Newtown, Chester, March 15-22)

CHESTER Theatre Club presents Joanna Murray-Smith’s powerful play. A man falls in love with a younger woman and leaves his wife of 32 years, thereby hurting not only his wife but also his daughter, not much younger than the other woman. The play explores the fate of the wife, trying to reconcile the career she has willingly sacrificed with her abandonment and of the husband facing the consequences of betraying his own principles of duty and honour. In a series of intense confrontations, wife, husband, lover and daughter examine the forces of passion, lust and responsibility. Timeless in its exploration of fundamental human experience, the play contains some strong language. Call 0844 870 0887 or visit www.chestertheatreclub.co.uk.

KINDERTRANSPORT (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, March 17-22)

AS THE clouds of war gather in 1930s Germany, a desperate mother forces her nine year old daughter onto a train, sending her out of danger and into the arms of strangers. In peaceful, suburban, 1980s England, a proud mother prepares to say farewell to her grown-up daughter, as she cuts the ties of childhood to leave the family home. Then a chance discovery opens an unhealed wound. The bittersweet experience of every parent, as they send their children into an uncertain world, unites these women across the decades. In the year that marks the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the first Kindertransport, Paula Wilcox (The Smoking Room, Rock and Chips, Emmerdale) and Janet Dibley (Doctors, EastEnders, The Two of Us) star in this unmissable production of Diane Samuels’ award-winning classic. Call 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk.

THE LARK (Little Theatre, Gloucester Street, Newtown, Chester, May 10-17)

CHESTER Theatre Club presents Jean Anouilh’s play, translated by Christopher Fry. A secular age struggles to comprehend a young, illiterate peasant girl’s choice of death by fire rather than submit to the political and doctrinal pressures of her time. But this is about more than Joan of Arc’s pitiful story in war-torn 15th century France, idolised later in art and literature. Through Joan’s trial, Anouilh explors the ultimate cost of choosing an individual moral path in a world of corruption and manipulation. The play is a challenge to get the balance right. Call 0844 870 0887 or visit www.chestertheatreclub.co.uk.

RAMBERT (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, March 12-15)

RAMBERT’S unrivalled variety of performances, world class dancers and critically acclaimed orchestra have delighted audiences and critics alike for 87 years. Making a much anticipated return after a 13-year absence, Rambert presents Rooster, Christopher Bruce’s electrifying celebration of the swinging Sixties set to music by The Rolling Stones. Plus SUB, an astonishing all-male piece by Itzik Galili, the creator of the hugely successful A Linha Curva, and The Castaways, a Welsh première by Barak Marshall – arresting, original and fevered in style, this is a rare chance to see work by one of America’s most celebrated choreographers. Call 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk.

UNDER MILK WOOD (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, February 6-March 8)

A WORK of genius from Dylan Thomas, ripe with vitality, rich in humour and populated by sublime eccentric and enchanting characters. Come to Llareggub, a small Welsh town by the sea. Meet blind Captain Cat, Mog Edwards and his sweetheart Miss Price, Sinbad Sailor, Dai Bread, Polly Garter, Nogood Boyo and Lord Cut Glass. Walk along Coronation Street, Cockle Row and Donkey Street, down to the little fishing harbour and back to Milk Wood. Thomas explores their lives, hopes and thoughts in the dreams of a night and the rhythms of a day. Both a play and a poem, written from the heart, it offers an unforgettable journey into the roots of language and the soul of Wales. This new production, directed by Terry Hands, marks the centenary of Dylan Thomas’ birth in 1914 and the 60th anniversary of the play’s British premiere. Call 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk.

USELESS BEAUTY (Forum Studio Theatre, Hamilton Place, Chester, February 13-15)

OLD friends and new partners, short fuses and long memories. What should have been a simple social evening, when married couple Kate and Martin invite Helen and Kate’s old friend from university, Alex, round for some food, takes a sedries of unexpected turns in Tip Top regular Mark Newman’s new black comedy of bad manners and good wine. Visit www.chestertheatre.co.uk or call 01244 341296.