Theatres - 14/11/08

Nov 14 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STARTING NEXT WEEK

CAN’T SMILE WITHOUT YOU (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, November 17-22)

THE hit songs of Barry Manilow form the basis for this stage musical about a budding pop star whose brush with tragedy leaves him fighting for his life. His only hope lies in the power of the music he loves and his feelings for a girl he once knew named Mandy. Fomer chart-topper Chesney Hawkes heads the cast. Visit www.regenttheatre.co.uk or ring 0870 060 6649.

CINDERELLA – THE PANTO WITH SOUL (Clwyd Theatr Cymru, Mold, November 21-January 24)

IT’S that time of the year again when the Mold venue’s ever popular rock ‘n’ roll panto takes to the stage. Peter Rowe and Alan Ellis promise another fun-filed extravaganza to match their past hits like Jack and The Beanstalk and Beauty and the Beast. A multi-talented cast of 10 mix panto traditions with sensational rock ‘n’ roll classics such as Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow, It’s Raining Men and Try A Little Tenderness. Visit www.clwyd-theatr-cymru.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

FOOTLOOSE (Opera House, Quay Street, Manchester, November 17-22)

THE hit musical based on the iconic 80s movie comes to Liverpool with a cast that includes Maureen Nolan of The Nolan Sisters. City boy Ren has to move to a rural backwater in America where dancing is banned. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2484

HAY FEVER (Little Theatre, Gloucester Street, Newtown, Chester, November 14-22)

NOEL Coward’s classic comedy is the latest presentation from the Chester Theatre Club. Set in 1924, the plot of Hay Fever revolves around the Bliss family: writer David Bliss, his wife Judith, who has recently retired from the stage (except nobody seems to have told her) and their two grown up children, Sorel and Simon. 01244 322674

MATTHEW BOURNE’S EDWARD SCISSORHANDS (The Lowry, Salford Quays, November 18-22)

BASED on the classic Tim Burton film, the touching gothic fairytale tells the story of a boy created by a lonely inventior who dies leaving him unfinished. With scissors for hands, Edward struggles to find a place in the strange suburban world outside. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788

WHAT’S STILL SHOWING & WHERE

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-cymru.co.uk or ring 0845 330 3565

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

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

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.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. Starring Stella Grundy of 90s group Intastella and featuring a special guest appearance by Arthur Brown. 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 with the well-known story unfolding courtesy of some of the greatest lines ever written. 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. The play chronicles the life of adolescent Jo and her relationships with those about her. Visit www.royalexchange.co.uk/bookonline or ring 0161 833 9833