Theatres - 26/9/08

Sep 26 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STARTING NEXT WEEK

ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, September 30-October 4)

DAVID Essex returns to his roots and takes the title of his big selling debut album from the 70s as the inspiration for a musical set against the backdrop of a travelling funfair. Visit www.regenttheatre.co.uk or ring 0870 060 6649

BUDDY (Pavilion Theatre, Rhyl, September 29-October 4)

THE story of Buddy Holly and his band The Crickets is told in this award-winning musical which is packed with timeless rock ‘n’ roll classics. Visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk or ring 01745 330000

DANGEROUS CORNER (New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, September 26-October 18)

JB PRIESTLEY’S play of psychological intrigue is both a thriller and an exploration of the question: how much truth can we bear in our lives? Visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk or ring 01782 717962

OTHELLO (The Lowry, Salford Quays, September 30-October 4)

LEADING movement theatre company Frantic Assembly explodes on to the stage with this electrifying take on Shakespeare’s brutal thriller-tragedy. Frantic uses a taut adaptation of the classic text to expose prejudice and fear in 21st century Britain. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788

PROPER CLEVER (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, October 3-25)

FRANK Cottrell-Boyce, creator of Millions and 24 Hour Party People, brings us a multimedia story for the myspace generation. Claire and her gang are proper clever and they know it. Then Bex stumbles into their virtual world. Sad and desperate, she’s the perfect test for their experiment, one that will bring down the most popular girl in school. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776

WHAT’S STILL SHOWING AND WHERE

BORN IN THE GARDENS (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, September 22-27)

STEPHANIE Cole and Simon Shepherd star in Peter Nichols’ hilarious and observant play which was originally commissioned to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Bristol Old Vic in 1979. Maud and her son Mo live in a decaying mock-Tudor house in Bristol where she talks to the telly and he converses with the cat. But when relatives arrive, they try to persuade both of them to escape the confines of their crumbling home. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymu.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565

ERIC’S (Everyman Theatre, Hope Street, Liverpool, September 19-October 11)

A NEW musical by award-winning Liverpool writer Mark Davies Markham whose previous work includes the musical Taboo. Joe’s in trouble. It’s not his time but the clock is ticking. The troops he rallies are from his past, the rebellious and creative fire of a small Liverpool club which sparked a cultural revolution. This the story story of one man’s fight for survival as he draws on the spirit of Eric’s. Starring Graham Bickley, Rosalie Craig and Mark Moraghan. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776

THE GLEE CLUB (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, September 19-October 18)

IT’S 1962 and five hard-working hard-drinking Yorkshire miners and their pianist have a well-respected acapalla musical act on the northern working men’s club circuit. They raise a fortune for local charities but the swinging 60s are just around the corner. Will this cultural revolution render their act a thing of the past? Richard Cameron’s play is directed by Roger Haines. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110

RUN FOR YOUR WIFE (Lyceum Theatre, Heath Street, Crewe, September 22-27)

RAY Cooney’s farce comes to Crewe to celebrate the play’s 25th anniversary with a cast featuring Melvyn Hayes, Mark Wingett, Paul Henry, Barry Howard and Michelle Morris. Visit www.lyceumtheatre.co.uk or ring 01270 537333

THE SUICIDE (Emlyn Williams Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, September 25-October 18)

SEMYON is unemployed and broke so he decides to learn the tuba – to do that he needs a piano which he can’t afford. So he decides to kill himself - which is where his problems really begin. Out of this dark situation, Nikolai Erdman, one of the 20th century’s greatest satirists, fashioned a comic masterpiece that is one of the jewels of the Russian stage. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymu.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565

YOU CAN SEE THE HILLS (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, September 24–October 11)

CRACKLING, candid and witty, the play revolves around teenager Adam on his journey through a Pennine town secondary school to discover if the boy can ever become a man. Recounting his life, loves, family and friends, this poignant monologue follows Adam growing up and dealing with the many adolescent problems, such as hormones, homework and lust-filled dreams. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833