Your guide to what's on this weekend

Shrek, Palace Theatre, Manchester, until January 28

FOLLOWING a record-breaking UK and Ireland tour that left many other theatre productions green with envy, Shrek is back – and larger than life.

Based on the story and characters from William Steig’s book and the Oscar-winning film, the show turns the world of fairytales upside down in an all-singing, all-dancing, musical comedy.

Shrek stars Steffan Harri as the ill-tempered ogre, who starred in the original tour, and Call the Midwife’s Laura Main as Princess Fiona.

Laura said: “I’ve been waiting a long time for an adventure like this to come along and now that it has I am ready to swap the surgery for the swamp in one of my favourite musicals.”

The UK and Ireland tour will be presented by the original West End production team Neal Street Productions and Playful Productions.

Nick Salmon, co-producer, added: “I am thrilled that the show will be re-uniting many of the talented team members who have been involved in the production since day one.

“Nigel Harman has gone from being Lord Farquaad, in the West End to directing our touring production and Steffan, who was previously one of our hilarious Three Pigs, will be stepping into Shrek’s ogre-sized shoes.

“We can’t wait to bring this much loved story to audiences across the country once more.”

For tickets visit atgtickets.com/shows/shrek/palace-theatre-manchester

MUSICAL

Guys and Dolls, Royal Exchange, Manchester, until February 3

RECKON you know Guys and Dolls inside out?

Think again because the latest production of Frank Loesser’s classic is a little bit different.

Director Michael Buffong’s version of the musical, co-produced by Royal Exchange and Talawa Theatre Company, has been relocated to Harlem during its renaissance for a celebration of the vivacity of that era in black America.

Ashley Zhangazha and Ray Fearon star as Sky Masterson and Nathan Detroit respectively. 

Visit royalexchange.co.uk

COMEDY

Barbara Nice, The Plaza, Stockport, Saturday

PHOENIX Nights’ Janice Connolly has brought back her loveable middle-aged housewife alter ego Barbara Nice – and this time there’s a raffle.

With each ticket bought for the show at Stockport Plaza there is a complementary raffle coupon with real – but probably slightly bizarre – prizes up for grabs from Barbara’s table. Happy days.

Barbara featured in her own four-part BBC Radio 2 sitcom broadcast in March last year and she has become an Edinburgh Fringe favourite.
Expect Barbara’s take on lifestyle magazines, high street shopping and the ‘good old days’.

There is also a lot of audience participation in the show with Barbara often acting as the front row’s agony aunt.

Janice Connolly has also appeared in the likes of Coronation Street, That Peter Kay Thing and Max and Paddy’s Road To Nowhere.

Barbara Nice is at Stockport Plaza on Saturday and is suitable for those aged 14 and above. 

Visit stockportplaza.co.uk

CRAFT BEER

Alphabet Brewing Company Tryanuary Tasting, North Western Street, Manchester, Saturday, 1pm to 2pm

IT’S ‘dry January’ versus ‘Tryanuary’ this month.

‘Tryanuary’ was created to encourage beer fans to support independent breweries, pubs and bars to kick start the new year.

So to mark the occasion – and to entice beer drinkers away from their month of abstinence – Alphabet’s head brewer Tom Evans will be hosting a tutored tasting on Saturday.

Tom will be talking about Alphabet Brewery and giving a short history on beer and the process at the brew house.

Tickets are £5.83 and include three half pints. Visit eventbrite.co.uk

EXHIBITION

John Piper, Tate Liverpool, until March 18

ALONGSIDE the likes of Pablo Picasso and Alexander Calder, John Piper played a pivotal role in the development of abstract art.

He worked across a huge range of disciplines – including designs for stained glass and theatre – and drew inspiration from his love and knowledge of British buildings and monuments and their heritage.

Piper had a significant connection to the north west, and designed the stained glass windows in Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral.

Visitors can also expect to see early art forms admired by Piper including Anglo-Saxon stone carvings.

MUSIC

Paramore, Manchester Arena, Friday

GRAMMY Award-winning power pop trio Paramore are back on tour.

The group from Nashville were last in the UK in June 2017 when they played five intimate shows, including a date at the Royal Albert Hall.

Now Hayley Williams and the band are back for five arena shows with the tour reaching Manchester Arena tomorrow, Friday.

Paramore formed in 2004 and released their gold-certified record, All We Know Is Falling, in 2005. 

Since then the band have had two UK number one albums including Brand New Eyes and their 2013 self-titled record and they released their fifth LP After Laughter last year.

Paramore have had a large following in the UK for around a decade and have played some of the country’s biggest venues like O2 Arena, Wembley Arena as well as co-headlining Reading and Leeds Festival in 2014.

Paramore perform at Manchester Arena on Friday. Standing tickets are still available. Visit gigsandtours.com/tour/paramore

GARDENING

Anna Murphy and Sarah Jarman, Tatton Park, Knutsford, Sunday, 2.30pm

MADE a new year’s resolution to take better care of your garden?

If so, get some inspiration from two award-winning garden designers.

Tatton Garden Society have invited Anna Murphy and Sarah Jarman to Tatton Park to reveal their tips and tricks for making a show garden. 

The pair, who work around the themes of nature and landscape, regularly create gardens for the RHS shows.

The lecture at Tenants Hall, Tatton Park, is open to non-members and costs £5. 
For more information call 01260 276675.