Theatre around MK: your guide to the week ahead

Milton Keynes Theatre may be gearing up for its big panto, but there's lots to choose from not far from MK...
Aida is being performed in DunstableAida is being performed in Dunstable
Aida is being performed in Dunstable

NabuccoThe Grove Theatre, Dunstable, December 1Verdi’s haunting and melodic chorus of the Hebrew slaves, Va Pensiero, follows the plight of the Hebrews as they are forced from their homeland into exile by the Babylonian King Nabucco. This powerful tale is laced with revenge, destruction and jealousy.www.thegrovetheatre.co.uk

Ross NobleNorthampton Derngate December 2Everybody’s favourite randomist is back.As always, he has lots of stuff backing up in his head and it’s time to let it all out. Famed for his super quick freewheeling style and highly imaginative flights of fancy, a Ross Noble show is always an unmissable event.Noble started in comedy 25 years ago, at the age of 15, and has established a loyal audience as one of the world’s best live stand-ups.You are invited to be part of a truly unique live experience, as audience and performer come together for a massive Brain Dump. We’ve seen Ross at work and it’ll be a corker of a show, but it might also be a bit rude, so Brain Dump comes with a recommended for ages 14-plus warning.www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Second Star to the RightNorthampton Underground, from December 2Created with a team of brilliantly imaginative theatre-makers, Second Star To The Right is the perfect introduction to theatre for little ones – a very special interactive experience for boys and girls under seven and their parents...because you are never too old for fun!www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Memphis Belles The Grove Theatre, Dunstable, December 7Enjoy a whole heap of toe-tapping classics from the 40s and the 50s in the company of the Memphis Belles. This show is being hosted in the Upper Foyer and as you indulge in the sounds you canindulge in a delicious afternoon tea too. Fine food and fine music. Perfect.www.thegrovetheatre.co.uk

Simply Gershwin Northampton Derngate , December 1Broadway glamour and toe-tapping tunes in an all Gershwin extravaganza featuring the very best music, song and dance!George and Ira Gershwin wrote some of the most melodic music in the American songbook, and this show presents the best.www.royalandderngate.co.uk

AidaThe Grove Theatre, Dunstable, December 2Opera & Ballet International proudly presents an Ellen Kent production with international soloists, highly-praised chorus and full orchestra.This spectacular new interpretation of the classic opera Aida stars French soprano Olga Perrier and Russian soprano Ecaterina Danu as Aida and Liza Kadelnik, the celebrated mezzo from the Romanian National Opera, as Amneris.Aida, the grandest of all Ellen Kent’s operas, boasts an impressive new set built by Set-Up Scenery in the UK, who also build sets for the Royal Opera Covent Garden.This is a tragic story of war, jealousy and revenge and at the heart of it all is the doomed love of the beautiful Ethiopian slave girl Aida, and the Egyptian hero, Radames.It is brought to life in a production set against one of the greatest pieces of music Verdi ever wrote with the well-known arias Celeste Aida, Ritorna Vincitor and the classic Triumphal March featuring a temple dance, cascades of glittering gold and amazing fire performers. It is a must-see delivery for anyone who classes themselves as a choice opera viewer!Sung in Italian with English surtitles, Aida is on stage tomorrow evening.www.thegrovetheatre.co.uk