Nottingham's 25 essential shows of 2015

Rock legends, award-winning dance productions, hit West End musicals, a reformed pop group, international stars and Storm Troopers... the entertainment diary for 2015 is a busy one. Here are 25 shows not to miss

Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands, Theatre Royal, January 20 to 24

Bourne’s first major revival of his acclaimed dance interpretation of Tim Burton’s 1990 film starring Johnny Depp, which first hit the stage nine years ago and has since toured the world. It’s a fresh look at this modern fairytale, revitalised for a whole new generation of theatre goers.

0115 989 5555, trch.co.uk

Queen/Adam Lambert, Capital FM Arena, January 24

The American Idol winner takes Freddie Mercury’s place alongside original guitarist Brian May and drummer Roger Taylor in this latest incarnation of the band, following successful tours across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Korea and Japan.

0843 373 3000, capitalfmarena.com

One Man, Two Guv’nors, Theatre Royal, January 26-31

Nottinghamshire comedian Norman Pace joins EastEnders’ Emma Barton in the return of the National Theatre’s award-winning comedy, which has been seen by over a million people worldwide. Expect a mix of satire, songs, slapstick and one-liners.

0115 989 5555, trch.co.uk

Collabro and Lucy Kay, Royal Concert Hall, January 30

The Britain’s Got Talent-winning theatrical boy band join runner-up Lucy Kay on their debut tour. Soprano Kay grew up in Nottinghamshire and is a former member of the Mansfield-based Cantamus choir. She released her debut album, Fantasia, in October. The heavy metal fan says she’d love to play the Download Festival

0115 989 5555, trch.co.uk

Barnum, Theatre Royal, February 3 to 14

Brian Conley stars as Phineas T Barnum, America’s Greatest Showman, who lit up the world with colour, warmth and the excitement of his imagination when he teamed up with J A Bailey to create Barnum and Bailey’s Circus: the Greatest Show on Earth. The musical has been described as “a circus spectacular” by critics.

0115 989 5555, trch.co.uk

Sam Bailey, Royal Concert Hall, February 4

The former prison officer from Leicester had her dreams come true when she won last year’s X Factor. As well as a No. 1 debut album, 2014 saw the birth of her third child, Miley Beau Pearson.

0115 989 5555, trch.co.uk

Saint Raymond, Rock City, February 11

The teenager from Bramcote spent two months last year on the road with chart-topper Ed Sheeran, supporting him on an arena tour of the UK and Europe, including two shows at the Capital FM Arena. The 19-year-old, real name Callum Burrows, will become only the third Nottingham artist to play the main stage at Rock City, following Jake Bugg and Dog Is Dead.

0845 413 4444, alt-tickets.co.uk

Katherine Jenkins, Royal Concert Hall, February 14

A Valentine’s Day date with the popera beauty follows the release of her tenth album, Home Sweet Home. But the 34-year-old, who has sold eight million albums over the past ten years, isn’t looking for love – she recently married New Yorker Andrew Levitas.

0115 989 5555, trch.co.uk

The Full Monty, Theatre Royal, February 16 to 21

Simon Beaufoy’s rip-roaring adaptation of his Oscar-winning film about six out of work Sheffield steelworkers who take to stripping, comes direct from the West End and stars Gary Lucy, Andrew Dunn, Louis Emerick, Rupert Hill, Martin Miller and Bobby Schofield.

0115 989 5555, trch.co.uk

X Factor, Capital FM Arena, February 22

Series winner Ben Haenow joins Fleur East, Lauren Platt, Chloe Jasmine, Andrea Faustini, Paul Akister, Jay James, Stephanie Nala, Jake Quickenden, Blonde Electra, Only The Young and Stereo Kicks for the annual live tour.

0843 373 3000, capitalfmarena.com

The Script, Capital FM Arena, March 3

The Irish trio’s fourth album, No Sound Without Silence, entered the chart at No. 1 in the UK and over 40 other countries. They return to Nottingham on their biggest tour to date, which might explain why Danny O‘Donoghue was too busy to carry on as a judge and mentor on The Voice.

0843 373 3000, capitalfmarena.com

A View From The Bridge, Theatre Royal, March 4 to 7

In celebration of the centenary of Arthur Miller’s birth, the Touring Consortium Theatre Company present his classic set in the dangerous and mysterious world of New York’s Brooklyn harbour in the 1950s.

