Theatres - Starting This Week - March 1 onwards

Feb 25 2012 Chester Chronicle

STARTING THIS WEEK

AVENUE Q (Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl, March 5-10)

AVENUE Q is an autobiographical and biographical coming-of-age musical parable, addressing and satirising the issues and anxieties associated with entering adulthood. Its characters lament that as children, they were assured by their parents, and by children's television programmes such as Sesame Street, that they were ‘special’ but as adults, they have discovered to their surprise and dismay that in the real world their options are limited, and they are no more special than anyone else. This Tony Award winning musical combines puppets and live actors. Call 01745 330000 or visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk.

A CLOCKWORK ORANGE (Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, Mount Street, Liverpool, March 8-10)

ANTHONY Burgess’ novel achieved iconic staus through Stanley Kubrick’s infamous film adaptation. Burgess hated it and wrote this stage version as a response. Horrifyingly violent and unspeakably beautiful, this extraordinary play examines how far the human spirit can bend before it breaks. Performed by third year acting students. Call 0844 873 2888 or visit www.unitytheatreliverpool.co.uk.

A DOLL’S HOUSE (Emlyn Williams Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, March 1-31)

NORA is blissfully in love with her lawyer husband Torvald. Charming, unworldly and cosseted, she is his plaything. On the surface, their marriage is idyllic. Written in the 1870s, Henrik Ibsen’s landmark drama shocked audiences with its radical portrayal of a modern woman’s journey to self-awareness and independence. This new version by Frank McGuinness is directed by Emma Lucia who produced Shakespeare’s Will at Mold. Call 0845 330 3565 or visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.co.uk.

GIULIO CESARE (The Lowry, Salford Quays, March 1)

COME and experience an opera with all the colour, drama and passion of a Hollywood blockbuster in this story of Cleopatra’s seduction of Julius Caesar. Egypt, ancient times. Cleopatra uses all her considerable wiles to persuade Caesar to join her in an alliance against her brutish brother Ptolemy, with whom she rules the country. Murder, battles, plots and counter-plots ensue before Caesar and Cleopatra emerge finally triumphant in both love and war. Written at the height of his success, Handel’s sumptuous music is most admired for its brilliant characterisation and power. A highly talented cast is directed by Tim Albery, who has directed some of Opera North’s most successful productions over the past few years. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

GOLDILOCKS (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, March 7-8)

YOUNG Goldilocks likes to explore the world and experience new things. This time, when she wanders into an empty house, she finds much more than three bowls of porridge. But what will happen when the Bears return and find her? Using table-top puppetry and musical influences from around the world, this production from Little Angel Theatre brings this classic story to life with a twist. Ring 0161 833 9833 or visit www.royalexchange.co.uk.

HAUNTED (Lyceum Theatre, Heath Street, Crewe, March 6-10)

A PSYCHOLOGICAL, supernatural, erotic thriller by Ron Aldridge takes a nightmare journey through the mind of a double murderer. He has convinced the courts that both deaths were accidents and has been found not guilty - twice! The only way now for justice to be done is for the guilty party to confess to both murders. But how? Call 01270 686777 or visit www.lyceumtheatre.net.

HORMONAL HOUSEWIVES (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, March 8)

JOIN the Hormonal Housewives as they battle against weight, mood swings, wine, PMS, men, going to the gym, waxing, stretch marks, chocolate, upper-lip hair and all the other joys of being a 21st century girl! Ring 0844 372 7272 or visit www.manchesterpalace.org.uk.

MY FAVOURITE SUMMER (The Lowry, Salford Quays, March 1)

JOIN Dave as he spends a month working alongside a nutcase called Melvin in the summer job from hell while trying to save money to take the girl he loves away on holiday with him before she disappears out of his life forever. Nick Lane’s play is presented by the Reform Theatre Company. Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

NAUGHTY KNICKER KNIGHT (Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, Wirral, March 8-9)

AFTER the great success of Twisted Angels, local playwright Paula Rowlands along with Corrie Starr brings you another chance to see the ultimate adult musical. A story of sex, drugs and sausage rolls. Lynda Cairns thinks she lives a normal life, financially supporting her ex-Liverpool doorman Dick and his ASBO ridden sons Ronnie and Reggie. As she plods along in her less than perfect world she discovers that having a naughty knicker night with her mates reveals more than thongs. Call 0151 666 0000 or visit www.floralpavilion.com.

