How The Other Half Loves (New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, September 2-19)

Sep 9 2009 by Will Harris, Crewe Chronicle

PLAYWRIGHT Alan Ayckbourn makes a long-awaited return to the New Vic Theatre.

Premiered at the New Vic’s sister theatre, the Stephen Joseph in Scarborough, How the Other Half Loves helped establish Ayckbourn as Britain’s most successful playwright after Shakespeare.

How the Other Half Loves transferred to London in 1970 and was a phenomenal success, cementing Sir Alan’s early reputation as a playwright to watch.

The play also introduced an American audience to Alan Ayckbourn, being the first of his plays to transfer to Broadway.

Shows start at 7.30pm and tickets are £8.50-£17.50, phone the box office on 01782 717962.

Stoke’s Top Talent (Regent Theatre, Hanley, September 7-12)

EXCITEMENT is building at the Regent Theatre as the cream of local talent battle it out in the 2009 Stoke’s Top Talent.

The competition was introduced by Potteries favourite Jonathan Wilkes last year, taking a similar format to the ITV show to unearth the hottest local act.

Wilkes has been compering the week-long competition, which sees talented locals battle it out over five heats for a place in the grand final on Saturday.

This year’s winner will once again bag a place in the cast for this year’s panto Dick Whittington, but first they must impress Wilkes and his fellow judges comedian Paddy McGuinness and former Footballer’s Wives star Susie Amy.

The heats start at 7.30pm each night until Friday, with a 7.30pm grand final on Saturday. Tickets are £5, phone the box office on 0844 871 7649.

Rob Brydon (Opera House, Manchester, September 17)

COMEDIAN Rob Brydon returns to Manchester following a sell-out tour last year.

Brydon’s credits read like a compendium of modern British comedy with the likes of I’m Alan Partridge, Black Books, Little Britain, Have I Got News For You, and most recently his highly acclaimed performance as Uncle Bryn in Gavin and Stacey.

Now the 44-year-old multi-award winner is back on the road with an evening of brand new stand up comedy.

The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £18.50, phone the box office on 0844 847 2277.

Lisa Williams: Messages From Beyond (The Lowry, Salford Quays, September 15)

DIRECT from the USA and embarking on her first tour of the UK, Lisa Williams is an internationally acclaimed medium and clairvoyant.

Born in England, she was discovered by Merv Griffin, the American television host and media mogul, and has her own hit show Lisa Williams, Life Among the Dead, on Lifetime Television in the US.

Sharing her gift through audience readings she helps to resolve past issues, informing them of situations that they may find themselves in and providing closure and healing.

The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £22.50-£27.50, phone the box office on 0870 787 5780.