Guild Hall attractions for 2013

Published: 23 December 2012
Reporter: David Upton

Gerald Dickens: Nicholas Nickleby

No sooner has Preston Guild Hall welcomed in 2013 with its annual New Year’s Eve Prom—led by Manchester Concert Orchestra—than it prepares for the year ahead with a line-up of attractions aimed at all tastes and ages.

On Monday January 7 the Charter Theatre welcomes the great great grandson of Charles Dickens to the town where the writer was said to have based his novel Hard Times.

Gerald Dickens will give a virtuoso performance of one of Dickens's best-loved stories, Nicholas Nickleby, and a unique insight into the fascinating world of the author.

The Chinese State Circus takes over February 8-9 including a remarkable display of human juggling, the legendary Bicycle Act, the swinging poles, a sensational contortionist and the dynamic hoop divers.

March sees the return of the popular shock-show Circus of Horrors, led by Preston’s own Doktor John Haze.

Moscow Ballet La Classique bring Coppelia to the venue—ballet’s own Livin’ Doll captivates the flirtatious Franz, to the despair of his feisty fiancé Swanilda.

Also in March Preston Opera present La Traviata, Verdi’s masterpiece and the heart-rending tale of love between Alfredo and Violetta, the ‘fallen woman’ of the title.

In early April, English Youth Ballet performs Swan Lake over two days as EYB dancers lead a large cast of up to 100 talented local youngsters in a brand new production.

An Evening Of Burlesque does what it says on the tin with an “all tease, no sleaze” show featuring choreography, mischief, magic, frivolity and fun.

A couple of highlights in May will be the separate appearances, on the Charter Theatre stage, of pop music celebrities Noddy Holder and Suggs (Graham McPherson from Madness) talking about their lives, careers and music.

Homegrown fun comes courtesy of the Charity Players from May 8-11 when they stage Ray Cooney’s farce Run For Your Wife—again in aid of St Catherine’s Hospice.

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