DIARY
Guide to THE BEST events in January 2024
DANCE
Strictly Come Dancing: Live
It is, inevitably, that time again because — as sure as night follows day — the live touring version of Strictly follows the interminable TV competition. Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood will be judging, Janette Manrara will be hosting and, at the time of writing, we have no idea who’ll be dancing. Sorry. It’s at the First Direct Arena in Leeds next month.
January 23, Sheffield Arena, utilitaarenasheffield.co.uk
CHILDREN
Snowmen
New Year can be a bit of a Debbie Downer for all concerned: so this family show for young children could be just the tonic to blow away the January blues. Described as ‘the perfect winter treat for two to sevenyear-olds and their families’, it tells the story of two snowmen who are trying their best not to melt. Ahhhh.
January 5 & 6, Godber Studio, Hull Truck, hulltruck.co.uk
BALLET
The Nutcracker
The International Classic Ballet Theatre (a company which made its UK debut in 2022/23 and is comprised of specially selected international dancers) give the Tchaikovsky classic a New Year spin (literally). You’ ll know the music and the story: the young Clara and the Nutcracker prince fight off the evil power of the Mouse King. Curious timing, though, because this is a Christmas favourite, no?
January 9-13, Sheffield, sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
COMEDY
Mark Watson
It can’t be easy being a standup comedian, but Watson does seem to make it extra difficult for himself. First, he (sort of) made headlines recently when he got locked out of his own stand-up gig. Now he’s back promising ‘a show that’s different every night’. Time Out Melbourne called him: ‘A genius-level comic doing what he does best.’
January 11, The Studio, Bradford, bradford-theatres.co.uk
MUSICAL
Stranger Sings!: The Parody Musical
We suppose you don’t HAVE to have watched a certain Eightiesset Netflix sci-fi series — about a teenager with psychokinetic abilities (and a topsy-turv y, monster-inhabited hell-hole called the Upside Down) — to enjoy this off-Broadway parody musical... but it’ll certainly help. Miss it in Bradford and see it when it comes to Hull in March.
January 12 & 13, St George’s Hall, Bradford, bradford-theatres.co.uk
OPERA
Albert Herring
Giles Havergal directs Benjamin Britten’s big, broad comic opera (the libretto was adapted by Eric Crozier from a story by Maupassant) in the intimate space of the Howard Assembly Room. The cast includes Dafydd Jones in the title role with Judith Howarth as Lady Billows and the conductor is Opera North’s Music Director, Garry Walker. If you miss it in January, you can catch it at the same venue when i
