Nottinghamshire &amp; Derbyshire

How’s this for a January blues-buster – welcome to Muddy’s curated guide to the best local music, theatre, comedy and cultural highlights for the year ahead. There’s an&nbsp;insane&nbsp;amount of exciting stuff going, which I’ve painstakingly pared down&nbsp;to the key cultural events to enliven your 2025.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-theatre">THEATRE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/SharkBroken072-1024x683.jpg" alt="three men on stage in shark is broken play" class="wp-image-11549" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/SharkBroken072-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/SharkBroken072-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/SharkBroken072-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/SharkBroken072.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



West End hit <a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/the-shark-is-broken/">The Shark is Broken</a> takes a hilarious dive behind the scenes of the making of Jaws at Nottingham Theatre Royal from 26 Feb to 1 March. 



Theatrical thrills hot on the heels of the latest instalment of the acclaimed ITV Series GRACE, as Superintendent Roy Grace is back in a brand-new Peter James stage adaptation and world premiere of the bestselling&nbsp;<a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/peter-james-picture-you-dead/">Picture You Dead</a> (11-15 March). More marvellous murder mystery when classic Agatha Christie takes to the stage for <a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/murder-on-the-orient-express/">Murder on the Orient Express</a> (1-5 April).



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Simon-Cotton-as-Samuel-Ratchett-Mila-Carter-as-Countess-Elena-Andreyni-in-Murder-on-the-Orient-Express-credit-Manuel-Harlan-1024x683.jpg" alt="man and woman on train orient express" class="wp-image-11553" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Simon-Cotton-as-Samuel-Ratchett-Mila-Carter-as-Countess-Elena-Andreyni-in-Murder-on-the-Orient-Express-credit-Manuel-Harlan-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Simon-Cotton-as-Samuel-Ratchett-Mila-Carter-as-Countess-Elena-Andreyni-in-Murder-on-the-Orient-Express-credit-Manuel-Harlan-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Simon-Cotton-as-Samuel-Ratchett-Mila-Carter-as-Countess-Elena-Andreyni-in-Murder-on-the-Orient-Express-credit-Manuel-Harlan-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Simon-Cotton-as-Samuel-Ratchett-Mila-Carter-as-Countess-Elena-Andreyni-in-Murder-on-the-Orient-Express-credit-Manuel-Harlan.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Simon Cotton and Mila-Carter in Murder on the Orient Express / Manuel-Harlan</figcaption></figure>



Fancy a first opera? Also in March, Fairytale-inspired opera <a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/opera-north-the-magic-flute-march/">The Magic Flute</a> (20-21 March) is just the ticket. There&#8217;s even a <a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/opera-north-the-magic-flute-lite/">Magic Flute Lite</a> matinee&nbsp;which packs all the drama, magic and music of Mozart’s magical tale into a perfect show for families or anyone wanting a shorter version.



April is the month to book up a big musical with the razzle-dazzle decadence of <a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/chicago/">Chicago</a> (7-12 April) coming to Nottingham. Another must-see in May that you need to book now: <a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/war-horse/">War Horse</a> (7-18 May) is powerful, inventive and moving. Then bookmark outrageous musical comedy <a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/the-book-of-mormon/">The Book of Mormon</a> for June.



A dazzling fusion of musical theatre and jaw-dropping circus acts when <a href="https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/cirque-the-greatest-show-2025">Cirque</a> comes to Buxton Opera House on Mon 27 Oct.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Cinderella_Theatre-Royal_image-1-1024x683.jpg" alt="crag revel horwood as panto cinderella" class="wp-image-11529" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Cinderella_Theatre-Royal_image-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Cinderella_Theatre-Royal_image-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Cinderella_Theatre-Royal_image-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Cinderella_Theatre-Royal_image-1.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Yes, yes, I know you’ve probably not even been to this year’s panto yet, but next year’s big star as already been announced! The ultimate panto dame Craig Revel Horwood is playing the wicked stepmother (who else?) in <a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/cinderella/">Cinderella</a> at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-dance">DANCE</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Matthew_Bourne_SwanLake-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-11527" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Matthew_Bourne_SwanLake-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Matthew_Bourne_SwanLake-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Matthew_Bourne_SwanLake-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Matthew_Bourne_SwanLake.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



It&#8217;s hard to imagine anything more iconic than Swan Lake’s magnificent corps de ballet scenes. In 2025 there&#8217;s a chance enjoy both the genre-defining male ensemble in&nbsp;<a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/matthew-bourne-swan-lake/">Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake</a>&nbsp;(18-22 Feb), and the traditional splendour of&nbsp;<a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/varna-international-ballet/">Varna International Ballet</a>&nbsp;(30 Jan-1 Feb) at Nottingham Theatre Royal.



In April, Northern Ballet&#8217;s <a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/northern-ballet-jane-eyre/">Jane Eyre</a> swoops in (8-12 April) with a passionate, fiery performance worth seeing. Then, seize your chance to see the world’s most famous ice dancing duo, Torvill &amp; Dean perform together on ice in their home town, before they retire from skating for good. <a href="https://tickets.motorpointarenanottingham.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=TODEMP25">Torvill &amp; Dean&#8217;s Our Last Dance</a>, at Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham on 23 and 24 April. There&#8217;s a second chance in the summer (11 &amp; 12 July) due to huge demand to see the local legends.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Riverdance-1024x683.jpg" alt="couple dancing in riverdance" class="wp-image-11525" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Riverdance-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Riverdance-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Riverdance-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Riverdance.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



Speaking of legend,&nbsp;<a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/riverdance/">Riverdance</a>&nbsp;(4-5 Oct) brings its special 30th&nbsp;anniversary tour to Nottingham Theatre Royal. If you’ve never been, get booking quick – mesmerising, intoxicating and an absolute must-see.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-music">MUSIC</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/craigDavidd-chair-pose.jpg" alt="singer craig david sits on stool" class="wp-image-11531" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/craigDavidd-chair-pose.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/craigDavidd-chair-pose-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/craigDavidd-chair-pose-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/craigDavidd-chair-pose-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/craigDavidd-chair-pose-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



Comeback king <a href="https://tickets.motorpointarenanottingham.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=CRADMP24">Craig David</a> is February&#8216;s highlight at Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham. The R&amp;B hottie&nbsp;takes to the stage on Wed 12 Feb. While over at Buxton Opera House, <a href="https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/turin-brakes-john-bramwell-2025">Turin Brakes &amp; John Bramwell</a> will bring their signature&nbsp;acoustic sound and rich harmonies to the stage on Fri 28 Feb.



