Theatres - Starting This Week - February 2 onwards

Jan 29 2012 Chester Chronicle

STARTING THIS WEEK

ALL NEW PEOPLE (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, February 8-11)

COMEDY drama written and starring Zach Braff from American hit TV sitcom Scrubs, receiving its European premiere. The hottest ticket for 2012 - a must see drama. A hired beauty, a fireman, and an eccentric British real estate agent desperately trying to stay in the country. Ring 0844 372 7272 or visit www.manchesterpalace.org.uk.

AS YOU LIKE IT (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, February 9-March 10)

THE wonderful Hedydd Dylan - so memorable in The Taming of the Shrew at Clwyd last year - returns for another Shakespearean comedy directed by Terry Hands. When Rosalind is banished by Duke Frederick his daughter Celia runs away with her to the Forest of Arden, where Rosalind’s father, Duke Senior, is in hiding. Orlando also escapes there from his dangerous brother Oliver. Rosalind and Orlando are already in love but in the forest Rosalind is disguised as a man. Call 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk.

THE GATEKEEPER (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, February 8-25)

THIS world premiere lifts the lid on a darkly comic family get-together. Mike and Julia made sure their children Rob and Stacey had the best of everything when they were growing up. Now they're adults all they want is to be proud of them. But when they meet up in a Lake District holiday cottage to celebrate Stacey's birthday, it seems that nobody has been honest with each other. With a brilliant ear for dialogue, playwright Chloe Moss wickedly captures the infuriating family habits and conversations that can drive you mad. The bid to keep up appearances in front of an unexpected guest soon falls by the wayside as secrets are revealed and the ‘get together’ falls apart, in this painfully funny play. Ring 0161 833 9833 or visit www.royalexchange.co.uk.

HENRY V (The Lowry, Salford Quays, February 8-11)

WILLIAM Shakespeare’s classic historic play tells the tale of the greatest British warrior in English folklore during one of the most dangerous and exciting times in history. Thrilling and deeply moving, Henry V marks the beginning of a journey that takes us from the corridors of Westminster to the fields of France in an evening of unforgettable power. Led by director Edward Hall, internationally acclaimed all-male company, Propeller returns to The Lowry following their highly praised productions of Richard III and The Comedy Of Errors. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

LEGALLY BLONDE THE MUSICAL (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, February 7-11)

THE award-winning Broadway sensation created by a top-of-the-class creative team. This all-singing, all-dancing, feel-good musical comedy, based on the hit film starring Reese Witherspoon, will be the highlight of your year. This touring productions features Starring Ray Quinn as Warner, Claire Sweeney as Paulette and Les Dennis as Callahan with newcomer Faye Brooks as Elle. Call 0844 847 2525 or visit www.liverpoolempire.org.uk.

THE WINTER’S TALE (The Lowry, Salford Quays, February 7-11)

THIS tragic fairytale by William Shakespeare tells the mysterious and extraordinary story of a man consumed by an inexplicable jealousy that destroys his family, his kingdom and himself. Wracked by guilt, Leontes sets off a chain reaction of events that leads to a miraculous climax and the chance of redemption. Led by director Edward Hall, internationally acclaimed all-male company, Propeller returns to The Lowry following their highly praised productions of Richard III and The Comedy Of Errors. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.