THE FLAGS (Liverpool Royal Court until June 27).

Jun 18 2009 Runcorn and Widnes Weekly News

Bridget O’Connor’s multi-award-winning black comedy is about two Irish lifeguards who have the misfortune to patrol the second worst beach in Ireland. The synopsis has been described as imagining Father Ted meets Steptoe and Son – on a beach! The two main characters are lifeguards JJ (Andrew Schofield) and Howie (Eamonn Owens) and they are desperate to get away from their deserted stretch and are applying for two vacant posts at the prestigious Banna Strand beach. They must impress Brendan (Kieron Cunningham), the director of leisure services, to win the post but their chances won’t be helped by the unstable jilted bride Ursula (Jessica Regan) who is hunting for a beach to end it all. See www.royalcourtliverpool.com or call 0870 787 1866

RELATIVELY SPEAKING (Manchester Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, until June 20)

Alan Ayckbourn’s hilarious 1960s comedy established him as a modern-day comic master. Greg and Ginny are living together and planning to get married. But Greg is becoming increasingly suspicious that he is not the only man in Ginny’s life. So when she plans to visit her parents, he decides to secretly follow her. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

DUMB SHOW (Newcastle New Vic until June 20)

This hilarious exposé of celebrity culture and tabloid journalism introduces a Saturday night TV host who fears his 15 minutes of fame may be coming to an end. Two hot-shots offer him the chance to make some big money and he is happy to go along. But in the hotel suite, we learn his marriage is on the rocks, his show is on the way out and he has hit the bottle. Call 01782 717962 or visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk

THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES (Mold Theatre until June 20)

Mold Players present Tim Kelly’s adaptation of the most famous Sherlock Holmes story. A monstrous hound roams the moor – a beast which is inextricably bound up with the legacy which Sir Henry Baskerville has inherited. Can Sherlock Holmes save the day? Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

OLIVER! (Theatr Cymru, Mold until June 20)

Tip Top Productions follow their recent successes with The Full Monty and Bouncers with the classic Lionel Bart musical, bringing to life Dickens’ characters as Oliver Twist asks for more. Packed with wonderful songs such as Food Glorious Food, Consider Yourself and As Long As He Needs Me. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

QUADROPHENIA (Manchester Opera House until June 20)

Set in London and Brighton at the height of the mod era, this story is told through the eyes of Jimmy, a hedonistic, style-conscious teenager searching for a place to belong and a girl to love. Misunderstood by his parents and stuck in a dead-end job, he sets off on a trip to Brighton that will change his life forever. The evocative world of ’60s Britain is emulated by the stunning Pete Townshend score from The Who’s classic album. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2484.

EVOLUTION OF ENGINEERING (Severn Theatre, Shrewsbury, June 21)

A fascinating show hosted by Lt Col Dick Strawbridge, who believes it is as important to know how and why things work as actually getting them to work. He may be familiar from the shows Scrapheap Challenge and It’s Not Easy Being Green. 01743 281281

LAZYTOWN LIVE! (Liverpool Empire until June 21)

Swashbuckling fun for all the family. Get ready for star jumps, power moves, laugh out loud fun, sing-a-long songs and dancing in the aisles. You'll be transported on to the high seas through a high energy story full of parrots, pieces of eight and buried treasure. Visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

THE PIANIST (Manchester Royal Exchange until June 27)

Best known as an Oscar-winning film by Roman Polanksi, this play is based upon the memoirs of Wladyslaw Szpilman. It retells the harrowing story of one man’s time under the Nazi occupation in Poland, with internationally acclaimed concert pianist Mikhail Rudy performing the music of Chopin and Szpilman. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

DR KORCZAK’S EXAMPLE (Manchester Royal Exchange until June 27)

Penned by award-winning writer and director David Greig, this is based on a true powerful and poignant story and recounts the remarkable last days of Janusz Korczak, a children’s author and paediatrician who founded a Jewish orphanage in the shadow of the Warsaw Ghetto. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

WEST SIDE STORY (Stoke Regent until June 27)

With groundbreaking choreography by the legendary Jerome Robbins, an unforgettable score by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, West Side Story changed the face of musical theatre forever. Based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and packed with unforgettable songs including Maria and America. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com/stoke or ring 0870 060 6649