Her Majesty and Margaret, UB40 and The Unthanks, stand-up from Lloyd Griffifth and a Vicar Of Dibley writer, 80s’ rock frolics and an Easter panto counter the Easter egg 
excess for CHARLES HUTCHINSON from April 22 to 29

Eighties' musical of the week

Rock Of Ages, Grand Opera House, York, Tuesday to Saturday

In 1987, on the Sunset Strip, a small-town girl meets a big-city rocker and in Los Angeles' most famous rock club, where they fell in love to the greatest songs of that decade. Dream big, play loud and party on as Blue's Antony Costa plays the outrageous Stacee Jaxx.

York Press:

Reunited: Sarah Crowden as Margaret Thatcher and Susan Penhaligon as HM The Queen in Handbagged

Political drama of the week

Handbagged, York Theatre Royal, Wednesday to Saturday

THE monarch meets her most powerful subject as Her Majesty and Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher go handbag to handbag in Moira Buffini's mischief-making satire.

Buffini imagines what may have happened at The Queen's weekly meetings with Mrs T. To add to the fun, you will see younger and older versions of both leaders.

York Press:

Voices only: The Unthanks in Pocklington

A cappella concert of the week

The Unthanks, Pocklington Arts Centre, Tuesday

NORTH Eastern folk sisters Rachel and Becky Unthanks and band member Niopha Keegan are "very much looking forward to getting on the road as an unaccompanied trio for the first time".

York Press:

Flying into York Barbican: the poster for Peter Pan at York Barbican

A pantomime at Easter? Oh yes it is.

Peter Pan, Easter Panto 2019, York Barbican, Wednesday

YORK Barbican did not stage a pantomime last December, but here is Peter Pan, the Easter Panto, booked in for 2pm and 6pm shows on April 24.

Dani Harmer, from CBBC's Tracy Beaker and Strictly Come Dancing 2012, returns to the Barbican in panto mode, this time to play Wendy, alongside comedian Bobby Davro as Smee and Lloyd Warbey, from Disney's Art Attack, in the title role.

Who's playing The Who's rock opera?

Quadrophenia The Album Live!, York Barbican, Thursday

THE Goldhawks take on the challenge of delivering The Who's 1973 concept album, Quadrophenia, with an eight-piece line-up.

Pete Townshend's second rock opera is an ode to teenage angst and counterculture rebellion that tells the story of Jimmy, a Mod dissatisfied with life, work, love, home, and family.

York Press:

You be UB40? Yes indeed 

Reggae gig of the week

UB40, York Barbican, Friday

THIS is the version of Britain's most successful reggae group that can call itself UB40 without having to add "featuring" so and so. Celebrating the Brummie band's 40th anniversary, the line-up incudes five founders, Robin Campbell, Brian Travers, Jimmy Brown, Earl Falconer and Norman Hassan, and Robin's brother Duncan on vocals.

York Press:

Houmi Miura in Same Same Different 

Studio play of the week

Same Same Different, York Theatre Royal Studio, Friday and Saturday

NAOMI Sumner Chan's play is inspired by her experiences as a trans-racial adoptee, adopted from Hong Kong into a white northern English family in the 1980s.

Focusing on what adoptees perceive as the similarities and differences between themselves and their family members, she asks: does nature or nurture most influence a person’s identity?

York Press:

Heading for the countryside: Amy May Ellis

EP launch of the week

Amy May Ellis, The Band Room, Low Mill, Farndale, North York Moors, Friday

MOORLAND singer and songwriter Amy May Ellis once climbed on stage at The Band Room to accompany Giant Sand's Howe Gelb.

She has played the Low Mill stage since early teenage days, making it an apt location to launch her five-track EP, We Got Fire, with a full band in tow.

York Press:

Therapeutic: Paul Mayhew-Archer takes to the road after Parkinson's diagnosis

One for The Vicar Of Dibley disciples

Paul Mayhew-Archer: Incurable Optimist, Selby Town Hall, Saturday

THE debut stand-up show from the co-writer of The Vicar of Dibley is rooted in Paul Mayhew-Archer's medical diagnosis.

"Now Paul has Parkinson’s but he’s still laughing," says the raconteur's publicity blurb, introducing his one-man show about the therapeutic power of comedy. "Paul is not contagious but he is worth catching," comes the recommendation.

York Press:

All rounder:  Lloyd Griffith, comedian, counter-tenor and presenter 

Finishing on a high note: polymath comic of the week

Lloyd Griffith, All Rounder, Burning Duck Comedy Club, The Basement, City Screen, York, Thursday

STAND up Lloyd Griffith, counter-tenor chorister, Soccer AM presenter and comedian. Expect jokes, a bit of singing, dubious impressions and more jokes.