Theatres - Still Showing - October 22 onwards

Oct 22 2009 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STILL SHOWING

BLOOD BROTHERS (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, October 12-24)

WILLY Russell’s deeply moving story of a mother’s haunting secret and the reunion of twin brothers, separated at birth, always guarantees a standing ovation on home ground. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 372 7272.

THE CARETAKER (Everyman Theatre, Hope Street, Liverpool, October 2-31)

CELEBRATED actor Jonathan Pryce returns to the theatre where he began his career for Christopher Morahan’s production of this Harold Pinter classic story of two brothers and a tramp. Davies is down and out when Aston takes him in for the night. Lost in a shoeless world, chasing papers in Sidcup, he soon fancies his chances at something more permanent. But then Mick shows up. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

DINNERLADIES (Venue Cymru, Llandudno, October 20-24)

VICTORIA Wood’s hit BBC TV sitcom is brought to the stage in a world premiere UK tour starring Andrew Dunn and Shobna Gulati from the original series. Follow the reluctant love story of Bren and Tony, egged on by Dolly, Jean. Twinkle and Anita. Visit www.venuecymru.co.uk or ring 01492 872000.

DREAMS OF VIOLENCE (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, October 20-24)

A NEW comedy by Stella Feehily, directed by Max Stafford-Clark, arrtistic director of the acclaimed Out of Joint company. For Hildy, political activism comes easier than dealing with her family life. By day, she leads the city’s cleaners in revolt against the bankers - by night, she dreams unsettling acts of violence. Starring Catherine Russell and Paula Wilcox. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

FIREFLIES (The Lowry, Salford Quays, October 16-31)

KEVIN Fegan’s new play tells the stories of Leigh and Nelson, two lonely hearts coming face to face with the reality of their lives. Told with a fierce frankness, this darkly comic and moving script conveys their resilience in the face of hardship. The cast features two former Coronation Street actors Naomi Radcliffe and Paul Simpson. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

HIGH SOCIETY (Lyceum Theatre, Heath Street, Crewe, October 20-24)

ROCKHOPPER Productions present a stage musical based on the classic film featuring all the glamour, style and spectacle of the Golden Age as well as a score including such wonderful songs as Swell Party, True Love and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. Visit www.lyceumtheatre.net or ring 01270 537333.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, October 20-25)

THE musical that started it all for Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, originally conceived as a brief school production but eventually expanded into a musical theatre world beater thanks to memorable songs such as Any Dream Will Do and Close Ev’ry Door. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 372 7272.

MATTHEW BOURNE’S DORIAN GRAY (The Lowry, Salford Quays, October 21-24)

MATTHEW Bourne’s latest dance creation comes to The Lowry after sell-out shows in London and Edinburgh. Set in the image-obsessed world of contemporary art and politics, Oscar Wilde’s cautionary fable tells the story of an alluring young man who makes a pact with the devil. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793.

PUNK ROCK (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, October 7-31)

IN THE library of a grammar school, seven sixth formers are preparing for their mock A levels and nearing the end of their school lives. Soon Manchester will be a thing of the past and there will be new friends and enemies. When the whole world opens up in front of you, there’s a danger it could eat you up. There’s danger all around in this world premiere of Simon Stephens’ new play. Suitable for ages 14+. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

PYGMALION (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, October 8-31)

BERNARD Shaw’s commentary on the battle between the sexes and the British class system returns to the stage in a new production directed by Terry Hands. As an academic exercise, Professor Henry Higgins (Philip Bretherton), an expert in dialect and pronunciation, makes a bet that he can turn the cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle (Hedydd Dylan) into a duchess within six months. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

RENT (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, October 20-24)

THE smash hit Broadway and West End musical comes to the Regent. Based on Puccini’s opera La Boheme, it tells the story of a group of young artists learning to survive, falling in love, finding their voices and living for today. Visit www.ambassadortickets/stoke or ring 0844 871 7649.

SPYMONKEY’S MOBY DICK (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, October 20-24)

A GLORIOUS mis-telling of Melville’s epic novel. Four actors find themselves in the belly of a literary monster. As they ponder the irony of their fate, they recount a story of Moby Dick, sparkling with their own fantastical flourishes. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

WELSH NATIONAL OPERA (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, October 21-24)

THE WNO bring two of the greatest love stories ever sung to life in a beautiful period-set productions. La Traviata by Verdi can be seen on October 21 and 23 while Puccini’s Madam Butterfly is performed on October 22 and 24. Visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.