Five of the Best: Your entertainment options for the Banbury area

Muisc, theatre and panto feature in this week’s round up of your entertainment options.
By Peter Ormerod
Published 6th Dec 2019, 12:54 BST
Updated 6th Dec 2019, 12:54 BST
Belle VociBelle Voci
Belle Voci

• Music

Banbury Choral Society: Elijah, St Mary’s Church, Banbury, December 7, 7.30pm

Banbury Choral Society takes on one of the more demanding works in the repertoire this weekend. Mendelssohn’s Elijah was first performed in August 1846, to a packed Birmingham Town Hall.

Puss in BootsPuss in Boots
Puss in Boots
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    It was an unprecedented success and seen as the pinnacle of his career. He died a year later at the age of 38. Banbury Choral Society will be conducted by Julian Harris and accompanied by Charles Matthews on the organ.

    The choir looks forward to welcoming back soloists Lorna Perry, alto, Martin Quinn, tenor, and Jack Holton, bass/baritone. American soprano Eva Gheorghiu will be singing with the choir for the first time.

    Details: banburychoralsoc.co.uk

    • Theatre

    The Lynden PlayersThe Lynden Players
    The Lynden Players

    Treasure Island, Middleton Cheney Village Hall, December 12 to 14

    The Lynden Players bring a large cast of salty seadogs and lily-livered landlubbers to the stage. Audiences can expect an energetic and colourful show.

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    Writer Richard Lloyd has taken the children’s classic and added traditional panto elements to create a fun show for all the family.

    Director Joanna Bailey said: “It’s a lively tale which will appeal to all ages, with some great songs that you are sure to know. I was delighted to find a really funny script that gives audiences something different from the usual fairy tales.

    “All the best loved bits of panto will crop up: catchphrases, hissing and booing, terrible puns and outrageous frocks. If that’s not enough to tempt you, we also have a parrot, a pirate gang and a plank.”

    Details: lyndenplayers.com

    • Music

    Belle Voci, St Mary’s Church, Banbury, December 12

    The international opera duo, originally from Chester, head to Banbury as part of their Christmas tour. Belle Voci were finalists on ITV’s The Voice last year and have since released their second album. T

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    hey also sang the National Anthem at the FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium earlier this year. The duo will be joined at the concert by the choir of Tudor Hall School.

    Details: themillartscentre.co.uk

    • Pantomime

    Puss in Boots, The Theatre, Chipping Norton, until January 12

    The Chipping Norton pantomime is a festive institution, and this year features a twist on a classic tale. Set in 1950s London, this Puss in Boots is stuffed full of daring escapes, ruthless robberies and spectacular car chases.

    Theatre goers are promised family friendly fun from start to finish, with all the sumptuous costumes, great original music and daft theatricality for which Chipping Norton’s panto has become famous.

    Details: chippingnortontheatre.com• Family

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    Christmas activities, British Motor Museum, Gaydon, December 7, 8, 14, 15, 21 and 22

    Children can get creative and make a robin, snowman or Father Christmas. Once the characters are attached to pullback wheels, they can then watch them go on the racetrack.

    The museum’s helpful Christmas elves will also be stopping by on these weekends at 1.30pm to take families on a special festive tour.

    Visitors can also meet Lady Edwards or William, her chauffeur, and learn about the Christmas box of goodies they plan to deliver to the servants on Boxing Day.

    Details: britishmotormuseum.co.uk

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