Bolton. THE BFG by Roald Dahl adapted by David Wood. Octagon Theatre Howell Croft South BL1 11SB To 9 January 2016. 10.30am 4-7 Jan. 11am 8 Jan. 2pm 18, 19, 21-24, 26, 28-31 Dec, 2 Jan. 2.15pm 9 Jan. 7pm 18, 19, 21-24, 26, 28-31 Dec, 2, 8, 9 Jan. Relaxed performances 8 Jan 11am & 7pm. Runs 1hr 55 mi One interval. TICKETS: 01204 520661. www.octagontheatre.co.uk Review: Timothy Ramsden 17 December. Highly charged theatricality with deeply dramatic sense of …

Newcastle-under-Lyme. TALE TRAIL TO ROBIN HOOD & MARIAN by Sarah Richardson. New Vic Theatre (Stephen Joseph Studio) Etruria Road ST5 0JG To 24 December 2015. 11.15am 19, 21-24 Dec. 1pm 19, 21-24 Dec. 3pm 21, 22 Dec. Runs 45 min No interval. TICKETS: 01782 717962. Review: Timothy Ramsden 14 December. Another treasurable New Vic Tale Trail.

Midlands / Archive THE GUIDE TO BEING SINGLE: Book, Kaitlin Gilgenbach, Music and Lyrics, Alex Kovin Starbuck Theatre at Norbury Theatre, till 20 Feb Droitwich Runs: 2h 20m, one interval Review: Alexander Ray Edser, 20 Feb 2016 A real-good, feel-good evening.

London / Archive The Eulogy of Toby Peach By Toby Peach The Vaults, to Feb 21 Vault Festival, Leake Street, London SE1 7NN 6.15pm, Runs: 1hr TICKETS: 0871 220 0260 (calls cost 10p per min plus network extras) 24/7 Online: www.vaultfestival.com Review by Carole Woddis of performance seen Feb 18, 2016: Humour from the unfunny, and the power of life theatre to move us

Birmingham Orlando: Handel The English Consort Birmingham Town Hall Review: Paul David, 26 February 2016-03-08 Handel in intimate mood

London RUFF Presented by Split Britches Barbican Silk Theatre Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS 70 mins without interval followed by 20mins Q&A TICKETS: 0845 120 7550 In person: Mon– Sat, 9.00am-8pm; Sun & Bank Hols 11.00am-8pm On-line: www.barbican.org.uk/bite Review: by Carole Woddis of performance seen April 16, 2016 As great as ever

Archive Queens of Syria Adapted from The Trojan Women by Euripides 4Star**** The Maria, Young Vic July 5 – 9 66 The Cut, London SE1 8LZ Runs: 1hr 15mins without interval TICKETS: 020 7922 2922. www.youngvictheatre.org Review by: Carole Woddis of performance seen July 8, 2016: Art doing what it does best

Now We Are Here Created by refugee writers in workshops with Deanna Rodger, Ian Rickson and Imogen Brodie 4Star**** The Clare, Young Vic 66 The Cut, London SE1 8LZ Runs: 1hr 40 with 10 min interval, July 20 30 TICKETS: 020 7922 2922. www.youngvictheatre.org Review by: Carole Woddis of performance seen July 27, 2016: Very human stories

London Shangri-La A new play by Amy Ng 4Star**** Finborough Theatre To August 6 118 Finborough Road, London SW10 9ED Box Office: 0844 847 1652   Book online at www.finboroughtheatre.co.uk Runs: 1h 20 min without interval Review: by Carole Woddis of perf seen Aug 4, 2016: A complex issue opened up by the playwright and a sensitive team

London Dr Seuss’s The Lorax Adapted for the stage by David Greig Old Vic Theatre, The Cut, London SE1 8NB Perfs 3pm & 7pm; see full schedule at www.oldvictheatre.com Runs: 2hrs 10mins with interval. To Jan 16 2016 Tickets: By phone: 0844 871 7628 Mon-Fri 9am-7.30pm, Sat 9am-4pm & Sun 9.30am-4pm £2.50 transaction fee (does not apply to supporters of The Old Vic) Online: www.bookings.oldvictheatre.com Access: For further details log onto Text Relay By Post Box Office, The Old Vic, The …

London. SLAVA’S SNOW SHOW by Slava Polunin. Royal Festival Hall South Bank Centre Belvedere Road SE1 8XX To 3 January 2016. 2pm 20, 27 Dec, 3 Jan. 2.30pm 18, 19, 22-24, 26, 28-30 Dec, 2 Jan. 5.30pm 20 Dec, 1, 3 Jan. 7.30pm 18, 19, 22, 23, 26, 28-30 Dec, 2 Jan. Runs TICKETS: 0844 847 9910. www.SlavaSnowShow.co.uk Review: Timothy Ramsden 17 December. Impressive in scale rather than content.

