5ofthebest
Your guide to Calderdale events you must not miss this week
Paul Chowdhry: FamilyFriendly Comedian (no children)
Victoria Theatre Halifax, March
11, 8pm
Comedian Paul Chowdhry will be coming to the Victoria Theatre Halifax on his recently extended tour, Paul Chowdhry: Family-Friendly Comedian (no children). Paul’s tour show sees him tackle the UK’s handling of COVID-19, England football fans, Tom Cruise’s helicopter, Naked Attraction in the Middle East and Nicki Minaj’s take on the vaccine. The Family-Friendly Comedian tour follows Live Innit, his hit Amazon Prime stand-up special and recordbreaking live tour show, which had a thrice extended nationwide tour, seeing Paul perform five nights at the Hammersmith Apollo and become the first BritishAsian stand-up to sell out the 10,000-seater Wembley Arena. www. victoriatheatre.co.uk
Calderdale Big Band
Jazz at the Malt, The Malthouse,
Rishworth, March 10, 8pm
Join Calderdale Big Band for an evening of jazz, swing and funk at The Malthouse in Rishworth on Thursday, March 10.
Taking place in the loft suite at the popular venue on Oldham Road, the Ripponden-based big band will perform a selection of jazz classics and swing standards, interspersed with some funk, samba and jazzrock. From Glenn Miller, Frank Sinatra and Natalie Cole to the likes of Weather Report and Phil Collins, there is sure to be something in the repertoire to suit all musical tastes.
The band will also be showcasing female vocalist Jenny Webb, who will sing several tunes during the evening.
Admission is £3 on the door and the band will strike up at 8pm. www.calderdalebigband.co.uk
Frankenstein
Viaduct Theatre, Dean Clough, Halifax, March 10 to 12
An exciting show is coming to the Viaduct Theatre at Dean Clough, Halifax. Geneva. 1816. Victor Frankenstein obsesses in the pursuit of nature’s secret, the elixir of life itself. But nothing can prepare him for what he creates. So begins a gripping life or death adventure taking him to the ends of the earth and beyond. A revival of Blackeyed Theatre’s “masterfully constructed” (The Stage) 2016 production, Frankenstein promises a fresh, exciting take on what is widely considered to be a landmark work of romantic, gothic and science fiction literature. www.theviaducttheatre.co.uk
Tod Noir
Todmorden Hippodrome Theatre, March 11
Crime writer Mark
Billingham discusses his latest propulsive thriller, Rabbit Hole with awardwinning former journalist and thriller writer Fiona Cummins for Todmorden Book Festival’s first Tod
Noir event. The event, rescheduled from September last year, will be chaired by the crime writer and co-founder of the Hull Noir crime writing festival Nick Quantrill. www.todmorden bookfestival. co.uk
Illustrated Historical and Heritage Talks
The Grayston Unity, Halifax, March16,8.15pm
A talk is set to take place on John Reginald Halliday Christie, Halifax’s Worst Serial Killer. Although his crimes took place in west London, the name of Christie is forever linked with Halifax, where he was born and raised. www.seetickets.com
Halifax Amateur Operatic Society (HAOS) Productions, is bringing The Hunchback of Notre Dame The Musical to the Victoria Theatre for five performances from March 30 to April 2.
HAOS Productions are a local charity dedicated to bringing high quality shows to the people of Halifax. Since 1901 they have produced over 160 amateur productions across Calderdale and their performances have been seasonally featured at our most iconic venues including the Victoria Theatre Halifax. Between their Junior and Senior groups, they provide musical theatre training and the opportunity to perform for local residents from the age of eight upwards.
Their new production, The Hunchback of Notre Dame is packed full of all the songs from the hugely popular 1996 Disney animated film.
This luscious retelling of Victor Hugo’s epic novel of love, acceptance and what it means to be a hero was created by an Academy Award-winning team including two giants of musical theatre - Stephen Schwartz and Alan Menken. Featuring local talented performers and musicians, the group that brought to the Victoria Theatre such memorable productions as Shrek, Hairspray, Ghost, Beauty & the Beast, Chess,
Titanic and many more, will embrace that magic all over again and is set to wow audiences new and old.
Ben Smith, HAOS Productions Producer, stated: “We are looking forward to bringing The Hunchback of Notre Dame The Musical to the Victoria Theatre and our cast are excited to be returning for this highly enjoyable show. Rehearsals are well under way and audiences will be swept away by the magic of this truly unforgettable musical.”
The Courier and our Calderdale sister titles have teamed up with the Victoria Theatre to run a competition where we are giving away two pairs of tickets to the show. To enter, simply answer the following question:
Who wrote the novel
The Hunchback of Notre Dame?
Email your answer to newsdesk@halifaxcourier. co.uk - including your name and daytime contact details before noon on March 15. Please include the subject line Hunchback of Notre Dame competition. The winner will be notified by noon on March 16.
Normal JPIMedia competition rules apply. For full terms and conditions, visit www.halifaxcourier. co.uk.
And to book tickets for the show visit www. victoriatheatre.co.uk.