Roundup of theatre shows in South Cheshire and the surrounding area

Jun 23 2010 by Will Harris, Crewe Chronicle

IRENE EDWARDS PRESENTS (Lyceum Theatre, Crewe, June 27)

FUNDRAISING queen Irene Edwards’ latest charity concert features X Factor star Ben Mills, who finished third in the 2006 series. He will be joined by fellow X Factor favourites Voices With Soul, Irish dancer Zoe Richardson and another top performance from the Masquerade School of Performing Arts. Proceeds from the show will be donated to the Christie Hospital at Wythenshawe, for which Irene has raised more than £130,000. Tickets for the show, on Sunday, June 27, are priced from £11, to book phone the box office on 01270 537333.

INSIDE JOB (Lyceum Theatre, Crewe, until June 26)

FORMER Emmerdale favourites Matt Healy and Christopher Villiers are joined by The Knock’s Michelle Morris. A professional safe-cracker enjoys a hedonistic life in the sun, until the stunning Suzy sweeps into his world with an offer he can’t refuse. Shows start at 7.30pm with a 2.30pm Saturday matinee.Tickets are priced £9.50-£17.50, to book phone the box office on 01270 537333 or visit www.lyceumtheatre.net.

BRASSED OFF (REGENT THEATRE, HANLEY, until June 26)

THE amateur production is based on the award-winning film of the same name following the heart-tugging fortunes of a colliery brass band. As the local community struggle against the hopelessness of the impending pit closure, the colliery band attempt to salvage some pride by reaching the National Championships final at the Royal Albert Hall. Stage Productions have previously performed We Will Rock You and Oliver! at the Regent. Shows start at 7.30pm with a 2.30pm Saturday matinee and tickets are £12-£16, to book phone 0871 871 7649.

ORGAN PROM (Victoria Hall, Hanley, June 26)

THE latest of the Organ Proms at the Victoria Hall welcomes a visit from Liverpool Anglican Cathedral’s Ian Tracey. He is also organist to the City of Liverpool and chorus master to the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Society. The concert starts at 12noon and tickets are £4.50, to book phone 0871 871 7649.

RAFTA RAFTA (New Vic Theatre, Newcastle, until June 26)

BOLTON’S Indian community take centre stage in this comedy written by the acclaimed Ayub Khan Din, author of East is East. A theatre spokesman said: “Following our acclaimed 2003 production of East is East we’re delighted to have joined forces with the Octagon Theatre Bolton to produce Ayub Khan-Din’s latest comedy. It is a gentle gem of a comedy, if you enjoyed East is East, you’ll love this.” For tickets, priced from £8.50, phone 01782 717962.

THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (Stafford Castle, until July 10)

THE Stafford Festival Shakespeare presents this musical comedy of manners in a magnificent setting. Set in 1958 the brilliantly constructed farce is placed in an era of you’ve never had it so good consumerism, teddy boys and glamorous girls. Shows start at 8pm and tickets are £17-£22, to book phone 01785 254653 or visit www.staffordfestivalshakespeare.co.uk