CityLife

The Lowry's winter/spring season

THE Salford arts mecca steps into spring with a spring in its step and a spectacular season of international dance and drama.

Dancewise, Matthew Bourne's hilarious Nutcracker! (right) returns from Tuesday, February 26-March 1 and the explosive rhythms of British- originated world-wide hit show Stomp hit the theatre from January 29.

From China, there's the first north-west visit by the Beijing Modern Dance Company (Mon February, 18-19), a unique group at the forefront of contemporary Chinese dance. From Canada, there's the fantastic La La La Human Steps, redefining dance as we know it on February 9 and from Ireland, there's the Fabulous Beast Dance Theatre, with a dance drama and 11 top international performers (April 22-26).

There's a showcase gala for legendary ballerina Sylvie Guillem and Russell Maliphant on April 24 and 25 and Birmingham Royal Ballet bring their spectacular Swan Lake to Salford from April 1. Look out too for return visits from the Richard Alston Dance Company (April 8) and the highly acclaimed and hugely popular Nederlands Dans Theater 1 (April 18-19).

Drama looks highly promising too. Nigel Havers leads the cast of another brilliantly witty hit by Alan Bennett, Single Spies (March 11-15). The National Theatre return with the rave-reviewed Rafta Rafta (February 19-23), by East Is East author Ayub Khan-Din and based on Bill Naughton's comedy classic, All In Good Time.

Also back is the multi-award-winning Donmar Warehouse, this time with their new production of Arthur Miller's The Man Who Had All The Luck (April 8-12). One of the hottest drama tickets is likely to be the five-star reviewed, gymnastically jaw-dropping production of Franz Kafka's Metamorphosis (February 14-16) from the Lyric Hammersmith and Iceland's Vesturport Theatre.

There's also the return of the unique talents of Cheek By Jowl and the Chekhov International Festival in a brilliant staging of Boris Godunov (April 29-May 3), featuring some of Russia's greatest actors.

In addition, there's an epic production of the all-our-yesterdays saga, Our Friends In The North (March 18-22) and the post-West End revival of Michael Frayn's classic reunion comedy, Donkeys' Years (March 24-29).

The big family attraction has to be The Snowman (January 11-19). They also have the first live stage version of CBeebies favourite, LazyTown (March 21-23). Also look out for Comedy Club 4 Kids (February 16) as well as Shakespeare 4 Kids' exciting versions of The Tempest (March 17) and Hamlet (March 18) and Pop-Up Theatre with their interactive, TV game-show-inspired Britain's Next Top Family (March 8).

For fans of musicals there is a revival of Hello, Dolly! (March 4-8) and operetta, in the sparkling form of the highly-praised Opera della Luna's fashionably updated Gilbert and Sullivan favourite, The Mikado (January 16-19). Opera North are bringing their weird and wonderful family opera, The Adventures of Pinocchio (February 15-16) as well as Puccini's mega-weepie, Madam Butterfly (February 12 and 14), plus their astonishing, award-winning Peter Grimes (February 13), with the original creative team and cast.

There's also a Shakespeare Youth Festival, a National Youth Theatre showcase and many other community events.

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