With the Christmas concert season almost at an end, it’s time to look forward to what’s in store for music lovers and theatre-goers in early 2015.
January is pantomime month with no fewer than three Huddersfield-area societies producing their annual festive shows, bringing cheer to what is often the dreariest month of the year.
Saturday, January 10, sees the opening of Huddersfield Light Opera’s Jack and the Beanstalk (more about this in next week’s What’s On Where) at the Lawrence Batley Theatre (tickets from www.thelbt.org or 01484 430528).
It will be followed on Thursday, January 22, with the start of Brighouse Theatre Productions’ Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves at Brighouse Civic Hall (ticket hotline 01484 402435).
And then on Thursday, January 29, the Penistone Theatre Group launches into Robin Hood & Babes in the Wood at the Penistone Paramount (tickets from 01226 767532 or www.penistoneparamount.co.uk)
The concert season begins early in the month with a performance by the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain at Leeds Town Hall. Part of the Leeds International Concert Season, the event on Saturday, January 3, will showcase the talents of some of the country’s best young musicians as they play a classical repertoire (details from 0113 224 3801 or www.leedsconcertseason.com) .
Need a few laughs to fight post-festive blues? On Thursday, January 15, comedians Shazia Mirza and Jonathan Pelham will take to the LBT stage in a Comedy Cellar event (ticket details as above).
Moving into February, the Mrs Sunderland Festival brings singers and musicians from all over the country to compete in Huddersfield Town Hall. This year’s event, from February 19 to 28, will include a poetry and story-writing competition for local schools. The closing date for entries is Friday, January 9. Mrs Sunderland will also be hosting A Celebration, in Huddersfield Town Hall, on Wednesday, February 25, to showcase the talents of children from special needs schools in the area. Those interested in taking part should contact J Michael Hampshire, musical advisor for the festival, on 01422 613915 or by email hampshire.michael@sky.com
Theatre-lovers can look forward to performances of Shakespeare’s King Lear by the respected Northern Broadsides company – and directed by Jonathan Miller – from February 27 at The Viaduct Theatre in Halifax (information from www.northern-broadsides.co.uk)
In early March, Huddersfield is once more a focal point for the arts as the annual Huddersfield Literature Festival opens.
Running from March 5 until 15 with a theme of Into the Future, the festival will include an event with Almondbury author Joanne Harris. Last year the festival welcomed around 100 performers and 3,500 audience members to 12 different venues. For more details check out www.litfest.org.uk
And then later in the month fans of Huddersfield Choral Society can look forward to the choir’s spring concert of Haydn’s Nelson Mass and the Mozart Requiem (with original Sussmayr completion) on Friday, March 27, at Huddersfield Town Hall.
These are just a few of the many arts events happening in and around Huddersfield.
What’s On Where will keep you up-to-date as we move into 2015.