Manchester. INKHEART by Cornelia Funke adapted by Stephen Sharkey and Walter Meierjohann. Home 2 Tony Wilson Place First Street M15 4FN To 9 January 2016. 10am 6 Jan. 2.15pm 26, 28-31 Dec, 2, 7 Jan. 7pm 28-30 Dec, 2, 7-9 Jan. Relaxed performance 7 Jan 2.15pm. Runs 2hr One interval. TICKETS: 0161 200 1500. www.homemcr.com Review: Timothy Ramsden 13 December. New theatre – and novel adaptation – both earn their place on the seasonal block.

London. RAPUNZEL book by Jez Bond & Mark Cameron, lyrics & music by Jez Bond. Park Theatre (Park 200) Clifton Terrace N4 3JP To 2 January 2016. 10am 9, 15, 16 Dec. 1.30pm 8-11, 15-18 (sold out 17 Dec), 22-24, 26, 29-31 Dec, 2 Jan. 3pm 12, 19 Dec. 5.30pm 22-24, 26, 29-31 Dec, 2 Jan. 7pm 10-12, 17-19 Dec. Runs 2hr One interval. TICKETS: 020 7870 6876. www.parktheatre.co.uk Review: William Russell 7 December. Let Your Hair Down.

London. JACKSON’S WAY: THE CHRISTMAS TOP-UP SEMINAR by Will Adamsdale. Battersea Arts Centre Lavender Hill SW11 5TN To 12 December 2015, Mon-Sat 8pm. Runs 1hr 15min No interval. TICKETS: 020 7223 2223. www.bac.org.uk Review: Timothy Ramsden 2 December. Maximum show with minimal substance.

London. F*CKING MEN by Joe DiPietro. King’s Head Theatre 115 Upper Street Islington N1 1QN To 9 January 2016. Tue-Sat 9.30pm. 20 December 4pm & 7pm; 27 December 4pm; 4 Jan 7pm no performance 1 Jan. Runs 1hr 10min. No interval. TICKETS: 020 7226 8561. www.kingsheadtheatre.com Review: William Russell 8 December. The boys are back but fewer in the band.

London. MIRROR MIRROR: A Snow White Pantomime by John Savournin original lyrics & arrangements by David Eaton. King’s Head theatre 115 Upper Street Islington N1 1QN To 9 January 2016. Mon–Sun 7 pm. Adult only performances December 11, 12, 18, 19, 21, 28, 30, 31 Dec,2, 3, 7, 9 Jan 7pm. Family Mat 12, 13 Dec 3pm. Mat 19, 21, 28 Dec, January 2, 3, 5, 9 Jan 3pm. Runs 2hr One interval. TICKETS: 020 7226 8561. www.kingsheadtheatre.com Review: William …

London NUTCRACKER THE MUSICAL Book & Lyrics by Nancy Holson Music by Pytor Illych Tchaikovsky. Pleasance Theatre Main House, Carpenters Mews, North Road, London N7 9EF to 3 Jan 2016. Tues-Sun 7.30pm. Mat 12,16,17, 24, 27, 30 Dec & 2 Jan 4pm. Runs 2 hr One interval. TICKETS: 020 7609 1800 www.pleasance.co.uk Review: William Russell 9 December. A cracker that does not go off.

London THE HAUNTING by Hugh Janes. Adapted from the ghost stories of Charles Dickens. The Jack Studio Theatre Brockley Jack, 410 Brockley Road, London SE4 2JH to 3 January 2016. Tues- Sat 7.45pm. No performances 13, 14, 20, 23-27 December & 1 January. Runs 85mins No interval. TICKETS: www.brockleyjack.co.uk Review: William Russell 10 December. An old dark house and ghosts – it’s Christmas!

Coventry VAMPOMIME: Nick Walker Belgrade, B2 Studio Runs: To 02 01 16 , approx. 1h 15m, no interval Review: Alexander Ray Edser, 11 12 15 Great addition to a good night out with your mates