Ten of the Best - your guide to what to catch on stage around Notts in the days ahead

1 Shrek The Musical, Mansfield Palace Theatre, Wednesday November 5 to Sunday November 9

Masque Productions presents the award-winning musical which brings to life the world of Shrek live on stage in a show promising to melt hearts of all ages.

Dreamworks’ musical is based on their much-loved Oscar winning animated film telling of the ogre Shrek, his companion Donkey and their daring quest to rescue Princess Fiona. There’s a fire-breathing Dragon, a Gingerbread Man with attitude, Pinocchio and a whole bunch of fairytale misfits.

The show features a cast of more than 40. Shrek is played by George Morley in his first production with Masque. Having attended drama school and been a part of theatre groups such as Funky Studios, New Youth Theatre and Mansfield Hospitals Theatre Troupe, he has been a part of many productions including pantomime tours in which he played prominent roles, as well as playing Lord Wessex in Shakespeare In Love on stage and a West End debut in the immersive play Tony & Tina’s Wedding.

Brooke Spedding plays Princess Fiona. Brooke has been with Masque for more than 14 years, and is also an assistant coach and performer for Star and Stage. Brooke has appeared in many of Masque’s shows since 2011. She had her first principal role playing Deirdre Ollerenshaw in the play Fur Coat and No Knickers, and has recently played one of the stepsisters in Cinderella and a sassy best friend in Our House.

James Hallam plays Donkey. After studying performing arts at university, James has managed to keep treading the boards in shows such as Sweeney Todd at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, The History Boys in Nottingham and numerous shows at Mansfield Palace Theatre. He joined Joining Masque in 2022.

Jake Shirley plays Lord Farquaad. Jake is coming into his third show with Masque after previously playing The Prince in Cinderella and Joe Casey in Our House.

Call 01623 463133 or visit mansfieldpalace.co.uk to book.

2 A Christmas Carol (Ballet), Mansfield Palace Theatre, Tuesday November 11

Ballet Theatre UK’s critically acclaimed production of A Christmas Carol comes to Mansfield. Audiences are invited to step into a Victorian winter wonderland and experience Charles Dickens’ timeless tale of redemption, spirit and the joy of Christmas, brought to life through the magic of ballet. The adaptation transforms Dickens’ classic story into a captivating ballet, featuring sumptuous costumes, innovative choreography by artistic director Christopher Moore, and an evocative score filled with seasonal carols. First staged in 2012, the production has become a firm favourite with audiences across the UK, praised for its theatricality, elegance and emotional impact.The production follows the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on his unforgettable journey with the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet to Come. Through dance and storytelling, the heartwarming performance aims to capture the true spirit of the festive season.

Visit mansfieldpalace.co.uk or call 01623 463133 to book.

3 Screening: Dawn of Impressionism – Paris 1874, Mansfield Palace Theatre, Friday November 7

Step back in time to 1874, the year that changed the art world forever, in Dawn of Impressionism: Paris 1874. This Exhibition on Screen documentary takes viewers inside the groundbreaking exhibition that marked the birth of the Impressionist movement.

At the time, the Impressionists were scorned and penniless outsiders. But their passion for independence and radical approach to art led them to break away from the traditional establishment and hold their own exhibition outside the official channels. The film explores the rebellious spirit and daring personalities of artists like Monet, Renoir, and Degas who changed the way we view art.

Through fresh perspectives and expert insights from the Musée d'Orsay and the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., this documentary reveals the history of the first Impressionist show, told through the eyes of the artists, press, and people of Paris. Visit mansfieldpalace.co.uk or call 01623 463133 to book.

4 Here & Now - The Steps Musical, Theatre Royal, Nottingham, Tuesday November 11 to Sunday November 16

Theatregoers will find that happiness is only a heartbeat away when a musical powered by the songs of Steps comes to Nottingham.

