EVENTS
Tree Dressing // 4 Dec Tree dressing is a magical occasion for all the family , celebrating the importance of trees in our lives . Join in traditional songs and dances . Turn a jam jar into a lantern and join the procession illuminated by hundreds of lanterns before dressing the aspen trees as darkness falls . The day ’ s finale takes place as darkness falls , with a spiral dance around the aspen trees , which are dressed with hundreds of lanterns . Younger visitors are well catered for , with lantern making , headdress making , crafts and storytelling . Winter warmers for sale include mulled cider , mulled apple juice , spiced biscuits and roasted chestnuts . The museum ’ s cafe kiosk will also be open , selling hot and cold snacks , light lunches and drinks .
Based on an ancient custom that celebrates the life-giving properties of trees , tree dressing takes place during National Tree Week . With its origins in the green man legends and other ancient customs , visitors to the tree dressing day can enjoy ( and join in with ) traditional songs , dances , plays and stories which celebrate trees and the natural world .
From 12.30am . Price : £ 13 ( children 4-15 , £ 7 ) Weald & Downland Open Air Museum , Singleton , Chichester PO18 0EU www . wealddown . co . uk / 01243 811363
5pm . Price : £ 17.50 The Picture House , High Street , Uckfield TN22 1AS www . picturehouseuckfield . com / 01825 764909
Madame Butterfly // 7 Dec
Riccardo Chailly will conduct this original version , marking this the first time the performance has returned to La Scala since its hotly contested debut in 1904 . This signifies an opportunity to rediscover the opera that is more audacious in its dramaturgical design and remains one of Puccini ’ s most performed works to date . The performance will be directed by Alvis Hermanis , with Cio-Cio-San played by Maria José Siri , an emerging soprano on the greatest international stages .
Mr Popper ’ s Penguins // 7-11 Dec Painter and decorator by day , Mr Popper spends his time dreaming of Antarctic adventures . He is astounded when one day a packing crate arrives on his doorstep , out of which waddles a penguin ! With heartwarming songs and endearing puppets recreating a family of penguins , this delightful musical adaptation of Richard and Florence Atwater ’ s popular book ( also made into a Hollywood film starring Jim Carrey ) is brought to you by the producers of The Tiger Who Came to Tea and We ’ re Going on a Bear Hunt .
Various times . Price : from £ 12.50 Chichester Festival Theatre , Oaklands Park , Chichester PO19 6AP www . cft . org . uk / 01243 781312
A Christmas Night At The Opera // 8 Dec
With London Festival Opera . A Christmas Night at the Opera features some of the greatest arias and ensembles from the operas of Mozart , Rossini , Verdi , Bizet , Puccini , Offenbach and Gilbert & Sullivan . The artists appear in sumptuous period evening dress recreating the atmosphere and grandeur of past times . Accompaniment will be a select chamber ensemble . Join in the Christmas spirit by singing popular carols with the soloists ! The programme will be introduced by the baritone , Philip Blake-Jones .
7.30pm . Price : £ 20- £ 22 Congress Theatre , Carlisle Road , Eastbourne BN21 4BP www . eastbournetheatres . co . uk / 01323 412000
Vegetarian Festive Feast // 9 Dec
Repast Supper Club ’ s historical vegetarian supper in May 2016 was a resounding success . Several people have asked when they will be doing another meat-free dinner , so they have decided to create a vegetarian menu for the festive season . This vegetarian feast features dishes that have appeared on their historical menus over the past 12 months .
Time , price and location available on request www . repastsupperclub . co . uk / 07525 159005
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