Theatre and Drama

A play or theatrical evening? If it’s happening in Macclesfield and the surrounding areas then our Theatre and Drama page is the place to tell our readers.

If you have an event you want publicised here then please email us via the contact form

Sat
05
Apr
2025

‘Spring Selection’ choral concert
Macclesfield & Bollington United Reformed Church, Park Green, Macclesfield SK11 7NA.

Fans of choral music are invited to Bollington Singers & Macclesfield Male Voice Choir (MaccMVC) ‘Spring Selection’ choral concert on Saturday April 5th.

The music ranges from Eric Whitacre’s delightful Seal Lullaby, Earth Wind and Fire’s September, to extracts from Karl Jenkins’ Armed Man, a mass for Peace.

Bollington Singers will be led by their Musical Director Hannah Brine and accompanied by Ed Simpson whilst MaccMVC will be led by their M.D. Chris Cromar with regular accompanist Anna Chiu.

Hannah Brine says:

“We are really looking forward to singing with MaccMVC. It’s so wonderful to have the two choirs joining together - the sound will be incredible and it’s lovely to share music making with our neighbour choir.”

Spring Selection is on Saturday 5th April at 7.30pm at:

Macclesfield & Bollington United Reformed Church, Park Green, Macclesfield SK11 7NA.

Tickets are available via the choirs’ websites:

http://www.bollingtonsingers.co.uk

http://www.maccmvc.co.uk

For more information contact:

hannah@hannahbrine.co.uk
Sat
12
Apr
2025

Virginmarys
Diamond Rock Club, Ahoghill, Northern Ireland
Fri
30
May
2025

Legends of the Edge
St Philip & St James, Church Lane, Alderley Edge SK9 7QE
Above: Joe Beard, Malcolm Robinson, Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer

Legends of the Edge is a celebration of some of the myths, legends and stories from that mysterious, ancient and rocky escarpment in Cheshire, known as The Edge of Alderley.

In 1980 Poynton-based musician, songwriter and artist, Joe Beard*, brought together a set of his songs based around the rocky escarpment known as The Edge of Alderley. Realising that a strong narration was needed to support the stories the songs were telling, more of his songs were added, and the Gothic Folk Opus/Suite, ‘Legends of The Edge’ was born.

It was performed at many festivals and other venues, receiving praise in The Guardian and City Life Magazine and broadcast twice on BBC Radio.

Joe moved down to Tamworth where he became a regular performer at Tamworth Folk Club. In 2023 ‘Legends of The Edge’ was revived and performed by Joe, Paul Walker & Karen Pfeiffer with Malcolm Robinson as narrator. It was given a great receptions and received many favourable reviews. Now the band are bringing it back to ‘home turf’.

Friday, 30th May, 2025 at St Philip & St James, Church Lane, Alderley Edge SK9 7QE.

Tickets £12.00 available on Eventbrite HERE

A glass of wine and light refreshments are included in the admission price.

Joe Beard

*In the 1960’s, Joe was a founder member of the infamous jug band The Purple Gang,remembered for their 1967 single Granny Takes A Trip which was promptly banned by the BBC.

Taking the Purple – the extraordinary story of The Purple Gang . . . and all that!
Thu
10
Jul
2025
Sun
27
Jul
2025
Buxton International Festival
Buxton
The award-winning Buxton International Festival is an annual celebration of world-class opera, music, books and jazz with over 160 events to choose from every summer.

Here are five reasons to make Buxton your ‘go-to’ summer festival for 2025 (10-27 July).

1. Buxton – the beautiful spa town sits in heart of Derbyshire’s Peak District, worth a visit in itself. All the festival’s events are within easy walking distance of each other.

2. Operas Galore – In 2024, Buxton staged five new operas in four days and was nominated for an International Opera Award. 2025 sees a yet more impressive plans:
- Ambroise Thomas’ Hamlet, conducted by Adrian Kelly with the Orchestra of Opera North
- A double bill of Leonard Bernstein’s Trouble in Taihiti and Francis Poulenc’s La Voix Humaine, a Buxton International Festival and Norwich Theatre production
- Opera Zuid production of Mozart’s The Impresario
- La Descente d’Orphée aux Enfers, a Vache Baroque production
- Shorts – four brand new 20-minute operas by composers
Jasper Dommett, Martin Green and Carmel Smickersgill

3. Jazz Weekender Tickets – Jazz Weekender tickets for just £175 offering 12 world-class gigs varying from jazz, blues, funk and Latin, plus an Oscar Peterson extravaganza. Stand-out artists include Ineza, Graham Clark Quartet, Emily Masser Quartet, Trio JDM, Baiana, Alan Barnes with an all-star band, Dean Stockdale Quartet, Emma Rawicz Quartet and Xhosa Cole Quartet.

4. Books – 33 book talks including Diane Abbott MP, Baroness Lola Young, Petroc Trelawny, Ben Macintyre and Jonathan Sumption.

5. Classical Music – World-class concerts every day from artists including Steven Hough, Imogen Cooper, Benjamin Grosvenor, Tallis Scholars, English Concert, Simon Keenlyside and Sarah Connolly.

Box Office – Tel 01298 2072190

Booking office opens at 10am on Tuesday 15 April 2025

Become a BIF Friend for Priority Booking, from just £36 per year.

Website – http://buxtonfestival.co.uk

Wilmslow Guild Players
Wilmslow Guild Players are an amateur theatre group formed in 1926 at the Wilmslow Guild, an independent adult education centre.
Location: Wilmslow Guild, 1 Bourne Street
Wilmslow
Cheshire
SK9 5HD

www.wgp.org.uk