0115 989 5555, trch.co.uk

Spandau Ballet, Capital FM Arena, March 10

THE Eighties icons who reformed six years ago are enjoying a major revival of fortunes with arena shows, a greatest hits album, an ITV documentary and a their cinematic debut with Soul Boys of the Western World.

0843 373 3000, capitalfmarena.com

Em-Con, Capital FM Arena, March 15

Stars from Doctor Who, Game of Thrones, Red Dwarf, Buck Rogers, Star Trek and Star Wars will be meeting fans at this second annual sci-fi and fantasy convention, milling around with Stormtroopers, Predators and Daleks. There’ll be over 100 stalls selling merchandise including custom made items.

0843 373 3000, capitalfmarena.com

The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas, Theatre Royal, March 17 to 21

Based on the best-selling novel by John Boyne, the play tells the story of an unlikely friendship between two innocent boys during the Second World War. One is the eight-year-old son of the commandant at a concentration camp. The other is a Jewish boy on the other side of the camp fence.

0115 989 5555, trch.co.uk

Lionel Richie, Capital FM Arena, March 17

The five-time Grammy winner returns to Nottingham on his All The Hits All Night Long World Tour, which has been running for over a year. He said: “I can’t wait to get back to the UK. The audiences are always so great and I always have an incredible time.”

0843 373 3000, capitalfmarena.com

Paloma Faith, Capital FM Arena, March 23

The British pop singer will embark on a huge UK arena tour following her sell-out theatre tour that came to the Royal Concert Hall in November. She also sold out Sherwood Pines last summer. Her latest album is A Perfect Contradiction.

0843 373 3000, capitalfmarena.com

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Theatre Royal, March 31 to April 11

Winner of seven 2013 Olivier Awards, this highly- acclaimed National Theatre production, based on the best-selling book, embarks on its first ever nationwide tour. Christopher is 15 and has an extraordinary brain – exceptional at maths while ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. When he falls under suspicion of killing Mrs Shears’ dog, it takes him on a journey that upturns his world.

0115 989 5555, trch.co.uk

Nicki Minaj, Capital FM Arena, April 7

The US rap star will bring her Pinkprint European 2015 tour to Nottingham, three years after her debut. “It’s been way too long since I’ve seen my European Barbz!” says the Grammy nominee, whose special guest on the tour will be Trey Songz. The pair have enjoyed two No 1 collaborations: Touchin/Loving and Bottoms Up.

0843 373 3000, capitalfmarena.com.

McBusted, Capital FM Arena, April 18/19

Made up of former members of Noughties boy bands McFly and Busted, the six-piece guitar pop group returning to the 10,000-capacity venue, after a sell-out there last year and a secret gig in November at the Albert Hall for Capital FM.

0843 373 3000, capitalfmarena.com.

Nick Cave, Royal Concert Hall, April 30

One of just five UK dates, so it’s little surprise that the show sold out within an hour. “The aim is to try to create a unique show – something special and out of the ordinary,” says Cave, who’ll be joined by Warren Ellis (guitar/violin/ mandolin/loops), Martyn Casey (bass), Thomas Wydler (drums) and Barry Adamson (keys/vibes) to present songs from across his back catalogue.

0115 989 5555, trch.co.uk.

Olly Murs, Capital FM Arena, April 30/May 1

Pop’s cheeky chappie has shifted more than ten million albums since breaking through on the X Factor six years ago, topping the chart with his latest Never Been Better released at the end of last year. Special guest on this tour is Ella Eyre.

0843 373 3000, capitalfmarena.com.

S Club 7, Capital FM Arena, May 15

Their first tour in over a decade will see the pop septet relive their glory days during which they sold more than ten million records. The Bring It All Back tour was announced when they appeared on Children In Need last year. Expect the hits Bring It All Back, Reach, Don’t Stop Movin’, Never Had A Dream Come True and S Club Party.

0843 373 0000, capitalfmarena.com.

Elvis Costello, Royal Concert Hall, June 14

The Detour Tour, according to the New York Times offers: “a continuing, challenging, intimate engagement with his songs, old and new.” Costello last played Nottingham three years ago with the Imposters as part of his Revolver UK Tour.

0115 989 5555, trch.co.uk.

Tom Odell, Sherwood Forest, June 26

The first act confirmed to play the annual summer weekender in the historic woodland is the chart-topper who headlined the Splendour Festival last year. His debut album, Long Way Down, went straight in to the charts at No 1 in 2013 and his cover of the Beatles’ Real Love is the soundtrack to the John Lewis Christmas advert.

03000 680400, forestry.gov.uk/music.