DIARY
Guide to THE BEST events in July
THEATRE
The 39 Steps
A madcap production of the Alfred Hitchcock film (which was based on the classic John Buchan novel), directed by actor-director Maria Aitken. Four actors — let’s just say they must be very committed — play 130 characters in 100 minutes of stage time. It zips along at a cracking pace and won Olivier and Tony Awards for its trouble. July 23-27, Grand Opera House, York, atgtickets.com
THEATRE
Dracula: the Bloody Truth
Are you expecting this production to be a serious and sinister take on the Bram Stoker tale? Well, here’s a word to the wise: don’t. It’s a co-production with Octagon Theatre in Bolton that has been described as ‘a hilarious, fast-paced, knockabout comedy’ and features vampire hunter Van Helsing remembering what really happened when he was out for the Count. ‘It’s got a lovely local connection,’ notes director Paul Robinson. ‘In the original story, Count Dracula makes landfall at Whitby, just up the coast, so we (proudly?) think of him as a local boy.’
July 3-27, Stephen Joseph Theatre, Scarborough, sjt.uk.com
THEATRE
Chariots of Fire
How apt in an Olympic year: this timely stage production based on the 1981 Oscar-winning film – with that instantly recognisable score by Vangelis – tells the true story of athletes Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell as they compete for glory in the 1924 Paris Olympics. Colin Welland’s screenplay has been adapted by Mike Bartlett and the director is Robert Hastie. July 6-27, Crucible Sheffield, sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Harrogate Music Festival
This year’s lush line-up includes rising star violinist and social media sensation Esther Abrami at the Crown Hotel (playing music from her new album, Cinema); violinist Braimah Kanneh-Mason (pictured) and Brazilian guitarist Plínio Fernandes at the Old Swan Hotel; Apollo5 (the only vocal group in the world that could be mistaken for a NASA space programme) performing a concert by candlelight at St Winifrid’s Church; plus session singer turned British jazz star Jo Harrop, the Guildas Quartet and Maxwell Quartet playing concerts in the Spiegeltent.
Until July 13, various venues, Harrogate, harrogateinternationalfestivals.com
MUSICAL
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
The magical car soars again in a rip-roaring stage production based on the 1968 Dick Van Dyke movie, which was itself (loosely) based on a book by Bond author Ian Fleming. Co-starring Adam Garcia (right) and Liam Fox (the former Emmerdale actor – not the Tory MP. Although we would pay good money to see that). July 9-14, Alhambra, Bradford, bradford-theatres.co.uk
CONCERT
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Everyone’s favourite boogiewoogie man — a pe
