Theatres - Still Showing - October 29 onwards

Oct 27 2009 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STILL SHOWING

ANNIE (Venue Cymru, Llandudno, October 27-31)

FROM its Broadway beginnings to the classic film musical, this heartwarming rags to riches story of Annie’s adventures from the New York orphanage to the home of Daddy Warbucks is a timeless tale, brought to life with the help of wonderful songs such as It’s A Hard Knock Life and Tomorrow. Su Pollard of Hi-De-Hi fame heads the cast alongside David McAlister. Visit www.venuecymru.co.uk or ring 01492 872000.

THE BLACK ALBUM (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, October 27-31)

HANIF Kureishi’s witty stage adaptation of his acclaimed novel. An Asian kid from Kent goes to college in London and teams up with a sympathetic group of anti-racists. But it’s 1989, the year of the fatwa, and as Shahid begins a hedonistic affair with his lecturer, his radical Muslim friends want to steer him away from the decadence of the West. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

CABARET (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, October 27-November 7)

SHOWBIZ veteran Wayne Sleep stars in this risqué production of the classic musical set in Berlin in 1931. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2484.

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 (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, October 26-31)

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.ambassadortickets/stoke or ring 0844 871 7649.

FESTEN (Emlyn Williams Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, October 22-November 14)

TIM Baker directs this dramatisation by David Eldridge of the celebrated Danish Dogme film and play by Thomas Vinterberg, Mogens Rukov and Bo Hansen. A father is celebrating his 60th birthday with a formal dinner at his large country home. But there is tension in the air and when Christian, the eldest son, rises to propose the first toast, he makes a devastating accusation against his father which changes relationships forever. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

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.

GISELLE (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, October 28-November 1)

ENGLISH National Ballet present the ultimate romantic ballet, a tale of innocence, betrayal and the redemptive power of true love. Adolphe Adam’s music, played by English National Ballet’s symphony orchestra, accompanies the magical choreography. Visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525.

THE PITMEN PAINTERS (The Lowry, Salford Quays, October 27-31)

THIS new play by Lee Hall - presented by the National Theatre - is a humorous, deeply moving and timely look at art, class and politics. In 1934, a group of Ashington miners hired a professor to teach an art appreciation evening class. Rapidly abandoning theory in favour of practice, the pitmen began to paint. Within a few years, the most avant-garde artists became their friends and their work was acquired by prestigious collections. But every day they worked, as before, down the mine. 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.

2ND MAY 1997 (Royal Exchange Theatre Studio, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, October 27-31)

THE world changes overnight. A great man sweeps to power as an influential dynasty crumbles. Amid the euphoria and despair, three deeply personal stories emerge. A smouldering new play from Jack Thorne, one of Britain’s most exciting young writers, about seizing the present, escaping the past and the audacity of hope for the future. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.