Dance

SLEEPING BEAUTY

New Theatre, Oxford Tuesday to Saturday (22) at 7.30pm, Thursday at 2pm and Saturday at 2.30pm Tickets: 0844 872 3020 or atgtickets.com/oxford

Grand sets and costumes, Tchaikovsky’s score and displays of virtuoso dancing, Sleeping Beauty is a dazzling showcase of classical ballet. English National Ballet revived this production of The Sleeping Beauty in 2005, performing it again across the UK and at the Coliseum in 2008. In these two seasons the show was seen by almost 150,000 people. Tamara Rojo dances as Aurora, with Vadim Muntagirov as her Prince, and Daria Klimentová as the Lilac Fairy. Begoña Cao dances with Zdenek Konvalina for the first time, and another new partnership features Cuban rising star Yonah Acosta, with Senior Principal Erina Takahashi. Theatre UBU ROI Oxford Playhouse February 5–9, 7.30pm, 8pm and 2.30pm Tickets: 01865 305305 or visit oxfordplayhouse.com Following the incredible ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, The Tempest and Andromaque, Cheek by Jowl makes a welcome return to the Playhouse with a production of Alfred Jarry’s Ubu Roi, in French, with English surtitles. Charting the exploits of the tyrannical King, the play is a challenge to the conventional. Menacing and wonderfully anarchic, Ubu’s behaviour leads to his downfall. With Shakespearean undertones, Ubu Roi is funny and grotesque, outraging audiences when it was first performed in 1896.

Pantomime

JACK AND THE BEANSTALK

The Mill Theatre, Banbury Jan 8 to 20, various times. Visit themillartscentre.co.uk Tickets: 01295 279002

Cherwell Theatre Company tells us: “Something big is coming to town! Get a grip of your giggles, if you can, when you meet our extra larger than life characters: the fun-loving fairy, dainty Dame, wacky, wicked Witch, hot-head Hero, the uncommonly courteous Cow and ginormous Giant! The Giant is about to gobble up EVERYONE! He is particularly fond of children; as well as grandparents, teenagers, middle aged couples, single parents and anyone who dares to laugh! With Cherwell Theatre Company’s trademark theatricality, creativity and energy; packed with jokes, slapstick comedy and loveable characters.

Rock

EVERYTHING EVERYTHING

O2 Academy, Oxford February 14, doors 8pm Tickets: ticketweb.co.uk

Everything Everything are on tour to mark the release of their album Arc on January 14. The band have just celebrated their first entry into the UK top 40 with lead single Cough Cough and enjoyed a run of fully sold dates airing new material – reactions to which have been brilliant. Hordes of fans embraced EE’s powerful musical leap forward while joyfully jerking around to favourites such as MY KZ UR BF, Schoolin’ and Photoshop Handsome from debut Man Alive. The Guardian said: “Everything Everything represent the most intricate, streamlined merging yet of math rock’s arch complexities, electronica’s ’80s obsession and hooks from mobile interference. They’re fast becoming the great alt hopes. Snippets of their second album bristle with drama and ambition.”