With over 1,000 performances a year, visitors to The Lowry are certainly spoilt for choice. Here, chief executive, Julia Fawcett OBE, gives us her top five picks for 2017:

Dance: Sampled, The Movement

24 & 25 February

A gift for anyone who’s New Year’s resolution is to try something new – Dance: Sampled is exactly what it sounds like it is: a chance to sample a whole range of styles of dance in one evening. The line-up includes contemporary dance from Acosta Danza, tango from world champions Julia Urruty and Claudio Gonzalez as well as a full programme of workshops and front of house activities for all.

Escaped Alone, The Royal Court Theatre

7 – 11 March

A new work by Caryl Churchill (arguably the greatest and most inventive playwright alive today!) and brought to the stage by The Royal Court Theatre, Escaped Alone premiered in 2016 to 5-star review after 5-star review. It comes to The Lowry fresh from the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York as part of a very limited UK tour.

The Far Side of The Moon, Robert Lepage

1 & 2 April

Although, I imagine, largely unknown to our audiences, Robert Lepage is one of the greats – and The Far Side of The Moon is said to be him at his very best. Set against the backdrop of two estranged brothers brought together by their mother’s death – the play is a witty exploration of one of the great mysteries of our time: Are we alone?

Jane Eyre, National Theatre

8 – 15 April

The National Theatre never fails to impress (their productions of War Horse and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time are two of the most popular shows in our history!) and Sally Cookson maintains that gold standard with her bold and dynamic re-imagining of Jane Eyre. Acclaimed by the critics during its premiere run in London – The Lowry is proud to kick-start the show’s UK tour.

The Toad Knew, James Thierrée

10 & 11 May

‘Unique’ is one of those words thrown about too easily in my opinion – but James Thierrée’s seamless mix of music, humour and acrobatic finesse is deserving of every letter of the word. A grandchild of Charlie Chaplin, performance is clearly in his DNA. The Toad Knew is a real one-off!