Theatres - Starting This Week - January 26 onwards

Jan 23 2012 Chester Chronicle

STARTING THIS WEEK

DAYS OF LIGHT (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, February 1-4)

HAWAII. Late light slanting through bamboo blinds. Rattan chairs creaking. Ceiling fans turning lazily. The sameness of the seasons; no autumn, no spring. Underneath the ocean the magma rages. Ageing ex-pat Miss Peoke awaits the return of her son, whilst Nathan anticipates the arrival of his new love. But what else is stirring in the crystal blue lagoon? Days of Light marks the welcome return to The Studio of Starving Artists, whose recent successes include Road Movie and Eat Me. Ring 0161 833 9833 or visit www.royalexchange.co.uk.

FUTURE SHOCK (The Lowry, Salford Quays, January 26-28)

LAURA is woken early from hypersleep because she has run out of money. She is waiting for her lover to return from a deep space exploration. Stranded eight hundred years out of her own time and faced with an implacable corporation who despise the imperfections of the past, she must find a way to travel the remaining hundred years to reach her lover, facing terrifying decisions along the way. Richard Stockwell’s play is presented by Killing Time and directed by Elisa Amesbury. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

AN INSPECTOR CALLS (The Lowry, Salford Quays, January 31-February 4)

MAGNIFICENT production of the JB Priestley classic thriller, directed by Stephen Daldry who made the films of The Reader and The Hours. When Inspector Goole arrives unexpectedly at the prosperous Birling family home, their peaceful dinner party is shattered by his investigations into the death of a young woman. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

MOGADISHU (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, January 30-February 4)

VIVIENNE Franzmann’s play explores the clash of youth, class, race and justice. When white secondary school teacher Amanda is pushed to the ground by black student Jason, she’s reluctant to report him as she knows exclusion could condemn him to a future as bleak as his past. But when Jason protects himself by spinning a story of his own, Amanda is sucked into a vortex of lies in which victim becomes perpetrator. Call 0151 709 4776 or visit www.everymanplayhouse.com.

PEPPA PIG’S TREASURE HUNT (Venue Cymru, Llandudno, February 1-2)

PEPPA and George are up to fun and games on a day out on Grandad Dog's boat. Help them, with Pedro Pony, Polly Parrot and Zoe Zebra to follow the clues and find their treasure as they all enjoy a day of adventure. Ring 01492 872000 or visit www.venuecymru.co.uk.

THE RAINBOW CONNECTION (The Lowry, Salford Quays, January 27-28)

THIS heart-warming comedy stars Anthony Crank (Shameless/Coronation Street) as Joe, the smart talking, acerbic gay guy who’s never lost for a word, but can’t talk about the secret he’s hiding, and Erin Shanagher (Scott and Bailey/The Street) as Shelly - sassy,brassy and scatty but beneath the two inch slap and Primarni, lie deeper insecurities. This modern fairy tale follows two strangers, as they find that the search for a happy ending can be messy and full of surprises. The Rainbow Connection is the tale of an unlikely friendship and the search for a little bit of magic. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.