A WOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE

(Walker Theatre, Shrewsbury, Dec 10)

Olivier award-winner Eve Best (A Moon for the Misbegotten and Hedda Gabler) and BAFTA-nominated actress Anne Reid (Last Tango in Halifax) star in this new classically staged production of Oscar Wilde’s comedy directed by Dominic Dromgoole, former Artistic Director of Shakespeare’s Globe.

The first play from the Classic Spring Theatre Company’s Oscar Wilde Season, it will be broadcast live to cinemas from the Vaudeville Theatre in London’s West End.

An earnest young American woman, a louche English lord, and an innocent young chap join a house party of fin de siècle fools and grotesques. Nearby a woman lives, cradling a long-buried secret.

First performed in 1893, Oscar Wilde’s marriage of glittering wit and Ibsenite drama satirised the socially conservative world of the Victorian upper-class, creating a vivid new theatrical voice which still resonates today.

Tickets cost from £16 and the screening starts at 7.15pm – call 01743 281 281.

ED BYRNE: SPOILER ALERT

(Crewe Lyceum, Dec 6)

Is life that bad or have we good reason to complain about it? Are we filled with righteous anger at a world gone wrong or are we all just a bunch of whiny little brats? In short, are we spoiled?

Come and watch as Byrne takes this question, turns it upside down and shakes it until the funny falls out. Go on, spoil yourself.

Recognized as one of the finest observational comics in the industry, Ed’s television credits are countless.

Tickets cost £27.50 and for more details, call 01279 368 242.

TREASURE ISLAND

(New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Nov 18-Jan 27)

Following on from last year’s spectacular adaptation of The Snow Queen, this Christmas we set sail on the high seas to bring to life a classic tale of buccaneers and buried gold in our stunning trademark style. Filled with swashbuckling sword fights, live-on-stage music, humour, puppetry and lots of excitement, this is the perfect festive treat for the whole family!

It’s 1750, Sleepy Cove. Tired of the quiet life, Gem dreams of adventure and excitement. When a mysterious stranger comes to stay at The Admiral Benbow Inn, she believes her luck is about to change.

And so begins an epic journey. A journey filled with pirates and possibilities; buried treasure and blue horizons; seafarers and scallywags. And in the middle of it all, a good-hearted cook called Long John Silver – but is he friend or foe?

As Gem helps search for treasure on faraway shores, meeting larger than life characters along the way, she discovers there’s far more to a life of adventure than she ever imagined.

Tickets cost £11-24 and for more details, call 01782 717 962.

FILM STARS DON’T DIE IN LIVERPOOL

(Theatr Clywd, Dec 8-13)

Based on the memoir of the same name by Peter Turner, Paul McGuigan’s tale of a romance between a young actor and a Hollywood leading lady.

Starring Annette Benning, Jamie Bell and Stephen Graham, this slow burner is sure to put you through the emotional grinder.

For a list of showings, head to www.theatrclwyd.com/en/whats-on/film-stars-dont-die-in-liverpool/

Tickets cost £5-6 and for more details, call 01352 701 521.