Pic Me Up Theatre presents Spamalot. York Grand Opera House, on Friday, 7:30pm and Saturday 2:30pm & 7:30pm.
LOVINGLY ripped off from the classic film comedy, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot tells the legendary tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Pick Me Up Theatre are delighted to bring back the plague to York, with a 50 per cent chance of pestilence and famine, together with a brace of impossibly beautiful dancing girls, flatulent Frenchmen and monster killer rabbits.
The story begins... Arthur and his faithful and smelly servant Patsy recruit an array of knights to accompany him on his quest, including Sir Bedevere, Sir Robin, Sir Lancelot and Sir Galahad. Besides the rabbits and farting Frenchman, They meet such characters as the Lady of the Lake, Prince Herbert, Tim the Enchanter, Not Dead Fred, the Black Knight and the Knights who say Ni... and not forgetting Eric Idle’s fantastic tunes including He Is Not Dead Yet, Knights of the Round Table, Find Your Grail, Diva’s Lament and of course, the anthem for British pluck: Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life. 0844-8713024. 

The Betway UK Championship. Barbican, York. From November 22 (until December 4)
ONE of snooker’s most important and prestigious tournaments, with a history dating back to 1977.
All 128 players compete at the venue over 12 days, battling for the famous trophy. The event has been staged in York since 2011 and last year it was won by Neil Robertson who beat Liang Wenbo in the final and made a sensational 147 maximum break.
In recent years the title has also been won by Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby and Judd Trump Drumpf. Crowds have hit record levels year on year in York and once again Tickets are expected to sell rapidly so fans are strongly urged to book fast. World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said: “The Betway UK Championship has a fabulous history and each year we are treated to top-class snooker from the best players in the world.
“Since we changed the format of the event to start with all 128 players in the first round, we have seen great stories and incredible drama. 
“This year’s event promises to be even better than ever, with the standard of play rising year upon year, and the established stars facing a persistent challenge from a new generation of fearless and exciting young potters.” 0844-8542757. 

Apollo Male Voice Choir annual concert. Middlesbrough Theatre. 01642-815181. Saturday 2pm.
Ringing in the festive cheer with seasonal hits as well as many other wonderful pieces of music. Not to be missed. 

The Northern Echo: Glenn Tilbrook (the voice of Squeeze). ARC, Stockton. Saturday 8:00pm. 01642-525199. 
IT is more than 40 years since he first answered Chris Difford’s ad inviting like-minded people to form the what became that evergreen band.
Expect to hear the classic hits such as Pulling Mussels (From the Shell), Up the Junction, Take Me I’m Yours, Slap and Tickle, Goodbye Girl, Another Nail in My Heart, Tempted, Is that Love, Black Coffee in Bed, plus a few beautifully penned recent tunes and the occasional wonderfully presented cover rendition of a personal favourite. Don’t be surprised to be in awe of his musicianship, or how the voice continues to grow in strength while remaining unmistakably Glenn Tilbrook. 

Sleeping Beauty: Russian State Ballet. Scarborough Spa Grand Hall, on Sunday 7:30pm.
THE highly-acclaimed Russian State Ballet and Opera House returns to The Grand Hall with another popular ballet.
Every child’s favourite fairy-tale, Sleeping Beauty is the classic story of love and innocence, mystery and magic set to Tchaikovsky’s sublime score. Stunning choreography, sumptuous costumes and wonderful sets form the fantasy world in which the Lilac Fairy struggles against the evil Carabosse.
Outline based on the fairy-tale by Charles Perrault, The Sleeping Beauty tells of the Princess Aurora, cursed at her christening by the evil Carabosse to prick her finger one day on a spindle and die. Thanks to the timely intervention of the Lilac Fairy, she doesn’t die, but sleeps for a hundred years.
Woken by a prince, who has battled through the Enchanted Forest to reach her, they marry at a ceremony attended by nursery rhyme characters like Puss in Boots and all the other forest creatures. Loving ballet and dance, Tchaikovsky found fresh inspiration in setting music to a specific programme.
When composing The Sleeping Beauty he had the stimulus of working to the detailed scenario and notes prepared for him by the choreographer Marius Petipa.
There are no scores more successful in supporting the full range of ballet than those by Tchaikovsky. Highlights include the famous ‘Rose Adagio’ when Princess Aurora is introduced to four princes. This ravishing production of The Sleeping Beauty is certain to leave you refreshed, relaxed and alert. It shimmers like an exquisite dream. The Sleeping Beauty is also a ballet that all can enjoy, even the very young. 01723-821888.