DEC-JAN WHATS ON 2016

WHAT’SNEW
Something for
everyone at
Chester Cathedral
They’re back - from the end of
November more than 40 majestic
Christmas trees will return to the
cloisters of Chester Cathedral for their
annual Christmas Tree Festival. The
trees, decorated by local schools and
businesses, transform the space into
spectacular tree-lined winter walkways.
The perfect way to escape the hustle
and bustle of Christmas shopping.
Also at the cathedral this Christmastime,
there will be special services to mark
one of the holiest times in the Christian
calendar, including an Advent
procession and carol service by
candlelight on 26th November, and a
crib service for all the family on
Christmas Eve.
Christmas at the cathedral wouldn’t be
complete without a feast of festive
music. Expect carols and seasonal
readings from Chester Cathedral Choir at
‘A Choral Christmas’ concerts on 10th
and 17th December. Join singing
superstar Will Young as he hosts a
charity carol concert on 14th December.
Our good friend The Snowman returns
on 3rd December, as the classic
Raymond Briggs animation is
accompanied by a live 25-piece
orchestra as part of Carrot Productions’
family-friendly Christmas concert,
included in The Guardian and The
Times’ ‘Top things to do at Christmas’.
This year the musical extravaganza
includes a retelling of Cinderella with
orchestral accompaniment.
Need a hand with your Christmas
shopping? The Falconry and Nature
Gardens is the ultimate gift experience
for nature fans and bird lovers! The lucky
recipient can handle a golden eagle, be a
falconer for a day or get up close and
personal with our owls.
For more information, visit
www.chestercathedral.com
Storyhouse opening season
It’s nearly here. After a decade without a
cinema and theatre space in Chester’s
city centre, Storyhouse is set to open its
doors in May 2017. Storyhouse -
currently the UK’s largest regional arts
project under construction - will kick off
with a run of four home-produced shows,
performed in rep by a company of 26 of
the country’s finest actors.
The theatre will open with a riotous new
musical based on The Beggar's Opera,
rewritten with a brand new score
especially for Storyhouse. Alongside
that, the premiere of playwright Glyn
Maxwell’s joyful new adaptation of Alice
in Wonderland, Shakespeare’ s brutal
political thriller Julius Caesar and
comedy A Midsummer Night’s Dream. All
of the productions will premiere on the
500-seat wrap-around “Storyhouse
Stage”– one of two formats for the main
theatre.
The entire run, from 11th May – 27th
August, presents one of the UK’s most
ambitious theatre seasons. The four
shows are spread right across the
summer and, uniquely, audiences will be
able to choose between seeing
productions in the new theatre, and in
Storyhouse’s award-winning Grosvenor
Park Open Air Theatre. Alice, A
Midsummer Night’s Dream and Julius
Caesar will move into Grosvenor park
during the height of summer, whilst The
Beggar’s Opera continues inside.
Storyhouse has been lovingly carved out
of the Grade II listed shell of the former
Odeon cinema, alongside a new brick
and translucent glass extension. The
Storyhouse library, restaurant and
independent cinema are housed in the
former Odeon’s streamlined art-deco
interior. The uniquely flexible 800/500
seat auditorium, 150-seat community
studio and rooftop bar are housed in the
remarkable new extension.
Tickets are on sale now. See you there in
spring 2017?
For full show information and tickets visit
www.storyhouse.com
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