Theatres - 7/11/08

Nov 7 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STARTING NEXT WEEK

ACCIDENTAL DEATH OF AN ANARCHIST (New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, November 11-15)

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.newvictheatre.org.uk or ring 01782 717962

CAROUSEL (Opera house, Quay Street, Manchester, November 10-15)

SOPRANO star Lesley Garrett tops the bill of this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, joined by Jeremiah James of the group Teatro and Alexandra Silber. The score features songs like If I Loved You, June Is Busting Out All Over and You’ll Never Walk Alone. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2484

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

FIREFLIES (The Lowry, Salford Quays, November 14-29)

SOBER new multi-media production from writer Kevin Fegan, directed by Noreen Kershaw of Shameless fame. It tells the stories of Leigh and Nelson, two characters in a crisis on a Salford housing estate. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788

GLYNDEBOURNE ON TOUR (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, November 11-15)

ONE of the world’s finest opera companies returns with three productions: Mozart’s The Magic Flute on Tuesday and Friday; Bizet’s Carmen on Wednesday and Saturday and Humperdinck’s Hansel & Gretel on Thursday. Visit www.regenttheatre.co.uk. 0870 060 6649

HORRID HENRY (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, November 11-15)

FIRST stage play based on the much-loved books by Francesca Simon, illustrated by Tony Ross, adapted for the stage by John Godber of Bouncers fame. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776

MANON (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, November 11-16)

ENGLISH National Ballet present the tale of a beautiful young girl persuaded into life as a courtesan by her devious brother and the temptation of riches in down and out 18th century Paris. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2484

MURDER WITH LOVE (Lyceum Theatre, Heath Street, Crewe, November 1-15)

LESLIE Grantham heads the cast of this Francis Durbridge thriller. Many people dislike Larry Campbell, but none with more reason than David Ryder who pursues his vendetta by obtaining a key to Campbell’s flat with the intent to exact his revenge - but his plans do not go as expected. Visit www.lyceumtheatre.net or ring 01270 537333.

NICO ICON PLAY (The Lowry, Salford Quays, November 12-22)

MULTI-media show exploring the life of Christa Paffgen, model, actress and singer with the Velvet Underground. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788

OUR BENNY (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, November 12-22)

BASED on the Silas Hocking novel, Anne Dalton’s Our Benny is an emotive tale of a young orphan boy’s struggle to survive on the harsh streets of Liverpool during the intense poverty of the Victorian era. Visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525

ROMEO & JULIET (The Lowry, Salford Quays, November 11-15)

THERE’S always a danger of familiarity breeding contempt with this oft-performed Shakespeare classic but this remains the Bard at his most exhilarating.Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788

A TASTE OF HONEY (Royal Exchange Theatre, St Ann’s Square, Manchester, November 12-December 6)

50TH anniversary production of Shelagh Delaney’s iconic northern drama, starring Sally Lindsay of Coronation Street fame. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk/bookonline or ring 0161 833 9833

WHAT’S STILL SHOWING & WHERE

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. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776

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. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk or ring 0161 833 9833

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.Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788

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. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymu.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565

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. Visit www.regenttheatre.co.uk. 0870 060 6649

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. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk. 0844 847 2484

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. 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.Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776

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

THE ever popular company return to The Lowry with performances of Puccini’s Tosca on Friday, Vincenzo Bellini’s operatic version of Romeo and Juliet on Saturday. 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. Visit www.venuecymru.co.uk or ring 01492 872000

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”.Visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk or ring 01782 717962