KarenSince yesterday’s post on Christmas Theatre in Manchester was so well received, I thought it only fair to do another for Lancashire. I get lots of press releases for shows, especially at this time of year, so I’ve bundled them all together here for your reference. You’re welcome!
If you are a Lancashire theatre running a Christmas performance this year, please email me via my ‘About Me’ page to have your listing added.
Octagon Theatre, Bolton: A Christmas Carol
As the snow settles on the rooftops of a Victorian town, festive joy fills the hearts of every adult and child across the land. Except for miserable, miserly Ebeneezer Scrooge who says “Bah Humbug!” to the festive season…but all of that is about to change. When he is visited by the ghost of his old business partner Jacob Marley, Scrooge is taken on a mysterious journey of redemption through Christmases past, present, and future.
In the role of mean spirited Ebeneezer Scrooge is Marc Small. Marc has been in several of the Octagon’s productions, including playing Tom Robinson in To Kill a Mockingbird (2016). Marc also performed in 2014’s festive production Robin Hood, Joe Thompson in The Family Way (2015), and Lord Huntingdon in The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (2017).
It’s also worth noting that although they aren’t necessarily Christmas shows, there is a lot going on for families at the Octagon Theatre. If you’re close enough it’s definitely worth checking out.
To find out more and to book, see Octagon Theatre’s website.
The Met, Bury: The Hunting of the Snark
All aboard! The ship is departing! All children, animals and silly people welcome!
The Hunting Of The Snark
A riotous ragtag gang of bold adventurers including the Boy, the Banker, the Butcher, the Baker, the Bellman and the knitting Beaver set off on a quest to catch the mythical Snark… on the journey they encounter the Jub Jub bird, the sly Bandersnatch and the dastardly Boojum… Can a Snark be caught with soap? Will the Beaver escape the hungry Butcher’s clutches? Will the Baker remember his name? Does anyone know what a Snark actually looks like?
The Met, Bury: Santa’s Little Helper
Who will help to save Christmas?
Young Albert Tuttle is nearly 7 years old. Far too old to believe in Santa!
How does a big fat man wearing bright red pyjamas fit down the chimney anyway?
But Albert is in for a big surprise. For as he sleeps on Christmas Eve, a big fat man wearing bright red pyjamas tumbles down his chimney like a roly poly pudding.
It’s Santa. He’s come for Albert’s help!
All of the shows on offer at The Met (and there are many!) can be found here on their website.
Oldham Coliseum: Dick Whittington
Poor young lad Dick Whittington and his rat-catching cat set off to find fame, fortune and adventure in to London. But the path to happily-ever-after isn’t always that easy and King Rat hatches an evil scheme to get Dick out of his city. Are the streets paved with gold? Can the cat catch the rat? Will Dick finally get his happy ending?
The Coliseum’s Pantomime Dame, Fine Time Fontayne, is back! Fine Time returns to the Coliseum stage following an accident in rehearsals in October 2016 which meant he was unable to perform last Christmas. He’s joined on stage by more panto favourites including: pantomime 2016’s hero of the hour, Simeon Truby, who triumphantly stepped into Fine Time’s Doc Martens, everyone’s favourite silly billy, Richard J Fletcher, and top singing fairy, Liz Carney.
Preston Guild Hall: Aladdin
Preston Guild Hall will make all your wishes come true with this years magical family pantomime Aladdin.
Welcoming back the hilarious comedian Phil Walker, who will once again be writing, directing and starring in the show, this year as Aladdin’s brother Wishee Washee. His productions of Sleeping Beauty and Jack and the Beanstalk received rave reviews from audiences and critics alike and we’re delighted that he’ll be joining us again this year.
To book, visit the Preston Guild Hall website.
