Theatres - 31/10/08

Oct 31 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STARTING NEXT WEEK

ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, November 4-8)

NORTHERN Broadsides presents a new adaptation by actress Deborah McAndrew of Dario Fo’s classic satire. A man has “fallen” to his death from a window while in police custody – but did he jump or was he pushed? A brilliant expose of police corruption rooted in real events in 1960s Italy. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN (The Lowry, Salford Quays, November 4-8)

IT’S 1934 and word arrives on the island of Inishmaan that they’re making a Hollywood film on neighbouring Inishmore. This comic gem is written by Martin McDonagh whose work includes The Pillowman and the recent film In Bruges. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788.

THE DRAWER BOY (Emlyn Williams Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, November 7-29)

A YOUNG actor arrives at a small farm where he meets two middle-aged farmers with a moving story. When he decides to incorporate that story into a play, all their lives are transformed as buried secrets of love and tragedy. Michael Healey’s play was first performed in Toronto in 1999. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymu.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

FOR THE LOVE OF MRS BROWN (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, November 4-8)

BRENDAN O’Carroll returns as Agnes Brown in the fourth part of his hilarious family saga. Having discovered the Internet, Agnes accidentally sets up a date with a man she knows only as HairyHarry25. Despite her family’s misgivings, she is determined to go through with it. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk. 0844 847 2484.

OPERA NORTH (The Lowry, Salford Quays, November 4-8)

THE ever popular company return to The Lowry with performances of Puccini’s Tosca on Tuesday and Friday, Vincenzo Bellini’s operatic version of Romeo and Juliet on Wednesday and Saturday and George Gershwin’s Of Thee I Sing on Thursday. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788.

SHOUT! (Venue Cymru, Llandudno, November 3-8)

GROOVY musical which takes you back to the fabulous, hazy days of the swinging 60s starring West End and TV celebrity Claire Sweeney and Hi-De-Hi star Su Pollard. Five gorgeous women and one lucky man will twist and shout, shimmy and shake while belting out classic, timeless hits. Visit www.venuecymru.co.uk or ring 01492 872000.

WHAT’S STILL SHOWING & WHERE

ALL THE FUN OF THE FAIR (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, October 27-November 1)

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.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2484.

ANTIGONE (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, October 15-November 8)

SOPHOCLES’ classic tells the story of Antigone’s defiance – fighting for all she believes and refusing to bow to her ruler and prospective father-in-law when her brother is denied the dignity of a burial. Powerful and shattering, the play brims with modern parallels and takes its audience on a hugely dramatic and emotional journey. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

DROWNED OUT (Anthony Hopkins Theatre, Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, October 16-November 8)

THE successful writing-directing team of Manon Eames and Tim Baker reunite for this powerful new play about a tragic struggle between a tiny community and a large city which had the backing of the government. In 1957, it was decided to drown the valley of Tryweyn near Bala to provide a reservoir for Liverpool, sparking a reaction that changed the fate of a nation. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymu.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565.

THE ENDURANCE (Royal Exchange Theatre Studio, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, October 23-November 1)

THIS critically acclaimed oddball comedy features a comic tour-de-force by actor Ben Faulks. The piece tells the story of a polar explorer struggling through a wasteland, dragging a dilapidated piano behind him. He seeks The Fabled Stage – the best theatre in the world – where the sightlines are perfect, blind sailors man the flies and the programmes are written in squid ink! Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833.

EVITA (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, October 27-November 8)

WEST End performer Louise Dearman plays the title role of the extraordinary Eva Peron, wife of former Argentine dictator Juan Peron, who, from young and ambitious beginnings, gained enormous wealth and power during her ultimate rise to sainthood. Joining her in the role of Che is Seamus Cullen, finalist from the hit BBC TV programme Any Dream Will Do. This classic Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical features an array of unforgettable songs. Visit www.regenttheatre.co.uk. 0870 060 6649

INDEPENDENT MEANS (Library Theatre, St Peter’s Square, Manchester, October 24-November 22)

AS A tribute to the centenary of Annie Horniman’s company at the Gaiety Theatre on Peter Street, the Library presents a comedic gem from Stanley Houghton, one of the leading members of the Manchester School of famous playwrights of the 20th century. Edgar Forsyth, public school educated son of a respected northern gent, returns early from his honeymoon with wife Sidney. His father’s business is not providing the income it once did – which gives Sidney the chance to become the family breadwinner – a ground-breaking concept when it was first created in 1909. Visit www.librarytheatre.com or ring 0161 236 7110.

KING LEAR (Everyman Theatre, Hope Street, Liverpool, October 30-November 29)

UNDOUBTEDLY one of the theatrical highlights of the year is the prospect of seeing award-winning actor Pete Postlethwaite take on one of the truly great Shakespearean roles in the intimate and intense environment of the Everyman. Directed by Rupert Goold, this production sees Postlethwaite return to the theatre where he enjoyed his first major breakthrough. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776.

SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (Opera House Quay Street, Manchester, October 28-November 1)

FORMER London’s Burning star Steven Houghton and Susan McFadden, winner of ITV’s Grease is the Word, team up for this classic musical. which features such memorable songs as Bless Your Beautiful Hide, Wonderful, Wonderful Day, Goin’ Courtin’, Sobbin’ Women, Love Never Goes Away and We Gotta Make It Through the Winter. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2284.

SLAVA’S SNOWSHOW (The Lowry, Salford Quays, October 28-November 1)

A GLOBAL phenomenon, this award winning theatrical experience has wowed audiences across the world. Slava and his ensemble of clowns use water, cobwebs, bubbles and dry ice with dazzling effect, culminating in a blinding, heart-stopping snowstorm, engulfing the awestruck audience. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788.

THE WEIR (New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, October 24-November 8)

CONOR McPherson’s stunning ghost story has enjoyed award winning runs in the West End and on Broadway. In a bar in the remote west of Ireland, the local bachelors are swapping spooky stories to impress Valerie, recently arrived from Dublin and living in the local “haunted house”. But as the time passes, the night takes a strange and unexpected twist. Visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk or ring 01782 717962.