FATAL ENCOUNTER (Lyceum Theatre, Crewe, Feb 15-20)

Feb 17 2010 by Will Harris, Crewe Chronicle

ANITA Harris stars in another Ian Dickens’ production about a man who covers up for his wife after a shooting.

Although the police accept the shooting was an accident, the death leaves him caught up in a web of blackmail, conspiracy and attempted murder.

Shows start at 7.30pm, with a 2.30pm matinee performance on the Saturday. Tickets are priced £9.50-£17.50, to book phone the box office on 01270 537333 or visit www.lyceumtheatre.net.

MATTHEW BOURNE’S SWAN LAKE (Regent Theatre, Hanley, Feb 15-20)

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

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 performances on the Wednesday and Saturday.

Tickets are £14-£29 to book phone 0844 871 7649 or visit www.ambassadortickets.com/Regent-Theatre

PAUL CARRACK (Victoria Hall, Hanley, Feb 19)

HIS name might not be a household one, but when it comes to creating a buzz in music circles, few have a better pedigree to do just that than Paul Carrack.

He has worked with Roxy Music, Squeeze and Mike and the Mechanics, while also appearing on albums with Elton John, Eric Clapton, The Pretenders, The Smiths and BB King.

The show starts at 8pm and tickets are £26.50, to book phone 0844 871 7649.

STEPHEN K AMOS (The Lowry, Salford Quays, Feb 21)

TOP comic Stephen K Amos brings his show to The Lowry in Salford Quays on Sunday.

Amos, a star of Live at the Apollo, Royal Variety Show and a favourite at the Edinburgh Festival, extracts humour from his race and upbringing.

The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are priced £16.50. To book, phone the box office on 0843 208 6000.

MAGIC OF MOTOWN (Gatehouse Theatre, Stafford, Feb 19)

NOSTALGIC hits are recreated at Stafford’s Gatehouse Theatre on Friday in The Magic of Motown.

In 1960, Motown scored their first million-selling single. The show marks the golden anniversary with a new production featuring 36 magical hits.

The show starts at 8pm and tickets are £18.50, to book phone 01785 254653 or visit www.staffordgatehousetheatre.co.uk

THE 39 STEPS (Regent Theatre, Hanley, Feb 22-27)

THE West End’s longest running comedy arrives in The Potteries next week.

The production contains every single legendary scene from the 1935 classic Hitchcock movie thriller, including the chase on the Flying Scotsman, the escape on the Forth Bridge, the first theatrical bi-plane crash ever staged and the sensational death-defying finale in the London Palladium.

Shows start at 8pm with 2.30pm performances on the Wednesday and Saturday. Tickets cost £9-£20, phone 0844 871 7649 to book.