Snow White in Blackburn

Lancaster Arts City’s First Friday tomorrow is another mini-festival of the arts held at venues across the city from noon until midnight.
Snow White: Miranda MylesSnow White: Miranda Myles
Snow White: Miranda Myles

This month there is comedy, festive songs, visual arts, dance and poetry, creating a cultural mix of events throughout the day with something for all ages.

Most events are ‘pay what you can’ or free and there are opportunities for the public to take part and even become featured performers.

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First Fridays are a chance for audiences to try something new and brings together local and national musicians, artists, writers and performers.

December’s First Friday events include:

If Trees Could Talk at the Storey Institute - a free community tree dressing event led by environmental artist Sue Flowers.

Songs for Christmas at Trinity URC Hall, Middle Street; Pass on a Poem at Lancaster Library; and

Drunken Nights III at the Wagon and Horses on St George’s Quay.

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The latter is a series of live acts inspired by the traditions of the pub; from stand-up comedy and karaoke to pub quizzes, live music and dance floor shenanigans. Details: www.artscity.co.uk

Snow White and her Seven Dwarves march to Blackburn King George’s Hall next week for the 2014 pantomime.

Written by Lancashire funny man Phil Walker, the original Brothers Grimm story has been given a fresh twist for the 21st Century by Stageworks World Wide Productions.

Local lass Miranda Myles will once again step into the starring role for her second year in panto, while Liberty X star Kevin Simm is the Prince.

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The famous fairy tales is interactive so children of all ages (and adults) can join the fun. There’s also a chance to join in the popular songs and singing and dancing in the aisles is compulsory!

From Wednesday to December 31. Call 0844 847 1664 or www.kinggeorgeshall.com

A snowstorm of fun and entertainment hits Salford’s Lowry arts centre again next week with the return of Slava’s Snowshow.

Celebrating the 20th anniversary of its UK debut the multi-award winning spectacle is a pre-Christmas treat.

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A combination of clowning and stunning visuals, it’s performed by a world-renowned company of clowns led by Slava Polunin, artistic director of the St Petersburg Circus.

Influenced by artists such as Chaplin, Marcel Marceau and Engibarov, Slava and his company have taken clowning out of the world of circus, and brought it to theatre lovers.

Acclaimed winner of the Time Out, Olivier and Drama Desk awards for most unique theatrical experience it had its UK premiere at the Edinburgh Festival in 1994, and has since toured all over the country.

The show has been staged in 120 cities in 30 countries to more than 3m spectators in 4,000 performances.

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It runs here from Tuesday to Saturday with Wednesday, Friday and Saturday matinees and is suitable for ages 8+.

Box Office: 0843 208 6005 or www.thelowry.com

The Northern Broadsides’ comedy of manners, She Stoops To Conquer brings its current tour to the Lowry arts centre in Salford next week.

Oliver Goldsmith’s much-loved 18th century comedy of manners is relocated, in Northern Broadsides style, from the West Country to the North of England.

A story of class, courtship and dysfunctional families sees the tongue-tied, uptight Charles Marlow needing a lesson in love. He longs for a wife, but finds it easier to court barmaid Kate – but there’s more to her than meets the eye.

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Designer Jessica Worrall said about the look of the production: “I wanted to create something that emphasises the constraining nature of the play’s rural society setting.

“Using references from 18th century satirical cartoonists costume design has been combined with vivid contemporary colours and fabrics to create a world where Thomas Gainsborough and Hogarth meet Vivienne Westwood!”

From Tuesday to Saturday with Wednesday and Saturday matinees. Call 0843 208 6005 or www.thelowry.com

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