Here & Now - The Steps Musical begins in seaside superstore Better Best Bargains, where it's Friday night, the vibe is right, and everyone's dancing in the aisles. But when Caz discovers the shelves are stocked with lies and betrayal, the summer of love she and her friends dreamed of suddenly feels like a tragedy. Have they all lost their chance of a 'happily ever after' – or does love have other plans in store?

Steps – Claire Richards, Faye Tozer, Ian ‘H’ Watkins, Lee Latchford-Evans and Lisa Scott-Lee – are the UK’s most successful mixed sex pop group of all time, with 14 top five singles, four number one albums, 22 million record sales, 500 million streams and 11 sold-out national arena tours. The band’s hits include number 1 singles Tragedy/Heartbeat and Stomp, the gold certified One For Sorrow and Better Best Forgotten and the silver certified 5,6,7,8, Last Thing On My Mind, Love’s Got A Hold Of My Heart and Chain Reaction, all of which will feature in the musical.

Visit trch.co.uk or call 0115 989 5555 to book.

5 Nottingham Comedy Festival, various venues, until Sunday November 9

Enjoy ten days of comedy across 18 venues, featuring more than 150 comedians. The varied line-up includes stand-up, improvisation, cabaret, drag shows, musical comedy, workshops and more, as well as the first ever Nottingham Kids Comedy Festival. Visit www.nottinghamcomedyfestival.co.uk to book.

6 Friday Night is Music Night with the BBC Concert Orchestra, Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham, Monday November 10

The BBC Concert Orchestra will joins forces with a dynamic group of young creatives from Nottingham’s Universities and Music Hub to create what they describe as “an unforgettable evening of orchestral brilliance”, bursting with vibrant and youthful energy. Conductor by Edwin Outwater, principal guest conductor and curator of the BBC Concert Orchestra, at the heart of the programme is Jeneba Kanneh-Mason, Nottingham’s own rising star pianist, performing Ravel’s dazzling Piano Concerto in G. The concert also features the sweeping cinematic score of How to Train Your Dragon, the soaring vocals of Defying Gravity from Wicked, and a heartwarming Studio Ghibli gem from My Neighbour Totoro. It will be recorded live for BBC Radio 3.

Visit trch.co.uk or call 0115 989 5555 to book.

7 Vulcan - Tenth Anniversary of XH558's Final Flight, Majestic Theatre, Retford, Saturday November 8

The evening commemorates the tenth anniversary of XH558’s Final Flight, the last airworthy Avro Vulcan bomber and an enduring symbol of British aviation excellence, with first-hand accounts from pilots, rare footage, a Q&A session and more. Visit majesticretford.org to book.

8 Bastille, Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, Sunday November 9

Bastille’s unique sound has connected with audiences across the globe like few other British bands in recent memory. With over 13 million records sold, three number one albums, six UK top 40 singles and two billion video views, Bastille continue to be one of the world’s most streamed bands. Visit motorpointarenanottingham.com to book.

9 Teach Rex Live, Nottingham Arts Theatre, Sunday November 9

The Teach Rex bring the unique, interactive show back to the city after performing 45 shows at the Natural History Museum. Teach Rex uses life-like dinosaurs to perform their one hour show, teaching children about the anatomy and life of some the most mesmerising creatures that have ever roamed our planet. The show is teamed with effects, music and gives children and their families the chance to get up close and personal with those fantastic beasts. Delivered by primary school teachers, the team will take the audience on an interactive, prehistoric journey. Visit nottingham-theatre.co.uk to book.

10 Eureka Day, Nottingham Playhouse, until Saturday November 15

The acclaimed play is set among a school and a group of parents. Friendships are challenged when an outbreak of mumps reveals that not everyone is on board with the school’s approach to public health. The executive committee of well-meaning parents and teachers at a progressive Californian elementary school fall apart, as their selfless paradise crumbles and meetings are derailed by parental hysteria. Eureka Day won a Tony Award in New York earlier this year for Best Revival of a Play.

Visit nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk or call 0115 941 9419 to book.