WHAT’S ON Live events, music and theatre productions this Christmas.

What’s On...

OAKHAM FRIDAY 2nd DECEMBER MIDWINTER REVELS BY GREEN MATHEWS

Chris Green and Sophie Matthews are modern-day balladeers, specialising in telling stories through song. Midwinter Revels is a brand new Christmas show, and a celebration of Yuletide Past guaranteed to warm the cockles of the most Scrooge-like heart. Featuring Christmas carols, winter folk songs, toe-tapping tunes and a plethora of weird and wonderful instruments, the show is brought to life with Green Matthews’ trademark wit and humour. n Oakham Castle, doors from 7pm, tickets £14/adults, 01572 757578 or see www.oakhamcastle.org.

A Ceremony of Carols

JOIN WORLD-RENOWNED TENEBRAE CHOIR, AT UPPINGHAM SCHOOL FOR A BREATHTAKING PERFORMANCE OF CAROLS

UPPINGHAM SATURDAY 3rd DECEMBER TENEBRAE: A CEREMONY OF CAROLS

Join the world-renowned Tenebrae choir, directed by Nigel Short, in the beautiful surroundings of Uppingham School Chapel for an evening of festive choral music, including Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols for choir and harp, alongside music by Joanna Elizabeth Poston and Holst. n Tickets £10-£25, Uppingham School Chapel, www.uppingham.co.uk

CLIPSHAM THURSDAY 1st DECEMBER THURSDAY 8th DECEMBER

SEASONAL COOKERY DEMONSTRATIONS AT THE OLIVE BRANCH, CLIPSHAM

Seasonal cookery demonstrations at The Olive Branch - an enlightening and amusing two hour demonstration followed by a wonderful three course lunch. n Pre-booking essential, £70/person incl three courses, glass of wine and two-hour cookery demonstration. Call 01780 410355 or see www.theolivebranchpub.com.

RUTLAND WATER FRIDAY 2nd DECEMBER FRIDAY 9th DECEMBER GUIDED WALKS AROUND RUTLAND WATER

A brace of birdwatching adventures courtesy of Jeff Davies and his guided walk on Friday 2nd, then Terry Mitcham’s bird-watching walks on Friday 9th Dec. n Pre-booking is essential, visit www.lrwt.org.uk.

Send your press releases and events to: the Features Editor via editor@pridemagazines.co.uk.

STAMFORD THURSDAY 24th NOVEMBER - SUNDAY 27th NOVEMBER BURGHLEY CHRISTMAS FAIR

Make sure you’re off to a good start for the festive season even before December with the magical festive shopping experience of Burghley’s Christmas Fair in the idyllic surroundings of the town’s Elizabethan stately home. Wander amongst the traditional chalets, heated marquees and avenue of pagodas bedecked in sparkling Christmas decorations and lights. The region’s largest Christmas Fair, with over 130 stalls offering everything from luxury gifts, artisan food and drink to Christmas decorations and winter clothing. n £6/adult, £3/children, call 01780 752451 or see www.burghley.co.uk.

STAMFORD SUNDAY 11th DECEMBER CHRISTMAS CONCERT AT BURGHLEY

A classical Christmas concert performed in the intimate setting of the family Chapel within Burghley House. Enjoy the magic of traditional festive pieces performed by the exceptional Cantus Choir and string quartet, directed and conducted by Alwyn Pollard. During the interval retreat to Burghley’s beautiful Tudor kitchen to enjoy mulled wine and mince pies. Sunday 11th December from 6pm to 8.30pm. The concert begins at 6.30pm with a 30 minute interval at 7.15pm n £30/person, call 01780 752451 or see www.burghley.co.uk.

The Wizard of Oz at Curve

FOLLOW THE YELLOW BRICK ROAD THIS AUTUMN WITH A COLOURFUL LIVE PERFORMANCE IN OZ!

LEICESTER FROM 19th NOVEMBER TO 8th JANUARY 2023 THE WIZARD OF OZ AT CURVE THEATRE

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Leicester this month for a live stage adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. Join Dorothy and Toto as they are swept up from sepia-soaked Kansas and transported over the rainbow to the technicolour wonderland of Oz. On her adventure down the Yellow Brick Road, Dorothy meets new friends Scarecrow, Tinman and Lion who help her on her way, but the villain-

EXTON SATURDAY 10th - SUNDAY 11th DECEMBER FAMILY FESTIVITIES

Put on your Christmas jumpers and join the Barnsdale team for a festive family day of Christmas crafts: children’s Christmas wreath making and Rudolf tree decorations, festive quiz, raffle. n Barnsdale Gardens, Exton, LE15 8AH, call 01572 813 200 or see www.barnsdalegardens.co.uk.

HAMBLETON SATURDAY 3rd DECEMBER - MONDAY 5th DECEMBER 100 CRIBS FROM AROUND THE WORLD

An exhibition of over 100 cribs from around the world lent by Times correspondent and Radio 4 presenter Libby Purves. n St Andrew’s, Hambleton, www.oakhamteam.org.uk.

ous and frightfully glamourous Wicked Witch has other plans for Dorothy. Directed by Nikolai Foster and featuring a 15-piece orchestra playing music and songs from Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice as well as the iconic originals from the MGM film, The Wizard of Oz is a spectacular Christmas at Curve adventure! ‘Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Leicester anymore...’ n Tickets from £10-£45, from 2pm, 2.15pm, 7.30pm, at Curve Theatre, Leicester LE1 1SB. Call 0116 242 3595 or see www.curveonline.co.uk.

Pick of the Pantos...

Stamford Arts Centre

ALADDIN Spectacular scenery, dazzling costumes, spellbinding special effects and lots of audience participation that will keep the whole family entertained. That’s what’s promised from Polka Dot Pantomimes’ production of Aladdin this year at Stamford Arts Centre.

n 6th-15th Dec, £15, 01780 763203, www.stamfordartscentre.com.

The Cresset, P’Boro

PETER PAN This timeless story of the boy who never grew up has captured the imagination of generations of children, and now it received The Cresset Panto treatment, with Kevin Kennedy –Coronation Street’s Curly Watts – staring as Captain Hook. ‘Aar!

n 15th-21st Dec, £14.50-£17.50, 01733 265 705, www.cresset.co.uk.

Cinderella in Leicester

CINDERELLA TV favourites and dancing duo AJ and Curtis Pritchard make their Leicester debut playing the roles of Prince Charming and Dandini, alongside CBeebies Evie Pickerill in the title role of Cinderella. Optional VIP ‘Evening with AJ & Curtis’ meet and greet event.

n 10th Dec-2nd Jan, £15.25-£33.50, 0116 2333111, demontforthall.co.uk.

The Corn Exchange

CINDERELLA Stamford Pantomime Players have been performing shows for 71 years and are so pleased to bring one of the greatest pantomimes to the stage this year ‘Cinderella’. With a strong cast of over 80 people ranging from five years – 72 years old.

n 22nd Dec -1st Jan, £10-£12, 01780 766455, stamfordcornexchange.co.uk.

Uppingham Church

SLEEPING BEAUTY New year family pantomime written and directed by Joy Everitt, performed in Uppingham Parish Church, doors from 7pm. Presented by the Rutland Arts Theatre Company. Tickets from Colemans, High Street, Oakham.

n 13th-15th Jan, £5-£10, 01572 723247, www.rutlandartstheatre.wordpress.com.