Theatres - 21/11/08

Nov 21 2008 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

STARTING NEXT WEEK

ARABIAN NIGHTS (New Vic Theatre, Etruria Road, Newcastle-under-Lyme, November 22-January 17)

A CLEVER young bride turns to the art of storytelling to save her life as the New Vic presents its festive show. The classic Arabian Nights will be brought to life on stage in a production directed by Paul Warwick and choreographed by Shobna Gulati, better known as Sunita in Coronation Street. Visit www.newvictheatre.org.uk or ring 01782 717962

BLOOD WEDDING (Playhouse Theatre, Williamson Square, Liverpool, November 25-29)

A CLASSIC masterpiece by Federico Garcia Lorca that tells the true story of a bride who must decide between the lover she desires and the one society requires. One of the most innovative and powerful plays of the 20th century is brought to Liverpool by Cut to The Chase Productions. Visit www.everymanplayhouse.com or ring 0151 709 4776

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.

ENGLAND (The Lowry, Salford Quays, November 27-28)

THE first theatrical production to be performed in the galleries at The Lowry. Staged within the Pop-up exhibition, the audience will experience a new way of looking at the art while enjoying an arresting story unfold around them. Performed by two guides within an exhibition, England travels the trade routes of art and human beings. It’s a tour through space and across borders from an art gallery to a jam factory, from Salford to Osaka, from a hospital bed to a hotel room. Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5793

FLASHDANCE (Regent Theatre, Stoke-on-Trent, November 24-29)

THE 80s movie is transformed into a stage musical featuring choreography by Arlene Phillips and a cast headed by Victoria Hamilton-Barritt, Bernie Nolan and Bruno Langley. The score includes Maniac, Manhunt, Gloria, I Love Rock and Roll and the Academy Award winning title track Flashdance – What a Feeling. Visit www.regenttheatre.co.uk or ring 0870 060 6649

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT (Palace Theatre, Oxford Street, Manchester, November 24-29)

CRAIG Chalmers, a finalist in BBC 1’s Any Dream Will Do, gets to play Joseph after all in Bill Kenwright’s production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s hit musical based on the Biblical tale. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0870 606 3536

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY (Empire Theatre, Lime Street, Liverpool, November 26-30)

ENGLISH National Ballet return to Liverpool with MacMillan’s classic production with its full company of 67 international dancers. Visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525

TOSCA/LA BOHEME/CARMEN (Opera house, Quay Street, Manchester, November 26-29)

ELLEN Kent presents the Chisinau National Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus in three traditional productions, performed in an amphitheatre setting. Puccini’s Tosca can be seen on November 26, Puccini’s La Boheme on November 27-28 and Bizet’s Carmen on November 29. Visit www.palaceandoperahouse.org.uk or ring 0870 606 3536

WELSH NATIONAL OPERA (Venue Cymru, Llandudno, November 25-29)

JOIN WNO’s world class chorus and orchestra and a powerful cast of soloists in three productions: Verdi’s Otello (November 25-28); The Barber of Seville by Rossini (November 27-29); and Jenufa by Janacek (November 26). Visit www.venuecymru.co.uk or ring 01492 872000

WHAT’S STILL SHOWING and WHERE

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

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. 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.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. 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

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

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 and with scissors for hands.Visit www.thelowry.com or ring 0870 787 5788

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. A classic rags to riches tale. Visit www.LiverpoolEmpire.org.uk or ring 0844 847 2525

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