Julian Clary: Lord of the Mince (Lyceum Theatre, Crewe, February 5)

Feb 3 2010 by Will Harris, Crewe Chronicle

CAMP comedian Julian Clary takes his latest tour to South Cheshire on Friday.

The 50-year-old has made a long career for himself in television and writing by playing on his stereotypical style and utilising the comic effect of innuendo an double entendre.

Of his show, he said: “I, Julian Clary, have done for mincing what Michael Flatley did for Irish dancing. I’m 50, the shame of it. This will be an intimate evening – a celebration, no less, of my 25 years in the camp spotlight, how I got there and why I refuse to leave.

“Come and see me before they end up putting me in a home for tired old knackers!”

The show starts at 8pm and tickets are £20, phone the box office on 01270 537333.

Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake (Regent Theatre, Hanley, February 15-20)

MATTHEW Bourne’s triumphant re-interpretation of Swan Lake hopes to take The Potteries by storm this month.

Director Bourne blends dance, humour and spectacle with extravagant, award-winning designs by Lez Brotherston to create a provocative and powerful Swan Lake for our times.

Now firmly crowned as a modern-day classic, this iconic production is perhaps best-known for replacing the traditional female corps de ballet with a menacing male ensemble.

Shows start at 8pm with 2.30pm matinee performances on the Wednesday and Saturday.

Tickets are priced £14-£29, to book phone the box office on 0844 871 7649.

The Chippendales (Opera House, Manchester, February 6)

FOLLOWING a sold-out run at the Edinburgh Fringe and a special one-off appearance at London’s Shepherds Bush Empire Theatre, The Chippendales return to the United Kingdom for the first time in over five years.

Their latest production is The Ultimate Girls Night Out.

A theatre spokesman said: “Prepare yourselves for a non-stop party of live music, audience interaction, and dancing that will excite your senses and leave you breathless.

“Grab your girlfriends and make your way to the hottest party in the UK. Millions of women can’t be wrong!”

The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £22.50-£24, to book phone 0844 847 2277.

And A Nightingale Sang, New Vic Theatre, Newcastle-under-Lyme, until February 20)

A TEAM of TV talents swap soaps for Spam sandwiches in this wartime comedy.

Katherine Dow Blyton of Hollyoaks is joining forces with Eastenders director Sarah Punshon for CP Taylor’s play, filled with musical favourites from the 40s.

In Second World War Newcastle-upon-Tyne, the Stotts are an eccentric family waging personal battles against the terrifying backdrop of war.

Amid the air raid sirens and fears of poison gas, Mam makes Spam sandwiches, Dad makes his own entertainment, Grandpa mourns his dead whippet, and daughters Joyce and Helen discover the joy and heartbreak of first love.

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