March sees <a href="https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/alison-moyet">Alison Moyet </a>bang out the big tunes at Buxton Opera House on Fri 7 March, followed by <a href="https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/jason-donovan-doin-fine-25">Jason Donovan</a> on Thurs 20 March. An even bigger voice at Nottingham Theatre Royal when pop royalty <a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/sex-bomb-sir-tom-jones/">Sir Tom Jones</a> performs for one night only on Thurs 6 March.



May is an insane month for music in our &#8216;hood, with <a href="https://tickets.motorpointarenanottingham.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=OLLYMMP25">Olly Murs</a>, the <a href="https://tickets.motorpointarenanottingham.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=SCISISMP25">Scissor Sisters</a>, <a href="https://tickets.motorpointarenanottingham.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=BRYANMP25">Bryan Adams</a>, <a href="https://tickets.motorpointarenanottingham.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=ERICMP25">Eric Clapton</a> and <a href="https://tickets.motorpointarenanottingham.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=KYLIEMMP25">Kylie</a> all appearing at Nottingham&#8217;s Motorpoint Arena.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Kylie-1024x683.jpg" alt="kylie minogue in a long black dress" class="wp-image-11539" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Kylie-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Kylie-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Kylie-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Kylie.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



September sees <a href="https://tickets.motorpointarenanottingham.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=DEACONMP25">Deacon Blue</a> descend on Notts Motorpoint Arena (Sun 28 Sept). And you can catch iconic soul and pop band&nbsp;<a href="https://tickets.motorpointarenanottingham.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=SIMREDMP25">Simply Red&nbsp;</a>mark their forthcoming 40th anniversary on the Nottingham leg of their tour.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-comedy">COMEDY</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Only_Fools-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-11526" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Only_Fools-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Only_Fools-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Only_Fools-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Only_Fools.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



February sees <a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/katherine-ryan/">Katherine Ryan</a> take her Battleaxe stage show to Nottingham Theatre Royal (Fri 21 Feb). Stand-up stalwarts <a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/jack-dee/">Jack Dee</a> (2 March) and <a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/john-bishop/">John Bishop</a> (5 March) visit the city in March. Jack is back in our &#8216;hood in June at <a href="https://jackdeecomedy.com/live/">Buxton Opera House</a>.



Take a break from stand-up and brace for <a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/only-fools-and-horses/">Only Fools and Horses the Musical</a> coming to Nottingham from 21-26 April direct from a record-breaking four-year sold-out run in the West End.



<a href="https://harryhill.co.uk/tour/">Harry Hill</a><a href="https://trch.co.uk/whats-on/harry-hill-new-bits/"> </a>is in both Notts and Derbyshire in May and things don&#8217;t slow down as the end of the year approaches with big comedy hitters <a href="https://tickets.motorpointarenanottingham.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=JOHNBMP25">John Bishop</a> (Thurs 16 Oct),<a href="https://tickets.motorpointarenanottingham.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=JIMMYCMP25"> Jimmy Carr </a>(Sun 30 Nov) and <a href="https://tickets.motorpointarenanottingham.com/shows/show.aspx?sh=PETKAYMP">Peter Kay</a> (Fri 19 and Sat 20 Dec) all taking a turn at Nottingham&#8217;s Motorpoint Arena. <a href="https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/ross-noble-cranium-of-curiosities">Ross Noble</a> is back at Buxton Opera House on Wed 5 Nov, <a href="https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/sara-pascoe-i-am-a-strange-gloop-2025">Sara Pascoe</a> on 8 Nov and <a href="https://buxtonoperahouse.org.uk/event/josh-widdicombe-not-my-cup-of-tea-2025">Josh Widdicombe</a> on Sat 15 Nov.



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-festivals">FESTIVALS</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Ynot-ATMOS_GeorginaHurdsfield_tinyraindropphotography-227-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-11562" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Ynot-ATMOS_GeorginaHurdsfield_tinyraindropphotography-227-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Ynot-ATMOS_GeorginaHurdsfield_tinyraindropphotography-227-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Ynot-ATMOS_GeorginaHurdsfield_tinyraindropphotography-227-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/nottsderbyshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/23/2024/12/Ynot-ATMOS_GeorginaHurdsfield_tinyraindropphotography-227.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Last year&#8217;s YNot festival /tinyraindropphotography</figcaption></figure>



Derbyshire&#8217;s big festivals have announced their dates and some acts already. <a href="https://beardedtheory.co.uk/">Bearded Theory</a> is earmarked for 21-25 May with Iggy Pop and Manic Street Preachers among the headliners. The Last Dinner Party, The Prodigy, Courteeners and Madness headline <a href="https://ynotfestival.com/">YNot</a> from 31 July-3 Aug.



Over in Notts, <a href="https://www.splendourfestival.com/">Splendour</a> will return in 2025 at Wollaton Park from 19-20 July with the line-up yet to be announced.

Book now! Theatrical, musical and comedic treats for 2025

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