Frank Gallagher is refined!

The actor, best known for playing foul-mouthed Frank Gallagher in the popular TV comedy, will join Chetham’s Symphony Orchestra to narrate a performance of Shakespeare’s Henry V.

It will be based on William Walton’s Oscar-nominated score for Laurence Olivier’s film adaptation of the play and David’s brother Stephen, the Manchester orchestra’s director of music, is conducting.

The show takes place on October 17, and is a collaboration with Lancaster literature charity Litfest.

It is part of a star-studded concert programme from Live at LICA (Lancaster Institute for the Contemporary Arts), the combined organisation for The Nuffield Theatre, Lancaster International Concert Series and the Peter Scott Gallery, which is sited in the university’s Great Hall.

Another highlight is a celebrity recital by French pianist Pascal Roge on October 24.

Manchester Camerata explore a Berlin cabaret with singer Mary Carewe on November 14, and there is jazz with the acclaimed Julian Joseph Trio’s performance on November 21. Powerplant will put on a percussion spectacular with references to Steve Reich, Prokofiev, Schubert and the filmmaker Michael Haneke.

Another show likely to be a sell-out is the Simon Bolivar String Quartet on December 5. Created from the Fundacion Musical Simon Bolivar, which has developed a network of string quartets in South America to promote chamber music among young people.

Other notable events include performances by viola player Lawrence Power on October 31, and singer Clara Mouriz accompanied by pianist Joseph Middleton on November 7.

To book, visit www.liveatlica.org or ring 01524 594151. A new web advance ticket offers online deals, and web booking charges have been scrapped.