FAMILY

Archery, Delamere Forest, Saturday

NO experience is necessary for a series of archery sessions aimed at families.

Experts can teach the basics of archery to young people aged eight and above and their parents and give them the chance to hit targets in Delamere Forest’s Old Pale Hill.

Alternatively there is also ‘soft archery’ suitable for children between four and eight.

To book your place email claire.darlington@forestry.gsi.gov.uk. For more information visit kyujutsuarcheryclub.co.uk.

MUSICAL    

Miss Saigon, Palace Theatre, Manchester, until May 12

Warrington Guardian:

A MOVING story set against the backdrop of the last days of the Vietnam War, Miss Saigon has been a huge hit since its London premiere in 1989.

Still going strong as one of the most successful musicals in history the original Broadway production opened in 1991 with what was the largest advance sale in Broadway history ($37 million).

The show went on to play for nearly 10 years and 4,063 performances seen by more than 5.9 million people. 

Since then it has been performed in 28 countries and in 15 different languages and has scooped more than 40 awards.

Now Miss Saigon has returned to Manchester – and it was quite a feat getting the show ready for opening night.

It takes 16 articulated lorries to move the show from venue to venue. It then takes a crew of four 24 hour days, working shifts, to put the stage together.

A company of 92 professionals, including eight actors of 10 different nationalities, are involved in the Manchester leg.

Miss Saigon tells the story of 17 year-old Kim who is forced to work in a bar run by the notorious ‘Engineer’. 

There she meets and falls in love with an American GI named Chris but they are torn apart by the fall of Saigon.

For three years Kim goes on an epic journey of survival to find her way back to Chris, who has no idea he has fathered a son.

For a full list of performances and tickets visit atgtickets.com

TRIBUTE

Definitely Oasis, Chester Live Rooms, Saturday

THE chances of the Gallagher brothers 
reconciling and seeing past their differences seems ever more unlikely – and so why not enjoy the next best thing? 

Definitely Oasis are regarded by many Oasis fans and promoters alike as one of the best Oasis tribute bands who have risen rapidly on the circuit.

The group were the first tribute band to sell out Glasgow’s iconic Garage Venue.

Quite an achievement considering their first gig in Glasgow  was to less than 50 people.

Visit theliverooms.com/event/definitely-oasis

GAME

The Crystal Maze Live Experience, Lower Byrom Street, Manchester

Warrington Guardian:

IF you were a die-hard fan of the iconic 90s show, are loving the latest instalments from Richard Ayoade or if you just enjoy a challenge, then gather your friends for The Crystal Maze.

The Manchester experience opened about a year ago to the delight of all those who used to shout at the TV over contestants’ gold ticket-grabbing technique.

Teams of eight will be lead around the maze’s four themed zones: Aztec, Medieval, Industrial and Futuristic, by a ‘maze master’. (Tip: Befriending them early on is a wise move if you want them to impart their insider knowledge with you).

Inside each zone are different challenges; skill, physical, mental and mystery and it’s up to your team captain to decide who takes on which challenge with the ultimate goal of winning a crystal.

Each crystal won means more time in the iconic dome, where the aim is to catch enough golden tickets to bag yourself a spot on the coveted leader board. 

To book visit the-crystal-maze.com

FAMILY

A Tiger’s Tale, The Lowry, Salford Quays, Sunday

AWARD-WINNING playwright Mike Kenny’s A Tiger’s Tale is based on the extraordinary story of Fenella, the Holmfirth Tiger.

The high-spirited production, suitable for youngsters aged four and above, mixes circus, puppetry and live music.

From a circus train in South Africa, to a steamboat on the Atlantic Ocean and onward to West Yorkshire, M6 Theatre presents the unbelievable true story of a family of acrobats and their adopted tiger cub.

The family friendly production is written by Mike Kenny and directed by Gilly Baskeyfield. Visit thelowry.com

MUSICAL

Fat Friends, Manchester Opera House, until Saturday

Warrington Guardian:

FORMER England international cricketer Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff has made his stage debut in the musical adaptation of Fat Friends.

It is based on the hit TV show Fat Friends from Kay Mellor, creator of Girlfriends, Love, Lies and Records, Band of Gold, The Syndicate and In The Club with original music by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s son Nick Lloyd Webber.

The all-star cast includes West End favourite and winner of the BBC’s I’d Do Anything, Jodie Prenger, X Factor winner Sam Bailey, Atomic Kitten’s Natasha Hamilton, star of Emmerdale and Wicked Natalie Anderson and Coronation Street ‘s Kevin ‘Curly’ Kennedy as well as Andrew ‘Freddie’ Flintoff.

Join the rabble as they are put through their zumba paces at Super Slimmers by the lovelorn Lauren while Kelly fantasises about fitting into the wedding dress of her dreams.

Expect a tale full of hope, humour, love and weight loss. Visit atgtickets.com

MUSIC

The Graves, Old Town House, Warrington, Saturday

WARRINGTON’S own punk legends The Graves have reformed after a 13-year hiatus and they are playing a hometown show on Saturday.

The group, inspired by the Damned, originally formed in 1983 and had their first gig at the YMCA in 1985.

Due to work and family commitments the band ended up going their separate ways but came ‘back from the grave’ when guitarist Bellington St John-Smythe wanted a reunion for his 50th birthday. 

The free gig, which also features Kringer and the Battle Katz and Phase3, starts at 8pm.