NO SLEEP FOR THE HAUNTED (The Lowry, Salford Quays, March 8-10)

THREE classic tales unfold in this chilling new musical. In The Judge's House by Bram Stoker, a young student in search of solitude and isolation soon finds that he is not alone. Following a series of tragic railway accidents, a lonely railway-worker in The Signalman (Charles Dickens) is tormented by ghostly warnings of a further impending calamity. Finally, A Warning to the Curious (MR James) is the harrowing tale of what happens when a man unearths an unusual treasure. Whether haunted by guilty secrets, dreadful premonitions, or terrifying spectres, all are caught in a nightmare, and desperately crave the blessed sleep of the innocent Call 0843 208 6000 or visit www.thelowry.com.

RED RIDING HOOD (The Brindley, Runcorn, March 2)

ONCE upon a time there was a young girl who went to spend the night at Grandma’s house - and her little brother came too. She just wanted to go to sleep but he was having none of it and just wouldn’t settle down. And when you start acting out your favourite fairy tale who knows what’s in store? Join the intrepid twosome on a night to remember in Olivier award winning writer Mike Kenny’s new adaptation of the classic children’s tale. With music and songs from Julian Butler (Charlie and Lola), this is a magical treat for children aged 4+ and their families. Call 0151 907 8360 for details or visit www.thebrindley.org.uk.

SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY MORNING (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, March 1-April 12)

ALAN Sillitoe's iconic novel is transformed into a spectacular new stage version by Matthew Dunster, whose previous successes at the Exchange include his own adaptation of George Orwell's 1984 and the award-winning Mogadishu. Rebellious young factory worker Arthur Seaton has reasons to drink, reasons to fight and several girls on the go. But when the fun and risk of Saturday night turns to the hangover and bruises of Sunday morning, Arthur starts to understand the real meaning of love. By turns heart-warming, ferocious and comic, the play won huge acclaim for its brutally honest portrayal of life in Nottingham in the 50s. Ring 0161 833 9833 or visit www.royalexchange.co.uk.

SOME LIKE IT HOTTER (Bickerton Village Hall, March 8; Whitley Village Hall, March 9; Kelsall Community Centre, March 10)

IT’S September 2010 and at long last funny man Jack Lemmon and the legendary Marilyn Monroe are reunited with old friend Tony Curtis. But how come Curtis looks 30 again? Where exactly are they? Who is the stranger on the set? And what is going on? This new fantasy comedy, presented by Oxfordshire Theatre Company as part of Cheshire Rural Touring Arts, whisks the three screen icons back to their most beautiful, sexy and hilarious selves for the most surprising comeback in movie history. Visit cheshireruraltouringarts.co.uk.

SOUTH PACIFIC (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, March 6-10)

THIS breathtaking and lavish Lincoln Center Theater production reinvented the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein show, swept the 2008 Tony Awards, played to sold-out houses on Broadway. The UK touring cast is headed by former EastEnders star Samantha Womack. Visit www.ambassadortickets.com or ring 0844 871 7649.

SWAN LAKE (Floral Pavilion, New Brighton, Wirral, March 6)

THE most popular of all classical ballets, a favourite of ballerinas and audiences alike; all leading dancers want to dance Swan Lake during their careers and all audiences want to see them dance in this, the ultimate fairy tale ballet. The world-renowned Moscow Ballet - La Classique demonstrate their continued quality of dance and performances in a dramatic production of this timeless favourite set to Tchaikovsky's superb score. Call 0151 666 0000 or visit www.floralpavilion.com.