Theatres - 25/07/08

Jul 25 2008 by Michael Green, Flintshire Chronicle

STARTING NEXT WEEK

LAUREL AND HARDY (The New Vic Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, Sunday, July 27 – Monday, August 11)

Stan and Ollie return to the stage in Tom McGrath’s affectionate, fascinating and very funny play.

In this fly-on-the-wall look at the real people beneath the bowler hats, the boys tell their own life stories from beyond the grave. The darker side of the movie business is here; but so too is their warm and complex relationship and their timeless comedy.

Tickets 01782 717962, or www.newvictheatre.org.uk

TAPE (Taurus Bar, 1 Canal Street, Manchester, Friday August 1)

Tape, a play by leading American playwright Stephen Belber, was made into a cult film in 2002 directed by Richard Linklater starring Hollywood A-listers Ethan Hawke, Robert Sean Leonard and Uma Thurman.

Tape reunites three American college graduates who have gathered together for the first time in a decade to help celebrate the release of a film by one of the characters. Separated for 10 years, old enmities surface and threaten to wreck the carefully organised get-together. Jon, the film-maker, was once best mates with Vince, and what they have in common is Amy, who dated both men during their time together in college. As old wounds are exposed, can Jon and Vince’s friendship survive?

THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR (Ness Gardens, July 26)

LEGEND has it that Queen Elizabeth I so loved the character of Falstaff, the fat bawdy knight, that she asked Shakespeare to write a play in which he falls hopelessly in love. Shakespeare duly obliged by writing a play in which Falstaff falls in love not once but twice- at the same time, with two women who are actually best friends. Multiple international award –winning Illyria perform Shakespeare at his most boisterous and farcical. 0151 353 012

WHAT’S STILL SHOWING & WHERE

CROWN MATRIMONIAL (The Lowry, Salford Quays, July 21-26)

PATRICIA Routledge stars in a new production of Royce Ryton’s compelling drama about the crisis that face the nation when Edward VIII declared his love for Wallis Simpson. Set in Marlborough House in 1936, this unique insight into the domestic life of the Royal Family shows the volatile relationship between Queen Mary and her son King Edward VIII caused by his love affair. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793

FLAMINGOLAND (The New Vic Theatre, Newcastle Under Lyme, July 25–August 16)

A BIG-hearted, bittersweet comedy by the woman known to millions as Coronation Street’s Angie Freeman. In her Yorkshire council house, no nonsense Mari is having a clear out before the Big Move. But there’s a big box of family secrets to dust off and unwrap. Will Mari decide to let sleeping dogs lie? Or will she force them all to wake up and finally face the truth? Visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk or ring 01782 717962

HAY FEVER (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, July 1-August 16)

THE classic Noel Coward comedy comes to the Royal Exchange to provide audiences with a real summer theatre treat. When each member of an eccentric theatrical family invites a guest to stay with them without telling the other, the stage is set for a memorable and madcap weekend in the country. Coward based his play on his experiences of gatherings at the home of celebrated American stage actress Laurette Taylor. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk. 0161 833 9833

ONCE UPON A TIME AT THE ADELPHI (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, June 28-August 2)

NEW musical by Phil Willmott, commissioned and produced by the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse as part of the Capital of Culture programme. 1930s Liverpool and the glitz and glamour of Hollywood pour off the luxury liners for their first taste of England.ŠAmid the chaos and decadence, no-nonsense Alice has fallen for the dashing Thompson but fate, Hollywood, World War Two and a dizzying array of staff and guests intervene in an epic Liverpool love story spanning over 70 years. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com. 0151 709 4776